Cycling apparel with a conscience

It's always nice to see companies with a conscience. One such manufacturer is OORR (Out of the Rat Race) out of Australia. The owner, Tim, is creating a line of cycling clothing made from 75-100% recycled plastic bottles.

What I find interesting is that the bottles are broken down and reformed into polyester yarn. This material can be recycled and reprocessed again and again without degradation to quality. It only takes three steps to manufacture polyester yarn from plastic bottles. While converting oil into polyester yarn takes 9 steps. So not only is OORR keeping the bottles out of landfills, they are also using less energy to produce the yarn that constructs their products.

 

OORR is in the process of producing prototypes of their jerseys and bibs and should be ready later next month. As a contributing writer and product reviewer of RoadBikeRider.com I'm lucky enough to be receiving one of the prototype kits to test out. I'm very excited to see how it feels, wears and performs.

Trek is another cycling manufacturer that is helping the environment through recycling carbon fiber. Back in 2010 they started partnering with Carbon Conversions to recycle 60,000 pounds of scrap metal each year. Read more about their process here.


Let's hope that more manufacturers in the cycling industry and throughout follow suit and start using recycled or sustainable materials for their products. We all have a responsibility to leave this world a little better than how we found it.

Enjoy the ride.
Sheri

Naked has no place in cycling

I would never use "prude" to describe myself, nor do I think anyone has called me one. Hey, in the 80s I hung out for three summers at a nude beach on Long Island. But for some time I've been bothered by the Assos ads for their women's cycling apparel. I kept asking myself, is it really necessary to have a virtually naked woman modeling women's cycling shorts, tights, and bibs in very provocative poses? Please, give that woman a sports bra or jersey. Have her sitting on a bike or next to a bike with clothes on. Don't have her half covering her breast and wearing a "come do" me pout. Common on guys!!! Really???

Really....Is this necessary?

So I was elated to read that Assos has a new CEO, Phil Duff, that started in September, who's married with three daughters. He has come forward to say, "We are now going to portray women the same way we do men...as athletes."  Amen to that!!! The timing couldn't be better as USA Cycling named Assos the official cycling apparel partner for their team. Yep, time to clean up their act.

Ella Cycling Tips did a recent interview with Phil Duff and it sounds like he'll take the company in the right direction. It truly amazes me that women still need to fight to be seen and treated equally. The cycling industry is so male dominated that it continues to be a battle all women cyclists should fight. As consumers you can do it with your dollars and your voice. Support companies that see women as athletes, not a sex symbols.

Check out the article on Assos. I'll be watching closely to see if Mr. Duff is true to his words.

Share your thoughts and comments about the Assos marketing and other cycling ads. Does it bother you? Do you think it's okay? Voice your opinion below in the Comments.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri

When going it alone can make the adventure

Below is an article I wrote for my cycling club's monthly newsletter regarding my recent vacation. I thought I'd share it with you as so many people couldn't believe I went on my own. Well, it was go it alone or cancel a vacation. This girl needed a vacation and badly. It was a great trip and while I'm sorry that Mitch and I couldn't share it together, I met some great people and had a wonderful time.

Enjoy the read,
Sheri

When it’s time to kill the Groundhog

We’ve all been moaning and groaning about spring taking its own sweet time getting here and that Punxsutawney Phil must go. In late March, Mitch and I looked at each other and said we need to get outta here!! So we pulled out a map and looked what was a day’s drive from Chicago. Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina all looked inviting. I got to surfin’ the internet looking for invitationals and bike clubs. I found the Burnsville Metric Century in NC but it wasn’t until April 30^th. Too long to wait, need Spring NOW!!! I emailed the contact listed on the site asking if we could get cue sheets ahead of time and if there was a club to ride with. Immediately I received this wonderful email from Marc offering maps, cue sheets, himself as a guide PLUS bikes if we needed them. Wow, that’s southern hospitality.

Next I asked him to suggest places to stay since it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere. He provided a handful of suggestions running the gamut of prices and “luxury”. We opted for this cute cabin 3,400ft up in the mountains flanked by national forest. Marc had said that one of the owners, Mary, was a cyclist, so we booked the place for a few days. Mary, was beside herself we were bikers and insisted on taking us on rides each day. Not to mention she was a native Chicagoan. Bonus!!!

