posts in
kit
In honor of Women's Bike Month, I'm excited to share with you an interview from the founder of women's specific kit brands, Hummingbird Athletic. Los Angeles based Laura Buono has made quite the impression with her unique and fun designs, drawing inspiration from nature. Like most women, Buono was dissatisfied will poor fitting kit so she set out to make it herself. Many of my friends have raved to me about Laura's fun designs and over all accommodation and ultra kindness when it comes to ordering for their bodies specific needs - something I know many of us women struggle with. I am so happy to have been able to exchange words with Laura and now it's my pleasure to introduce Laura Buono of Hummingbird Athletic.
The story about how I got into cycling is kind of interesting. I used to be a professional dancer/performer from the time I was about 5 years old. Touring and performing in such shows as Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Annie, Gypsy; just to name a few. By the time I was 21, I ended up already having surgery on both my knees. At one point in my life, I was living in The Netherlands, where I continued my dancing and choreography career. It was also during that time I started riding motorcycles which I loved more than anything else. I returned to The States in 2010 and ended up here in Los Angeles. I danced for a couple more years but my body was finally starting to give. That’s when I started working in TV/Film Production. I buried myself working show after show, taking no time for myself. I missed being physical, I missed being passionate about something. I desperately needed something to fill that void. I thought about getting a motorcycle again, but riding in LA can be very dangerous, so I decided against it.
Tell us about your bike story. How did you get into cycling?
The story about how I got into cycling is kind of interesting. I used to be a professional dancer/performer from the time I was about 5 years old. Touring and performing in such shows as Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Annie, Gypsy; just to name a few. By the time I was 21, I ended up already having surgery on both my knees. At one point in my life, I was living in The Netherlands, where I continued my dancing and choreography career. It was also during that time I started riding motorcycles which I loved more than anything else. I returned to The States in 2010 and ended up here in Los Angeles. I danced for a couple more years but my body was finally starting to give. That’s when I started working in TV/Film Production. I buried myself working show after show, taking no time for myself. I missed being physical, I missed being passionate about something. I desperately needed something to fill that void. I thought about getting a motorcycle again, but riding in LA can be very dangerous, so I decided against it.
A few years later, I met a very special man. Our story was simply this; We got to know each other, we dated, and are now madly in love. Yay! He was once a competitive cyclist as a teenager back in the 80s, and at one point ranked 10th in the nation. Very early on in our relationship, I ended up having yet another surgery, this time for my left shoulder. He stepped in, without hesitation, and took care of me. During my recovery, he asked if I had ever ridden a bike before. He knew about my past and thought cycling might be worth a try. Just 5 days after surgery and being laid up in bed, I wanted to venture out and look for a bike. With my arm still immobilized in a sling, I found myself walking out a bike shop with a brand new bike in my hand, (the good hand of course). That was 4 years ago, and now, here I am!
Can you tell us a little bit about your brand and how it came about?
My brand came about simply because I wasn’t able to find women’s cycling apparel that I loved and believed in. I’d go into stores where I was overwhelmed with so many options for men. Cool styles, fun patterns, numerous brands to choose from. I’d ask where the women’s section was... and let’s just say I was incredibly underwhelmed. I was so disappointed time after time. I was craving design esthetic, I wanted form and function, I wanted something cool, I was looking for decent prices, I was checking out tags to see where it was made, I didn’t want my legs to look like stuffed sausages in shorts. Options, hello? Anybody? Bueller? I wanted to look good! Why was this so hard? That’s when I thought, ‘you know what, I’ll do it myself.
What inspires your kit design?
My kit designs are inspired by a number of things. I wanted our designs to cover a variety of tastes. Something fun, pretty, zen-like, if you will. Something that stands out but is not gaudy. The intention behind the patters is simply this; if I were to see a nice shirt, or a wrap dress, for example, in any of these patterns, would I wear it? Ok, so where to go from here? How can I make this vision come to life?
