It isn’t uncommon for the Little Red event organizers to receive a thank you notes after the race, but this one was from a man and was penned many months after the event.  He wrote to thank them and to tell them what the ride had meant to him and his wife. The husband said that for several years he had begged his wife to join him on bike rides but she had always resisted going. But one day the fun artwork of a postcard caught her eye. It had information about the Little Red Riding Hood Ride she was intrigued with the idea of women’s only  ride. She signed up and found the ride to be so fun and inspiring that she became an avid cyclist and enjoys riding with her friends…and her husband! For that he was profoundly grateful.

Now in its 25th year, the Little Red Riding Hood Ride has become established as one of the classic women’s rides in the country. The fully supported ride loops through the beautiful pastoral Cache Valley of northeastern Utah and offers a menu of distances: 18, 36, 50, 80 and 100 miles. With the offerings of shorter distance fairly flat loop rides, Little Red has continued to be a novice-friendly. It is fairly common to see sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters enjoying the ride together. One mother has had her daughter riding with her on a tandem at Little Red since the girl was only 5 years old. Now nearly grown at age 16, the daughter continues to enjoy this special ride with her mother. There are many who women have transformed into avid cyclists because of their experience at Little Red (including yours truly!)

The festive atmosphere of the Little Red Ride is enhanced with themes which change year to year. This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Groovy.” It’s a flash-back to the far-out and flower-power era of late 1960’s and early 1970’s when the term “roadies” had a closer connection to rock bands than cyclists. Little Red will be throwing a party where you can get hip to the groove on Friday night starting with wonderful Southwest-style dinner provided by Café Rio. It’s the chance to hang out and get down to the psychedelic music of a live band and “Shake it, Baby!” Flower Children and Hip and Happening Mod Girls, feel free to show your stylin’ threads and enter the costume contest! There will be over $600 worth of prizes given for the most hip and outta sight looks! Take five and visit the vendor expo where you’ll find super cool bike gear and apparel and score some smokin’ hot deals!  Can you dig that? Right on, Baby!

Little Red’s boutique offerings will blow your mind! The “Pedal Power” floral motifs are tastefully incorporated into the jerseys and the offerings this year have expanded to include a new razor-back style jersey as well as the traditional short sleeve and sleeveless cycling jerseys. Special limited edition 25^th Anniversary long-sleeve tech-tee shirts in vibrant red are also available. The boutique also offers other tee shirts including a tie-dyed hooded long-sleeve tee, socks, riding boleros, hats and a headband that will beautifully coordinate with the jerseys. It’s not a man’s world: jerseys and tees are made to fit a woman (2 fit styles available in tees.)

Bob's Ice cream was a popular finish line celebration stop with the 2011 Fifties Theme. Look for Bob's return in 2012!

On ride day, enjoy fresh fruit, bagels and coffee from Café Ibis. The riders who will be going the longest distances will start earlier so that riders can generally finish within a similar time frame.  The shorter distances are mostly flat while the longer ones include a few rolling hills but no big climbs. The ride begins and ends with a party and the routes are dotted with fully stocked rest stops. Expect a delicious lunch to be provided midday and a worry-free ride thanks to SAG support from Bingham Cyclery. It’s the makings of a fabulous day with your friends!  As you ride into the finish, you’ll be given a refreshing cold drink and a special surprise! The celebration party goes on at the finish line: food, music and fun! You should be there or be square!

Little Red continues to do her part to bring more peace and love to the world and has expanded the charity fundraising of the ride with the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program. Each member of the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program will be raising a minimum of $750 for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

If you snooze, you could lose!

The Little Red Riding Hood Ride is more popular by the year and is limited to 3500 riders. Last year registration closed in less than 24 hours and the 1000 rider limit for the century ride was reached in less than 9 hours.

Registration begins at high noon on February 1^st. There is a possibility that registration could be filled within less than 6 hours this year! AND this year it will be EVEN EASIER as registration packets will be mailed so you don’t have to wait in a packet pick-up line!

Strider Bikes are running bikes designed for children, ages 1-5 and have several advantages over tricycles and bikes with training wheels in teaching the balance and coordination skills necessary to making a smooth and speedy transition to a two-wheeled bicycle when the time comes.

As Strider Bike inventor Ryan McFarland notes if a child can walk, they can use the Strider.  Toddlers don’t actually sit on the low-slung seat of the Strider; they walk it along and feel stable. Later, they will put their weight on the bike, sitting down and lifting up their feet as they ride for a few yards. At that point, says McFarland, “They have a taste of what it means to balance and ride a bike.”

The Strider bikes are made of durable materials, but unlike most tricycles and bikes with training wheels, they are lightweight enough that a child can easily maneuver them. The Striders make an easy transition to off-road riding and one can find on You Tube videos of 3 ½ to 5 year olds doing tricks on their Striders at a BMX park.

The one complaint I’ve heard about running bikes is that they don’t have pedals and thus don’t teach pedaling skills. McFarland admits that, but he counters that argument by pointing out that learning to pedal takes about a minute for a child who is ready to make the transfer to a real bike. The balancing skills take much longer to learn and have been mastered already in a natural way while riding the Strider. He also points out that a bicycle with training wheels steers and behaves like a tricycle and does not teach the skills for truly balancing a bike. It is also usually too heavy for a child to manipulate. (That is doubly true for a big box store bought bike. The weight of our neighbor boy’s bike was 2/3’rds the weight of the boy himself.)

Holiday GIVEAWAY of a STRIDER BIKE

A running bike from Strider™.  would make a wonderful Christmas/Chanukah present for a special child on your list! We are THRILLED to be able to offer one as A GIVEAWAY from STRIDER! The bike that Strider is giving away is a limited edition purple colored bike (only one of 200 made!)

Want to win a STRIDER running bike? Simply make a comment below and tell us why you want this bike for a child in your life! We’ll choose randomly from among the best comment and Strider will send it to you. (US Address Only) HURRY! Contest will run until DECEMBER 19th only!