We had the first half of the week figured out. Next was where to go for the second half. I contacted the Louisville, KY bike club. But did not get warm and fuzzy responses about riding with them or lodging. So we opted for the Bluegrass Cycling Club in Lexington, KY. First off, the Event Director for the Horsey Hundred is also a Pearl Izumi Ride Champion with me. Second, she’s a member of the Bluegrass club. Third, they had rides day and evening just like the Wheelmen. So done deal. Arrangements made.

A few days before departure, Mitch found out he wouldn’t be able to get off work. So since I really needed a vacation, I decided to head out on my own. So began Sheri’s Quest to find Spring.

Day 1:

Weather in Chicago was low 30s and sleeting. So it was a lot easier to head out on the 650 mile drive across five states to reach Johnson City, TN. I wasn't sure how long the drive would take me so I opted to stay overnight in TN and take the remaining 50 miles across Iron Mountain the next morning when I was a little more fresh.

Day 2:

Ate a good breakfast at the hotel knowing Mary had planned a climbing day for us. So I took the narrow winding road over Iron Mountain into Bakersville, NC. The speed limit was 55 mph and all I could think of was WTF? There's no way to take some of these switchbacks at anything more than 20mph. I also started to get a little freaked out thinking this was the type of road we'd be riding on for the next few days.

Arrived at Bakersville, literally a one stop light town. Yep, I was in the middle of nowhere and that was just perfect. I found Bird Town Cabins at the end of a windy road and Mary was already in her cycling gear ready to roll. I continued up this gravel road to Little Bird cabin. Yikes, it was like straight up the side of the mountain. The cabin was beautiful. Full kitchen, sitting area, bedroom and indoor plumbing. The view was breathtaking.

I quickly got changed and we were off for our first ride. No time to get acclimated to the altitude or warmed up. Three mile climb off the bat. The scenery was beautiful until I turned the bend and there were two armed Sheriffs with a chain gang picking up garbage on the side of the road. Not something we see on our WW rides.

The ride was 35 miles with 3500 ft of climb, including three CAT 4 climbs. I definitely felt the altitude which was another thing I had not accounted for.

We had a quick rest stop at a cemetery that even had some Civil War veterans buried. Took a selfie by the sign and headed home. Post ride I got to feed their 3 goats and then enjoyed a hot tub to soak my quads.

Elevation chart of the ride

Day 3:

Woke up to rain. Crap there goes my 10 years of vacation karma. But by 11am the sun came out, vacation karma still intact, so Mary, Alli and I planned to meet Marc for a ride along the Cane and Toe rivers and then a 6 mile climb they call Spivey Gap. I was thrilled to meet Marc since he started this whole adventure. Very sweet man who's retired and training for RAM. Very strong cyclist, racer and for you men, has 20 bikes.

The first 11 miles we did about 1000 ft of climb. Then some downhill to the rest stop. The store we stopped at had everything a girl could want, live bait, ammo, a burn permit and indoor plumbing.

The 6 mile Spivey climb boasts CAT 2, 3 and 4 sections. I just put it in a small gear and started up. Marc would ride ahead and then do track stands in the middle of the road waiting for me to catch up. Only 2 cars passed us the whole time so he was safe to hang out there. Once at the top we were at the Tennessee boarder and the Appalachian trail head. We stopped for pics and then turned around and headed down the mountain. A little eventful for me as I tried not to wipe out on the sand and gravel that peppered the pavement from the earlier rain. But I also got chased by a pack of 3 dogs and dive bombed by a kamikaze wild turkey trying to make it across the road. The count was now chased by 8 dogs and 1 wild turkey in two rides.

Final stats for the rider was 53 miles and 2,600 ft of climb.

Elevation Chart

Day 4:

I decided to skip the ride today and just start my 5+ hour drive to Lexington, KY.  I said goodbye to my new friends and cute cabin in the woods and headed northwest.  I arrived in Lexington about 4pm and went for a walk on the Legacy Trail. It's a multi-use paved path that is about 15 miles with plans to expand.