It just so happens that my boyfriend’s mother is a hobby artist. She had just finished taking some watercolor classes and she was looking for some fun new projects. We put our heads together and came up with a lot different ideas. Flowers, ice creams cones, pineapples, feathers, cactus, birds...you name it! We settled on our top picks, scanned them into the computer and created our first collection.
Even the brand name, Hummingbird Athletic, was inspired by nature. In the evenings out on the deck, I’d see little hummingbirds flying around. Sometimes stopping to take a break on a branch, feed from our flowers; sometimes it was almost as if they were having a little ‘hummingbird meet-up.’ I thought to myself, ‘man, those are some bad-ass little birds!’ Not only are they extremely independent, they are unlike any other bird. They have been a symbol of happiness and joy for many many years, yet are truly unique within their own species. It’s exactly what I wanted this brand to be all about.
What are you hoping to accomplish as a women’s cycling kit brand?
My main goal is to create a brand and a line products that everyone loves, not just women. I want this brand to be seen as a brand that people believe in and care about. I want every woman out there to know that every detail that we put into our designs, material, jerseys, bib shorts, and accessories, is specifically designed with every body in mind. I want to raise the bar and set an example so that bigger companies will have to take notice, encouraging them to raise their bar as well. I want women to feel like they are part of the entire cycling community, not just ‘women’s cycling’ specifically.
This brand is designed for every type of cyclist, from pro level to weekend warriors. I want to be an advocate for ethically made products produced by people who understand the needs of cyclists. It is so important for me, personally, that we promote the importance of where and how garments are made and where it comes from. I want people to feel proud to be part of the Hummingbird brand, knowing that what they buy is supporting a lifestyle and standard for the future of women’s cycling.
What words of advice would you give for women looking for kit?
If I could give any advice, here’s what I’d tell women to look for when shopping for kits. First of all, what kind of cyclist are you? Road, cross, mountain, spin? There are different styles of cycling clothing for different types of cycling. It’s important to buy gear that is specific to your sport.
Second, what’s your personal style? Do you feel more comfortable in classic looking styles, or do you like to wear styles that are more fun and quirky?
Third, try things on. Online shopping is probably where most of us shop, so make sure you understand the return/ exchange policy. Keep in mind that cycling apparel is supposed to be form fitting. It’s not just for aerodynamics, it’s also for safety. Not only can it get caught somewhere on your bike but it can also damage your skin if it’s rubbing or moving. On that note, the best piece of advice I can give is to NOT wear underwear under your bib shorts. Bib shorts and chamois are designed to act as protection and help everything breathe. And once again, make sure they are form fitting. When you’re in the saddle, you don’t want anything rubbing or moving. Chaffing and irritation in that area is super painful and can keep you from riding. Nobody wants that!
Fourth, look at the tags. Where is it made? Where is your money going? Cycling apparel can be expensive. If you don’t feel comfortable dishing out almost $200 for a jersey, don’t, but don’t buy one for $40 either. The apparel you wear is just as important as any piece of technical equipment, so try and find something that is good quality and worth your money.
Lastly, understand weather conditions and what you need for different types of weather. Layer up! Wear pieces that can also be removed as your body temperature rises. Arm warmers, vests/gilets, jackets are some good examples.
How active are you in your local bike community? Any rides or events coming up?
In between working full-time, freelance gigs here and there, I have Hummingbird. I am fortunate enough to be able to host and lead a group ride every Monday evening called, ‘The Really Really Fun Ride.’ And it’s just that, ‘really, really fun’! I created this ride for people who may be just starting out, people who are getting back into cycling, but also for people who may have had hard weekend in the saddle. It gives them a chance to recover, and chill so their bodies can stay healthy. It’s a fun, socially driven ride meant for both men and women, any age, at any level.
We meet at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA around 5:45pm and roll at 6pm. We do about 20 miles, a little bit of climbing, some fun downhills, through some cool neighborhoods. My favorite part is I can always hear people laughing and having a good time. When I look around, all I see are smiling faces, and that to me, is all I care about; THAT is what cycling is about.
