Device / Service Review UMIDIGI 3 and UMIDIGI 5

 


Long time no write. I guess it may be a little odd to come back with a review but I recently was unexpectedly surprised by some great service on decent product. About a year i found a reasonably priced GPS watch that didn't require my phone for GPS. I was skeptical but it was worth a chance for the price. I bought the UMIDIGI Uwatch3 and it turned out better than expected with a few minor pitfalls.

 

I hooked the device up to my iPhone with no issues and got it all setup. I used it for step, heartrate, swim, kayaking, sup, cycling, walking, and minimal running but mostly for sports that I didn't have my phone or a bike GPS for as was my plan (oh and as my everyday watch). It uploaded outdoor sports to Strava including the GPX track and heart-rate allowing me to see everything I was looking for although some heart-rate inconsistencies were found between Strava and VeryFitPro (device App).  I recommended the watch to quite a few others including my Daughter.

 

Here is where it gets interesting, just under a year after I bought it and mentioned to my wife that it seemed bulletproof it started acting strange. I pressed the button to check the time while watching a Basketball game and the screen was scrambled, within a few minutes the screen would not even turn on. All of the other functions continued and sent the details over to my phone but I was unable to start activities/view the screen etc. I used it like this for a few days as a basic step counter/info capture device but was missing the other functions. 

I decided to buy another but the model was no longer available and the Uwatch5 was on sale on Amazon. I picked one up and waited on its arrival. Once it came i also received an e-mail letting  me know it came with a one year Warranty. I was unaware of this so I messaged them to ask about the Uwatch3 Warranty. No questions asked (Other than what wasn't working and a photo) they sent a prompt replacement.

After receiving the Uwatch5 which I have only had a few days there are a few things I like better and one thing I don't like about the replacement model/software. I like the additional sport modes, the larger watch face, the available watch statistics. I enjoy the 5 ATM water resistance for my activities.

The one downside on the Uwatch5 vs Uwatch3 is something I hope UMIDIGI changes. The STRAVA upload only includes the speed and distance without uploading the GPX and heart-rate data that is clearly visible in OyeFit (New APP). If they add this then this device would be perfect for me.

 

Uwatch5 seems to locate the GPS Satellites quicker while both watches function with GPS. Both watches only need to be charged every few days unless you are using GPS regularly and then the time between charging decreases but is still more than acceptable for me. All in all both are great for the price.

VeryFitPro

 OyeFit

 

Apps are both useful for showing your details but as previously mentioned uploading to Strava is better handled by VeryFitPro (Uwatch3) than by OyeFit (Uwatch5)

 

Well enough mumbling about this device, I will have to get back to writing about my rides and stuff but no promises.

 

For now... I'm out... 

 

 

A Slow Start

It has been a slow start to riding this year with the majority just being commutes. Whats my excuse? Do I need one? Lazy? Gym time? Caught every bug that came through so-far this year?

Well I guess all of the above. Hoping to leave the excuses behind and amp up my riding. I can't really call it training as i have not signed up for any races/events to train for thus far this year. We will see what the next couple months bring.

Here is a snapshot of my in-region riding for this year. I have done a couple fun rides out of the region but nothing to brag about. 

Anyway, this proves I still exist.

For now, I'm out... 

Twas the Night Before #Bikeschool

A story by @Luke_Wanderer

Twas the night before #BikeSchool
And all thru the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse

The cables were strung past the headtube with care
In hopes that Prof @greg_loper soon would be there

The #BackRow was nestled all snug like some #Freds
While tweetstorms of #Tacos danced thru their #Threads

And @twittyboyd in her 'kerchief, and @egggman in his cap
Has just parked their sus, back from gnar #braap

When back on the track there arose such a snitter
They knew by the sound - the Fastest Hour on Twitter

Back on their bikes, clipped in in a flash
Feathered the brakes, avoided a crash

Sun shone on dust of the just-ridden track
Settling thick on his dry #Camelbak

Thru that dust cloud to their eyes did appear
A full carbon fattie and a fixie (one gear)

With sun-weathered pedallers so lively and quike
They knew in a flash, it must be @bikerly & @lovingthebike

More rapid than SRAM Eagles their enduro rigs came
And they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name

Now @JonahDiPasquale, now @icemanbb, now @barbchamberlain & @jennfax!
On @HyperboreanWolf, on @YYCbikewinefood, on @kui360 & @altaplanning!