I checked Yelp for a place to eat dinner and found where the locals go. Nestled in between horse farms, was an amazing BBQ joint with a fun vibe.

Day 5:

I decided to hook up with the Bluegrass Cycling club. They boast 1000 members and have a huge offering of day and evening rides. Today's ride was 5 minutes from the hotel and ended up being 12 guys and me. They split into groups depending on speed. One racer guy, Chuck, said just get on my wheel. So I did and about 7 of us set out as the fast group. They were a great group of guys and dialed it back a bit for me on some of the climbs. Had a nice paceline going through quiet country rollers flanked by huge horse farms. There were tons of foals out in the pastures which really added to the beauty.

Towards the end of the ride the guys asked if I had ever been to the Kentucky Horse Park. So we took a detour at the end and sauntered through the massive grounds. There are polo fields, arenas, cross country courses, you name it. It was a nice way to end the ride. Stats for the ride were 36 miles and 1700 ft of climbing.

That afternoon I went to Keeneland Race Track. It's always a rest stop for the Horsey Hundred but the racing season is over by then. So in seven years I've never seen the track open. After that I headed to downtown Lexington for dinner and Thursday night live music fest. I met up with a couple of the Bluegrass members and had a lovely evening.

Day 6:

This was my last ride before heading back home. David's Fork Baptist ride reminded me of our Honey Do. About 50 riders of varying speeds, going different routes and distances.  A couple of the guys I rode with the previous day told me to come with them. Some gal Sarah had a 26 mile route she wanted to try. They said the pace would be 17mph average and they wouldn't drop me. BTW, there was no cue sheet or map so they better not drop me.

Well, there were about 20 riders in a double paceline screaming down these country rollers. The first half of the ride we averaged 19mph. Thankfully they dialed it back a bit on the second half to 17/18 mph. Another beautiful ride with a great group of people. But my legs were tired and it was time to head home.

I'd say my Quest to find Spring was successful. The groundhog is dead and Spring has finally arrived in Chicago. This past weekend we had back to back 70 degree days, sunny and low winds. Couldn't ask for anything more.

Enjoy the ride,

Sheri

No boyz allowed!!!

It's been a very slow process, but more and more bike and apparel manufacturers as well as tour companies are recognizing that there's a barrier for women to embrace and become cyclists. They are now doing more than "shrink it and pink it." Bikes, apparel, and saddles are now designed for a women's body proportions, apparel is becoming more feminine (not just pink) and clubs are organizing women's only rides or clinics.

Women's only clinics, tours and camps are a great way to gain skills without crazy testosterone added to the mix. Several years ago I attended a Vision Quest camp out in Santa Rosa, CA. The vibe was amazing. Women want to learn, we are like sponges. Throw men into the mix and you've got everyone just trying to bump up the pace and be KOM. Don't get me wrong, I love riding with both men and women, but there's always a time and a place for each.

Now that I'm learning to ride single track, I want to find an environment that isn't intimidating. Last summer I went to a Dirt Days event. It's a group of women who MTB and want to encourage more women to try out the sport. They encourage women of all levels to come out for a day of trail riding and coaching. They provided tips to improve my bike handling skills and how to read the trails.

Then in early March I went to Ray's MTB Park for a Women's Weekend Clinic. (January 26 blog) and (March 6 blog). The camp and the clinics were a relaxed and non-intimidating way to learn and better my skills.

If you are looking for a women's only event, ride or camp, you'll find a host of  companies and organizations that now cater to women. Just Google "Women's Cycling Tours" or "Women's Cycling events" and a huge list appears. Terry Bicycles also has a great list posted on their site.

In the midwest, two women's cycling organizations have recently popped up. Women Bike Chicago and Wisconsin Women Cycling. And The Chainlink has added a women's resource area to their site.

There's also a bulletin board specifically for women cyclists -- Wheelwomen Switchboard. You can post questions, jobs, rides...anything related to women's cycling. I used it when I was planning a trip out to South Dakota last year and wanted some suggestions on areas to bike.

