> October 2013 | CITY GIRL RIDES

Bike Love: Helmets and Autumn

10/25/2013

Things I'm loving lately: 
Lazer Sports Helmets. Lightweight, super comfortable, and breathable (if youre a head sweater, you'll love this helmet.) I got three in their Urban Editions cause they are good looking and nice to wear. I just love a good helmet and cannot wait to share with you the many ways these helmets look good on a bike, stay tuned as I adventure out for a weekend of friends and bikes.
Autumn In New York: I never really understood the words to Ella Fitzgerald's song "Autumn In New York" until living here. Ahh...the crips cold air (that I've missed, sans fog) and golden leaves.
Green Smooties: while attempting to step away from coffee, I'm filling my body with wholesome green juices. Well being takes a lot of sacrifice. Try this recipe.
Dahlia's: my favorite flowers have finally hit the market here in Brooklyn and I couldn't be a happier girl. I just love surrounding myself with them.

Other: Kashmire Tchai Tea, making new friends, reading books, walking to the park and playing with dogs, fav neighborhood cafe Choice Market, Blue Apron recipes.

As season transition, what are you loving lately?

Spreading the Fashionable Word On #WhatIWore

10/23/2013

Hi friends near and far, yesterday I guest posted at Eleanor's NYC for their What I Wore post. These post series are all about empowering women to express themselves and their style on their bike, something you all know I feel very passionate about. Help Eleanor's spread the fashionable word by sharing your own personal bike style on Instagram and Twitter.  You can participate by hash tagging #whatiwore and #eleanorsnyc on Instagram or Twitter.

Big shout out to Eleanor's and all the stylish ladies riding their bikes.

Cute Bicycle Finds: Charly's Bicycle Goods

10/21/2013

photo: fuuvi
I am floored by the creativity that bubbles up in the bicycle community. The tally of uniquely talented artists, craftsmen, and designers runs high — though, magically, Charly's seems to house numerous treasures all under one roof and I'm going head over wheels over them. From spunky heart and star shaped bicycle wheel reflectors to bicycle covers, Charly's combines an assortment of practical and useful items that are not only safe for riding but are absolutely colorful and adorable to make a statement on your bike with.

Seriously, whether you're looking for that perfect bicycle bell as a statement piece — or the cute bicycle light to ring up your visibility — chances are you'll find it on Charly's

Yoga Takeaways For Cyclists

10/16/2013

We all know that yoga rejuvenates our bodies and calms our minds. And for one I love to spread the love of nurturing one's body and soul. With a serious mission to build inner strength and balance, I took on a recent daily practice of yoga to help me recover my body and peace of mind from daily stresses of living and biking in New York. Here are some take aways on how yoga can help you improve your ride recovery and keep you mindful for a better ride.

Connecting With Your Breath
Yoga teaches an inward focus of the mind (and through this, deep awareness of the present moment) by bringing awareness to our breath. Strengthening this mind-body connection helps us concentrate on our cadence. When we are able to clear our minds of distraction, we can really fill our lungs to open our bodies and spirit.

Clarify Your Vision
Studies have shown that the power of visualization really works. Building relaxation and mental clarity by practicing yoga is a powerful tool to harness that focus and visualize success (like a double fist pump when we cross the finish line first).

Prevent Injuries
Spending hours hunched over the handlebars and pedaling past the point of pain can cause overuse injuries of the knees, backs, quads and hamstrings. I love yoga for its stretching and strengthening properties.

Strengthen Your Core
Yoga’s focus on flexibility, finding the edge and staying balanced builds full-body strength. A strong core “holds it all together” and provides the power to push through personal limits. 

Here are some of my favorite yoga poses I love after a ride.
photos: triatholon
For Chest and Shoulders
Cobra Pose:  Lie facedown and place your hands underneath your shoulders. Gently press up, keeping a slight bend in the elbows.

For Quads
Quad Stretch: From a kneeling position, sit back on your heels. Place your hands on the floor next to your hips. Lift your hips and chest to the sky. For a deeper stretch, place your forearms on the floor.

For Hips and Glutes
Upside Down Pigeon Pose: Lie face up on the floor, and bring your right ankle to your left quadriceps. Pull your left knee in toward your body; push your right knee away gently.

Forward Fold. While standing, hinge forward and fold at the hips. Grab onto elbows, or for more intensity, grab your ankles.

Image: Bicycling

Shop My Favorite Yoga Gear

Cute Bicycle Baskets

10/14/2013

It's time for a roundup of cute bicycle baskets and I found some unique and vintage styled baskets and crates to share with you. Although I have had a great number of them, I always remain true to Wald wire baskets for sturdiness around bumpy roads but I have always dreamed of one of these wicker baskets and a bike crate to carry a bundle of flowers and veggies in. A girl can dream right? Sigh...Ok, I'm dying to share with you what made the list. 


Bike Talk: Women Aren't Concerned With Biking In Their Communities?

10/04/2013


A while ago I started a series called Bike Talk, where I wanted to seriously chat about some issues that women are afraid to speak out about. My first post on Bike Talk was about bicycles & embracing my inner quirky girl, where I personally dived deep into the first myth of 10 Myths About Women & Cycling, "Women Don't Like Bikes." My point was to express that every woman has her way of expressing herself on her bicycle, if it doesn't look like bike culture or a race team, then there is no shame in embracing and liking the way you bike! Keep in mind... this is a personal perspective rather than expressing and explaining that "82 percent of women having positive views of bicyclists," of course we do, however, women aren't positively accepted or represented as bicyclists.

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