I got one of these today.  I thought it would be fun for you my readers to track me when I’m doing Everest Challenge in One day, EC ONE, henceforth.  I now need to “geek out” and figure out how to use it.  Stay tuned…

Take one part Shimano R315 Custom Fit cycling shoes

One part Swiftwick 7″ Merino Socks the Pursuit

and one part Sidas Flashfit Insoles by Fizik

and you will have VERY happy feet for your ride.

I just recently acquired a pair of Shimano R315’s.  I absolutely love them.  I’ve ridden Shimano shoes for the last 5 years.  I had the R215 which was their highest end shoe before they offered their Custom Fit shoes.  It was a good shoe.  But once I starting using the R300 Custom Fit shoe I realized that the custom molding process could take things to another level… a higher level of comfort.

As many of you that are frequent readers of my blog already know, I am an Ultra Cyclist.  I do centuries and double centuries during the year as I prepare for my goal race the Furnace Creek 508.  The Furnace Creek is a 508 mile non-stop bike race with 35,000 feet of climbing.  I had always had painful “hot foot” during that race UNTIL I got the R300 Custom Fit shoes.  The year I did that race with the R300 my feet felt great …considering.  Next I owned the R310’s.  I felt the toe box was a little narrow and didn’t feel as comfortable as the R300.  But now that I own the R315’s I absolutely love them …oh wait I already said that.  There are a lot of cycling shoe companies out there but for $380 I can’t think of a better value in a custom molded cycling shoe!  The Shimano R315 is a must have for happy feet!

The Shimano R315 is 29 grams per shoe lighter than the Shimano R310 (pictured below) in size 44.5

Fizik will soon make available the Sidas insoles.  This is another absolutely must-have product for happy feet.  The molding process is very fast.  I actually thought nothing actually happened.  But when I put the insoles in my shoes and rode with them for the first time I fell in love.  The heel is very well reinforced.  Sidas puts a felt pad under the most tender part of your foot and it provides an extra layer of protection against road vibration.

And last but not least you need a high quality sock.  Don’t be fooled …like I once was a sock is not just a sock.  The Swiftwick socks are a very high quality sock made with a 200 needle process.  I personally like tall socks and I like wool socks.  So the Pursuit 7″ is my favorite sock in their line-up.  If you’ve been reading my blog you know that I am a huge fan of Merino wool.  It keeps your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Here is where education is key.  Many people only use wool in the winter months- what a shame.  Wool breathes so well you should be wearing it year-round.  I wear them at work because I love the footpad and I spend a lot of time on my feet.  I wear  them on the bike sure in the winter but most definitely in the summer as well.  I even wear them when I race the Furnace Creek 508.  The 508 mile non-stop race is held in October in the Mojave and Death Valley deserts.  Would you believe that while I change my shorts every couple of hundred miles I don’t change my socks?  Nope I put on a pair of Pursuit 7″ socks and they stay on for the duration of the 508 mile race approximately 38 hours!!

Swiftwick socks are a must have for happy feet!

There you have it my quick down and dirty product review of the Shimano R315, Sidas insoles and Swiftwick socks –the recipe for happy feet!  I rate these three items 5 out of a possible 5 stars on the Epic Training scale of goodness.

I have spent several hundred miles riding the Pro Turnix Saddle.  I am thoroughly impressed with its build quality, and its design.  I typically prefer saddles without padding. When the good folks over at Shimano/PRO handed me the Turnix, so that I could provide an evaluation, I must admit I was a little bit skeptical when I saw “all that” padding.

I put the Turnix on my bike midway through my mountain climbing phase of my training for the Furnace Creek 508.  As you well know, there is a lot of time spent seated on a 20 mile climb.  The saddle performed beautifully! The PRO Turnix has a subtle channel or relief in the center of the saddle.   I also like the way the back of the saddle curves upward unlike most saddles that curve down and away from the center of the saddle.  I find that this upward curve creates a backboard, if you will, to scoot back against while climbing.  The saddle works very well under the seated climbing test.

My training then went into my current phase which is working on my aero-position.  During this period I installed aerobars on my bike.  What I like about the saddle is get this…the padded nose.  Yes, when in the aerobars or in the road bar drops the padded nose is really nice.  Hence, I approve the saddle as not just a road saddle but I suggest it would work well on a triathlon bike.  The PRO Turnix performed very well as an aero-position saddle.

On the Epic Training scale of goodness  I rate this saddle as a five star saddle.