In the future, I’m hoping to start my own YouTube channel. Featuring content about bike safety, getting to know your bike technically, how to change a tire, what to keep in your saddle bag, health and nutrition, maybe even some hair tutorials for fun styles to wear under your helmet. We’re not stopping, so stay tuned!
In between working full-time, freelance gigs here and there, I have Hummingbird. I am fortunate enough to be able to host and lead a group ride every Monday evening called, ‘The Really Really Fun Ride.’ And it’s just that, ‘really, really fun’! I created this ride for people who may be just starting out, people who are getting back into cycling, but also for people who may have had hard weekend in the saddle. It gives them a chance to recover, and chill so their bodies can stay healthy. It’s a fun, socially driven ride meant for both men and women, any age, at any level.
We meet at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA around 5:45pm and roll at 6pm. We do about 20 miles, a little bit of climbing, some fun downhills, through some cool neighborhoods. My favorite part is I can always hear people laughing and having a good time. When I look around, all I see are smiling faces, and that to me, is all I care about; THAT is what cycling is about.
In the future, I’m hoping to start my own YouTube channel. Featuring content about bike safety, getting to know your bike technically, how to change a tire, what to keep in your saddle bag, health and nutrition, maybe even some hair tutorials for fun styles to wear under your helmet. We’re not stopping, so stay tuned!
Website: www.hummingbirdathletic.com
Facebook: Search Hummingbird Athletic or https://www.facebook.com/hummingbirdathletic/
YouTube: Search Hummingbird Athletic or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCws8Ba6SFMREmNcJtj4YCYQ
How To Kit Up For Road Cycling
9/12/2018
When it comes to road cycling apparel it should fit snugly so it improves your aerodynamics and doesn’t flap in the wind. Cycling jersey's are often designed with technical fabrics to wick sweat away from your body featuring front zippers for functional ventilation, shoulders and sleeves designed for arms-forward comfort and back pockets for easy on-the-go storage access and a longer cut in back for coverage when riding. Cycling bibs and tights have lots of stretch for full freedom of movement and include a soft, padded liner, called a chamois, to provide comfort in the saddle. To know more about cycling shorts and chamois technical and care function, you can read my post about women's specific saddle comfort here.
Cycling Kit
Cycling Kit
A typical cycling kit setup might include a moisture-wicking base layer, cycling jersey, cycling tights or bibs, fingerless gloves with palm padding, arm and knee warmers, sweat wicking cycling socks, wind vest and lightweight packable rain jacket. This gear should see you through most weather conditions, but when it’s cold you’ll want to add full-fingered gloves and overshoes, merino wool socks, and replace your short-sleeved jersey with a long-sleeved equivalent, a soft-shell jacket as well as your cycling bib shorts with weather proof cycling tights. Look for apparel that has reflective strips to make you more visible at night.
When it comes to road bike helmets they must meet specific safety standards. But when it comes to helmet comfort, factors that make your ride more comfortable include ventilation, absorbent pads for moisture control, an adjustment dial to tighten or loosen the cradle that holds the helmet to your head, and an easily adjustable chin strap. Some helmets feature MIPS technology, a low-friction layer that slides independently of the outer shell and limits the rotational forces to the brain when the helmet gets hit at an angle. While style is usually a key factor in helmet decision making, knowing your tech and safety behind a helmet is as important.
Road Bike Shoes and Clipless Pedals
You can ride a bike in just about any shoes, but anyone who rides regularly can benefit from shoes designed specifically for cycling. To better understand cycling shoes function you can read my latest post on the basics of cycling shoes here. Cycling shoes are usually paired with a compatible pedal to hold your feet securely on the bicycle. A "clipless" shoe-pedal combination (which actually involves the shoes clipping to the pedals) offers excellent control with a minimum amount of your pedaling energy lost. It can take some practice getting in and out of clipless pedals, but once you get the hang of it, clipping in soon becomes second nature. You can read more of my post about how to clip in here.Basics Of Cycling Shoes
8/29/2018
Why bother with cycling shoes?