2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Want to find a gift for your triathlete friends or family? We’ve got a great gift guide to get you started! You may also find some things to add to a wish list of your own! Although a few of our picks are just for female triathletes, most things here are perfect gifts for him or her!

Fuelbelt Revenge

FuelBelt’s Revenge series has been cleverly designed so it’s even easier to pull out bottles out of their holsters using just one hand. Putting them back is just as easy. The new design is also super lightweight and available in both a custom fit (S, M, L in the color black only) or a one size fits all which is available in a variety of colors. It has an adjustable fit and easy Velcro closure and is comfortably padded with breathable Thermafoam padding.  All past & present FuelBelt bottles will fit. As if that’s not enough, FuelBelt’s  new color ways come directly from some of the greatest endurance athletes of our time including Terenzo Bozzone, Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington.  The available colors are: Black, Arctic Blue, Hibiscus Pink, Royal Blue, Terenzo & White Panda
The 7 oz. Bottles are BPA free and the Revenge has a removable storage pocket (it’s on there only when you need it!) MSRP is $41.95.

GIFT GUIDE GIVEAWAY! Your gift list could become even better as FuelBelt is offering this fabulous belt for a Cycle & Style reader! See the Giveaway rules below! Good luck!

Soas makes women

Soas Race Kit – Train Hard and Race Hard and Look Good Doing it!

These stylish looking triathlon race kits were created by two women who were frustrated in their search for cute and
functional triathlon clothing for women. So they decided to design their own! Thus was born the SOAS women’s specific line of triathlon clothes. They’re intended to look sophisticated and modern, feminine, but not “girlie.” The SOAS race kits were designed to feel soft, silky and super comfortable, and yet also give support where needed without feeling restrictive in places where there is no need. With contrasting panels on the sides and well-designed, non-chafing seam areas, the look is slimming and flattering. The aerodynamic rear pockets were also carefully designed to organize all your items for easy access during the race. The super soft fleece pad is thin and makes for a comfortable ride. This coordinated kit has all the little features to help you perform your best on race day!

The SOAS tri kit on the right features a classic herringbone print with a bold swatch of red. It’s the epitome of stylish! (Price $160 for full kit) The SOAS Red Houndstooth Kit is brand new!

Cannondale Slice – The Perfect Bike for Fast Girls!

Cannondale Slice was designed specifically for female triathletes and time trialists. In its debut, Miranda Carfrae rode it to victory in the 2010 Ironman World Championships in Kona. Small women have often been frustrated in their search for a bike that fits them. The Slice frame is sized as small as 47 cm (with 650 c wheel size) as well as in 51 and 54 cm frame sizes (with standard 700c wheels.) With a name like “Slice,” you know it’s designed to be aerodynamic, but did you know it is designed so that you’ll actually be comfortable in a proper aero position? If you’ve been frustrated with the nervous, twitchy handling of some aero frames, you’ll be happy to know that the Slice is designed to provide stable and confidence-inspiring handling while in the aero position, so you can relax and focus on your ride. Perhaps more important for women, as one of the lightest frames on the market, Slice’s nimble light weight allows you to put all your energy into pedaling fast rather than muscling your bike through the race!

Available at your local bicycle shop which features Cannondale brand bicycles!

Slice Women’s 2 Force: $3,100 MSRP

Slice Women’s 5 105: $2,330 MSRP

Tri Towels

Tri Towels are the brainchild of Juli Clark, who has been a top age-group competitive triathlete. She created these fun, brightly colored towels to use instead of “ratty old bath towels” with no meaning. The TriTowels have great messages meant to motivate and inspire you through the transition zones! These luxurious Turkish terry velour  towels are screened with water-based, enviro friendly ink. Put some fun in your race day and find yourself inspired in T1 & T2!

Small towels are 16 x 24-inches and large ones are 30 x 60-inches   Prices: $16.95 for small towels & $27.95 for large towels.

Finis Swimsense Monitor

Finis Swimsense monitor is the only swim performance watch monitor that tracks swim stroke types and starts as soon as you do. It can be configured to any pool size with settings for meters or yards. You’ll enter in your own data of gender and weight for a personalized readout. The software analysis will give a lot of information including distance, calories, stroke types, pace, stroke count, efficiency, workout timeline and more. Cycle & Style did a review of the Swimsense monitor which you can check here. The MSRP is $199.99 and is available at the Finis website and on Amazon. It has a rechargable lithium-ion battery.

Yankz T2 TriathlonBAG

The T2 Yankz! TriathlonBAG is a great multisport backpack with nice heavily padded shoulder straps with a reflective
stripe. It unzips to lay flat in the transition area. Your gear is well-organized and easy to get to in this bag with a special place for your helmet, each pair of shoes, and a great removable mesh bag to hold your dry/wet body suit (and a wet towel). There’s also a key ring and separate cell-phone holder. The bag also comes with a free Yankz lacing system so you won’t have to tie your shoes losing precious seconds in T-2. (Available in the colors black or red. MSRP: $110)

Yankz! Holiday Special: They’re offering free embroidery of a name on any triathlon bag purchase at this time.

WhooHa Gear! (for Women Having Optimistic Objectives & Healthy Attitudes!)

Whooha Gear is meant to be inspiring! Started by two women athletes, Whooha Gear provides athletic wear made for women by women. Their shirts and accessories with inspirational sayings for athletes are perfect for the triathletes, cyclists, swimmers and runners on your Holiday list!

Shown here: Tri Hearts BURNOUT Long Sleeve Hoodie is a blend of polyester and cotton with wicking capabilities. Price; $40.

Buff Headwear

Buff headwear is a seamless tube of fabric which can be worn in a variety of ways. It offers both technical performance and protection from the elements. It’s perfect for wearing under the helmet or on the run. It also comes in models with UV protection. Leadville 100 champ Rebecca Rusch is one of many athletes who love to wear Buff (in fact, she was the one who told us about Buff in the first place!) Buff® models are available in hundreds of designs and styles and can be worn in a variety of ways (the Buff website will show you about 17 different ways!)

