> 2015 | CITY GIRL RIDES

What You Need To Know To Cycle In Winter

12/03/2015

With winter looming on the horizon, many cyclist in colder parts are planning to exchange their two wheels for a treadmill or elliptical trainer upon first snowfall. Although hanging out in freezing temperatures isn't quite favorable, it is still possible to enjoy the benefits of cycling in winter when the weather is good. With a few bits of knowledge, you can be sure that you'll be ready to face the road, even if it's covered in snow. To get you in the know, here are some tips to help you cycle through winter wonderlands.

Essential Fall Cycling Wear

11/06/2015


Despite longer darker days, some drawbacks to cycling are the changing weather patterns. Dressing for cooler autumn days can be a little tricky when it comes to rain and a biting chill, especially when we've been riding after a few minutes and start to feel too hot.

With a few pieces in your autumn kit, you can ride between 'too hot' and 'too cold' smoothly with these essentials.

Staying Healthy On Your Bike This Autumn

11/04/2015

Although fall is a lovely time of year to get the most out of your rides just before winter, with seasonal changes comes early sunsets and colder climates. With longer darker days, fatigue, seasonal sads, and lack of exercise tend to creep in as we start to hide indoors from the cold. Getting on your bike through fall has its obvious reasons for keeping fit throughout the season, it's also a great way to combat the seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and the coming winter blues. If you're feeling the side affects of time changes, it can be difficult to get a regular routine on your bike but once you do it, it's all joy from there.

If you're looking for motivation and tips to stay on your bike and smiling, here are some ways to keep you on your bike and healthy during the seasons too.

Nutrition
This is a big one for me as I tend to crave heavier foods as it gets colder. Instead of giving into those cravings, try adjusting to seasonal fruits and veggies. Blackberries, apples, squash, brussels sprouts, pomegranates, persimmons, cabbage, pears, cranberries, sweet potatoes, beets, etc. Soups, juices, roasts, salads, are great ways to use these seasonal produce.

Move For Your Mind
If you are sensitive to shifts of time and experience SAD's or winter blues, getting outside on your ride during the morning may help a great deal. Lower light levels contribute to the fatigue and low moods during these changes. This means one may need to adjust their schedule and not all are lucky to have flexibility but if you're able to do so on the weekends, it'll still have a great impact on your mood as you are exposed to sunshine.

Dress for Temperatures
I know we all would rather stay in bed and keep hitting the snooze button rather than getting up and going for a brisk run or ride. But rather than making excuses to stay in bed, get yourself that cute cycling jacket, gloves, and shoes to give you an excuse to wear them and ride throughout fall.

Sleep/Eat for Immunity
Protecting yourself from the cold and SAD's is important, however, it's not enough to keep you from catching a virus. Ensuring you get enough sleep and nutrients are crucial to maintain a healthy immune system. A good 7hrs of sleep and food high in immune booting nutrients can help you go a long way to keep you sick free. Plenty of fresh water, garlic, raw foods, probiotics, Vitamins B, C, D, and Zinc are all essential to keeping a balanced immune system.

Enjoy The Fall
Whatever it takes you to get out into the fresh air before dark, do it while there's still light outside so you can enjoy nature and all of her changes. Although staying active is necessary, autumn is also a nice time to slow down and enjoy some internal reflection. Allow this time for nurturing yourself by eating seasonal foods, spending time at home nurturing your body, and giving yourself permission to make different choices and changes about your lifestyle.

Going The Distance

11/02/2015

We stepped out for a weekend ride thinking a local trail would make for pleasant riding but were meet with some serious elevation along the trail. Unexpectedly, the route planned had us heading straight for the hills. Down the road we twist and turn our way towards the first climb of the day. It seemed short but after only a few kilometers, we started to grind our teeth. Charging up, we put a halt to our conversation of honeymoon travel while panting and focusing on each breath and pedal.

Bike Talk: Equality And The Urban Landscape

10/29/2015



Can the urban city be a space where we can practice equality? Can we ever truly achieve equality when women and men currently appropriate urban spaces unequally? Recent studies have shown that there's a clear link between gender inequality and the use of the city infrastructure, like bicycle lanes. A study conducted in the city of Rennes, showed that certainly, urban spaces are ultimately made by and for, men. This study is certainly not the example of all cities, however, there are plenty of cities in the U.S. that can certainly relate to the issues of gender inequality in infrastructure use.

Fall Destinations By Bike In New England

10/28/2015

New England in the fall is colored with hues and tones of all colors. The air is cool, crips and perfect for strapping on a helmet and pedaling down a scenic road full of yellows, reds, and oranges. To get you adventuring through some of the leafiest routes before the season is over, I picked some of my favorite fall foliage viewing routes in the Northeast. My experience in these regions are a few day trips at best. Either way, rides through the Northeast are a necessary experience for all who love fall and biking.