When you pedal in sneakers a lot of your power is lost in the bending of the shoe and sole. Cycling shoes improve performance by getting the knee right over the ball of the foot. They also help prevent injuries like plantar fasciitis, strained heels and knee injuries.
Do Cycling Shoes Need To Be Professionally Fitted And Taken For A Test Ride?
Yes, because they should fit like dance shoes or ice skates—you don’t want much motion in the shoe, but you don’t want to cut off circulation. Also, you need to make sure the ball of your foot is over the spindle. A shop can adjust the cleat for this perfect alignment. I recommend getting shoes with floating cleats, meaning your foot can move a few degrees and you’re not totally locked in. And I prefer the wider triple cleat to the SPD cleat because its wider base gives you more power.
Yes, because they should fit like dance shoes or ice skates—you don’t want much motion in the shoe, but you don’t want to cut off circulation. Also, you need to make sure the ball of your foot is over the spindle. A shop can adjust the cleat for this perfect alignment. I recommend getting shoes with floating cleats, meaning your foot can move a few degrees and you’re not totally locked in. And I prefer the wider triple cleat to the SPD cleat because its wider base gives you more power.
Try going to your local bike store to get fitted. They can help you add the pedals to your bike and show you how to use them in a safe environment. You can learn more about how to clip in here.
Why Are They Expensive?
Shoes with plastic soles break quickly. Plan on spending at least $150 and spring for a single carbon bed in the sole. Also you want the shoe to have plenty of aeration holes, and a ratchet adjustment system instead of just Velcro.
Casual Cycling Shoes vs Active Cycling Shoes?
For the avid cyclist, I would recommend Fizik's R5 UOMO BOA Road Cycling Shoes . Their shoes are high-performance, well made, and very comfortable. They have something called a Boa system: you tighten the top of the shoe using a cord. There’s no pinching and it conforms to the natural curve of your foot. The carbon reinforced sole is very stiff and gives a smooth transfer of power into the pedals. The shoes are very easy to put on, adjust and take off. I also recommend Giro Espada Road Cycling Shoes or SHIMANO SH-RP3 Cycling Shoes.
Why Are They Expensive?
Shoes with plastic soles break quickly. Plan on spending at least $150 and spring for a single carbon bed in the sole. Also you want the shoe to have plenty of aeration holes, and a ratchet adjustment system instead of just Velcro.
Casual Cycling Shoes vs Active Cycling Shoes?
For the avid cyclist, I would recommend Fizik's R5 UOMO BOA Road Cycling Shoes . Their shoes are high-performance, well made, and very comfortable. They have something called a Boa system: you tighten the top of the shoe using a cord. There’s no pinching and it conforms to the natural curve of your foot. The carbon reinforced sole is very stiff and gives a smooth transfer of power into the pedals. The shoes are very easy to put on, adjust and take off. I also recommend Giro Espada Road Cycling Shoes or SHIMANO SH-RP3 Cycling Shoes.
For the casual cyclist or indoor spinner, shoes like the Tiem Cycling/Spinning Shoes or the New Balance Women's 09v1 Training Shoe would be fantastic for easy clipping in too.
There are a lot of cycling shoes out there and it takes time to find the right shoe that fits. As you get better with cycling, your shoe game will advance as much as your miles.
There are a lot of cycling shoes out there and it takes time to find the right shoe that fits. As you get better with cycling, your shoe game will advance as much as your miles.
Shop This Post
When it comes to summer cycling, I'm no stranger to long rides under the summer sun. I've spent way to many mornings along bikes paths with other early risers, riding relentlessly for the sake of riding before the high heat. When summer is here though, cyclists love to boast of razor sharp #prohours tan lines, long miles, and adventures in epic places but while we are out for miles in the sun, there are some things we should focus on: protecting ourselves against dehydration, sun and wind burn, and keeping cool. Knowing that I'll be outside riding till the temperature rises to unbearable degrees, I always prepare and pack my summer essentials to ensure I'm prepared for every hot situation. That said, here are my top essentials for cycling in the heat.