I’m putting the Reflective Buff on my wish list to increase my visibility in low-light conditions. It has two two retro-reflective 3M Scotchlite™ tape stripes  which glow brilliant white when illuminated by approaching vehicle headlights up to 492 ft away. (MSRP for the Reflective Buff is $20.)

All Terrain AquaSport SPF30 Lotion

We all know we need to protect our skin so we can stay wrinkle free longer by wearing sunscreen. One of the best and most environmentally friendly water/sweat resistant sunscreen lotions on the market is All Terrain’s AquaSport. It is a highly effective, safe, natural, oxybenzone-free  sunscreen providing full-spectrm UVA (skin cancer) and UVB (sunburn) protection.  It’s been proven effective after 80 minutes in water, resistant. Using non-nano, un-coated zinc oxide, it is non-whitening, non-greasy, fragrance-free and won’t cause eye sting.

MSRP is $10.99/3 0z. tube. Also available from Amazon.

Stocking Stuffers from GU:

Here’s two new flavors of GU energy shots to slip into a triathlete’s stocking: Peppermint Stick & Peanut Butter. The Peppermint Stick flavor is here for the holidays only, so get it while you can (it’s available in 8-packs as well!) Peanut Butter has been the number 1 most requested flavor and it is here at last. Pair it with a berry-flavored GU for fun! (I’ve tasted it and can tell you that GU’s peanut butter flavor will remind you of peanut brittle. It’s my new favorite!)

Rules of the FuelBelt/Cycle & Style Giveaway:

To enter our giveaway for FuelBelt Revenge Series hydration belt, comment below and use your real (first) name and a valid e-mail. We’ll make a random choice from among the best quality comments to select the winner. The winner will be chosen on December 8, 2011 and they will be notified via e-mail. If we have trouble getting a hold of you, we may have to choose another, so please use a valid email.

We can mail to addresses within the US.

Oh so many beautiful choices in Fuelbelt's Revenge Series of hydration belts with 9 great colors!

The stylish look of ZOIC's plaid Damsel skirt and Cameron Jersey (in aqua) will turn heads on the trail.

Since the beginning, mountain biking clothing has been designed for function, namely its ability to withstand falls, take on regular mud-spattering and be comfortable.  Loose-fitting shirts and drab colored baggy shorts made up a guy’s typical mountain biking wardrobe and at first, women just wore and adapted men’s clothes in smaller sizes.  Thank Heaven things have changed! Comfort and performance are still needed, but fashion is making inroads into mountain biking clothing and we are more than happy to put the spotlight on those companies who do it so well.

ZOIC Clothing is one such company which stands out for going that extra mile in bringing together good fit, function and performance and some stylish looks. The result is apparel for the trail that is durable, has the technical performance an active athlete needs and a touch of fashion. ZOIC uses unique fabrics such as plaids and houndstooth, while also adding a few fanciful prints to several pieces in their clothing line. It is just those little touches that help to set a woman apart from looking like just one of the guys.  Clothing companies ride a fine line when making women’s clothes to please avid mountain bikers. They want the same high quality features the men’s clothing enjoys, but they don’t want cycling clothing companies to just “shrink it and pink it” (to use a trite saying). They want performance clothing that was made to fit a woman which is stylish yet subtle in its femininity. ZOIC is hitting that mark.

ZOIC not only makes clothes for the mountain trails, but also for the urban commuter, casual cyclist and indoor fitness buff.  The shorts, capris, knickers and skirts have inner chamois liners which can be removed to make a smooth transition from mountain trail to town life.  Having multi-function clothing has always been a part of a smart traveler’s wardrobe, but in these economic times, it’s great to have cycling clothing that can become a part of one’s off-the-bike wardrobe as well.  One can easily remove the chamois liner from the plaid Damsel skirt, pair it with a sweater, grey leggings and some ballet flats and voila! It’s a great-looking outfit for going out on the town!

Find a dealer near you that feature ZOIC clothing by going to this link.

GIVING BACK

We also love companies in the cycling industry who give back and who help support cycling causes and ZOIC is a great community supporter who supports associations such as its local cycling groups and big ones such as IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) and organizations such as Trips for Kids and Biking for a Better World.

ZOIC Clothing Giveaway

ZOIC’s newest jersey, the long-sleeved Ambrosia jersey is being offered as a prize by ZOIC for Cycle & Style readers! This jersey was Stephanie’s absolute favorite (see her complete review below) and is shown in several of these photos. It’s a half-zip jersey that is great on its own or worn as an outer or even mid-layer. The front hand pockets are unique for a cycling jersey and it has a flattering straight form-fitting cut. The Ambrosia jersey offered as a giveaway is gray and comes in four sizes small through extra-large. (MSRP is $55) The winner of the giveaway may choose her size!

Rules of the ZOIC/Cycle & Style Giveaway: To enter our giveaway for ZOIC’s long-sleeve Ambrosia jersey, comment below and use your real (first) name and a valid e-mail. We’ll make a random choice from among the best quality comments to select the winner. We’ll choose a winner on December 8, 2011 and they will be notified via e-mail. If we have trouble getting a hold of you, we may have to choose another, so please use a valid email. We can mail to addresses within the US or Canada.

Stephanie’s Review of ZOIC’s Naveah Shorts, Joie de Vie Tee & Ambrosia Jersey

I love the Joie de Vie tee; it is basic and extremely breathable with some really nice feminine features, which is great for women’s mountain biking. First, it is a beautiful deep purple which is a great stand-alone color or layering piece. It has a V-neck, adding to the breathability, and includes some snaps on the sleeves, giving this basic concept T-shirt a little more flare! It also has some venting up by the shoulders, a cute accent with some functionality. To finish it off, it includes a small media pocket, my one complaint is that it might be a little too small, I can hardly get my I-Pod in it. (MSRP is $44)

Elizabeth shows off ZOIC's newest jersey, the long-sleeved Ambrosia, paired with their Naveah shorts and Joie de Vie tee.