O'er top of the step up, thru the rock garden
Just like the roadies, the fuck up we'll harden

As mud clots that off the #CX wheels fly
When they come to an obstacle & jump up sky high

So up off the double those rad pedallers flew
With frame bags of goodies and a burgeoning crew

And then in a twinkling was heard a small ping

A mad grunted "Damn! I've broken some thing."

Then someone said "It's only a spoke.

You've 31 more. Keep shredding the stoke!"

So dressed in some lycra and non-kit type garments
They mashed off on flats, heeding their Garmins

Bundles of gear on each Thompson post
#BikeCampers all, in search of a host

Their flasks, how they glinted. Their growlers, so very
Full of fine ale, waiting to share-y

Their laboring lungs, a forge needs such bellows
And the beards on some chins, yes sturdy these fellows

And smooth-faced others, no slackers these shes
Flowing sweet lines thru rocks, shrubs, & trees

All of fair face and nary a belly
Busy off shredding, not watching some telly

Happy and fit, right jolly and keen
Their travel mode modern, sustainable, green

From winks of their eyes and quick nods of their heads
@twittyboyd & @egggman knew there was nothing to dread

They stopped in a glade and went straight to their work
Setting up glamp, hot chicken jerk

And laying her finger aside of her nose
@twittyboyd snotted like some farmers blows

With that they all jumped on their steeds at full stride
And set off with cheers for a quick sick night ride

And I heard someone say ere they rode out of sight
Happy #Bikeschool to all, 9pm EST every Thursday night!

#bikeschool

(Stole/Stealing this quickly from this evenings postings as they are great!! - Need to crash will steal more in the am if he keeps going.)

On another note I am riding the Singlespeed again so may get some creative juices flowing sooner or later myself again... 

I'm out!

The Best P2A Ever!!

Paris to Ancaster has been a fun race that I have endeavored a few times. I have not raced this as a yearly tradition as schedules don't always work. Usually if there is an opportunity at the last minute I sign up. This year wasn't that much different in the sign up process at least. I waited until the last minute and then realized there was a 20K option. I wasn't aware it was self timed so asked a couple silly questions on twitter regarding a tandem category.

Either way we signed up. My son and I for the 20K ride. We arrived at the start line in time to fight with the tandem bike from the time we got there until almost seconds before the ride. Fortunately the left side tentioner held up through the whole ride. Was a stressful start.

From there the awesome happened, conversations with my Son about everything he liked about the race plus the hockey stats that he knows better than me. 

My absolute favorite was this moment on a long and gradual climb. "Dad you are really breathing hard, I am not breathing hard" me: "Good job buddy!" Little man: "Are we almost to the top?" Me - still exhausting the lungs "Not too much further" and this continued a few more times. I could not keep the smile off my face through this as I did my damndest to chat at full effort. Then the rest stop - Little man grabs 2 cookies and I gasp for water. We down our choices and I give him water as that is probably a good idea and on we go.

Downhill reveals rail trail and the hardest part is riding through the safety stalls on a tandem with my son on the back. Rail trail went by in no time, possibly more because of our chat than anything. and out of nowhere 2.2kms to go yells an on-looker. Felt like no time had passed at all. 

Now onto Martin road, Little man and I had chatted about what was coming and how big the hill was. We had made it up every hill to this point and even had hecklers saying the only way we made it up the hills was the motor on the back.

I do not disagree with this statement, he pushed hard the whole ride! And then we heard as from nowhere "EVAN!!" as Krista had made her way down the mtb trail along side Martin hill and was pushing us to make it up at least a little further. 

We fought through for a bit but eventually gave in.

I don't think the smile came off of either of our faces for quite some time after the ride/race/etc...

See you again next year P2A

Ride to Conquer Cancer 2017

 

 This past December my family suffered the loss of my mom, Anne Osborne.  In memory of our mom my brother Jeff and I will be participating the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.  In two days we will be covering 225KM, riding from Toronto to Niagara Falls, all in an attempt to have an impact in the fight against this horrible disease.

