BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I would love to patronize them, as they are a short ride from my house, but their weekday hours don't work well with my schedule, and weekend hours unfortunately appear to be nonexistent. :-(

I've never been to their shop, but have ordered several items off their web site over the years: bike shorts, a balaclava, neoprene toe covers. Everything was delivered promptly and worked fine.

No wool in any of their socks? I am disappoint.

good wool is a thing of beauty. synthetics can suck it.

I didn't know they existed. Thanks for the link.

rsprake wrote:I didn’t know they existed. Thanks for the link.

Ha-ha, second sponsor on the list...

Obviously, I think wool-free socks are great My non-local (but made in the USA) Wigwam Ironman Trail Wind Pro socks are the bomb They can get wet, dry, and not feel completely disgusting And mostly only plants had to die for them :) I also think Aerotech is pretty cool though They've helped me out with some stuff

Pierce wrote:And mostly only plants had to die for them :)

M-m-m, I don't believe animals die for wool socks. :)

You're right, they're all on Old McDonald's farm http://sheep.osu.edu/2008/08/29/culling-the-sheep-flock/ "A fifth potential reason for culling a ewe is age. You should not automatically cull a ewe that is 6 years of age, but you should consider if she can('t?) effectively make it through another year. Consider things such as maintenance, breeding, lambing, and lactation. Ewes need to be culled while they still have a cull value, because dead ewes have no value. If she can effectively produce another set of lambs without requiring more of your time and attention, then she can be maintained in the flock." So if anybody has seven year old wool socks, there's a good chance they outlived the animal they came from

In that example, the problem is factory farms... not wool (in general). The Ewe isn't being put down to produce wool, it's being put down to maximize its profit to the owner. But hey, what ever floats your goat.

what about the habitat destruction caused by the extraction of petrochemicals used to create synthetics? everything costs something.

Pierce wrote:So if anybody has seven year old wool socks, there’s a good chance they outlived the animal they came from

In wildlife average lifespan of a sheep/ewe is less than 6 years. As soon as animal slowed down enough it cannot keep up with herd it's pretty much dead. This also true for "hunters". The same cats in a wild -- 7 years is considered a really long life. Feral cats on a farm -- 9 years. If winters are harsh then even less. Cats living in house and going outside 13. While indoor cats go very often to 17-19 years.

@Drewbacca I don't think Ohio State qualifies as a factory farm. Every commercial farmer regardless of size or methods has to worry about the profitability of each animal. (Unless perhaps, they're a farm sanctuary.) You can be assured that whatever farm the wool comes from that goes into socks is concerned with profitability. @cburch Agreed that everything costs something, but my hunch based on the inefficiency of animals used for consumption is that raising animals for wool isn't as efficient (or less polluting) as synthetics ---- Environmental and moral considerations aside, I don't know how my socks could get any better Edit: Just realized Aerotech sells Wigwam Tri socks on their site too

Well, fwiw... if I owned a farm and raised sheep for wool, I'd give them all a (relatively) happy retirement. I guess I'm lucky to have sheared a sheep that was allowed to live its natural life. [background: former gf's father, from Zelienople, bought a herd because he didn't feel like mowing the lawn]

I did not know that existed.. Not just socks and not local but, the subject of wool came up. Today, I toured ibex.com's space in Vermont and it is awesome. I own a few of their wool jerseys, long cycling pants, hats, gloves etc. If I could afford to replace my whole closet, I would. A few dozen dogs work there (my dog went on the tour too) and a lot of people bike to work.

smarchit wrote:I would love to patronize them, as they are a short ride from my house, but their weekday hours don’t work well with my schedule, and weekend hours unfortunately appear to be nonexistent. :-(

We're actually open on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm @ 1134 4th Ave, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Thanks!

chrispissingrivers wrote:

smarchit wrote:I would love to patronize them, as they are a short ride from my house, but their weekday hours don’t work well with my schedule, and weekend hours unfortunately appear to be nonexistent. :-(

We’re actually open on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm @ 1134 4th Ave, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Thanks!

Good to know! Thanks!

I like these socks for cycling: Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Merino Hiking Crew Socks, 75% merino wool/21% nylon/4% spandex, $20, http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/ultra-lightweight-merino-wool-hiking-crew-socks?p=50005-0-417