Author: tpbWPadmin

DUTCH REACH – DOORED NO MORE.

The Dutch Reach – An Effective Safety Measure For Urban Cyclists.

If you ride in urban areas you already know about the number one threat to cyclists on city streets – dooring: the all too common collision when a driver opens their door without looking, into the path of a cyclist.

Even at relatively low speeds, a suddenly opened car door in your path can be impossible to avoid. Throw in passing traffic and higher speeds, and these crashes become highly dangerous, even fatal.

In fact, not only cyclists are at risk. Doorings also happen when oncoming vehicles hit opened doors, and drivers themselves can incur some hefty costs from repairs and liability.

Constantly monitoring for drivers and movements as you ride past parked cars is just part of the game for urban cyclists, but two problems make it hard for cyclists to avoid these collisions through their own watchfulness: if there is any traffic passing the cyclist, it is unsafe to move further out into the road to avoid an opened door; in most cases they would have to be riding at impractically low speeds to be able stop in time.

The answer of course is for drivers to look before opening the door. Easy to say, obviously doesn’t happen often enough in practice.

The Dutch Reach is a simple solution has proven very effective in places where it is used.

Dutch Reach info graphic from the Boston Globe

This is a small change in how the driver exits their vehicle. Instead of opening the door with the hand closest, the driver reaches the other hand across the body to pull the door handle. This forces them to twist their upper body so that they are in a better position to see, and the move triggers the habit of looking back for oncoming cyclists.

It can be hard for long-time drivers to change their habits, even simple ones like this. One trick is to tie a ribbon on the door handle as a reminder to use the Reach. The greatest impact (no pun) comes from teaching new drivers to use the move from day one, so it becomes automatic.

Thankfully, there’s growing awareness of the problem and the easy solution, thanks to the efforts of people at dutchreach.org and others. Their grass roots advocacy has brought some good media exposure for the message, like this New York Times article.

As cyclists we can start using the Dutch Reach whenever we drive, and teach it to all the drivers we know.

If you’re inclined to be more active, work on convincing your local driver education authorities to include it in the curriculum. It’s already taught and even required widely in Europe, and this is happening in more and more places in the U.S.

Future generations of urban cyclists will thank you, but you may benefit directly yourself!
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November 2, 2018
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: PSYCHLO WOMEN’S CYCLING TIGHT.

Terry’s New Psychlo Women’s Cycling Tight takes on Vermont Fall colors

With Fall foliage sneaking in on us here at Terry Headquarters, we’re enjoying another dash of color beside the vivid kaleidoscope of colors here in Vermont. Welcome, the new Terry Psychlo Women’s Cycling Tight.

Ready to add a pop of color to your drawer full of black lycra? Just in time to merge with the colors of Autumn, the Psychlo tight has arrived. With a burst of color on the lower legs, this tight is sure to stand out against brilliant fall foliage.

More important, recent research shows that the most effective place for bright and reflective fabrics for cyclists is on the lower legs and feet. The pattern of motion on moving parts of the body grabs motorists’ attention far more effectively than static or bike mounted brights or reflectors.

Terry Psychlo tight makes its debut on State Prison Hollow Road in Starksboro Vermont

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Woolie bystanders observe as the colorful Psychlo tight passes by
Along with a splash of color on the legs, the tight also features our distance Flex Chamois; which keeps cyclists comfortable even while perched on a 3 inch wide platform for rides lasting over 2 hours.

The lightweight, non-fleece-lined material is a good defense against the chill of a late Fall morning, yet the fabric doesn’t overheat a rider as the sun burnishes the hillsides and adds some warmth to the day.

One of the most important benefits with this new tight is its increased visibility. The colorful mosaics created with each pedal stroke serve to capture the eye of drivers and tourists otherwise distracted by Vermont’s foliage, brewery’s, vineyards, and apple orchards.

Standing out on Shaker Mountain Starksboro Vermont

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It’s a joy to at long last have a tight that can go the distance and provide fun colors.

Thank you for the innovation, Terry!
Jeannette Segale
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Interested in shopping more options in women’s cycling tights? Start here with our guide to choosing the best bike tights.
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October 5, 2018
WORLD PACED BICYCLE LAND SPEED RECORD SMASHED BY MOM OF 3.
Move over guys, the fastest cyclist in the world is a woman.

Not many extreme performance records are held by women, but as of Sept 16, 2018, the unofficial title of world’s fastest cyclist belongs to a woman – 45 year old mom of three, Denise Mueller-Koronek.

She went for a bike ride in Utah, and topped out around the take-off speed of a Boeing 747 – setting the Paced Bicycle Land Speed Record at 183.9 mph.

Mueller-Koronek broke her own Women’s Paced Bicycle Land Speed Record of 147.7 mph, set in 2016, and the men’s record of 167 mph, which had stood since 1995.