I have set a fundraising goal of $2,500 and I need your help to get there.  All of the funds raised go directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s top 5 cancer research centres and will move us closer to conquering cancer in our life time.

Please consider helping me accomplish my goal in raising funds in memory of my mom and to end this heartbreaking disease.

Thank you for your generosity and support in my ride to Conquer Cancer.

Sincerely,
Mike

Get Pie with a little help for your friends!!

Saturday was so much fun! I picked up a FB comment a few days back from Steve S regarding a 200KM ride. I had never done anything of this distance before! We went out and rode point to point 50-70K at a time to stop for Pie and other goodies (ride was nicknamed the Pie-Athlon by coordinator Steve). The company was stellar and the riding was amazing. 

I loved the rain when it came but that didn't seem to be the thoughts of the group. Had it been hot and dry I would likely have been crumbled on the side of the road like the crust of the French Rhubarb Pie. What a great group of riders also including a long time friend Riot...

Anyways after this long without posting I should cut this short..

For now I'm out... 

How Dare They!!!

As I rode in this morning on the multi-use trails I came up behind 2 walkers. They were walking in this crazy 2 abreast pattern and were not paying any attention to those around them. It almost looked as if they were talking to each other and enjoying the wonderful morning. How Dare they!! Did they not know i would have to slow my bicycle and go around them. Did they not know i slept in and had a morning meeting I had to be at work for? Bah, how inconsiderate these slow moving creatures were on the trail. I think we need to mandate single file walking on the multi-use trails. This type of activity needs to stop.

Odd the things that come to your mind on morning rides some times. I am of course being absurd and thought of how complaints come regularly about us being on the road in the first place. And of course the absolutely horrid thought of us ever being 2 abreast.

Fake rant over :)

Not Dead Yet....

The after effect.... er, the new plan, er er er....

But back to the story before the story... Saturday had an amazing forecast of rain, rain, and more rain starting around noon.... So Friday night I txted Jay about an early morning ride... He was all in with his #newbikeday being only a couple weeks old and still no trail dirt on her. 

His face when we arrived to the trailhead was all like, damn, they are plowing the trails? Actually no that's just the local dump in the background. He was really saying why did we stop? What's with the photo op?

Back to the beginning, all excited for a ride I had the toy inside and ready to ride to the trail, ride the trail, and then ride home, best laid plans... 



aaand back to the trailhead, after a successful ride out it was time for a couple pics and a start to the ride....

In no particular order we commenced to enjoy all that  http://hydrocut.ca/ had to offer, Apparently from a far this trail sends you directly into a tree....

In truth this trail is the better angle of my end of pedaling time.. Unfortunately on the last 3 switchbacks I heard odd noises... I decided that my rough rear wheel with multi'spoke issues had finally given out on me. Turns out it was something different. 

Did I mention it's been a long time since I rode with a camelback? Of course not, that wasn't important until now. Well on this day I decided to try out a camelback I had won as a draw prize att he Spring 8 hour. I transferred old tools, old tubes and discarded an old chainring I have never used...... 

Had a great time riding downhills without touching brakes on the way out and push,pull and dragging the rest of the way...

Back to the beginning, Have not yet installed the round chainring in favour of waiting for the new oval ring to arrive or at least be ordered so back to the "new" 1985 road bike for some more fun...

lost the Train of thought so...

I'm out... 

  

It's been a long time since I left you without a dope beat to step to.....

Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years....

Either way I fell off and it's time to come back. Today's lunch ride was amazing. I was chasing 1 to 2 ghost riders from years gone by. However unsuccessful I was, I was out there again. Slower tomorrow!!!

First successful lunch break in a long time #seenonmybike #lunchride #outsideisfree

A photo posted by @egggman on Oct 7, 2015 at 9:35am PDT

Thanks for the motivator!!

As the only long time reader of this blog I am glad it will not be stagnant for a while at least. What prompted this you ask? (you are me right??)?  A free bike contest, although it all just started because we all want #newbikeday to happen more often

it has rekindled a certain part of me who enjoys playing with the gopro camera and the Gimp. Gimp fun as illustrated in this pic of @morenamesthancanbementionedinoneblogentry...