And of course there's countless blogs and Facebook groups for women cyclists. One I've joined is called For the Love of Her Bike.

Many companies are also launching ambassador programs. Women cyclists encouraging and promoting cycling to other women. Pearl Izumi, Liv, Ella Cycling, and Pactimo are just a sampling of companies with ambassador programs. 

I’m proud to say, I was one of the women selected to be on the 2016 Pearl Izumi Ride Champion team. As a PI Ride Champion we are committed to spread the love of cycling and encourage other women and girls to try a sport they may never considered or were afraid to try. Using a one on one approach, the word is spread through our riding and community. And since women tend to communicate differently than men, social media channels are the key to messaging. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Strava are all ways the Ride Champions will share their experiences and passion for cycling. Keep an eye out for #EndureAndEnjoy and #Ride365.

Finally, check out the League of American Bicyclists 2013 study called Women on the Roll. Here are just some of the findings from this report.

• 82% of American women have a positive view of bicyclists From 2003 to 2012, the number of women and girls who bicycle rose 20%, compared to a .5% decline among men 
• Women are the new majority: 60% of bicycle owners aged 17-28 years old are women. 
• Women accounted for 37% of the bicycle market in 2011, spending $2.3 billion. 
• 45% of local and state bicycle advocacy organization staff are female. 
• 89% of bike shop owners are male, but 33% of shops are run by a husband/wife team. 
• Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, including the boards of national industry and advocacy organizations -- and their membership.

As female cyclists we owe it to the sport to encourage that next generation of girls to embrace  cycling. It doesn't matter if it is for recreation or competition, everyone should experience the freedom, thrill, and empowerment a bicycle provides.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri

CAUTION: Donuts and cycling don't mix....well kinda

The alarm went off at 545am this morning...a Sunday, the first day of Spring. So how appropriate that today was going to be a day of first. Today I did my first gravel ride, Pastry-Brest-Pastry.  Pedal and Spoke a bike shop in North Aurora hosted this event. The draw was a 60 mile unsupported gravel ride with checkpoints fully stocked with fresh donuts. Hmmm, sounded perfect when my friend Alex sent me the Facebook link a month ago...biking and donuts.

Even though it was the first day of Spring it was 36 degrees and a cold north wind blowing at the start. There were no route markings, only a GPS file I prayed worked on my Garmin, a cue sheet with directions only for the first 37 miles (out/back course with a loop at the top) and a map printed on a bandanna. Yes, a map bandanna. Another first. I had never seen or heard of one of these. I was thinking I could pin it on my back and the guys could tell me where to go. Literally and figuratively.

My group was ready to go at 8am. We decided to head out early and not wait for the mass start of over 200 riders at 9am. The first part of the route was challenging to navigate. It was across a street, through a parking lot, hop the curb, over the grass bridge onto a single track trail which led to a grass trail which got us to a road. Okay, a few miles in and we aren't lost yet.

Soon the nice pavement ran out and we were on gravel roads.We were out in farm country so there was nothing to block the strong north winds. Did I mention it was windy?

Never thought I'd long for a paved road

We were too early for checkpoint #1, #2 and #3. Glad I always have a protein bar with me. Checkpoint #3 was at a church and we thought about praying for some tail winds, but we knew those would be few and far between. We decided to head down the road a bit and then come back to the church in hopes someone would show up. And as luck would have it, they did and with fresh bakery donuts. I consumed one chocolate glazed donut like I hadn't eaten in days. It went down easy but ohhh, did it sit in my stomach like a rock.

Checkpoint #3 - DONUTS!

For years I've wanted to try the Tour de Donuts ride but now I think it's not wise. The ride is a race and you are able to get time deducted by the number of donuts you eat along the way. Officials mark your bib with hatch marks denoting the number of donuts consumed. You are disqualified if you throw up at any time...including when you have to ride uphill past the pig farms.

Anyway, I digress. After the donut consumption was completed we headed back. I was thankful the course function on my Garmin worked like a charm. No way could I reverse the cue sheet directions while pedaling and a rock in my stomach. That requires too many brain cells for me.