The black Ambrosia jersey is my favorite part of the whole set. It is stretchy, breathable and light, perfect for mountain biking. It is made to go with the purple shirt in the set and has some matching accents, but I have used it several times on its own or with a different tank. I appreciate is functionality. Not only does this piece look great with its purple counterpart out on the trails, it also can be used in all types of cycling! I have worn it in spin class as a warm-up, outer layer, and I have also worn it under a thicker jacket for some commuting. It has a kangaroo pocket in the front for your hands (it doesn’t zip so I didn’t put any keys or cell phone in it) and it bunches at the elbow, which gives it extrmovement. Its also flattering with its form fitting cut, making it a sporty, cute layer to just wear out to coffee!

The Navaeh shorts are designed with the mountain biking chick in mind and ZOIC really hits that mark. The material is some of the lightest I have encountered in the mountain bike clothing industry. It is thin, but not flimsy, making movement natural and easy. The length is down to the knees giving the protection needed to tear down trails without worrying about getting caught up on some bushes along the way. Like the other three pieces in the set, the shorts really do a nice job accenting the complete outfit, but I have also used them with other tops and they look great. The removable chamois is a must-have, it makes the shorts more versatile and easier to clean. All the pockets are water sealed which is especially important for the media pocket! (MSRP: $74)

VERY nice job ZOIC, awesome looking and performing mountain biking/cycling gear for women!

“You don’t have to be a good swimmer to be a triathlete. You don’t have to know how to ride a bike with clipless pedals. You don’t have to be able to run a mile. To start training for your first triathlon, you simply need to want to be a triathlete. That one desire is more powerful than you know. One thing I know for certain: You can do it.” –Sally Edwards in Triathlons for Women.

There are some books that long after you have read them through the first time, you will want to return to again and again for reference. It may even have a few passages highlighted and be bookmarked thickly with colorful sticky notes.  You’ll keep it in that special spot on your bookshelf so you can easily take it down to re-read or perhaps share with a friend. Triathlons for Women by Sally Edwards is just that type of book for the triathlete or would-be triathlete. It is now in its fourth edition. And it’s no wonder.

Sally Edwards knows the professional side of triathlons, having competed professionally in her early athletic career. This professional triathlete is a 16-time Ironman finisher, a member of the Triathlon Hall of Fame, and past winner of the ultra-marathon, the hundred mile Western States Endurance Run. Now she races in Danskin/Trek women’s triathlons as a motivator and cheerleader. She runs alongside the slow beginners, encouraging them to finish what will be their first ever triathlon. She always makes sure she is the final finisher,  so that no other woman has to finish last. For the women who finished in the Danskin/Trek women’s triathlons just ahead of her, it will be a transformational event in their lives.

Sally truly has a unique perspective of both the advanced competitors and that of the cautious, barely-in-shape novice. Triathlons for Women is aimed right at the beginner to intermediate level triathlete. It’s both motivating and informative. Edwards goes over the basics of running, swimming and cycling. She teaches about the art of the transition and race-day prep. There is tried and true advice for purchasing the equiptment you’ll need, so you’ll make smarter decisions the first time around, rather than learning by trial and error.

Edwards’ book is particularly aimed at women and it begins with the history of women in triathlons and that in itself is inspiring to get to know those who came before, in the short history of women in sports. There are the challenges for all women who are would-be triathletes: starting athletic activities at older ages, struggling to lose weight and juggling a job, childcare and with a relationship. Edwards addresses all those issues and helps women jump those hurdles so they can find some time to train for a triathlon.

Edwards gives an introduction into training plans for not merely the triathlon, but for making improvements in each of the three sports.  She’s written entire books on using and training with a heart rate monitor and gives some basic overviews here that are just about right for the advanced beginner. This book isn’t merely for beginners, it has something to teach those who are striving to get a PR at their next tri. The science of training , proper nutrition, improving skills and increasing endurance–it’s all in there! If you are a beginner now, you’ll find what you need in Triathlons for Women, but after you’ve got a half dozen or more triathlons under your belt, you’ll want to re-read it as the experience you’ll have gained will make the advice Edwards gives here make more sense. The technical advice will be easier to comprehend and absorb.

This guidebook to triathlons takes the out intimidation of taking on your first triathlon and gives the inspiration and motivation to women who’ll be saying to themselves, “I want to take on the challenge of a triathlon!”

If you are interested in Triathlons for Women or one of the many other books that Sally Edwards has written, here is a link to her book page.

Sally Edwards herself at a book signing for the 4th Edition of Triathlons for Women which has been updated with the latest research and includes over 100 new pages.

When people think of being safe while riding on their bicycle, they think first and foremost of wearing helmets. But wearing a helmet is not going to help you very much if you are not riding in a safe manner and are unaware of your surroundings. Riding your bike in dark or low light conditions can be even more dangerous, but having the right equipment will help you to see and be seen. Last week’s change back to Standard Time has resulted in a suddenly dark evening commute. Just after tonight’s sunset, I watched cyclists commuting home on a major street that leads to and from both a university and a college. I quickly lost count of the young adult cyclists riding without any lights or reflective gear. Some dark-clothing clad coeds were nearly invisible in the darkness. I’d bet they wouldn’t drive a car around at night without turning on the car’s lights, so why do they think it’s okay to ride a bike without a light?

SIX WAYS TO CYCLE SAFE & AWARE:

Learn the rules of the road: Generally, cyclists need to follow the same rules as motorists and ride on the same side of the street (the right hand side.) In one sad study that the state of Washington released, 11% of cyclist fatalities were of bicyclists who were riding against traffic on the wrong side of the road. It’s important to know how to ride safely in traffic. I really like the quick overview of safe cyclng tips that pro cyclist Dave Zabriskie gives on his Yield to Life page.