Bike Things To Know

10/23/2015

It's been a while since the blog has seen so much action in the last year. Lots of changes in the air and although seasonal changes and early sunsets start to change our bike behaviors, the news of bike related events on the web never ends. There are a lot of great things happening and being written, so here is what you need to know.

Glady's bike shop is a women-first bike shop in Portland, Oregon. This is great news as a sign that the "industry" is moving forward on making bike retail more welcoming for women.

The bike community has fallen in love with this 90yr old cyclist who still rides in heels and dresses. I hope I grow up to be like her.

Our very own L.A. bicycle activist sweetheart Maria Sipin was interviewed on one of my favorite sites, Ravishly, check out her interview here.  

People For Bikes demystifies the most common myths about cycling. "The more places we have to ride and the more accessible bikes and bike education becomes, the closer we move to becoming a society where biking is not only not fringe, it's commonplace."

Still have no idea what to wear for Halloween, Brooklyn Bicycle Co. has some creative Easy Halloween Bike Costume Ideas for your ride.

Gearing Up For Fall Cycling

10/21/2015

As much as we all love fall, early sunsets make cyclists a vulnerable party in changing temperatures and road traffic. So it is particularly useful that she/he prepares for cooler climates and knows how  to maneuver through the rules that put her/him in safety from both the surprises of the road and  seasonal transitions. In addition to knowing how to be safe on the road this fall, it’s also good to know what to dig out of your closet and gear up for the ride.

I’ve added some essentials to the mix of tips to ensure your fall closet and bike will still make the cool transitional move into the new season in style. Consider this a friendly reminder to cycle safely and warmer while you cool into fall.

New England Bicycle Touring Destinations

10/19/2015


While living in New England, I've loved spending my free time venturing out by bike into quaint towns and local diners to get a feel of the area. Riding through quiet back country roads dotted with peaceful villages and views of mountains, lakes, and ocean: New England has become my favorite cycle touring destination. Throughout North East states, abandoned railway lines are now cycle routes. There are also trails in conservation areas that can accommodate any style of riding terrain from road to mountain.

As I'm hopping on my bike and heading from town to town, the sounds of rushing air, chirping birds, and running water fills my ears as well as the appreciation for the quaint scenery. New England country sides with picturesque villages, farms, rivers, ocean views, and forests make a great weekend of bike touring adventure. To help you find your next bike tour destination in New England, I've rounded up a few sites to help you guide your next visit to the most picturesque states of New England.

Fall Commuter Cycling Tips

9/21/2015

The Satorialist
The weather is starting to feel a bit like fall. Although it makes for lovely cycling, I got started on thinking ahead about preparing for darker days and cooler rides. So in all preparation for fall, start grabbing your things to prepare for cooler weather rides and remember that a freshly tuned up bike, helmet, and bike lights are essential for safety on the road as it starts to get darker earlier.  Ready to get your fall sweaters, reflective gear, and boots together? Consider these roundup links and tips a friendly reminder to cycle safely and warmer while you cool into fall.

City Guide: South East Connecticut

7/31/2015

I currently live in a little quaint New England seaside town tucked away in the southeast corner of Connecticut, just a few miles from the Rhode Island state line. It may seem like an area full of old timers and historical buildings, however, summer here is the greatest time of the year that gives this place it's vibrancy and charm. Before my partner and I moved out of Brooklyn, we would occasionally spend weekends here to get away from the Big Apple hustle and bustle. What we didn't know is that we would end up finding ourselves living here. Being inclined to wander every where we go, we founds a few things we love to do here, even by bike.

Adventures In Italy

7/22/2015

Italy. A country of divine landscapes, delicious food and wine, and sheer love for biking. Never had I thought that I would find so much enthusiasm for biking as when I visited the city of Lucca. I was enamored not only with the city and lovely people, but also with how everyone bikes there. Where there are rows of bikes, chic women in heels and friends gather around on bicycles to shop, chat, and simply enjoy the city. This city is really no place for cars as streets are narrow and only suitable for walkers and bikers. The ideal place for me. If you ever want to visit Italy and have a bike adventure, go to Lucca by all means. Sit at a cafe and watch locals stroll by with a glass of Tuscan wine.

Renting a bike here is so easy, there are rental stations almost on every corner just outside of Lucca that connect you to green bike paths around the city. Biking is truly the best way to navigate throughout as it is a city surrounded by walls with gorgeous views.

I don't want to make this post all about my experience in Italy, as there were so many and I have a lot of pictures. Please feel free to visit my Instagram where you can get a glimpse of my current travels.

Ciao!