Handle Bar Bag - I'm not a fan of carrying things on my person if I could help it when it's hot out. Weightless bags for summer rides are essential since they can carry the basic necessities. Road Runner's Burrito Bag and Po Campo's Kinga handlebar bags can carry those summer essentials without adding much weight to your bike. I always keep a small bottle of sunscreen, spf lip balm, chamois packet, a zip lock of money, and handkerchief to wipe sweat off my face during rides. Plus you never know when you'll need to reapply any of these items or need a dry dollar bill.
SPF Kit - When it comes to kit, covering up with a UPF jersey and bibs or UPF arms sleeves can help protect you from sun damage. Machines For Freedom carries the Summerweight Long Sleeve Jersey providing UPF 50 to protect your skin from the sun. Made from a super lightweight fabric that keeps you cool, it's perfect for even the hottest days. Their Print Jersey's are made of the high performing European fabric for the best moisture wicking, breathability, and form fitting comfort. The Endurance Bib also carries sun protection and are made of high performing fabrics for moisture wicking with a top quality chamois sized for all sit bone widths and carbon micro fiber fabric to prevent bacterial build up. I personally am a huge fan of MFF's quality material, form fitting design, and comfort in their kits. I don't think I could survive a long warm days ride on the saddle without my endurance bibs, top quality kits here.
Sun Protection - Sunscreen should always be on whenever you step outside for long periods of time. For body and face sunscreen I highly recommend a sunscreen that is environmentally friendly like Kiehl's Active Sunscreen or Daily UV Defense. Chemical sunscreens usually absorb UV radiation, allowing it to pass the surface of the skin but preventing it to reach the deeper layers, while mineral sunscreens reflect the UV radiation, blocking it from entering the skin at all. Products that block UVA and UVB radiation will be labeled as broad-spectrum (or full-spectrum) protection. I highly recommend a non-greasy broad-spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants to add another layer of protection too. You want to make sure you're getting the best protection while keeping your pores breathing to release sweat. 
Eye and Head Gear - Be aware that while being #outsideisfree it'll cost you your vision of you don't protect your eyes with riding specs. Also, getting bugs, dirt, and grit in your eyes can be both painful and dangerous on a bike, and the chances of that happening are greatly increased in summer when bugs are plenty and dirt roads are tempting for a wondering adventure. One way around the problem is to invest in some UV protective riding specs like Rapha's Pro Team Flyweight sunglasses.
Cycling caps can go a long way in both protecting your eyes and absorbing sweat - preventing it from getting into your eyes with the stinging effect of sunscreen. If you have thick heavy hair like myself and don't like wearing caps in summer, wearing a headband will also help to keep sweat dripping down your face into your eyes while protecting your face from sweaty hair and hairlines from sun damage while letting your head breath under your helmet.
Hydration - Staying hydrated seems like an obvious one, but let’s break it down. Not only do we get way sweatier while cycling out in summer weather but we’re generally losing more fluid throughout the day too, thanks to the heat and humidity. Sure, this makes us thirstier, but dehydration affects many processes within the body that we might not even be aware of, like brain function.
Obviously hydrating and replacing electrolytes is key to keep our bodies from becoming dehydrated but in the heat we sweat more and lose more salt. Consider carrying one bidon with water and another mixed with electrolytes to help you avoid bunking and dehydration. I highly recommend OSMO Active Hydration that dissolves in your bottle. You can keep refilling your bidons with water and just drop one in.
What have I missed? What are your favorite summer riding essentials?