The winds had picked up even more and we had a tail wind only for a short time. Lots of cross and head winds. We made it back safe and sound, finishing as we started but in reverse. Onto the grass path, then onto single track, over the grass bridge, hop the curb, through the parking lot, cross the street, and home.

In summary, my list of firsts today:
- First gravel ride
- First time seeing a map bandanna
- First time eating a donut and then biking 25 miles (Note to self. Eat after done biking)
- First time using my Garmin course map and it worked flawlessly
- First unsupported invitational ride (makes you appreciate the SAG wagons, rest stops and Port-a-potties)

It was fun to experience all these firsts and spend the day with Mitch, Kevin and Dan. As for Alex, he chose to drive south to Florida and missed out on all the fun and donuts. I think his penalty should be he having to wear the powder blue and pink event tshirt on our next ride. Insert evil laugh here.

Life is more interesting when you experience new things. So far this year I've been doing just that.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri

You're not out of your comfort zone unless a waiver is required

Back in January I blogged about putting on my big girl shorts, getting out of my comfort zone, and signing up for a Women's MTB clinic at Ray's MTB Park. Well, this past Friday I attended the clinic. It was amazing to see over 100 women and one very young girl show up for the event.

Upon walking in the front door there definitely was a vibe, one of encouragement, respect and let's have fun. I got into the line to sign in and immediately several women turned around, one handed me her pen and said to grab the waivers to sign. Yes, multiple waivers. The first one was the standard "you wont sue them if you get injured or die, blah blah blah." The second made me chuckle. It was a combination of "you can use images of me" plus "permission to provide medical treatment." Wasn't sure if this meant I gave them permission to take pictures of me with my head split open bleeding and then call 911 or what. But I signed it, checked in and got my bike plate with my name printed on it and a set of elbow and knee pads.

Just one of the many rooms at Ray's MTB Park

From there I headed to the main meeting area where everyone was enjoying breakfast, checking out the vendor tables and getting situated. It was weird to watch people zip by on their bikes indoors. Just not used to riding my bike inside except on a trainer. But that soon would change. I also felt a little out of place being one of the older women there, plus I lacked tats. But everyone was welcoming.

The first order of business was to all meet in this large room that had crazy ramps throughout. Reminded me of a skate park on steroids. The ramps were 2 stories high and all I planned to do in that room was stay on level ground. Leigh Donovan was the head coach and she took us through what the day would be like, introduced herself, and provided a very impressive bio. All ten coaches introduced themselves and talked about the individual clinic they'd be leading. It was set up as a rotation so you went from one section of the park to the other depending on what skill you wanted to develop. There was a consistent theme from all the coaches; they grew up learning to MTB from the boys and didn't have this type of environment to learn. They are all strong athletes, business women and advocates for getting more women cycling. They were truly giving back to the sport.

I decided that Leigh's clinic would be a good place to start. Separation of body and bike. Her session was being held in that ramp room and I truly was hoping we literally weren't going to separate my body from my bike using these ramps. Luckily it was all on the flat ground and she taught us proper position standing over the saddle, and shifting our weight forward and back. All the sessions stressed not sitting on the saddle and keeping peddles in the 3/9 o'clock position. Very different from road biking.

Once I mastered Leigh's session I moved on to Karen's clinic. She was teaching cornering and "pumping". At the start of the session she had us go around the group to introduce ourselves and how long we'd been MTB. When I said I was a roadie new to MTB, you'd think I said I drown kittens for fun. I was definitely a minority, but was still the cool kid being on one of two women there on a fat tire bike. Chris made everyone smile.

Cornering and pump clinic

The section of the park we were in was set up with four "moguls" and a steep berm for practicing cornering (see image above). You'd go down this steep ramp, over two moguls and then negotiate the berm without slamming into the wall and back over two more hills. All this without pedaling, just using body position to pump up and down the hills. I struggled on the cornering because in road riding you put your outside foot down so you can corner sharper and faster. But in MTB you keep your feet parallel to the ground. Too many objects on a trail to catch your pedal. Makes total sense but try to get your brain to change what you've been doing for 30 years. On my 3rd attempt I made it and all the group applauded, encouraging me to try it again.