High quality reflective gear makes you visible in cloudy, dull days as well as in the deepening dusk or at night. If you are wearing a reflective jacket or safety vest, straighten up when you hear a motorist coming so they can see you better. Have reflective touches which can be seen from the side as well (Such as reflective ankle cuffs or some reflective tape on your sleeves).

Get a rear light—Reflectors are just a part of being seen at night, but they can’t do the full job. You need an active light to be seen.  According to the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, over half of all cyclists killed are hit while riding at night without lights, even though only 3 percent of bike riding is done at night.  There are many inexpensive ($20 or less) rear lights on the market.  You may also have to pay a few dollars for fresh batteries. But ask yourself: is that $25 worth it if it keeps you safer?  (Note that lights will glow dimly for awhile before they go out.  Ideally, you need to recharge or refresh the batteries before they get too dim and ineffective, well before they run out.)

Get a mirror and use it while riding.  You not only will feel safer when you can see the cars, you can avoid trouble because you can see it coming and be defensive.  Get a mirror and try it out for a month of good riding. Then take the mirror away for the next several rides and you’ll find yourself looking down to where it once was and then psycho-analyze yourself. Do you feel less safe without that mirror now?

Ride where you are visible: Don’t play hide and seek by darting in and out of the parked cars on the side of the road. You also don’t want to hug the curb. Both actions make it hard for cars to see you well. Hugging the curb may put you just out of the periphery of their sight and it leaves you nowhere to go if you see a car approaching from behind (through your rear-view mirror) which is coming too close.

Finally, learn the safest routes to ride. Some roads with little shoulder and high speeds are just too dangerous to ride on. Taking the wrong turn in a sketchy inner city area is also not ideal. You might also be missing out on some great places to ride just because you aren’t familiar with the area. Many cities/towns offer bike maps (some are online) and Google Maps now gives a route options for biking or walking. There are also some great apps for your smart phone such as Map My Ride which can get you safely from Point A to Point B. Some cities or states have great bike advocacy groups which offer personalized commuter mentoring and will not only map out your bike-to-work route but will ride with you the first few times or pair you up with a commuting buddy with the same route.

 CYCLEAWARE (& GIVEAWAY)

CycleAware is a company that makes products for cyclists to help them be aware of their surroundings and helps them to be highly visible to others. They make a wide variety of rearview mirrors so you can see what’s behind you and great reflective products so you can be seen. As they say themselves, “ When you’re visible and know who’s coming up on you, you can actively acknowledge them with a five finger salute and a smile.  It really works and it makes your roads safer and more inviting for all.”

CycleAware's SlapWrap protects pant legs and adds reflectivity.

CycleAware has a great goodie bag for a lucky Cycle & Style reader: featuring: the Slap & Wrap, the Beamer saddle bag, a mirror all neatly packaged in a StowAway mesh backpack.

Slap & Wrap: This highly reflective and water-resistant wrap does double duty: protecting your pant leg from the bike chain and providing great nighttime visibility. It has a non-constricting design with a felt backing for extra comfort!

Beamer: CycleAware has made a fully-reflective saddle bag that adds that extra reflectivity while being fully functional as a saddle bag. It has a wide mouth zipper top for easy access, but essentials won’t be lost as there is an interior ID holder and key hook for extra safety. The Beamer saddle bag measures 6 x 3 1/4 x 2 1/2-inches and the strap is closed with a snap instead of Velcro, so it can’t snag those Lycra shorts!

Cycleaware's saddle bag is wonderfully reflective AND functional!

Mirror: CycleAware has a wide variety of rear-view mirrors to choose from from helmet mirrors to those that attach to the handlebar. The most discreet is a tiny mirror that attaches inside your sunglasses lense which gives you a rear view with a quick glance. The newest mirror is the Urbie,  made just for bikes with flat handlebars.

Stow-Away backpack: This lightweight and reflective mesh backpack can be folded into its own pouch, so it’s ready when you need it. It’s handy for those times when you want to shed an extra layer or carry a few items home from the store. (It comes in four colors: bright green, pink, black and silver.)

Rules of the CycleAware/Cycle & Style GIVEAWAY: To enter our giveaway for CycleAware Goodie Bag, comment below and use your real (first) name and a valid e-mail. You can make a comment about the article or share your own safety tips for cycling!

We’ll make a random choice from among the best quality comments to select the winner.  The winner will be chosen on December 5th and they will be notified via e-mail on December 6th. If we have trouble getting a hold of you, we may have to choose another, so please use a valid email. We can mail to addresses within the US or Canada only.

The Roadie Bar-end mirror is a sleek and aerodynamic mirror made for the road cyclist.

CycleAware Stow-Away Backpack is a lightweight, reflective mesh backpack that folds into its own pocket and stows easily in a jacket or cycling jersey.

British-made Rapha cycling clothing is known for their intense functionality and their simple elegance.  Rapha’s classic style is subdued, well-fitting and fashionable without being trendy. It’s nuanced: many of the pieces have color on color markings which don’t scream the brand name.  The clothing is favored for its high performance, comfort and attention to detail. It may be a joke that some people have engraved on their Road Id wrist band, “Don’t cut my shorts – they’re Rapha!” But the truth is the brand has loyal, dedicated fans/customers.

A little cycling history is found just inside the jacket

There is a whiff of cycling nostalgia inherent in the Rapha designs. Simon Mottram, the company’s founder is an avid cycling buff who was inspired by the “golden years” of Continental road racing in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He liked the simple aesthetics of simple stripes and rich solid colors and has combined those retro looks with high quality materials and modern technological touches to form the Rapha line, which was first introduced in 2004. Six years later, Rapha unveiled their women’s line of high performance road riding pieces with input from a London-based women’s team who continue to put the clothing to the test in extreme conditions.

