“The couple that exercises together stays together.” (The Schofield mantra)

For Jon and Leslie Schofield, their romance began on bicycles. “Our first date was a mountain bike ride,” Leslie remembers. It was on the mountain trails of Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort in Utah. The active life was part of who they were as individuals and as a couple. Mountain biking and running together was part of their courtship and something they continued to do together after they got married.

A marriage evolves and theirs was no different. Children came along and they juggled his full-time job, her part time job, and childcare responsibilities with their urge to continue a physically active life. So they divided things neatly to allow each to work out while the other watched the children. Leslie drew the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedule and Jon had the other half of the week. Leslie’s bike spent more time in the garage as she put in her early morning time running. Jon ran and mountain biked and then he got a road bike and immersed himself in local competitive cycling with criteriums, long endurance races and triathlons.

Read more…

by Alison Gall (Owner of Bonnie Bikes)

I always enjoy reading and learning about cycling in cities across the globe, thanks to the ever increasing network of ‘Cycle Chic’ and cycling related blog spots. I live in Glasgow, Scotland which to many may not conjure up an image of style and is a place often overlooked by Edinburgh. However, the city is branded as ‘Scotland with Style’ and as a cyclist who uses a bicycle to commute to and from work, I have noticed that there has been an increase in stylish cyclists in the city. Glasgow can now even be found on the ‘Cycle Chic’ map and photos of cyclists who ride in style are added regularly. Read more…

Women riders - on top of the world!

David Balkin’s theory is, not only that women are naturally better recreational riders, but that they have the opportunity to kick start a renaissance on wheels

“I was and still am hoping that a huge resurgence in bike riding is possible but that’s only possible if women take the initiative. I thought this (long overdue) article could be a catalyst but the bike intimidates/humbles everyone from Lance on down and women as the more easily/casually intimidated of the species don’t recognize that the bicycle was specifically designed with them in mind — that is once the manufacturers found out that they were as good at this revolutionary machine as the men and they got a lot of flak over it but didn’t care about the social implications that gave women unprecedented freedom; they just wanted to sell more bikes. Not surprisingly, once the car took over, the men banned women from getting driver’s licenses. Those dark ages are forgotten and woman’s rights are now ingrained in our culture but today’s women are missing an incredible athletic/responsibility opportunity by not taking the bicycle as their own and allowing it to show them what it does just for them.”

At the elite level all riders are dialed into perfecting their technique, at this level, as the stronger of the species, men rule. But in the recreational world the opposite is true. Women riders are more suited to the bicycle, mentally and physically, than male riders.

Read more…

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given–when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.”
~ Joan Winmill Brown, American author and editor.

There is something so elegant and so stylish about the classic Dutch-style bicycles. The bicycles put their riders in the kind sitting-up-straight position that your mother taught you was best. It is an elegant position—a way to survey the streetscape around you in comfort. A girl can easily wear high heels, a dress and a past-the-knees coat as she pedals off to work, to school or to the café down the street for lunch with friends. The Europeans have been making them this way for a hundred years and have perfected their designs and brought them up to date.
It is true that for some bicycles and models, you have to visit Europe to buy them, but it has gotten a lot easier. There are several bicycle shops here in the US and Canada that carry European bicycles importing them from across the pond, so to speak. Copenhagen Cyclery in Chicago is a relative newcomer and carries Italian-made Abici line, the Dutch Batavus bicycles, Danish/German Velorbis and the Danish cargo bikes Larry vs. Harry. If you want to see a beautiful Velorbis bicycle under the tree in a few weeks, you can order the bicycle and it will be shipped to your local bike shop where it will get its finishing touches so it is ready to ride. The Swedish Company Skeppshult has a website and American presence that makes it possible to get a Swedish-designed bicycle like the Nature model below.

Skeppskult' s Nature is a beautifully classic bicycle with a true Scandinavian look. From the Brook Leather saddle to the mesh wire basket, it has been graced with thoughtful desgin touches that make for a very appealing bicycle.

Velorbis' Victoria Classic has a "Copenhagen Chic" look that will have you commuting in style.

Batavus offers a line of great bicycles from the classic Old Dutch to other family friendly bikes.

Italian made Abici bicycles are beautiful bikes with simple clean lines. Their designs combine classic looks with some high tech elements. Yes, you can wear your Gucci shoes and a Prada skirt on this Italian bicycle—it has a fully enclosed chain guard that will protect your clothing from the dirt and grime of the streets.

Italian made Abici bicycles are beautiful bikes with simple clean lines. Their designs combine classic looks with some high tech elements. Yes, you can wear your Gucci shoes and a Prada skirt on this Italian bicycle—it has a fully enclosed chain guard that will protect your clothing from the dirt and grime of the streets.

