It’s no secret that I love bibs. So when I dug out my old Giordana tights for the first chilly morning ride, they didn’t feel the same as the bibs I’m used to. They grabbed at my stomach and every time I stood to climb, the chamois sagged. No good. Later that day I crossed my fingers and ordered a pair of Women’s Hincapie Arenberg Bib Tights from Realcyclist.com. Continue reading
The time to plan for your 2012 cycling season is now. Yes, you heard me right. If you want to experience fitness gains, enter a race or just hang with your local group ride in the spring, you must start that conditioning over the winter. That doesn’t mean you can’t take a break or enjoy some cross-training this winter. After a busy season, some time off or just riding for fun provides the perfect mental break. But then it’s time to get to work. Continue reading
My first group road ride went something like this. I showed up and nervously smiled at a few of the other cyclists. When the ride began, I placed myself dead last, felt my heart rate shoot up from anxiety and was promptly dropped the minute the pace escalated. As I fought off the urge to cry, a few kind riders waited for me. I apologized profusely and the next day, returned to the solitude of riding alone.
Fast forward a couple of years and now I’m keeping pace with the fast guys for 50 miles, chasing down breaks (or making them) and even participating in friendly sprints.
So, what happened? Continue reading