Images: @machinesforfreedom /@roadrunnerbags /@pocampo / @osmonutrition / @rapha / @kiehls
Eco Friendly Cycling Kits + Gear
4/22/2018
Happy Earth Day! I'm sure you've seen the slew of posts on why cycling is great for the earth and green products that have you thinking about turning a new leaf in becoming an all around eco friendly bike warrior. But when it comes to cycling gear and kit, even with new products like cardboard helmets and organic cotton bike seats, cyclists are more interested in performance and function than eco-friendly cycling products. As a culture, we want to be difference-makers, but don't know how our products impact the planet when we dispose them. So where are we supposed to begin? Luckily for us, many cycling manufacturers out there are taking steps on our behalf to create products that will keep our planet a bit more sustainable and ethical for the generations to come.
In honor of Earth Day, I’ve rounded up six eco friendly cycling products for your world-saving pleasure. Learn more about them and consider incorporating at least one or two into your ride. Swapping in products like these is a great way for us to show solidarity with this beautiful planet of ours.
Vegan Athletic aims to develop and distribute the highest quality, ethically made and sourced athletic apparel in the world. They use ethical and sustainable practices throughout the entire manufacturing process and have teamed with a number of best practice companies from around the world to help them achieve this standard within their business. From jersey's, bibs, base layers, arm warmers and more, they'll have you looking sleek and riding with confidence knowing your kit is pushing cycling fashion forward to a greener future.
BRANDT-SORENSON Luxury Sport Apparel is proud to offer world-class sustainability for athletes. Americans on average discard approximately 80 lbs. of clothing into landfills prematurely each year due to poor fit, quality or changing trends. Every garment is made-to-measure in their Los Angeles atelier and shipped directly to the athlete. Fit, quality and durability are the key components of a sustainable garment. A single, well made piece can take the place of a dozen fast fashion garments, which often are discarded prematurely into landfills. The greatest social and environmental impact BRANDT-SORENSON can make is through quality. There are no magic sewing robots, and clothing is labor intensive.
Klean Kanteens products are designed to replace a single-use alternative or improve on an existing solutions in the market that may not have considered end of life, recyclability, disassembly, versatility, modularity, easy cleaning and materials safety. By replacing plastics with their steel lifetime products, you're making a difference that directly (and positively) impacts the planet. Not only do they create the highest quality reusable products, they work hard to bring benefit to the people and places they touch—and do everything they can to keep single-use waste from trashing the world.
Thousand knows that helmets are an age-old industry with limited planet-friendly options—and they want to change that. They use environmentally-friendly alternatives, track the origin of their materials, and use manufacturers with integrity. With direct-to-consumer packaging, they've managed to reduce cardboard usage by more than 50%. Fun fact: one way they were able to do this is by designing helmet boxes as shippable cartons- helping minimize waste and deforestation. Their program focuses on 3 main areas - US Renewables + Energy Efficiency, Amazonian Basin + Brazil Avoided Deforestation, and International Wind Energy focused in East Asia.
Giro's Silo Helmet is completely recyclable, composed of E-PLA foam within the shell, offering the same measure of protection in a compostable form. The straps and webbing are made from coconut fiber. When it comes time to retire the Silo, break it up. No part of it will end up in the trash bin. A very good, eco-friendly, helmet.
Pixio by Rydon; these little illuminators are solar-powered, meaning every time you go for a daytime ride you're powering up for after hours. On top of that, a little solar panel on top is constantly collecting energy, and apparently it just takes five cloudless days to power up again. Once they're on, you need a special, Pixio-specific tool to take them off, meaning that you'd have to get super industrious to steal them—and after all, most thieves are looking for an easy get. Definitely beats having to replace batteries or usb chargers that are impossible to recycle.
Green Oil bike cleaning products do exactly what it says on the tin, it is 'green oil.' Where most lubricants and cleaners are petroleum based and use many different man-made chemicals for varying applications. Green Oil products are 100% plant-based and PTFE free. All the products are made in the UK, use recycled bottles, and are 100% biodegradable. There's lots of interesting information on www.green-oil.net about the oil based products we use on our bikes and how we can protect our water ways from polluting oils. And while others may claim to do the job of keeping your bike clean and well oiled, these products actually do the job just as well as other high rating bike cleaning and bike lubricating products.