(Thanks to Michelle of Skeppshult and Brent of Copenhagen Cyclery)

Danielle and Parker understand there are benefits to bike on a date.

Using your bicycle instead of your car to go places is often its own reward, but sometimes, there are some true fringe benefits: the Bicycle Benefits!  What are the benefits? How about this: discounts on products and services, perhaps a free dessert with a meal, a 2-for-1 offer, $5 haircuts, $2 bike tubes, free day memberships, 50% off entrance fees, etc. at participating businesses.  These are the rewards for using pedal power and wearing your helmet. You are keeping the air cleaner, the parking lot areas less congested, and setting a great example that others can follow to become healthier and contribute to a more sustainable community. There are many businesses that want to reward you for that!

Bicycle Benefits Sticker

Businesses in the community join the Bicycle Benefits program, decide on what incentive they’d like to offer and show that they are participating in the program by placing blue and white Bicycle Benefits program sticker in their window. To get your Bicycle Benefits, you can buy a sticker from participating businesses for $5, and then put it on your helmet and bike to the participating business of your choice. Enjoy the ride, save the environment and some money at the same time!

Parker and Danielle stop for a bite while on a bike ride in the city.

If you’d like to find out about participating businesses in your area or if you have a business that would like to participate go to the Bicycle Benefits website by clicking here.

Cyclo-cross offers non-stop action.

The popularity of cyclo-cross continues to grow across the country—and certain areas such as Portland, it is a huge hit! In our area, like many others, it has, until lately, been a sport dominated by men. Several years ago, there were so few women racing that they weren’t divided by levels and age groups, as is common among the men. At present, the women compete in various ability groups which makes for a more competitive race for the A-level and keeps things more enjoyable and less intimidating for the B and C-levels. It is also preferable for the women to compete as a separate group. In the past, the level B women had to race in the very same time slot as the level C men. The men were given a momentary head start before the women’s race began. Unfortunately, when the women caught up to the guys, these macho men were not very gracious about being passed.

The women of cyclo-cross take the race and looking good seriously.

Cyclo-cross is such an excellent cross-training sport and the races themselves are such fun that women from various cycling backgrounds have become enthusiastic cyclo-cross racers: road cyclists, mountain bikers, triathletes and even commuter cyclists were represented in the cyclo-cross race on Halloween morning. They brought their families and friends to cheer them on, and their children and dogs easily mixed with the informal atmosphere and many got into the Halloween spirit and wore costumes in the race.

The Road Cyclist: Meet Lisa Misakavich, who raced while disguised as the Incredible Hulk. This is her second year of cyclo-cross and she is racing as a Level B.

Lisa enjoys the fun of cyclo-cross and the spirit of Halloween.

Lisa compared it to her experience as a road racer: “In cyclo-cross, there is not as much pressure to win as a road race. Yet, the technical aspects of cyclo-cross are harder to learn as a former road rider.”

Her favorite thing about cyclo-cross: “I love the barriers. They crack me up. I still think it’s funny that they want you to get off your bike during the race.”

The Mountain Biker: Jenny Wade had that look of someone who knew exactly what she was doing. She pulled off her warm-up clothes to reveal her team jersey and shorts. She rides for the team: Church of the Big Ride. This is her third season of cyclo-cross, but she was a well-seasoned mountain bike racer before that, and that experience is an advantage as she has down the technical aspects of riding on the off-road race course.

Jenny jumps the barrier with ease.

What are her favorite things about cyclo-cross? She really likes riding and racing against only women. She states it’s never boring—and your heart rate stays up! She also loves the friendly people and the welcoming atmosphere at cyclo-cross events

The Commuter Cyclist: Melanie Gladding is experiencing her first year as a cyclo-cross racer. And before that? She rode her bike to ride to work a few times a week. This mother of two took up cyclo-cross racing with the encouragement of her husband who has been a semi-pro mountain biker. She still considers herself slow and at present she is in the C level, but she enjoys the way cyclo-cross forces her to work at it because it is a challenge.

Melanie races on as her family cheers her from the sidelines.

The Triathlete: Meet Virginia Clark. This is her first year back into cyclo-cross—and cycling of any kind after having a rough couple years with her personal life. She raced in a few sprint triathlons this summer and is racing at the B level for the first time in this upcoming race. Her experience as a triathlete with its running and biking portions certainly is an advantage in this form of racing which also incorporates sprinting sections and cycling sections throughout. (One thought that occured to me: if you are a triathlete who really doesn’t enjoy the swimming portion of the triathlon, cyclo-cross may be the sport for you!)

Virginia is back on the bike after a break.

This racer is carrying her bike in order to jump over a hurdle.