Adventures in New England

7/08/2015

With so much of summer here, I've been taking it upon myself to enjoy the coastal life on two wheels. New England is a whole new park for me. With country and coastal views, riding here is almost like a scenic dream. There is nothing more I love than being able to jump on my bike and ride through these green hills with a view of the ocean and sail boats whizzing by.

Summer Commuting Cycling Tips

7/06/2015

It's summer time and the heat is on! Every summer I like to provide a little recap of how to say cool and fresh in the sun. For many of us ladies and gents who commute by bicycle in the city, we need to show up fresh on our bikes to our places of work or destinations. It's not always easy looking breezy but here are some tips to keep you looking commuter fab on two wheels.

Tour De France 2015 Guide

7/01/2015

Tour de France, it's probably my favorite time of the year in which I relive my summer days in Paris where I watched crowds of racers and racing enthusiast flood the final stage of TDF in 2011. Since my visit, I've made watching the TDF my summer morning ritual and bring you my annual guide to watching and keeping up with the Tour de France. 

Currently Biking: New England

6/29/2015

Happy summer ya'll. I'm back up in the Northeast for the rest of the season and I'm so glad to be. It's been heavenly being back in the coast to reconnect with friends and good old country bike riding. Since moving out of Brooklyn, I've been without my own two wheels to call my own. Usually I go for a city bike, but being that I'm not in a city, I took to a hybrid that I could use on the long road being that I love touring and long distance riding. New England is perfect for those long rides, so a bike to endure the country roads is much appreciated in these parts.

Tips for Spring Riding

5/07/2015

If you are thinking about taking to 2 wheels this Spring be sure to ease your way in. You are then much more likely to enjoy it and stick with it, rather than ending up red faced and frustrated. Here are just a few tips to inspire a two wheel life with a spring in your pedal...

Cycle at a leisurely pace rather the racing along with the Lycra clan. You will look far more graceful and will arrive at your destination fully composed with out any unsightly sweat patches.


If you have not cycled for a while start off by doing a few laps of your local park then graduate to short routes that you know, to the shops or local café.

If your journey to work seems a little daunting start off by cycling to you’re nearest tube or train station, ensuring you lock your bike up securely.

When you feel ready to cycle all the way to work check your route. Google and select the cycling option and type in your starting point and destination and it will recommend a route on quieter, more cycle friendly roads.

Armed with your map choose a nice sunny day at the weekend, when you have no time restraints, to explore your route. Do not cycle to work for the first time on a Monday morning if you are not entirely sure where you’re going. It could result in you getting lost and turning up at work late and flustered.

When you have mastered your route just cycle in twice a week to start with to get your fitness levels up. Never force yourself to cycle when you don’t feel like.

Do not feel you have to cycle when….

You have the mother of all hangovers

It’s a blowing a gale or chucking it down with rain or both

You are wearing a pencil skirt and 6 inch heels and have just spent an hour on your hair for a big meeting or date.

You are reading a particularly good book and quite fancy a bus journey.

Image: Nantucket Bike Basket

Currenlty Biking: Florida

4/30/2015

Biking and Florida. A great pair if you ask me. Who would've known in all places in America that Florida is great for cycling?! I never thought I would be cycling this side of the coast but here I am off road cycling and riding through every nature preserve and beach I could get to. Not only is Florida blessed with wonderful climate but with paved cycling infrastructure too. And if it's too humid during your ride, you could just stop by the nearest beach and jump in to cool down which I find myself doing often.

Adjusting to Spring Bike Lifestyle

4/27/2015

Now that Spring has sprung, I'm seeing lots of smiling faces on two wheels, my local bike shop/cafe filled with bicycles for tune ups and a home now currently filled with bicycles. Coming from a state that has no seasonal weather and 330 days of sunshine, it's not easy to adjust to the extreme weather changes. What's harder is not having the ability to ride my bike almost everyday, not being able to physically endure the weather patterns regardless of the preparation and research. 

Life on two wheels can be a bit of a challenge during the cold seasons. And although I admire those who can ride in the snow, I won't do it. Call me a spoiled Cali girl, but this adjustment to the East Coast is a big eye opener on tackling bicycle lifestyle one season at a time. Adjustment isn't easy and I'm sure my friends from home are giggling at me but I'm just so excited for this sunshine and warm weather!

If you're on the same road (pun intended), here are some tips to help you get inspired and adjust to Spring's seasonal bike lifestyle...

Pedaling Back

4/24/2015

I'm Back! Blogging is so hard these days and I'm now attempting to recover from a self imposed long haitus from social media and most things internet. In all honesty, I have avoided coming back to social media and this blog because I was burnt-out, plus all that traveling and work I have makes me comfortable with enjoying the little freedom I have from being digitally disconnected.

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