Do you have a favorite eco-friendly cycling brand? Tell us about them in the comments!
For many cycling industries, Spring has sprung to release the latest in kit, gear and bikes and for womens cycling kit, it's sweet and thorny. Just recently, Machines For Freedom launched a new campaign to celebrate the release of their new kit. To my excitement, MFF did something the cycling kit industry has never done and it's gives me all the good vibes. To celebrate their new print, they have embraced their community of female cyclists to share their stories and have gorgeous unconventional women model their newest jersey and gilet, The All Weather Vest and The Fruits Print.
On their website they share..."With The Fruits Print, we are celebrating the parts of ourselves that are strange. The unexpected bits, the prickly spine, the rough rind that protects us. These are the parts that make us who we are. These are the parts that are special.
And we can celebrate those parts of ourselves, we can love them, even as they embody a challenge to those traditional views of what's feminine. The thing about femininity - about strength and bravery and fearlessness - is that it's always going to be up to you. You can embrace the feminine, shun it, completely ignore it. You can be both and neither.
Find your thorns. Embrace your roughness. Love your strangeness.
We do."
What excites me most about this print, is not is it only creatively driven by the founder of MFF as an expression of her own embracement of "the strange", it also embraces women of different ages, sizes, and backgrounds to share their stories. With MFF Fruit Print social media campaign, they asked women of their community to answer "What is something you love about yourself that might be viewed as contrary to traditional femininity?" Founder of MFF Jenn Kriske has shown her own sweet and thorny strength as a leader in the cycling industry with her boldness to support women's cycling, from community building, a race team, and women's specific kit, she has empowered and shown that women in cycling are badass and she's not afraid to show it with her community beside her.
With all the stories they have been sharing, it got me thinking about story telling and why it's so relevant to women's cycling.
It turns out that when we give women a voice, they are empowered and empower others. We all know that the stories of women's strengths, achievements, and impact is something we are now celebrating as a culture, however, the cycling industry is still "a mans world" that tends to marginalize women, you really only have to walk into a bike shop to see this. With women stepping into the women's cycling market, women are no longer following the traditional "feminine" ideas of "being a woman" but rather creating their own identities outside of cultural norms. It also turns out that facts don't tell a story to make a real impact (hello election 2016) so creating compelling content that shares these strengths, achievement, and impacts is one to really move girls and women into a sport such as cycling. These stories about being sweet and thorny and struggling to overcoming barriers to embrace your unique abilities and identity are definitely worth checking out on #machinesforfreedom on Instagram.
Have you thought about something that you love about yourself that is viewed as contrary to femininity?
Shop Fruits and MFF Collection
Caring For Cycling Kit
2/12/2018
Check the labels first - Read washing instructions on the labels in cycling clothing as each brand has a different set of instructions depending on the type of material they have. If you follow the directions given with the garment, it will have the best chance of living a long and productive life.
Detergents - Do not use heavy detergents, fabric softners, dryer sheets with heavy perfumes or dyes when washing kit. Residue's from detergents or softener's can interfere with the fabric technology from doing their job like wicking moisture away or repelling rain. I tend to lean on cleaning my kit with Dr. Bronner's so that detergents on kit don't irritate my skin.
Machine Wash - I actually recommend machine washing kit since nothing gets rid of trail grime and sweat, and sanitizes like machine washing. Wash all your kits together. Bulky items like jeans, velcro, towels can destroy delicate fabrics like mesh. To keep the color and fabric in good shape, zip up kit and turn inside out to wash with delicates in cold or lukewarm water. In the long run, machine washing will actually help your apparel function better.
Hand Wash - If you can't get to machine cleaning your kit right away, hand wash or rinse and hang them inside out to dry when you get home. Even kit with great anti-bacterial material will stay damp with sweat if not able to breath and the longer cycling shorts and jerseys stay damp with sweat, the more likely, they are to grow odor-causing bacteria.
