Pisgah Stage Race Sept 17-22, 2012
Why must this be the same week as Interbike in Las Vegas?
2012 Pisgah Stage Race September 17 – 22, 2012 5 Days, 195 Miles, 28,000+ ft of Elevation Gain
Short & Sweet Review: Giro DJ Gloves
Touch points on the bike are critical. I talk about saddles, shorts, grips, gloves and shoes enough that I hope you realize how important those comforts are.
Introducing Giro DJ Gloves $34.99
Last week I was in Piney Flats Bicycles in Piney Flats, TN. On their wall a rather bright pair of gloves caught my eye. Giro DJ Gloves, the padding was minimum, the venting looked great, and the wrist wrap was very comfortable. Of course I bought them. Forever I’m looking for good gloves that fit my very long, skinny, hands.
Initial Preview
The gloves have about 4 rides on them. They are working well in the hot North Carolina temperatures. The grip is perfect. The color doesn’t match anything, but that makes it wonderful. The wrist wrap is probably more than a normal XC or roadie will like as it comes up your over your wrist. For longer rides I like the compression and for harder rides I like the grip. The gloves don’t have tons of padding, it’s more about proper contact and keeping your hands from wilting.
So far I am pleased. So much that I probably will end up ordering the orange and white ones from the Giro website. They match my bikes perfectly, that is important too.
See these and all of Giro’s gloves over at Giro.com.
Disclaimer: I purchased these gloves and my opinion is my own, no one else’s.
Tracking My Progress with Strava
Welcome Strava, social media for bike rides
2012 Rapha Women’s Prestige Video
2012 Rapha Women’s Prestige from RAPHA on Vimeo.
http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-womens-prestige-2012
Film credits: http://whatwedofilms.com/
– Inaugural Rapha Women's Prestige
– Saturday April 7th in San Francisco
– 13 teams of 6 women
– Start and finish at the Rapha Cycle Club
– 116 miles, 8800' climbing
Go Ride Your Bike
No time for words as I need to sleep, lots of work and bike riding going on these days. How about you?
Motivational Monday with Michelle
What’s your name and location?
Michelle in Melbourne, Australia
What type of cycling do you enjoy?
Long distance endurance
What is your first cycling memory?
Riding in circles around our court trying to stay balanced.
Who inspires you to ride, and better yet WHY?
Dave Harrington and Peter Heals – they’ve ridden thousands and thousands of km only for the challenge
What has been your best moment on the bike so far this year?
Riding 360 km in 24 hrs on the Audax Flèche Opperman ride last weekend
Tell us all about your bikes
Commuter hack, long distance Shogun, TdF team spec Cannondale
Motivational Monday, a Monday tradition at Bike Shop Girl, my goal to keep you motivated and to be striving on the bike even during a hard week or long hours at work. Are you a woman that bicycles? Fill out this easy form and be part of our motivational movement!
Lezyne Micro Caddy Bag Review
Saddle bags are a needed thing in my life. Something that most bike shops forget to mention when they sell you that new road or mountain bike. Riding around with out tools, tube or inflation device is like driving around in your car with out a spare tire. Yes, you can call someone if you get a flat but that isn’t the empower cycling female I hope you are! Plus, a saddle bag can hold that phone for you as well.
Most folks don’t think twice about what saddle bag to put on their bike. They look at two things. Size and color. There is more to a saddle bag than you would think.
Tech spec of the Lezyne Micro Caddy
MSRP: $24.99-19.99
Sizes: Medium (tested) and Small
Colors: Black or White
What’s Unique of the Lezyne Micro Caddy
Two things caught me as I installed the Lezyne Micro Caddy.
The first is the white color. I love all things white and so far it has stayed white which is awesome.
The second is how the bag attached to the seat rails. It almost has wings that wrap back on itself. Making it so you don’t need a strap to secure the bag to the seat post to eliminate waggle.
A few other cool features:
• The multi-tool holder under the bag. This allows for easy access to do quick changes on the bike.
• Reflective piping around the bag. It doesn’t replace a light but it is nice.
Overall thoughts of the Micro Caddy
The bag is nice, it holds my goods under my saddle. I like the unique features that I haven’t seen on a bag before. More and more bike shops are carrying them which is also nice so that you don’t have to buy online. Something about being able to put it on your bike to see if you like it…you can’t replace it. The only thing I would change is for the interior to be white so I can see what’s in the bag easier!
This product was provided to me at no charge from Lezyne. My opinion is honest and opinionated, probably why you’re still reading. I wasn’t bribed or paid for this review.
Signature Cycles Bike of the Week: Seven Cycles IMX 29er
Signature Cycles featured a bike a week on their Facebook and website. After receiving their approval I now plan on reposting ones that catch my eye, either mountain, road or women’s hot rods!
Seven Cycles IMX 29er
Seven Cycles IMX 29er is a carbon and titanium wonder with a burst of color. The Fox Shox fork was custom painted by Seven to match the frame. The build is Shimano Cycling‘s XTR 2×10 group topped off with Enve Composites carbon wheels and parts.
Chamois Cream: What is it and do I need it?
A popular question after cycling shorts and saddle recommendations is normally about chamois cream. If you haven’t heard about it before, don’t feel too left out it basically is under carriage lube.
Wait what? Yes, a cream you put between you and the shorts.
Why do I need Chamois Cream?
I go through spurts of not using chamois cream because I forget it or forget to buy new. Depending on my shorts, saddle and bike fit sometimes it is fine. Below you’ll find a list of reasons I recommend it!
