My tri-modal commute to Charlotte has partially changed my perspective of commuting concerns. One of these concerns is clothing which I’ll be deep diving in the next few articles.

Photo Credit : Outlier

Business Attire and Dress Codes

Since I now work back in the marketing and advertising industry there is more of a dress code than what you find in the bike industry. There are days that one is able to wear khakis or even jeans, but on the days that there is a slight chance of a meeting or client call those clothes won’t cut it.

Dress clothes, especially nice ones, don’t wear well for riding a bike and sweating. They also don’t do well with being shoved into a messenger bag. While I’m looking into a better solution of carrying the business attire, laptop and paperwork I still haven’t found it.

Shopping for Bike Friendly Dress Codes

While my better half cringes when we go shopping, I’ve been shopping for styling clothes that are “bikeable.” If I was a guy, this would be easy but it seems like the idea of technical fabrics and womens dress codes are very rare.

Thankfully the mornings have been cooler so I can pull off the 2.5 mile bike ride from the bus to work by simply rolling up my pants legs and pedaling slowly not to sweat. This won’t always be the answer, especially when it’s raining! (Currently those days I walk.)

Bikeable Work Clothes

What do you use? What brands or fabrics wear well and still can allow you to walk into a board meeting?

“My first music video is up on Youtube and Vimeo at www.youtube.com/redsonia and www.vimeo.com/sunnyd. The song is called “Apparently (Al Sheppard)” and it’s about my friend who was killed by the former Ontario Attorney General, Michael Bryant, and how wack the “justice” system is. I’m cutting and pasting the press release below.

Please support this video, and let your friends and friends of friends know. We’d just like to see this video cross the globe and have everyone get the message out about Al. God knows, it could have been me that encountered that crazy road-raging politician and had my life dragged through the muck by the media.

Thanks for all your support through the years. I hope you like the video. The song can be downloaded for FREE at http://sunnyd.bandcamp.com too. It’s for people to share liberally.”

It Happened Again

Photo Credit : Richard Kirkman & DavidsonNews

This past Thursday, on the same triathlon course (AGAIN) a gentleman named Bill Doherty was cut off by a large box truck and pulled 50-75 feet under the truck.

This is how it was described to me by the witness. Billy was keeping pace with traffic at the time, so he was probably doing 30+ mph. His Garmin showed the last recording at 28.7, but that was as he was being pulled under the truck. The truck drive partially passed Billy and then swung into the road with no indication etc, that is about 200 yards before the creek on Rocky River road just outside of River Run. Bill left a black tire mark about 5 yards before impact, so that alone shows how close he was. He was dragged for about 40-70 yds under the truck, and while under the truck he was grabbing onto anything for dear life, including the drive shaft. The driver only stopped because the witness was making him stop by his horn I think. The driver of the truck was about to reverse over Billy’s head, and the witness stepped in again and stopped that. So the real hero for this is the witness. His name is Don ***** from Michael Waltrip racing. Very humble man who has contacted me numerous times since last night to see how Billy is. Billy lost consciousness for about 1-3 minutes under the truck I believe as well.

The main premise in all this is driver didn’t even clear Billy when he turned.  – CharlotteVelo.com

What Do We Do?

The local cycling community is cursing, loudly, and rightfully so.  We’ve had more accidents in the past 6 months than the 5 years that I’ve lived in the area.  Does anyone have experience with setting up a local advocacy group, or how to properly educate and maintain the bridge between cyclist and automobiles?

Polar CS200

As humans we like to track things, some humans more than others, but needing to know speed, averages and time is built in from birth. This need is sometimes justified, you track miles and distance on a car to calculate gas expenditure and to know hoe much gas is left, or when you may need more. Your body and bike are no different.

There is a Need, a Need for Speed

One of the first things I recommend for a new cyclist(behind a helmet, hydration and padded shorts) is an on board cycling computer or cyclometer. Today I don’t want to sell you on a computer or to explain the basics of computers, as we’ve done that before. Instead I want to talk more about the variety of styles, getting more into technology and why or who would need them.

Starting Basic : A Watch

As simple as it sounds, many of us have a great measuring device on our arm. The watch on your arm can help gauge compared to previous rides or laps, how well you are doing.

Cyclometers or Bicycle Computers

Blackburn Neuro 5.0

We have covered the basics of bike computers here before, to recap visit the page over here.  Over the years of use the standard computer doesn’t excite me anymore, but it is a much needed tool for cyclist as they are starting off.  Knowing your speed, averages and distance will make you a stronger cyclist but knowing your limits make you a smarter cyclist, a bike computer can help with that.

Heart Rate Monitor’s

Polar CS200

The step up from a standard cyclometer in my mind is the heart rate monitor. The key to heart rate monitors is to know your proper limits and zones. With that you’ll need some sort of testing done to check your limits with an accurate test. There are some people that recommend using a formula where you take your age and then subtract a random number. I’m not recommending that formula here because every body, diet and activity level is different. A program for testing I do recommend is New Leaf, I’ve used this only for testing in the past and can’t speak for their weight loss and exercise program. (I’m not paid or endorsed to say this about New Leaf either.)

GPS

Garmin 405

When GPS first came to market designed for bikes, roughly 6 years ago, it was revolutionary but rather expensive. Pair that with the facts that many people didn’t know about them or what the could do with them. Now, you can get into a Garmin 405 GPS tracking watch for $299. They are easy to move between bikes, or even use it for running and walking. Some of the more advanced styles can double as an on road or trail GPS with street or topography maps.

