Tee-Ride Bump

So, I haven't forgotten about the race recap.

Waiting on pictures to be posted at VastAction.

Let's just say, for right now, the weekend consisted of sloppy mud, flat tires, and unrelenting climbing.

Tee-Ride in Pictures

I'll fill y'all in on the happenings at Full Tilt in Telluride tomorrow...for now, here's some pictures:

Lapping through in the XC race

Moon over the gondola

Telluride is pretty rad...the view from our hotel balcony

Top of Hill Climb...pure suffering.

MHMF

MIle High Music Festival...two-day event in Denver. Nas, Rusted Root, Cypress Hill, The Samples, Steve Miller Band, Jack Johnson. Tim Reynolds, Atomsphere, Ozomatli, My Morning Jacket, Weezer, Dave Matthews Band.





Missing the Hardscrabble Humper, so it better be fun.


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Native Eyewear - Freekin' Sweet Sunglasses

Grind on the left, Vigor on the right.

This summer, I was able to score two different sunglasses from the company:  the Grind, a style-type eyewear; and the Vigor, more of a performance-type sunglass.  Typically, the Grind gets the call-up for casual everyday use, and the Vigor is summoned when it's time to head out on the bike.  I've had nearly an entire summer to try these out; here's my thoughts on them.

OK - I've always been a big Oakley fan.  I've had Oakley sunglasses since the original Frogskins and M-Frames, circa early '90s.  Love most of their styling.  But my one complaint about them was the durability; I was scared to death to scratch the lenses, and I had problems with frames breaking all the time.

At first glance and trying them on, the one thing I noticed about these glasses is the frame materials.  The frames just don't feel like they're going to break.  A little more flex in the frame material means they'll stay put and remain rigid when you need them too, but when you forget they're in your pocket?  Probably going to stay in one piece.  Which is a good thing for me.

The amount of stuff you get for the price is, quite simply, amazing.  For your decision to spend your hard-earned dollars on these glasses, here's what you get:  your glasses (of course), a second set of lenses, a microfiber cleaning/carrying bag, neck strap, and ballistic nylon carrying case with integral spare lens holder.  Oakley or Rudy Project?  All this stuff (excepting the bag) is extra.

But is Native just wowing you by giving you a bunch of stuff?  Or do they cut the mustard?

Well, here's what the glasses boast, and it's a lot.  All of Native's lenses are polarized.  Yep - you read that right...all lenses are polarized lenses.  That in and of itself is a bonus, and worth the price of admission.  And all the lenses are interchangeable.  Don't like the setup you have?  Just swap the lenses out...voila.  Every frame style has a built-in venting system across the brow, to increase airflow across the lens, nearly eliminating any fogging or condensation issues on the inside of the lens.  Earsocks and nose pieces use Cushinol material - a very grippy rubber-type material that is soft and flexible (for fit), but just don't let go, even with sweat pouring down your face.  The temples use a cam-type design to snap into place; a flick of the wrist, and your frames are ready to put on (very useful when taking off/putting on while on the bike).

The lens retention system is designed to keep the lenses in front of the frame, so the lenses can only be removed away from your face, not toward your eyes...a big plus for safety.  The eyewear is going to protect your face from that unsuspected branch out on the singletrack.  And all their lenses are made from a high-grade polycarbonate, ensuring shatter-free use and high-quality optics.

The Grind:  The workhorse.  Laid back or aggro - you pick.

Back to the actual models I have:  The Grind glasses (retail $149) came in "Asphalt" (matte black) with grey accents.  Standard grey polarized lenses, with Native's "SportFlex" lenses (a yellowish high-contrast lens, with polarization for glare cutdown) as alternates. These things are great for casual use, but I have worn them on all-day mountain biking adventures very successfully.  Their full-coverage design and interchangeable polarized lenses are awesome for mid-day and evening rides alike.  The styling goes perfect on those days the baggies, Dri-fit tees, CamelBaks and 6" travel trailbikes come out to play.  And they double as the best sunglasses for driving I've ever worn...what's more to want?

The Vigor:  Fast.  No posers here.

The Vigor glasses (retail $139) are the "Iron" (gloss black) colorway, with "Reflex Silver" (mirror silver) lenses and the SportFlex lenses as well.   These glasses are straight-up lycra and sponsors, hardtails and SRAM XX.  No casual style here - they're racing glasses.  Featherweight; I could see how someone would forget they're wearing them.  The minimal design is pure function in my opinion - no "casual styling" here; the Vigor just puts fast-looking lenses in front of your eyes.  The Reflex lenses are the best mid-day lenses I've ever worn, bar none.  Wore the SportFlex lenses at our local Vail Rec District MTB event on Wednesday...perfect for that race, with an evening start time and the sun peeking out from the clouds every once in a while.

So, I'm giving a shout-out to Native Eyewear.  Huge fan of the glasses.  And if you're in the market for some sunglasses that are truly a value for your hard-earned cash, you must give these a try.