- Prevents chaffing, keeping your skin from rubbing together or rubbing against your shorts/saddle
- Many creams have anti-bacterial in side of it
- Helps with shaving bumps and in grown hair
- Many creams have a cooling sensation that is helpful if you get hot spots or are simply warm down there on a hot day
What kind of Chamois Cream do I recommend?
This is tough, at the end I recommend to try different types and to figure out what ingredients you like. I’ve never had any rash or allergic reaction to any of the ones I recommend.
Assos Chamois Creme
This is the original to me. I remember being 16 and the only other cycling girl I knew recommending it. It because ritual and the smell still reminds me of long rides. It has a cooling sensation which is also nice.
DZ Nuts Bliss
One of the first to make a “female specific” cream. I’ve used it, and can say I can’t tell a difference..it doesn’t seem to have such a cooling sensation and smells less medicated. I have also used the standard “guys” version which works just as well for me.
Chamois Butt’r
This is probably the most popular kind you’ll find in any bike shop. The standard version doesn’t cool as much, and I have been using the Eurostyle for the past few months. One nice thing about this type is they sell tubes of “sample” sizes to bike shops. I like these for folks trying out chamois butt’r for the first time, or for long rides to keep in your pocket!
How to Install Chamois Cream
I’ve heard so many ways to do this, either put it on your short before you put it on, or slather it all over yourself. I’ve tried putting it on the chamois and hated it. It made it feel like I was putting on a damp diaper.
- Try starting with a quarter size of cream, I’m a fan of the squirt bottles over the scoop style jars
- I personally put it in my butt crease, the groin crease and lightly on soft tissues that come in contact with my shorts
- Don’t over do it! Start small and see how much you need!
What do you do??
What do you like? What have you used? Chime in below!
Tech Tuesday: Why Would a Hydraulic Brake Lock Up?
One concern that so many women (and guys) have with owning a bike is the basics of fixing it, or how to do basic road side repairs. I do recommend that as an avid cyclist even with some mechanical skills that you should become best buds with your local mechanic (beer or ice cream works well.) I also want women to feel empowered and to have a better idea of what they are talking about. Tech Tuesday is the remedy for common tech questions!
Question of the week from Facebook: Why would my rear hydraulic brake be locked up after sitting for a month?
In my many years of riding I’ve never had a hydraulic brake lock up on a personal bike, but have seen it happen on a few customers bikes that they drag in with the wheel stuck and not rolling!
The above can happen for many reasons, all of them are prevented with proper cleaning and servicing your brakes just like you would your car!
- A blown seal can cause your fluid to not stay in the chamber it belongs in, and pushing the pistons to the “on position”
- Dirt or surface rust can make your pistons also get stuck. This happens the least, but cleaning your bike every once in a while can prevent this
- Dramatic change in temperature. If you have any air in your hose lines it can expand in heat, this can cause your pistons to also get stuck to the “on position.” This can be prevented with proper bleeding of the brakes.
Preview: Capo Cycling Modena Donna Collection
Capo Cycling – an italian made cycling clothing company has released a new line of women’s cycling clothing. It includes a jersey in two colors, shorts with a comfy yoga waistband and knickers. I understand the italian way of subtle with black and whites but I would love to see some accent pop on this!
Modena Donna Jersey – MSRP $90
Modena Donna Shorts – MSRP $120
Modenna Donna Knickers – MSRP $130
Motivational Monday with Julie Paisant
Julie is a local lady I know from cyclocross. She fully embodies that of em:pwr cycling and motivating all. She’s out there ringing the cowbell and taking photos from the first race to the last. She also cheers you on when she passes you in her races! Kudos to Julie and all she does for women’s cycling.
What’s your name and location?
Julie Paisant, High Point NC
What type of cycling do you enjoy?
Cyclocross, Mountain XC and Road. (Listed in order of favorites)
What is your first cycling memory?
Feeling the freedom of riding my first bike without training wheels. Such a strange sensation. Sweet freedom!!!
Who inspires you to ride, and better yet WHY?
My husband inspires me to ride. He believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself.
What has been your best moment on the bike so far this year?
I first though my best moment on the bike was making podium for NCCX this year. (4th place). But then, that really isn’t a moment. It was at the NCCX race in Boone. Really good venue put on by Andrew Stackhouse, Pirate Race Productions. One section of the course had two nasty climbs for racers to tackle. One was not rideable. Barely walkable as far as I remember. I raced the Ridley and had a little trouble on the hill even with all the gears. Slick and rough at the beginning. I did the single speed race later that day and blasted up that hill each of the four laps. (Each time shrieking with joy! It was a short little shriek due to lack of oxygen. Possibly I was the only one that heard it). I was blown away at what I could do on the single speed bike compared to my geared bike. It made me realize I could be so much stronger on my geared bike if I just committed to the gear. I changed the way I trained for races after that and it really paid off.
Tell us all about your bikes
I am currently riding a Ridley X-Fire for Cyclocross. Also built up an old bashed up Redline frame for single speed races. I was surprised at how solid this bike feels. 05′ Santa Cruz Blur, mountain bike. It has been an awesome race bike but parts are breaking down over the years. Time for something new. Thanks to Mock Orange Bikes, I have a Kona King Kahuna 29″ hard tail on the way. It’s probably more bike than I will ever need. Now I shall fling myself into the bushes in 29′ style. Looking forward to it! My Road bike is a previously used LOOK 595. Extremely responsive. I enjoy racing criteriums with this bike. It dips into tight fast turns with such ease.
Motivational Monday, a Monday tradition at Bike Shop Girl, my goal to keep you motivated and to be striving on the bike even during a hard week or long hours at work. Are you a woman that bicycles? Fill out this easy form and be part of our motivational movement!