Hi, I’m Megan, and I’m a biking mom. A mom who just happens to work at an online bike shop,  BikeShopHub.com, that specializes in bike accessories that help you do more with your bicycle.  Pre-”positive EPT”, I was a bike enthusiast who bike commuted 30 miles a day between work and school, enduring all of the unpredictable weather Flagstaff, Arizona has to offer.  My love for cycling grew with each pedal stroke, and I decided to take my biking relationship to the next level, and try bike touring.  After taking a few mini trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, I felt ready to brave a longer tour.  I chose an area that holds a special place in my heart, a place of my youth: southern California.  Biking the PCH from LA to Napa Valley, I rode 600 miles in eight days, and loved every minute of it.  I cataloged my experience on BikeTrailerBlog.com to encourage other commuters to think about another side of biking.  One year hence, a 7.2-pound bundle of joy entered my life.

I had biked up until the time that I was eight-months pregnant by continually swapping bikes.  As tummy growth has an inverse relationship with the ability to bend over, I went from road bike to cross bike to mountain bike, and finally to cruiser bike.  I found doing Bikram Yoga on a regular basis helped me to maintain my balance as my center of gravity changed, and I was still able to commute solely by bike or public transit.  When the time finally came, I decided to purchase a motor vehicle, something I had not owned in five years.  Once the baby was born, I was itching to get back in the saddle–which didn’t happen for another five months…

It takes a lot of mental preparation to decide whether to bike commute with your child.  As an avid cyclist who has been doored, I understand the risks of riding. I certainly had my reservations.  However, considering I sell bike child trailers and love biking, I knew that riding with my girl was something I really wanted to do.  Neva grew, and she grew, and she grew.  When she was able to sit up straight, and hold her head with glowing confidence, and I had the 15 months of contemplation, we were both ready.  I’ll never forget the first day that I was able to bike to work again, but this time with my daughter sound asleep in the bike trailer behind me.

Now, it’s as if I am car free again.  I pull Neva everywhere, and she coos with glee until sleep overtakes her.  On my days off, we’ll bike 15 or more miles doing errands around town, or biking to beautiful lookout points where she can play in the grass.  It’s fun to imagine how she sees the quickly passing scenery, and repetitive cyclic motion of the rear wheel turning and my legs pumping the pedals.  I am overjoyed to be able to share my cycling passion with my child at such a young age, and for her to be so receptive to the whole experience.  Being able to bike with her has really enriched my life.

The next step for us will be going bike camping, integrating bike panniers for long distance travels.  Preparing to go long distance with a child adds a whole new element.  Mapping out safe cycling routes is a number one priority when extending your route outside of towns and cities.  Through my current work position, I am fortunate enough to currently be testing several bike child trailers, including a Chariot Cougar 1 which has been great so far and I will be reviewing soon. So far, I can remark that Chariot Carriers is clearly a very detail-oriented, high quality bike child trailer.  It’s got a price to match, but can be considered a value if regularly utilized for some or all of its purposes.  And they are occasionally on sale.

There are so many options available, and I enjoy being able to offer my experiences to other bikers who are interested in biking with their children, but don’t really know where to start.  I will continue to test products as the bike gear guinea pig, and look forward to empowering my fellow female biking friends in future posts.

Megan Fitch is a dynamo at BikeShopHub.com managing customer service, accounting and writing content. BikeShopHub.com is a sponsor of BikeShopGirl.com, but we feel Megan’s outlook is well worth sharing!

What I wasn’t prepared for was an amazing job offer, from an amazing top shelf marketing agency here in Charlotte, NC.   Last Monday I ended employment in the bike shop to only start a few days later, unexpectedly, as a key part of the interactive team of this marketing agency.

This past week I’ve learned a new bi-modal commute, started to dress in business attire and even blow dry my hair every morning. There have been a lot of changes on the Bike Shop Girl front, all very exciting that will allow me to ride and write more about my cycling passion!

Please be patient until I find my full groove in time and space.

Shimano Alfine and Velocity Halo Dyad

A set of wheels are in for review and in the midst of getting installed on the famous Salsa Casseroll.   Utilizing a Shimano Alfine groupset I have been piecing together in the past 6 months, and the new Velocity Dyad Halo reflective rims.

The wheels and review are also based all around the Shimano Alfine groupset, as I’ve been interested in internally geared hubs (IGH) since trying the Civia Loring with SRAM i-Motion.  Combine the IGH and a Dynamo front hub for a motion powered front light.

Once my new Surly “Open Bar” and Salsa stem arrive for the bike, it will be ready to rock and roll.

Methods of Bike Storage

Bike Rack

Bike Parking Rack

As most people have used a bike rack at a library or school yard they are very familiar with the system you see above.  A standard bike rack, which come in various amounts of slots for each rear wheel of the bike.

Pro’s : Easy for everyone to use
Con’s : Bikes can lean over and possibly falling over.

Hooks

Delta Wall Rack

These are a commonly found in garages, or storage rooms where you can drill into your studs.  There are two common ways you see these used:  Either hanging one in a stud and placing a wheel (front or rear, make sure they are tight!) The bike then hangs vertically down the wall or stud.  Another method is to space two so both wheels can be hooked and the bike will hang upside down off the ceiling.

Pro’s : Get’s your bike more out of the way than the above bike rack.
Con’s : Require power tools and a wall that you don’t mind drilling into.

Bike Stands

Delta Gravity Storage

Topeak Two-Touch Bike Stand

In the bike storage arena, the most popular are various types of stands.  There are ones that lean against your walls, tension against your ceiling and floor or simply keep your bike upright on the floor.

Pro’s : Normally easy to setup, portable, cost effective
Con’s : Figuring which one to chose

What Do You Use?

Turning the floor to you all, tell me what you use or better yet – send us photos!  Girly@BikeShopGirl.com