It was no ordinary ride, as you might imagine, and Mueller-Koronek joined a very exclusive club with this feat. Since “Mile-a-Minute Murphy” set the bar at 60 mph in 1899, riding behind a locomotive, only 11 people have set new marks for the record.

That hints at the difficulties involved: not only the physical effort required, but the organization and infrastructure needed to prepare and stage an attempt.

Murphy had the Long Island Railroad lay two miles of plywood to ride on, and supply a locomotive for his stunt. Later attempts used motorcycles and race cars as pace vehicles, but at the speeds set in the last few decades only drag racing cars have been capable.

The vehicles are always fitted with fairings to block the wind. Early record holders would have started out pedaling from a standing start, but the gear required to pedal at 150 mph+ is so high it’s impossible to turn at low speeds. One revolution of Denise’s cranks propels the bike nearly 130 feet – standing on the pedals wouldn’t help! So the bike is tethered to the pace vehicle and towed up to around 100 mph, then the rider pedals along under their own power, just inches behind the pacing vehicle.

People have died in the attempt, so a lot of preparation goes into reducing the obvious risks.

Denise used no ordinary bicycle for this ride. Her custom built bike is over seven feet long, with a super long fork rake, and small motorbike wheels to withstand the speed stress and keep the center of gravity low. The whole rig is designed to absorb shocks and stay stable, which makes the extreme speeds possible.

Photos of early record attempt bikes show extraordinarily large chainrings, needed for gear ratios high enough to produce the necessary speed at a practical cadence. Mueller-Koronek’s bike is a single speed, featuring two chainrings connected in series. A single chainring would have to be so big it would make the bike unridable.

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World Paced Bicycle Land Speed Record Fun Facts
- For her epic ride, Mueller-Koronek circled a huge track on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
- She was paced by the same custom, 1,000 horsepower dragster used by previous record holder Fred Rompelberg.
- The pace car driver is also a woman, professional race car driver, Shea Holbrook.
- Mueller-Koronek averaged 183.9 mph over the last mile to set the record.
- She turned the cranks just over 41 times in 20 seconds to cover that mile.
- That makes a cadence of about 123 rpm.
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Denise has some great cycling credentials from the first round of her career as a teen. She accumulated 15 national championship titles along with other accolades, before leaving competition to focus on her family’s business.

She trained for the record attempts with John Howard, a three-time Olympic cyclist who was a previous holder of the men’s paced bicycle land speed record himself (152mph set in 1985). On the project’s website he reveals some interesting tidbits – he believes women have a physical advantage for this type of high intensity endurance riding, and perhaps a mental advantage too.

Certainly Denise had an amazing team behind her. It’s clear that the pacing vehicle and its driver are a critical part of any paced bicycle land speed record attempt, along with the rider’s composure, and their ability to mash a ludicrously high gear steadily in the slipstream of a speeding vehicle.

Mueller-Koronek’s achievement is a strong reminder of the often under-appreciated abilities of female cyclists, and female athletes in general.

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If you want to be amazed by what other extreme cyclists do with their spare time, check these 30 world records on bikes.
October 5, 2018
RECOVERY AFTER A BIKE ACCIDENT.

Dealing with Recovery After a Bike Accident

It took just one awful moment for a pleasant Sunday morning spin to turn into a long road to recovery for Tracy Flucke.

She shares her progress and offers some valuable insights into recovering from a bike accident, or getting back on track after any setback that keeps us off our bikes.

As a professional consultant on cycling safety issues, Tracy also offers some thoughts on reducing risk as a cyclist, and dealing with the situation if you end up in an accident despite your best efforts to protect yourself.

By Tracy Flucke, Vice-President, WE BIKE, etc., LLC

Always unexpected – a bike accident out of the blue

My quiet Sunday morning bicycle ride, July 1, 2018, started like any other. My home was busy with company, I needed some me time. I told my husband I was going for a short ride, put on my helmet, bright yellow vest and gloves, checked my bike, and hopped on for a much needed spin.

The roads were quiet and I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Three miles from home, I came to an intersection requiring cross traffic to stop. I could see a car approaching, fast, from my right. I wondered if the driver would stop. I covered my brakes, and moved towards the middle of my lane to be more visible and create more space between me and the car.

Unfortunately, the driver ran the stop sign and turned left directly into me. After bouncing off her car’s hood, I slammed onto the pavement, breaking my helmet. Whiplash, concussion, right leg bruising, and left knee torn meniscus were the result of her “not seeing” me. Really!

I’m not special, but there is some irony here. Peter and I run a national bicycle/pedestrian safety consulting business, WE BIKE, etc., LLC, I help people to bicycle safely. I have over 100,000 crash-free miles on my bicycle, and have successfully completed three self-supported cross-country trips on our tandem. We even wrote a book about our trip across the northern USA.