Rapha’s CEO, Simon Mottram, said of the range: “We had so many requests from women who love Rapha clothing and wanted the same but with a women-specific fit. This was our inspiration and we are offering something befitting the class and style of the sport and the women who are involved in it. We realized early on that the women’s range should be an extension of the men’s one and we’ve avoided girly colors and floral prints. A passion for road cycling is at the core of everything Rapha does and as with the men’s clothing each product will contain a story label inspired by the legends and character of the sport.”

Susy is wearing Rapha's women's 3/4 length bib shorts, the very versatile winter cycling jersey and Belgian-style winter hat w/ ribbed ear guards designed to keep out ice-cold winds

One could have a little sticker shock when looking at the prices. Rapha is an expensive line of cycling clothing (although not as expensive as Assos), but they pride themselves on their quality and style. Rapha always uses high quality materials: lightweight, windproof and water resistant for their jackets, fabric with soft feel and high tech wicking ability for the jersey, and merino-rich warmth for the winter cycling jersey.

Rapha zipper details on Women’s Wind Jacket

Care is taken that the Rapha clothes will last for years and garments are constructed with reinforcements in places that typically wear first such as wrist cuffs on the jacket, sleeves & shoulder seam areas. Zippers are high quality and care is taken that jersey zippers will never touch your bare skin. The jersey has a soft fabric sleeve between you and the zipper. Waist cords with friction locks are in both the jacket and the jerseys and can easily be adjusted during a ride to keep in or release body heat as needed. The shorts use top quality pads (designed especially for women) and have a panel construction. They are designed with an emphasis on cut and comfort for the road cyclist who plans on putting in hundreds of miles on their bike: the front panel is doubled over rather than stitched to prevent digging in while riding and the seams are positioned to prevent chafing and finished with soft, flat-lock stitching. The shorts are cut long in the leg and are much more flattering than most shorts. (Personal note here: they are my hands-down favorite shorts even after several century plus rides.) The arm warmers have a brushed fleece inner and soft gripper tape to hold them securely in place. They are finished with contrast piping and color-on-color logos.

A few of our favorites from Rapha:

Women’s Wind Jacket: a great three-season cycling jacket

It is very lightweight, yet is able to block the wind and is water resistant enough to handle a sudden shower. Note the little details that set Rapha apart: a soft fleece chin guard to prevent the zip from chafing (it is also on the back of the collar.) The full-length zipper is stylishly and assymetrically placed.  It’s structured to effectively keep out the water with a reverse coil, which means the back of the zipper faces outward. The long-cut back of the jacket drops down far enough to keep off that spray of road grime and has been stitched to prevent the back from flapping up. A waistcord with friction locks makes it easily adjustable. The women’s Wind Jacket has a structured fit with stitched darts in the chest and a little wider fit at the hips. Reflective details are placed along the sleeves and the Rapha logo is reflective as well. It can be packed up in a small bundle and stowed away in a jersey pocket to be used as needed.

Women’s Classic Jersey

The classic jersey is exactly that: an understated look that is extremely versatile. It’s a high performance jersey that will be just as great in five years as it is when new. The full-length zip jersey is made from a soft high performance fabric that will effectively wick away sweat. The three back jersey pockets also feature an additional sleeve which will nicely hold a CO2 pump in the middle pocket. The right rear pocket has  an eyelet to run headphone wires through. A semi-hidden 4^th zipped wallet-sized pocket is accessed behind the left pocket. A set of complimentary cream-colored arm warmers for colder conditions is sold with the classic jersey.

Women’s ¾ Bib Shorts:

Rapha’s classic cycling bibs designed for women are made from durable fleece-backed fabric. The shorts have a high-rise front chest panel for additional support that uses a softer fabric than the leg panels. The back has large cut-away sections in the back to prevent overheating and high quality mesh fabric on the straps. A back pocket on the rear center bibs is placed to store small items. (The female -specific contoured pad is the same as the high quality one in the classic shorts.)

Look for the care instructions tucked within the pocket areas. Generally the care is similar to other cycling clothes: cold water machine wash, the shorts and jacket will need to be hung to dry but the jersey can be tumbled dry on a low heat setting.

RAPHA GIVEAWAY:

Highly versatile winter long-sleeved cycling jersey (in Blue w/ cream accents, size large)–Shown at left and sleeve detail below

Rapha’s versatile cycling jersey works as an outer- or mid-layer. Cut from a merino-rich material the soft and breathable jersey wicks moisture away from the skin quickly yet also maintains body heat in cold weather. This flattering jersey has a slim fit and is cut long in the back and arms for a better shape on the bike. The full-length zip has a lockdown puller and a soft fleece chin guard to prevent chafing. There are three main cargo pockets, with an inner pump sleeve and a zipped valuables pocket with O-ring puller to keep items dry and secure. (The gray-blue shade of this jersey is similar to the color of a lake on a cloudy day; it’s very subdued.)

Plus the winner will receive a pair of Rapha Over socks which  combine a wind resistant, robust and flexible fabric with classic cycling style (size large)

Rules of the Rapha/Cycle & Style Giveaway: To enter our giveaway for Rapha’s long-sleeve jersey and socks, comment below and use your real (first) name and a valid e-mail. We’ll make a random choice from among the best quality comments to select the winner.  (Sizes are as stated and cannot be exchanged. So it’s either a gift for you or that special someone!) We’ll choose a winner at the close of November 2011 and they will be notified via e-mail on December 1st. If we have trouble getting a hold of you, we may have to choose another, so please use a valid email. We can mail to addresses within the US or Canada.

It’s going to be another cold winter, but you can easily brave the cold if you dress right.  The key to dressing for the cold is proper layering and choosing the right base layer to start with. The fit, the fabric material, and the weight of the fabric are important factors to consider when selecting your base layer. Base layers do not need to be sport-specific. One of the beauties of base layers is the versatility: a base layer for cycling can also do duty as a base layer for running or even for skiing.

