2010 Spring Buyer’s Guide: Nutrition, Body and Bike Care

Aches and pains, stubble in places you don’t want, grease and lagging energy levels. You have to take care of yourself, right? Here’s some products that might help.

Cremo Cream:

Hey, guess what? Most of us shave SOMEWHERE on our body. Whether you’re shaving your legs or your face, it’s nice to have a smooth clean shave. Cremo Cream ($7.99, men’s and women’s versions) calls themselves the “astonishingly superior shave cream” and was designed to dramatically reduce cuts, nicks, scrapes and razor irritation. Combined with a sharp razor, Cremo Cream will give you the closest, most comfortable, longest lasting shave you’ve experienced and leave your skin soft and smooth.

I’ve been using Cremo Cream for about a month now and I really like the smooth feel and nice scent after I shave. Even my wife, who has a notoriously sensitive nose, likes the smell. I haven’t tried it for my legs yet, but I’m confident that it will work equally well there.

KT Tape:

Aches and pains. We all get them in the springtime, especially if we spend some time off the bike during the winter. While it’s very easy to pull out the bottle of Vitamin I (ibuprofen), some are looking for drug-free ways to relieve pain. As such, more and more road cyclists and mountain bikers are turning to the natural solution of kinesiology therapeutic taping.

By lifting the skin and relieving pressure on pain transmitters, KT Tape ($12.99, 20 pre-cut strips per roll) provides muscle-pain relief and support without restricting motion. KT Tape comes in convenient pre-cut strips and is available in a variety of colors. It provides 24-hour relief for up to five days per application and is water resistant, so it stays on in the pool & shower. Previously available only to medical professionals and athletic trainers, KT Tape has packaged the tape in pre-cut strips to bring the benefits of taping to consumers.

After a blissfully pain-free fall, I managed to fall down the stairs in January, severely bruising my back and arms. KT Tape was able to keep me up and moving while I visited the chiropractor 3 times a week for the next month. When applied to clean skin, it stuck firmly and stayed in place for several days. The pain from the fall was severe, but I can clearly say that KT Tape was an important part of my recovery. I’ve found that it fits the bill for the sore neck I get from staring at a computer screen all day as well.

Moji:

Most of us know that if we suffer an injury such as a sprain, strain, muscle pull, or tear, immediate first aid can prevent complications and help us heal faster. One of the most important acronyms to remember if you get a sports injury is RICE. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Using these 4 immediate first aid measures can relieve pain, limit swelling and protect the injured tissues, all of which help speed healing.

New knee ($90) and back ($99) wraps from Moji can help us take care of the Ice and Compression part. The Moji system consists of a freezable, moldable cold cell as well as a compression wrap that allows you to put the cold right where you need and have it be held in place. For back pain, the system also comes with a heat cell that can be warmed up.

I found the system hugely beneficial because you can be up and moving around while you’re treating your injury.

Honey Stinger:

Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Honey Stinger was founded in 2002 to bring great tasting, convenient honey-based foods to consumers. An athletic entrepreneur, a honey industry veteran, a food product developer and a beekeeper make up the team that founded Honey Stinger.

However you like to get your energy while exercising, Honey Stinger has something for you. Their product line includes gels, chews, and now, protein bars. Honey Stinger’s products contain an ideal balance of carbohydrates for optimal performance before, during and after training. A near 50/50 fructose/glucose ratio gives ideal levels of glycogen to muscles and liver.

Grease Monkey Wipes:

Grease Monkey Wipes was created by frustrated cyclists who wanted an easy, portable way to clean up after getting greasy from changing a flat tire. Owners Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen are committed to helping everyone, from cyclists to mechanics to motorists to moms, steer clear of grease and grime. Grease Monkey Wipes are the perfect solution for anyone who finds themselves in need of a heavy duty cleaning wipe that can be taken anywhere.

Global Ride:

Global Ride’s “Urban Assault In Italy” DVD offers four rides, ideal for power training, amongst the ancient architecture of urban Italy. The DVD features the churches and statues of Sori, the hillside town of Ruta, Portofino (one of Italy’s most popular vacation spots) and a climb out of the town of Camori. The DVD also contains a bonus 30 minute stability ball training session.

EpicPlanet:

Another solution for those cold mornings is EpicPlanet’s lastest, Rouge Roubaix. This hour and forty minute DVD takes you along on the famous Rouge Roubaix ride out of Saint Francisville, Louisiana. The 100 mile race winds through the Tuncia hills of the West Feliciana Parish and into Mississippi before tackling two 16% climbs on gravel roads. With EpicPlanet, you’re as good as there.

Tags: cremo cream, epic planet rouge roubaix, epicplanet, global ride urban assault, honey stinger, Italy, kt tape, moji back, moji knee, nutrition, Performance