It was time for lunch and swapping stories with some of the other women. I wasn't sure which clinics to try after lunch so I found Leigh. I told her I was a beginner and which sessions I had taken. She said try the Sports Center next. I questioned her if I should do the foam pit room as I thought there was a beginner session there too. She laughed and said it was a vertical wall and you fly into a foam pit. Yeah, not a beginner room.

I had befriended a woman Liz during the morning sessions and we decided to ride the "yellow brick road" around the park and check out the other areas. A little recon. There's this yellow road that winds through the park and allows you to get from one place to the next easily. We followed the signs up to the second floor and located the Sports Center. At the top of the ramp all I saw were 8 jumps. Crap, Okay, I said "Shit. I'm going to die and they are going to take pictures of me before calling 911."

I looked around to see if I could ride the yellow trail safely back to the first floor. Nope. It was these 8 jumps in front of me or some even more terrifying options. I thought about walking my bike, but the ramps were so steep I wouldn't make it lugging a 30 pound bike. So I pulled up my big girl pants, secured my knee and elbow pads, and went for it. I think I was screaming in my head, but I made it down alive.

All in all, the clinic was a great experience. I picked up some valuable bike handling skills, met some awesome women, and I didn't die. I can't say enough about how great the coaches were, as well as the staff at Ray's. It's definitely a different vibe when you have all women and it provides a "safe", nurturing, and empowering atmosphere to learn.

I'm glad I did it. I really was pushed outside my comfort zone (okay way outside my comfort zone) and that's okay. If you don't have to sign a waiver, it's probably not worth doing. Right?

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri

One Inspires Many

At a recent WomenOnCall.org Meet and Match event, Madeleine Albright stated "If I could be described with one word it is grateful. And if one is grateful you want to give back." This quote resonated with me. I am grateful and I do what I can to give back.

Over a year ago, Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club came across my profile on the WomenOnCall.org web site. On paper it was a perfect fit. They needed some assistance with their marcom and my degrees are in marketing, plus I was a triathlete. It's been a great match! I've been working virtually on a project basis, a committee member for their first Evening2Inspire Gala and volunteering at different clinics and events.

This past Saturday I spent an afternoon volunteering at their annual Multisport Clinic. Athletes come for a day of functional strength training and yoga, swim, cycling and run/push clinics. This is a great opportunity to kick off the triathlon season and is open to athletes with disabilities of all ages, ability levels and experience with triathlon.

Each athlete comes with their own unique story and one is more inspiring than the next. But Saturday I was touched by one athlete in particular. He was hiking with 5 friends in Colorado and the group was up at 11,000 ft in a snow storm when he fell landing on his head. As a result he suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed. He couldn't be airlifted off the mountain due the poor weather conditions. So two of his buddies hiked down the mountain to get help. Rescue teams in that area are all volunteers and quickly 9 men and 1 woman were hiking up the mountain. He described how they got him off the mountain and saved his life. He's grateful every day and knows to make the most of his life.

 
This guy is a real fighter. He's walking and making amazing progress. Saturday was his first time he was able to ride an upright bike since it was secured on a trainer and his stability wasn't an issue. The hour session brought a wide smile to his face. Just as cycling brings us such enjoy, he was able to experience that joy again.

As he continued to tell me his story, I got chills when as he described that his ultimate goal is to return to Colorado, climb that mountain with the same 5 buddies, and stand at the point where he fell. Remember that's 11,000 ft., a challenge for even an able body person. I have no doubt he will accomplish his goal. After the climb he will return to the hospital to thank the wonderful folks that helped him as well as the rescue team. This tragic event will come full circle with a happy ending.

Dare2tri's tag line is One Inspires Many. The statement is just three short words but are so powerful. Whenever I meet the Dare2tri athletes I'm inspired by them. I honestly think I get more out of volunteering than the athletes.

If you are interested in volunteering with Dare2tri or know someone who could benefit from their services, check out their web site. Also, WomenOnCall.org is an amazing organization that matches non-profits with volunteers. They have opportunities for virtual and on-site openings.

I am truly grateful to be able to give back.

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri