Check Out This Blog!

No funny caption here, I like being efficient on and off the bike!

So a large motivating factor for me cycling in general, but especially commuting, is that I want to make as small of a negative impact on the environment as possible.  Bicycles being among the most efficient, but also most entertaining, modes of transportation makes it an easy choice for me to ride whenever possible.

I also think that it is important to do whatever possible in other areas of life to be more efficient and less wasteful.  Being creative while doing so is great too.  That is why I think everyone should check out Earthly Ashley's Blog.

Yes, her blog looks a lot nicer than mine!

Ashley's blog covers a lot of cool areas like recycling/environmental pointers, arts and crafts using recycled objects, and ideas about how to live healthier and be kinder to our environment.  All very important things, and I think many cyclists will be able to relate to many of the topics she covers.  Also, and probably most interesting to cyclists, she posts some interesting food info, ideas, and recipes.  That should definitely be interesting to any hungry riders out there.

Now, in full disclosure, I should mention she is my partner.  That said, I have not been coerced into this endorsement in any way!  We are both trying to make positive changes in the way we think, act, and generally live, and for anyone else interested she has the perfect blog for you!

So check it out, I'm sure you will enjoy it, and you will learn a lot of awesome stuff!

Just Thought I Would Butt In

Comfort is a big deal when it comes to cycling.  Anyone who rides, from a very casual rider to a seasoned pro, knows how bad it is to be on a horribly uncomfortable bike.  Being comfortable or uncomfortable can be the difference between winning a race or running out of steam.  It can mean getting to your destination on time or stopping every few seconds to adjust in a hopeless attempt to make the pain end.  For beginning riders it can be the difference between catching the cycling bug or forsaking the bike forever to a life of collecting cobwebs in the garage.

I don't mean to tell you fellows how to do your job, but I don't think my saddle is supposed to feel like this!

In my experience, the biggest hurdle to reaching a decent level of comfort for most riders is their saddle.  There isn't necessarily a rule of thumb about what makes a good saddle, and nearly every person will have a different opinion of which saddle is the best.  Unfortunately, I will not reveal myself as the holder of absolute saddle wisdom, handing down the secret to saddle nirvana for anyone that reads this.

What I can offer, however, is my recent journey to find the right saddle for me, and hopefully it will be of benefit to anyone out there who is constantly seeking more posterior comfort.

Keep reading to find out more!

Technological Progress!?!?

Where's My CHECKBOOK!!!

I love bike tech.  I am always looking forward to the next new thing I can get my hands on, even if it won't necessarily provide a very noticeable improvement in my speed, endurance, or comfort.  While all of those things are important, and I will touch on them in more detail in future posts, new stuff is just cool.  Seeing the latest aero frame, deep section wheels, or new shoes is exciting!!!!

But then comes a revolutionary new product, so great, so amazing, and so groundbreaking that I can't help but...puke?

Find out why after the jump!

What Exactly Is The Wheelio?

My name is Jason, and I will be the author of this blog, quite cleverly named "What's The Wheelio?"  The purpose of this blog will be to cover a wide range of topics, most of which will be bicycle related.  Being bicycle related can mean a lot of things, but I will generally have a more specific focus on a few areas: Bike technology/maintenance, racing related material (both pro and amateur), and bike commuting.

So sad, anyone have duct tape?

I suppose I would consider myself an amateur bike mechanic, and I will attempt to log any changes or repairs I make to my own bikes as they happen.  They might be specific to my bikes, but I hope that all mechanical-type material here will be relatable to everyone, or at the very least serve as a good reminder to anyone reading that their chain needs some oil or that that creaking noise is still there and needs a look.  In all seriousness I hope to inspire any readers to try some maintenance on their own if they have never tried, or be helpful to any other riders, whether rookies or seasoned pros.

I didn't know that God rides! (If you don't know who this man is, your life is incomplete!  I'm sure I will quote/mention him quite a bit.)

Speaking of pros, I am also a fan of racing and will surely randomly post my thoughts about pro racing.  This will mainly relate to road racing, but I also enjoy cyclocross and mountain biking, so I am sure I will touch on those subjects, as well.

Learning new things is hard.

Another aspect of racing that I will be documenting will be my own introduction to road racing, so hopefully I can give and get pointers and info on that.  I am already an avid rider, so racing seems like a logical step to take, and I always enjoy competition.  Stay tuned to see how things go and whether I fail miserably or not.

Don't be this guy!!!!!!!

I have also begun commuting by bike quite a bit more.  I am personally quite sick of continuing to give Exxon, Shell, or whatever other oil company my money.  I also find that cycling is a lot more fun than sitting in a car and I feel less guilty than when I am killing the planet with burning gas, so whenever possible I commute by bike.  Hopefully I can inspire others to do the same and offer up some tips and my experiences.  I don't live in the most bike-friendly place, so I am sure any of my experiences and ideas about commuting will work a lot better in a more bike-friendly area.

OOOOHHH! SHINY!!!

And related to all of the previous areas, I will try to present reviews of any cycling related products I have the opportunity to try.  I haven't really written reviews before, but I ride a lot and tend to figure out the pros and cons of products quite quickly, and I look forward to sharing my own uncensored ideas about whatever products I try.

Okay, well by this point you have probably had enough of me, so I will give your brain a break and hope that you stop back and continue to read what I have to say, and hopefully I will be entertaining, but also helpful to any other cyclists out there.

-Jason Wheelio