I have ridden multiple bikes (not really any different from normal) taken alternate routes through my town (also not new) and enjoyed the ride (pattern here??). 

The thing I had lost was thinking about the ride both while on the ride and post ride with the same conviction. Finding that point in the ride that made my smile grow biggest and review it to show it to whoever was interested (me). This became evident this morning while stopped on a multi-use trail through Lakeside park watching a family of Ducks cross my path. Unfortunately the GoPro had run out of disk space and I was unable to show the picture.

After realising this I looked at the past few days... They seem to look alot like back when I started this blog, found the awesome folk at #bikeschool, and rekindled a few other times for other fun reasons.

Not that I still don't want a #newbikeday just that it has already helped!! Thanks Kitchener for putting on this contest!! 

Excerpts of awesome as according to me... 

Anyway I have blabbed on for long enough... I'm out... 

  

The Cheer Face, And why it is Amazing!!

Michael Jordan is known for his tongue hanging out of his mouth while being at the top of his game.

Facial expressions are an amazing part of Sport!

http://www.businessinsider.com/olympic-figure-skating-faces-2014-2

Olympic Skaters make crazy awesome faces while doing amazing things that are difficult and sometimes painful.

This happens in way too many sports to mention here.










                                                           The Cheer Face
                                 (My Daughter is my Favourite Cheerleader!!!)

An expression created by blocking pain when one of their best friends just made their shoulder feel more pain than she can remember but she strives on. An expression made when they finaly hit that stunt that they couldn't come close to in practice. An expression made when they feel that close to completing a perfect run. An expression made when they are so nervous that a fake smile wont cut it.

The Judges have seen this 10,000+ times. This sport is about pushing yourself further than your body is capable of. On competition days these incredible athletes hit the floor and it just works. I encourage these amazing Athletes to leave it all on the floor, and Show Their Cheer Faces!!!

If everything they are feeling can be channeled into a Happy Cheer Face I think that is just Amazing!!
  
But I am just one Dad.

This used to be awesome!!

Someone asked me a question on twitter today and I went back to the archives to find a certain entry I wrote about layering. Upon searching I ran into this one http://oldsinglespeed.blogspot.ca/2013/02/is-tomorrow-next-day.html , I have in many ways realized that this past year I have been a failure!! I spent more time at the office. I have accepted more call-backs. I have spent a load of time on-call. The worst thing I have done is not talking to the boss and giving the work for life not live for work speech. I spent this last year overstressed under funn'ed (not a word) and angry. It has affected the ones I love and at the end of the day I made a little more money...

I think it's time to go back to my old ways and enjoy life. These past 2 weeks were amazing!! I spent time with my family without thinking about work!!

Then I went back to work with more of what I used to/should be. 

It's going to take a little time for me to get back into shape, but hopefully before that I can fix the things I truly screwed up and and start to be that guy I used to be!!

for now I'm out!!
    

24 Hours of Fun/Pain

What a great race, wow that hurt. I was not feeling 100% prepared going into this race but was excited to give tag team a try. My teammate and I took in some good advise prior that really helped us plan for a positive experience in tag team.
“Do double laps so you can recover, don’t race your teammate!”
Generally we are somewhat competitive so the second was going to be harder. I planned my food/water/fuel strategy according to the weather we had been having and decided on one water bottle for first 2 laps as it still felt a little cool but humid after the rain. This was my first mistake.
Lap one I felt great and did not reach for the bottle til I was part way through. Lap 2 I was dipping in alot and had emptied it before the half way point. I cramped due to hydration issue in the last 5k section but not bad enough to dismount. A friend mentioned that my chain looked a little loose and that I should add some tension between laps.
My teammate want out and I started playing with my 2ish hour eat/drink/rest/recoup plan. I think I was doing well at the one hour point of my plan when he came in with a broken pedal. I grabbed my bike and 1 bottle I had prepared and out I went. I had not drank enough between laps as I was trying not to flood myself. This lap I cramped up at the same point but not as bad and it cleared quicker. Then I dropped my chain, (remembering what friend said) luckily it wasn’t broken. Popped it back on and made mental note to repair at break (this time 2 hours).
My teammate’s bike was fixed and we got into our proper flow just a little bit beat up early on due to the missed rest.
I went out for my next 2 still not dealing well with water intake and cramped twice in each lap but still bearable to ride. Thankfully the cool of the night arrived with cool temps that took away on the bike cramps and I let myself slip into a manageable pace and take in the night. This worked for the next couple also and then came the morning heat. I had finally learned how to hydrate but had no strength left.
Last 2 laps I ended up walking hills and stopping for drinks as I was exhausted mentally and physically.
After I was done I realized we were in 3nd place and my teammate was out there to try to keep that. He had a great lap and then we changed war stories. (You could easily tag team with someone you don’t know as you never see them for more than a couple mins at a time).
All in all my teammate and I each did 10 laps for a 3rd place finish and looking back it was awesome! At the time it was stages of torture.