In the summer when you are worried about overheating on a run or ride, it is best to choose a loose fitting top to keep you cool. In cool to cold conditions, you’ll want the opposite type of fit: a snug, athletic fit to keep your body warmth in. But note that when you add the layers, the second layer should be a looser fit.

Also of note, don’t forget to choose your sports bra and any other underclothing with care. A cotton sports bra will soak up sweat and you’ll soon be chilled under your baselayer, which would defeat the purpose. Look for well-made technical sports bras which efficiently wick away moisture and manage body temperature. We just reviewed our favorite in a previous article.

Fabric weight

Take into account the temperature and weather conditions when you choose your base layer.  Factor in wind chill if the wind is blowing as well as the wind chill you’ll get when riding your bike at a certain speed. Choose a heavier weight fabric for the coldest conditions. As you layer, keep in mind that you can pair a midweight base layer with a heavyweight mid layer and a good insulating outer layer and you’ll be nice and toasty in spite of the weather.  Merino wool fabrics are often  given numbers that correspond to their warmth and the larger the number, the warmer you’ll be.

• Microweight: Mild to cool conditions
• Lightweight: Cool to moderately cool conditions
• Midweight: Moderately cold to cold conditions
• Heavyweight: Cold, frigid to blustery-cold conditions.

Garment Materials

If you want to stay warm in the cold, avoid cotton base layers. Cotton may be inexpensive, but it holds in moisture (it can hold up 70% of its weight in moisture), has poor temperature regulation, and does a poor job of resisting odors. The main purpose of your base layer is to keep your skin warm and dry, so good wicking properties are a must in the fabric you choose.  For the best base layers, choose a synthetic fabric or silk or merino wool. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

Synthetics

Synthetic technical fabrics offer great wicking properties, meaning they don’t absorb moisture, but transfer it very well.  This makes makes them the best of the three for humid or wet conditions. Many synthetic baselayers are polyester or microfiber based.

Choose a snug fit for cold conditions.

Pros: Lightweight, abrasion resistant, wrinkle resistant & relatively easy care.

Cons: Petroleum based, odors can build up (unless it has been treated to be antimicrobial), can be vulnerable to stains.

Merino Wool

Wool is a great thermal conductor and merino wool insulates even better than regular wool.  This natural fabric feels soft and warm to the touch. The merino wool fiber is so much finer than normal wool and most other textiles. For a given weight, merino contains more air spaces, and hence provides greater insulation.

Pros: Great all-season base layer, merino wool is lightweight, wrinkle and stain resistant. Good quality merino wool will feel super soft and smooth, which is important when it is next to your skin.  Wool absorbs then gradually releases moisture, but even damp wool will keep you warm. Merino wool uses moisture absorbed from the environment to generate heat (the process is called “heat of sorption.”) Merino wool’s wavy fibers also contain millions of air pockets that lock in body heat for warmth.

Cons: Wool can be vulnerable to shrinkage and is typically available only in dark colors.

Silk:

Silk has been used as a base layer by winter season athletes such as skiers, for decades.  To make it a better base layer, silk can be treated to enhance wicking capabilities. It comes in various weights from lightweight to heavyweight to keep you comfortable and insulated in conditions from cool to very cold.

Pros: Silk has a soft, smooth texture against the skin. It’s a natural fiber and it won’t add bulk as it can be made extremely thin as it doesn’t take much to keep in warmth.

Cons: Silk is not easy care and usually needs to be hand washed.  It is vulnerable to abrasion and will snag on things such as untrimmed fingernails or velcro. Silk is also vulnerable to sunlight and if exposed for long, the colors can fade.

 Comparison Chart of Base Layer Materials:

Note: After a cold day’s ride, you may want to change into a fresh, lightweight base layer to avoid chilling, if you are not able to shower right away.

Reviews:

The Columbia Midweight Baselayer Long-Sleeve shirt

Close-up of Omni-Heat’s silver reflective dots

Tara’s Review:

This well-designed shirt is a great winter baselayer for a variety of winter activities, including running, cycling and Nordic skiing. Columbia has used their Omni-Heat for warmth and their Omni-Wick technology in the design of this shirt. If you turn the shirt inside out, you’ll notice swaths of silver reflective dots placed in large key areas of the shirt: on the front, on most of the sleeve area and on much of the back. Think “space blanket.” That is the inspiration for these silver dots (Omni-Heat )which Columbia uses to help the body hold on to its own heat in cold temperatures.  The Omni-Heat is not placed under the arms or on the sides of the body and is a little thinner on the shoulder blades where body heat is more intense and wicking is needed.  The wicking (Omni-Wick) and the antimicrobial treatment is evident when after an hour-plus run, there was no stink and I was able to wear it twice before it needed washing. (After you’ve worn it, set it aside–or throw it on the floor, if that’s your way of doing things–and within a few hours, the anti-microbial tech will have taken effect and the stink will be gone.)  The shirt doesn’t feel warm and cozy like a fleece-type top would when first put on, but within 5 minutes or so, it feels pleasantly warm without becoming overly warm, which makes it ideal for active wear. It is form-fitting (which is important for a base layer) and ergonomically designed to allow the body to freely move.

Beth’s Review

Columbia is just perfect in my eyes not matter how you look at it.  I have always been a Columbia fan and probably always will be.  Nothing overly “flashy” – just the basics in the basic colors!!  Well, this base layer pattern may have stepped outside of the box a bit.  I don’t mind … I LOVE it!!!

Omni Heat – Thermal Comfort … Omni-heat’s patent pending dot pattern lining wicks moisture to keep you dry & comfortable.  Little silver dots reflect your heat back to you to make omni heat 20% warmer than ordinary linings.  Beyond Columbia’s new technology which seems to be keeping my base dry & comfortable, this long sleeve mid-weight base layer has a form fit which in this particular garment, I love it. That is saying something asusually, I don’t like the feel of form fitting garments.  It is comfortable, very stretching and has raglan sleeves for extended range of motion.  Care has been taken by using the flat-lock stitching method to avoid any chafing because this base layer is laying against your active body.   This shirt moves with me and doesn’t fight me with every move that I make. I am a tall woman and have been impressed with the generous sleeve length. I can’t tell you how many long-sleeve shirts don’t have long enough sleeves and leave my wrists exposed to the cold.  Maximum warmth & minimum weight … I would agree with Columbia!

