Posted by Les Faber in One of the signs of running a successful BLOG is that you get lots of inquiries from people asking you to link to their commercial websites. I have resisted doing this with Cyclemania as we don’t run this site for commercial gain nor do we want to promote people’s products.
An offshoot to the old link request is something a little different. I get at least 1 inquiry a week from some business asking me to promote their product. Again, no…
But then I got to thinking….. how about doing reviews of cycling-related products? The way I see it is that if someone feels good enough about their product, they’ll have the confidence to allow me to do an unbiased review. In other words, you provide me the product knowing that I am going to review it and provide an honest opinion of it and its usefulness.
Fast forward —– I was contacted by Jeff over at GlobalRide Productions (you can see what they do by clicking the aforementioned link). His initial e-mail was the standard “Can you promote my product for me?” message. Fair enough. After a few e-mail exchanges, he agreed to send me their 3 DVD set of Hawaii rides. The understanding was that I would view their DVDs and provide a fair and honest review of their product. Hats off to Jeff for having the confidence to send me the DVDs. So GlobalRide gets points right off the bat for trusting me enough to send me their DVDs.
On to the product…. slick packaging – nice graphics & well-explained on the outside.
Oh yes, this is a DVD meant for those of us who don’t live in places like Hawaii, but want to cycle year round. Set up your bike on a training stand…. cosy up to the TV and pretend that you are there. And wear all of your gear while the snow pelts your house!
So what do you get for your money (USD $75)? In this case it’s a 3 CD boxed set entitled Hawaii Rides. Each CD has a specific ride:
- StrenDurance in Hawaii
- Maui Rollers
- Oceanside Ride
Cool!
Load the DVD, get a main menu where you have the choice of:
- Music or No Music (I need Music when I SPIN)
- a Coach or not (I like that option).
- Then you get a nifty choice of American, Australian or Italian coaches. Sadly, you get the accents not the language.
- From there it’s the normal warnings and instructions (nicely laid out).
5 minute warm up and you are off. I must say that I have a hard time visualizing things. Not to worry. After 5 minutes, I was in Maui. Hint: Crank the volume up nice and loud.
The videography is good. You are riding with Gene Nacey – the Founder of Global Ride (and a pretty strong cyclist!). Note that this is not a HD video.
A nifty bonus is that there is a map that appears as an inset while you are riding. So you can get an idea of where you are, elevation, etc…. sweet!
You climb, you coast, you go downhill, along the ocean….. So there is all sorts of terrain.
Something that I really liked is that each DVD has a bonus training video with stuff specific to cycling. For example there is a really cool Pilates session tailored to cyclists. That is hard to find at your local gym. And the Instructors are knowledgeable and quite good.
Here’s a peak at a video from Global Ride’s YouTube Channel
Oh yes — What do I think about this DVD set? In short – pretty good. It delivers on what I was hoping for. And that is getting an outside workout while I am inside – without getting deathly bored. The price is right. It’s one of those DVD sets that you’ll watch over and over again. Especially if you are stuck indoors for months on end like we are in Ottawa.
Nice, anything to distract while doing indoor rides is a good thing. I actually put my trainer directly in front of the big screen TV and watch a movie …. but a cycling video is great idea.
PS – yes, yes, I don’t understand blogs that advertise (unless they are truly a business).
I must have passed up at least $9 in revenue
You’re funny Will. It would be great if these guys did a video of some of your rides. Imagine some of the descents!
Hope all is well in your world.
hey les,
so it turns out you and helen have triggered an interest in all this blog stuff in me, i follow a small bunch these days, it gives me stuff to read besides textbooks!
anyway, i think unbiased reviews are a great idea, when it comes to new products, i’m always looking for a few words from people who actually have them, and with cycling there are so many options out there!
anyway i hope you guys are doing great and ill be seeing you at some point this summer i’m sure, cheers!
Hey Jere!
Great to hear from U. I agree – it’s difficult to get unbiased reviews. This is my first one and I hope it goes over okay.
See you sometime this Summer (we hope!).
L
good review!
How would you compare this video to other cycling video that are available on the market(ie: tour de france vids)??
Good question. I haven’t seen any other cycling DVDs. The key is getting “engaged” enough to feel like you are actually riding in Hawaii. These videos made me feel that way.
Maybe they’ll send me to France to do some rides in one of the Tour stages!?!? I’d love to do a comparison.
That would be great!
Do they have a online store where we can purchase the Hawaii dvds?
Yes – on their website. You could probably use them. It is cold here – so probably colder in QC!
Hi Les,
Sounds like a nice distraction when “riding” indoors. I have to say though $75US seems a little steep, do you have any idea how that compares with other cycling DVDs like this? I haven’t looked into them at all, so I have no idea.
Hi Maureen —- I would normally say that it is a lot of money. But unlike a movie DVD, you would watch this multiple times. For me it is a training aid. Plus it’s a diversion from our brutal Canadian Winters.
I hope all is well with you.
That’s my criteria for buying movies, too, I have to want to watch it more than once. I have a fairly small movie collection, as a result
All is well here. Not much in the way of biking going on yet, but I’m going to start my bike commuting again in another week or so. Got to work back up to riding those hills, they’re killers on the way home!
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does anyone have info on cycling in hawaii? which island is best, maps, where to stay, etc?
thanks