I went to a cycling race like no other last weekend. The course was a beautiful, twisting route through autumn-bedecked trees and over and across fields—over mostly dirt trails. The crowds were enthusiastically cheering and ringing Swiss-style cow-bells as the racers sped by, then smoothly dismounted from their bikes, jumped a short barrier and carried their bikes up a steep little bluff, jumping over a second barrier, and instantly remounting their bikes to speed away, making several laps of the course. Welcome to the thrilling sport of cyclo-cross! 

The crowd offers support to every rider that leaps these hurdles. "Up, up, up, that's it, go, go, good job!"

Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing that, like cross-country racing, takes place in the fall, and finishes up during the winter. Cyclo-cross racers ride in a race course that consists of short laps (1½ to 2 miles) and goes over pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles that require the racers to quickly dismount from their bike, pick up the bike and carry it over the obstacle then quickly remount the bike to continue the race. The race is timed and usually over in a fast-paced 40 minutes—perfectly timed to keep the attention of the spectators. 

The women leave the saddle while their bike is still moving at a good pace in order to be ready to jump over the hurdles. They often look as if they are ready to take flight.

There are several stories about how cyclo-cross started. At the turn of the last century in France, there was a group of bicycle road races that would start in one town and it would be an all-out race with few rules to get to the next town. If a racer knew a short-cut they could take it, even if that meant going through a fenced pasture. This was also called a “steeple chase” as the only obvious landmark in the next town might be the tall steeple of a church, and racers kept that in their line of vision as they took the shortest possible path towards it to win the race. As my son noted, “Sounds like a sport created by cheaters—I like it!” 

A small group speeds past the crowd on the dirt track portion of the course.

This well-loved European sport took longer to catch on here, but cyclo-cross is a popular and still rapidly growing sport here in the United States and Canada through the fall season. It was mostly a guys’ sport for several decades but now, large numbers of women are joining in the races and it isn’t just the hard-core competitors. Many women love this fun sport for the low-key competition, as a cross-training sport perfect for the off season, and for the simple reason that it is breath-taking and fun! What’s not to love? Like thrills? Riding the race course gives competitors the adrenalin rush of a roller coaster! As for fitness devotees: this sport combines running, the bike-handling skills of mountain biking, the power of a road racer along with some weight-lifting into this circuit-training style bicycle race to make you one fit chick! It offers a race setting to please everyone; it divides competitors into 3 levels: the competitive A level, the middle B set & we’re-just-here-to-have-fun C group. 

The area is covered with participants, warming up and preparing for their race.

Want to check it out? Get information about a cyclo-cross race near you by dropping in at your local bike shop or picking up your local cycling events magazine. 

A New Olympic Sport: If you’ve wondered why this spectator sport, which proceeded mountain biking isn’t an Olympic event, wonder no longer! At long last, cyclo-cross is going to be an exhibition sport in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. The International Olympic Committee added some modifications such as making the cyclo-cross racers ride on a snow-covered course and with a touch Annie Oakley would have loved; racers will have to get off the bike and shoot at a target.

2010 UPDATE–Alas, not this year after all for an Olympic introduction. It’s been put off for  awhile…. 

(Next Post—Meet the

women who love Cyclo-cross!) 

Gretchen is seeing things in rosy pink as she rides her Electra on the road to health!

I was lucky to meet Gretchen Fegel, one of those delightful women who is a complete stranger one minute and a new friend the next. We started out talking about bicycles, but the conversation soon turned to less about the bike and more about life. I was surprised to hear that she was recovering from a recent bout with breast cancer. She was cheerful and confident with an infectious smile and willing to share her story as a way of helping others.

Gretchen has always been athletic, and has adapted her athletic pursuits to the various cities she has lived in, enjoying road biking, mountain biking, roller blading, water skiing and running. It was after running a marathon that she discovered an ankle problem which turned out to be complex: a benign tumor that had to be removed. The ankle still gave her trouble and a foot/ankle reconstruction was scheduled, but in the days before her ankle surgery was scheduled, she found a lump in her breast.

A mammogram and biopsy showed she indeed had breast cancer. Last October she underwent a double mastectomy. Because it had started to spread to the lymph nodes, she also had chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which she finally finished in May 2009.

While she was recovering from her surgery last October, she had this vision of herself riding on a pink bicycle through the countryside in a ride that was similar in focus to the Race for the Cure series she participated in as a runner. She focused on this goal as she went through the suffering of the chemotherapy and she knew she wanted to get healthy enough to be able to do a long road bike ride again. It would be something special—something in commemoration of her bout with breast cancer and something that could help other young women who would have their own fight with breast cancer.