As far as the care of this piece, I usually wash it in cold and hang it to dry.  I have worn it a lot in a year’s time & it still looks great.  It doesn’t snag or pill and it’s soft and comfortable to the touch!!  Thumbs Up!!  I am ordering another one right now!!!

Columbia’s Baselayer Midweight Long Sleeve Top comes in solid colors ($55 MSRP) or the stripe as shown ($60 MSRP)

In winter, wearing several well-chosen layers of clothing is an important part of staying warm.  The purpose of your innermost layer is to draw the sweat away from the skin and then to the next layer, so you’ll feel comfortable AND warm. As wicking ability is so crucial for a good baselayer, I am surprised that we don’t pay more attention to that when choosing a sports bra, especially when the mercury drops. The best types of sports bras to keep you from chilling would be either a well-designed technical fabric bra or a merino wool sports bra. I tested one of the former, Moving Comfort’s Chill-Out Sports Bra, a high-impact sports bra with superb wicking ability.

Product Review: How Moving Comfort’s Chill-Out Sports Bra will Keep You Warm in the Winter

Moving Comfort’s Chill-Out Bra was designed to take the summer heat and quickly wick away sweat to help you stay cool and dry.  For those summer runners who like to run wearing just a bra on top, choosing a bra that doesn’t show off big sweat-soaked spots is also important. For those who run in the winter, choosing a bra that doesn’t soak up sweat and leave you wet, chilled and primed for chafing after an hour is critical. If you are like me and often a victim of post-exercise chilling, you need to look for bras made from a microfiber that can transfer moisture quickly and efficiently and protect you from temperature changes.

I was happy to find Moving Comfort’s Chill-Out bra which is made from ThermoCool fabric and is designed to keep the skin dry and comfortable in a variety of temperature conditions. The Chill-Out bra gives the right support for a very active sport like running—even for those who wear C/D cup sized bras. The compression style bra is a tad snug, but there is some ability to adjust the under-the-breast band with hooks. (Note: medium impact bras are fine for most types of cycling, with the possible exception of cyclo cross and mountain biking.)

C&S did an article last winter that you may want to go back and revisit too – “Tips for Finding That Perfect Sports Bra”.  Check out Tara & Beth’s Review of their Moving Comfort Bras:

“Moving in Comfort with Moving Comfort!!”

Brian Echerer and his mother and business partner, Mary Jane Musser

Sometimes life’s setbacks have a way of leading one down another path to success. Brian Echerer lost a job and then “destroyed” his back racing cyclo-cross. During his recovery, he began making spoke bracelets for his cycling club and found out about a show called “Bike Craft.” Brian persuaded his mother, Mary Jane Musser, an artist and jewelry designer to join him in designing and making jewelry from bike parts and soon they were making earrings, bracelets and necklaces of all kinds and selling them at the Portland Saturday Market. Thus, was born Velo Gioielli, which turns out to be a wonderful name for their business as it means “bike jewelry” in Italian!

The mother and son business worked well as their talents dovetailed nicely together. As they work together in her studio, Brian tells Mary Jane what he envisions and they sit, create and play and make the ideas come to life. Their tastes line up very well together and they love working with high quality parts and materials. Brian adds, “We have a hard time using inferior product such as silver “plated” chains for example. We see up close how things wear on our customers and
improve product from those experiences. That is why I worked on powder coating the recycled bike chain. Spray paint was just not as durable.”

The Sparkly recycled bicycle chain bracelets are given a durable lasting finish that is also beautiful.

Three-Ball Spoke Bracelet: Three shiny sterling silver balls on a polished stainless steel bicycle spoke.

We’ve been impressed with the quality craftsmanship and artistic beauty with the Velo Gioelli jewlery and so have their customers. Brian adds, “It’s amazing the response we get from customer that see our stuff in person. Most don’t even know that they are looking at bike spokes and recycled bike chain pieces. It has inspired us to continue building a business.”

The bit of “bling” on the rhinestone-studded spoke bracelets would be a great piece to wear for the Holidays!

JEWELRY GIVEAWAY:

If you’d like to win one of these beautiful spoke bracelets, you are in luck because Velo Gioielli is offering THREE of their great looking spoke braclets to three lucky Cycle & Style readers. The bracelets come in three sizes: small, medium and large, so if you win, you can choose the size. Enter to win by making a comment below and please give us your full name. If we try to get a hold of you and cannot, we will have to find another winner, so please use the e-mail (when prompted) that is best for getting a hold of you. Winners will need a US mailing address. Contest will run from now until November 15th. Good Luck!!

Bike Spoke Bracelet With Red Fire Rhinestones

 The Cyclo-Cross Fan

Brian: “Cycling wise I am a roadie at heart. I love it and have since I was a teenager. I will never forget watching Greg Lemond win the Tour for the first time. I also mountain bike, cyclecross and love just about anything that has to do with cycling in any fashion. I starting running a local Meet Up group a few years back and turned it into a 1000 plus member club with about 25 ride leaders. It was a great experience. I have ridden RAGBRAI, Cycle Oregon, FANY  (a bicycle tour of upstate New York) and countless century rides. I lived in upstate New York for a time and loved the riding area there, along with the people that I miss dearly. Right now I paired down my bike collection and only have 4. I work on them myself for the most part. I am super lucky to be in one of the most cycling friendly places in the world, and the (Cycle) Cross Crusade is one of my favorite pastimes every fall. I am in love with cyclecross. I am also a bit of a gear head with road bikes, I love the parts and the majestic roll each plays in creating an extension of a person’s body.”