My teammate Mike http://riotonracing.comhttp://riotonracing.com pretty much pulled me through this race. If I didn't know he wouldn't quit no matter what I may have. His lap times constantly amazed me!!

Ride Fat Ass Ride, Fall Fat Ass Fall...

Maybe not quite rock bottom but I have flipped and landed close to that spot.

Is Tomorrow the next day?!?

I miss these words!!! I laughed many times about this comment from my 4 through 5 year old son. He is now 6 and this question has ceased to exist.

This entry is to wake up the one and only un-alienated reader of this blog.... Me... I sit here stressed, angry, work obsessed, and out of shape. So angry that instead of playing with my son I was working on a way to prove my point regarding a work issue of less importance...

Then came the reality check. I poked him in the side, in return I received "oh, you aren't on the phone Daddy? You have been on the phone all day..." this broke my heart. We almost instantly began a miniature snowball fight (not sure which craft these little white pop-pom's on the ottoman came from) but they definitely came in handy!! From there we goofed off and had a good time until his bed time.

I have always been a "work to live, don't live for work" guy but somehow recently got pulled in. I have been set straight!!!

Tomorrow truly is the next day!!! It will be awesome!!

I'm out...

What are you?!? Crazy?!?

Today I showed up at the office as I always do, maybe I rode my bicycle a little slower. Maybe I took extra care around corners. I may have even worn a balaclava and goggles. I felt a little cold while putting out the garbage and recycling...

At the office I was confronted by many people. Some with red faces, white fingers, ears of many colours. Many of these people with icicle covered hair. I heard many things.

"You are crazy cycling in this", "my car didn't even heat up by the time I got to work", "my face froze on the way from the parking lot", etc....

Well, this was my morning. I woke up,  ate breakfast, packed my lunch. From there I did 2 of my 3 S's of morning and brushed my teeth (basic morning rituals). I threw my work clothes in my backpack and dressed for the commute. I added an extra pair of tights and switched from glasses to goggles.

After putting out the garbage, recycling, etc... I hopped on the CX bike and rode to work (Typical Tuesday).  I was aware of my surroundings, took care to stay in the unploughed bike lanes,etc... 

Long story short, not only was I warm my whole ride, I got to have a hot shower on arrival. lost my train of thought... I'm out...

Required fixes...

I sit here weighing well over what I should, the mirror and scale currently not my friend. Amazing how quickly this can occur.

This year I have ridden more KM's than I ever have before. I have landed on podiums unlike other seasons. I have generally ridden faster and further than ever before. I have also cut corners in many ways.

There is a new 1'st floor shower at the office where I used to climb to the 9th. I convinced myself that the further ride in allowed me the laziness of skipping the stair climb. I have eaten more white starch this year. I also gave up office boxing classes as they were cancelled for many months then resumed at 7:15am vs the previous lunch hour classes. I chose the 20K ride in instead of the boxing. 

Today I sit here in core/back pain after playing x-box kinect boxing with the kids for the past couple days. There was also some snow shovelling but these things should not be making me feel this way. I am faster than the past few years at hockey but there is more huffing/puffing on the bench.

All in all I think I may have not allowed proper recoup time in the past but the training was better. This upcoming year I hope to increase the 9th floor showers back to 3 days a week (vs previous 5). After a 2 week holiday I do get the luxury of creating a new schedule.