Drying - Again be sure to check your kits labels. Synthetic fiber garments and durable water repellent finishes on your kit have a “memory” that shapes to your body. Drying them in low heat will bring them back to their original state and may damage some of the material. Always best to air dry, especially items like gloves or shoe covers that have velcro and other material that may damage jersey's or shorts.
Detergents - Do not use heavy detergents, fabric softners, dryer sheets with heavy perfumes or dyes when washing kit. Residue's from detergents or softener's can interfere with the fabric technology from doing their job like wicking moisture away or repelling rain. I tend to lean on cleaning my kit with Dr. Bronner's so that detergents on kit don't irritate my skin.
Machine Wash - I actually recommend machine washing kit since nothing gets rid of trail grime and sweat, and sanitizes like machine washing. Wash all your kits together. Bulky items like jeans, velcro, towels can destroy delicate fabrics like mesh. To keep the color and fabric in good shape, zip up kit and turn inside out to wash with delicates in cold or lukewarm water. In the long run, machine washing will actually help your apparel function better.
Hand Wash - If you can't get to machine cleaning your kit right away, hand wash or rinse and hang them inside out to dry when you get home. Even kit with great anti-bacterial material will stay damp with sweat if not able to breath and the longer cycling shorts and jerseys stay damp with sweat, the more likely, they are to grow odor-causing bacteria.
What if I'm touring? - Do not re-wear your bike clothes the next ride without a good wash. It may be tempting to throw on the same kit without a wash for a second day if you only have a few kit items. Even some high performing fabrics designed to transfer moisture away from the body and dry quickly can turn rancid on the surface if not washed after each use. Even worse, wearing the same bibs or shorts for a second day could result in rashes, chafing, and even infections in extreme cases. Always best to wash by hand with a natural soap and air dry overnight.
Other Tips: Check your pockets for extra money, snacks, or gels. Mesh lingerie bags also come in handy for washing cycling gear if they have delicate fabrics.
When you purchase good quality kit you're already one step ahead. Once you consider the garment specifications when checking out new cycling gear, keeping in mind the type of material and care of your kit to keep it in good shape and always looking like new.
Image Courtesy: 1. @andcarmelasays
When you purchase good quality kit you're already one step ahead. Once you consider the garment specifications when checking out new cycling gear, keeping in mind the type of material and care of your kit to keep it in good shape and always looking like new.
Image Courtesy: 1. @andcarmelasays
Holiday Gift Guide For Babes On Bikes
12/04/2017
I want to make sure you’re totally prepared to get your cycling friends or family members the best gifts that make everyone in their cycling club green with envy! So I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite cycling kits, books, tech and gear that I couldn't possibly live without that would make great gifts. These recommendations are mostly geared to women (some could be used for men) and are based on personal experience and feedback from other cyclists that couldn't possibly live without them too. The best part about theses recommendations? They’re guaranteed to get good use!
So without much further ado, here are my top picks from stocking stuffers to heart throbbers that will make your cyclist #SMILEFORMILES!
So without much further ado, here are my top picks from stocking stuffers to heart throbbers that will make your cyclist #SMILEFORMILES!
Read - From knowing how sharp your tan lines should be, the latest kit and gear, to inspiring stories from women in cycling, these subscriptions and good reads cover it all.... The Rules / Bicycling Magazine / Casquette Magazine
Wear- From caps to socks, what's not to love about #NEWKITDAY while looking and feeling flawless... Fizik R5 UOMO BOA Road Cycling Shoes / Machines For Freedom Cycling Cap / Rapha Flyweight Glasses / Machines For Freedom Midnight Palm Jersey / Machines For Freedom MVP Bib Tights / Cycling Socks by Pongo
I hope this guide helps you check off the lists of gifts to buy. If there are any recommendations you may need for beginners or more advanced cyclists, please feel free to send me an email. Happy shopping!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons