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Ooni Pizza Oven: A Fine Addition To Any Backyard
by Mark Smiley
Ooni has been manufacturing popular outdoor pizza ovens since 2012. The Koda 16 is one of the more popular gas powered models and retails for $599.
The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven weighs 39 pounds and can cook 16 inch pizzas in less than two minutes.
The Ooni Pizza Oven is a popular brand of portable pizza ovens designed for outdoor and backyard use. They have been manufacturing some of the more popular models since 2012. These ovens are known for their ability to reach high temperatures quickly, making it possible to cook authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas in just a few minutes.
The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven, retails for $599, and in tests, reached temperatures well over 850 degrees. This high heat is crucial for achieving the characteristic blistered and charred crust of Neapolitan-style pizza.
This oven is lightweight and portable, making it easy to move and set up in different outdoor settings. Some models are small enough to be carried to picnics or camping trips. The Koda 16 has a sleek and modern design, featuring stainless steel construction, which not only looks attractive, but also helps with heat retention and distribution.
Ooni offers various models that use different fuel sources. The Koda 16 runs on your choice of propane or natural gas for ultimate ease and control. While Ooni ovens are primarily designed for making pizzas, they can also be used for cooking other dishes, such as bread, roasted vegetables, or even searing steaks.
Ooni also offers a range of accessories and add-ons to enhance your outdoor cooking experience. These can include pizza peels, oven covers, and various cooking surfaces like cast iron or stone baking boards.
Ooni ovens have gained popularity among pizza enthusiasts for their combination of portability and high-performance pizza cooking capabilities. “Since buying our Ooni pizza oven, I’ve been making pizzas every weekend,” said a reviewer on Amazon. “I’m glad I read through the reviews and watched a few videos before purchasing. I originally was going to buy the smaller, 12” Ooni but went with the 16” and so glad I did as it allows me to make larger pizzas and other items.”
The Koda 16 boasts a wide opening, large cordierite stone baking board, and innovative L-shaped burner. It is easy to assemble and weighs 39 pounds. It also includes a five year warranty when registered on the website. For more information or to purchase, visit ooni.com.
Snowstang: A Convenient And Affordable Transport To Mountain Resorts
by Mark Smiley
For those who want to hit the slopes but avoid the drive over the President’s Day holiday weekend, Snowstang will be operating and providing service to some of the state’s premier mountain resorts.
Snowstang travels roundtrip to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, and Steamboat Springs every Saturday, Sunday, and President’s Day (Monday, February 19) through mid-spring. All routes board at Denver Union Station, RTD’s Federal Center Station in Lakewood, and at the Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride — upper lot (18560 U.S. 40, Golden, CO 80401).
Roundtrip tickets are $25, except for Steamboat Springs, which is $40. Additional discounts are available for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities. Children ages 2 to 11 ride for $12.50 (with a paying adult). Tickets can be purchased at ridesnowstang.com
“If you like to ski or snowboard but don’t like dealing with the holiday weekend traffic, Snowstang is an ideal option,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “And it’s not just this weekend. If people want to enjoy the variety of activities and special events that’ll be taking place at our partner resorts this winter and early spring, Snowstang is a great travel alternative on any weekend.”
Each Snowstang coach provides seating for 51 passengers, is climate controlled, and has luggage bays, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and USB and power outlets.
“This is our fourth season of serving skiers and snowboarders, and it continues to grow in popularity since it provides a stress-free, safe alternative to get to our world-class resorts,” said CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail Director Paul DesRocher. “Snowstang is also affordable, comfortable, and convenient, dropping passengers off right near the ski lifts.”
Hey Bike Ranger S: Safety And Reliability Combined With Affordability — An Electric Bike To Consider
by Mark Smiley
Ranger S: The cruiser style Ranger S from Heybike is a foldable ebike suitable for commuting to work, grocery store runs, or mountain biking.
In the December 2023 edition of this publication, we reviewed the Heybike Cityrun, an electric bike that most riders would find suitable to have in their garage. Another option to consider from the same manufacturer, Heybike, is the Ranger S.
The Ranger S has a larger motor than the Cityrun at 750W. In addition to the hydraulic brakes, it has a folding mechanism of the Ranger S for those with limited space or that want to tuck it away when not riding.
This ebike excels in urban areas as it features pedal assist to get up to speeds of 28 mph and many safety features making it a good choice for city riding. The pedal assist is a more gradual acceleration which has less of an immediate jerk forward than most ebikes.
Reviews online have touted the comfortable ride quality with its cruiser-style riding position. In our tests, the bike was a comfortable and zippy ride through town. At 72 pounds, it is not the lightest on the market but after riding, it is not something that will weigh on your mind.
Many riders expect a battery that will last. The ebike’s battery life is impressive, offering up to 55 miles on a single charge, ensuring uninterrupted long rides. Also, they expect ebikes to be in a certain price range. At time of press, this bike was listed for $1,299. This price point is c
Foldable: The Ranger S is foldable, making it convenient to store, ideal for those that live in the city.
onsidered affordable for the specs that are included with it.
Riding any bike in most cities is both convenient and sometimes dangerous. Fat tires with splash guards come standard
on this bike, and as most of Heybike’s fleet have, you’ll find large bright lights in front and rear with integrated bright turn signals to inform those around you which direction you are going and be easily seen. And, the horn is loud enough so someone inside a car can hear.
As with most bike computers, the Ranger S features a display for current speed and distance traveled, alongside which power level out of five you’re currently set to and the battery level. Consider downloading the Heybike app to have accurate readings on battery level and so forth.
The battery is removable with a key and can be charged on its own which is a nice feature if you want to only carry the battery into your office if commuting to work.
The Heybike Ranger S stands out as a feature-rich, versatile folding ebike. It balances performance, safety, and user convenience. Whether you’re navigating city streets, commuting, or embarking on mountain biking adventures, the Heybike Ranger S is a reliable, comfortable, and enjoyable ride experience.
To learn more about the Ranger S, visit www.heybike.com/products/ranger-s.