All in all my last 8 hour race was amazing and I was able to keep my head straight and land in 3rd place which is my best Solo SS finish yet. I also was able to finish 3rd in my last CX masters race of the year even with a ridiculous slow start and a silly bail.

I guess the point of this post is kind of cliche, but my NY Resolution is to push myself to get back into race shape. Hoping that I can ride as fast/faster in "race shape" than i can in pear shape...

All for now, I'm out.... 

Not gone, just quiet

I have been doing a little blogging on a new blog lately and leaving this one quiet. As it is CX season I have been working with others in the area to start up a practice night. I am new at this sport and this little initiative over at KWCX Blog has brought out some more experienced riders to learn from. Follow our fun over there during the quiet time here. 

I do however have my last 8 hour SSMTB race of the season next weekend and will likely post a post race report here. Wait for it...

I'm out... 

Sometime I ride slow Sometimes I ride quick.....

Sometimes I ride slow sometimes I ride quick
I'm sweeter and thicker than a chico stick
Here's an ice cream cone honey take a lick
I go to Bay Plaza and mash sum shit!
Wore my Sidi shoes so I can stomp sum clips
Scandalous get a wiff of this mist
Just like the Yar Boys now I'm blissed
I feel good per say good state of mind
Ride a Red Kona and I makes it mine
I love it when I ride my line!
Go to Tavern on the Green have a glass of wine
He say, she say I heard it through the grapevine
No static, got a SS kinda like an automatic
Too much of anything makes you an addict
Smooth B Greg Nice Slick Nick click
Sometimes I ride slow sometimes I ride quick...
Sometimes I ride slow sometimes I ride quick
I was on 125 and Saint Nick
Waiting on a cab, standing in the rain
Screw it all ride my bike no pain
She got the best of me
What was her destiny?
Maybe she should ride to her destiny...
My mind is in a blur
Cause you could never pay me to think this would occur
Me and this girl Jane Doe was living together
We were inseparable, noone could sever
At least that's what I thought
But later I fought with her cassette
And almost ended up in the next heat
When I was on the road racing shit getting wins
She was on my ride getting cranky with her friends
And even when she crashed my whip I didn't flip
My man Slick Nick said Smooth you're starting to slip
Time went on I started noticing weight loss
Then I had to ask her was she riding the bike more
At first she said no, then she said yo Smooth I'm sorry
But I keep having to ride mo!!!
I need speed!!
And I said woah little hottie
I'm not Trek, Kona or Specalized
I don't ride , and furthermore you're making me broke
I'll send you to training and I won't tell your folks
And what do you know
In 18 months she came home and I let her back in
And now riding faster again... and again.... and again...

A week of challenges, food and fun...

Started to post this last week and got caught up in life and it was left with only photos and a title... The last couple weeks saw a couple of new challenges for me. Challenge one was highlighted in my last post (Mi first road century). It wag good times but already talked about at end so on I move.

Saw an acquaintance's FB profile pic of a ridiculous burger contest in town and wanted to try it. Thursday (week before last) my wife asked if I wanted to go there for dinner. The guy in who tried it and posted to FB had failed to finish the beast BTW.

 So we went over to Mel's Diner and I toyed with the idea of the challenge. A 3 pound burger with all the trimmings on what seems to be a loaf of bread (I generally don't eat bread or buns on my burgers except after a long ride/race. I went to town on the burger and in just under the allotted hour it was complete. I was not the owner of a big t-shirt that tells me I can eat a whole lot of food... All in all good times and no requirement of food for a couple days...

Next was Tour de Creemore, a ride I was doing with a friend who is training for LeTape Du Tour stage 11 - Albertville. The 100km would have been my longest ever road ride had I not decided to do Tour de Grand on a whim the Sunday before. It did however have a challenge built into it. Scenic Caves road up the Blue Mountain was like nothing I have climbed before. Like most things in life and cycling though it only hurt until 5 minutes after it was over.

It was a great ride and a beautiful day on the bike. Hard to believe his coach had him ride 78km to the start line of the ride and then an additional 2 hour ride later in the day.Good luck in France Willie!!

That's it for now... I'm out...