She found that special ride with Hershey’s Tour de Pink which benefits the Young Survival Coalition, an international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women with breast cancer. The Tour de Pink is a 200+ mile ride of the course of several days that stretches from Hersey, PA. to New York City.* It is a non-competitive ride, not a race, but it is still a major goal for this young cancer survivor. Gretchen still needs to get a road bike and if it is pink, it would be a bonus!

For now, she takes her little dog, Polly, a schnauzer-poodle mix, with her on a ten mile round trip along a bicycle trail on her sunshine-yellow Electra Amsterdam. Polly is up to running about half of the ride and then is scooped up to cozily ride home in Gretchen’s shoulder bag. The rides are uplifting for her spirit and body as she continues the road to a complete recovery. People along the trail compliment her on the beauty of her bicycle, the cuteness of her little dog, and even on the musical tone of her bicycle’s bell. I’m sure too, people are drawn to her beautiful smile which is an outward sign of the optimism and sunny outlook on life that pervades Gretchen’s personality and helped her fight for her life against what is the leading cause of cancer death in young women.

*Hershey’s Tour de Pink benefits Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC works with survivors, caregivers and the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under.

Shauna has ridden a hybrid for several years and had to borrow a road bike for triathlons. She is now looking to buy her own road bike so we came with her on her search.

We have been in many bicycle shops over the years and the vast majority, have great helpful staff that are happy to help female customers. There are alas, a few bad apples: guys who only want to talk to my husband, one bike store manager who was downright rude, and the plain old unhelpful who only speak bike-shop-ese. Don’t put up with that! Walk out of the stores where you aren’t treated well and look for another. We promise you, there are some absolute bike shop gems out there: well-run stores with incredibly helpful crews.

Josh gives Shauna a full run down on each of the bicycles before she takes them out for a test spin.

When buying your first bicycle, you want the touch, feel and ride experience, so I don’t recommend buying a bike online. I also don’t recommend going to a big-box store for a bike where the employees know little about bikes and the bikes are poor quality. I recommend going to your local bike shop (LBS). It will be worth spending a little more for a bike that you will love and will last you for many years.

Make sure your LBS treats you with respect, it shouldn’t feel like a “boys only” club. If it does, try another shop down the street. Most bicycle stores are going to be helpful and courteous and are a real source for helping you find the right bike for you. A great bike sales clerk will be happy to answer your questions about the bicycle and discuss the pros and cons of various models. The focus of that bike store should be finding the right bike for you! (The first question out of the clerk’s mouth should NOT be: “How much are you planning on spending?”)   Down the road, you can enjoy a great relationship with your bike store and they can be the go-to place for your bike’s upkeep and repair and the place you can get recommendations for gear and accessories.

It is important to take a few bikes for a decent test ride. A good shop will have a demo bike you can take for a full ride.

A few tips for buying your first bike:

1. Do your homework online. Once you know what type of bike you want, you can do a lot of research on the Internet. You can research brands and various models. Make notes and write down ahead of time what you want.
2. Come dressed and ready to take a test ride. (Tight jeans & flip flops don’t cut it!) If you have padded road bike shorts, wear them, and if you don’t have any yet, come dressed in yoga pants or shorts and tennis shoes.
3. Just like clothes, sizes of bikes will vary from brand to brand. The bike shop should size you up and help you find a bike that fits you before you take a test ride, making adjustments to move the saddle and so forth.
4. Take a test ride: ride around the block at least. Most bike shops offer bikes that you can try for a longer test rides. Put the bike through its paces: shift, brake hard and test the acceleration. Try a hill if possible to make sure the bike has the necessary gearing you’ll need.
   

   Josh continued to ask questions after the test so that he could get a good idea of what Shauna thought. This kind of attention will ensure that you purchase a bicycle that is right for you.

5. Try a bike out of your price range to see what the differences are when you spend a lot of money. You should feel the differences and understand what you’re paying for. You’ll feel better about your purchase and that you are getting what you want, not just what the sales guy is pushing.
6. The bike should fit. It isn’t that great of a deal if it is uncomfortable to ride or worse, result in injury later. Also, a “women’s specific” bike might be perfect for a lot of women. But your body type might be the exception. That said, adjustments can be made with the stem, the seat rails, the handlebar, etc. to ensure the perfect fit.
7. Appearances do matter. If you like the color and appearance of the bike, you’ll ride it more! (And you’ll look great on it!)
8. Be sure and consider the whole bicycling experience by getting the proper gear: including helmet, clothing, and shoes, if required. Get a pump and spare tube for emergencies.

I’d love to hear your comments, ideas or success stories (or alternatively, horror stories) from recent first time bike buyers as well as bike store personnel.

Thanks to Guthrie Bicycle and their manager Josh, you are one of the gems!