Sidelined by injuries from the bike accident

I was not cleared to ride, due to my concussion and whiplash, until July 20th. When I got back on the bike I was only able to do short rides of 2-3 miles before my head and neck started to hurt. Then my left knee started to bother me. I went back to the doctor on July 26th. He told me I had a torn meniscus which would require surgery, and would not allow me to bike. I had surgery to repair my knee on August 13, and I have not been on my bike since. I can ride an exercise bike now, slowly, but it will likely be at least a couple more weeks until I can bike outside again. Like any journey my progress has been up and down. I am glad I wasn’t hurt worse and should make a full recovery (minus a bit of meniscus), but I miss being outside, biking, and biking with my husband on our tandem. I am trying to keep a positive attitude throughout. This seems to help me both physically and mentally.

Rebuilding confidence after a bike accident

I am excited to get out on my bike again, but I must admit that the few times I did go out since the accident, I was hyper aware of the cars around me. I hope this will fade with time. Plans are to start out with short rides on familiar streets and trails. Once I feel comfortable on them I will venture out longer and further. Just like others who I have trained to bicycle, I will need to retrain myself. I will also work on the skills I learned when I competed the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling course several years ago. These things should help me get both my skills and my confidence back.

Ways to maintain a positive mindset while recovering after a bike accident

One of the ways I try to stay positive is acknowledging that it could have been much worse. I really try to celebrate even the smallest improvement and challenge myself to take the next step.The support of friends and family has really helped me maintain a positive attitude. Even someone wishing me luck or encouraging me on social media has a positive effect.

Staying motivated for recovery after a bike accident

My husband and I plan to complete our fourth cross-country tandem bicycle tour in 2019 and I need to be in great shape to do that. Obviously this is a big goal but I stay motivated by breaking it into smaller manageable goals and celebrate completing them (move my leg; strengthen my leg; walk; lose my crutches; ride the exercise bike; ride my bike; ride our tandem; train; complete our longest cross-country ride ever. Rest and repeat!).

The first time I was able to do a full rotation on the stationary bike was a great feeling. Physical therapy can get boring but I look at each exercise as one step closer to getting back on the bicycle and training for our trip.

How to reduce your risk of being in a bike accident

This crash was a direct result of a motorist disobeying a stop sign and failing to yield the right of way. A bicyclist can do several things to avoid this type of crash or at least lessen the severity. When riding, always be aware of your surroundings and scan left /right for any potential conflicts. Be ready to take evasive action. For example, if you see a motorist coming fast on your right and you are not sure they will stop for the stop sign, move your hands over the brakes, begin to soft pedal, move left in the lane to make yourself more visible and get farther away from the car. The bicyclist can also wear bright-colored clothing and use lights, even during the day.

Motorists need to be educated about the importance of following the rules of the road and sharing the road with bicyclists and pedestrians.They need to come to a complete stop and look left-right-left for all road users; motor vehicles, bicyclists, and walkers. If the driver in my crash had done this I would not have been hit.

Education is one of the three E’s of traffic safety and both the motorist and bicyclist need to understand and obey the rules of the road to make it safe for all. Providing education for all road users is one of the reasons we started our business – WE BIKE etc.,LLC and wrote our book, Coast to Coast on a Tandem; Our Adventure Crossing the USA on a Bicycle Built for Two. We are hopeful that we can help create awareness so motorists will actively look for bicyclists and pedestrians.

What to do if you are involved in a bike accident yourself

Always assume if you are a bicyclist and get hit by a car that you are injured – the disparity of size and weight is extreme. Seek medical attention immediately, preferably calling an ambulance, but if not, go directly to the hospital. I should have sought immediate medical attention and gone straight to the hospital. I went to the doctor the next day.

Always report the incident to the police at the time of the crash. Do not leave the scene until an officer arrives and completes an accident report. Get a copy of the report and the name and insurance information from the motorist. Have a plan in case you are involved in a crash, know what you will do, who you will call, etc.

I made the mistake of having the motorist who hit me call my husband, I was not able to do it at the time. The first thing out of her mouth when my husband answered the phone was “I just hit your wife with my car.” I told her to give me the phone and explained to Peter that I was alright and where I was.

Consider hiring an attorney to represent you. It is a difficult time and the last thing you want is to take calls from the motorist’s insurance company. It can be very stressful. After much consideration, we decided to hire an attorney, and are glad we did.

We always say that, despite all the benefits of bicycling, there are two types of cyclists, the ones that have fallen, and ones that are about to fall. It is important to be prepared, if you take a simple fall or are hit by a car, it can make all the difference.

Prepare ahead: sensible precautions to take in case you are seriously hurt in a bike accident

A bicyclist can definitely improve their safety on the road. Before leaving on their ride they should take a few minutes to do the bicycle ABC Quick Check to make sure their bicycle is in good working order. Then, check themselves to make sure they are ready to go, the Head to Toe check is a simple way to do this; do I have my helmet on, is it on properly, bicycle gloves, appropriate shoes, and are the shoe laces secured, etc. It is important to wear bright colors and always have identification with you. It is preferable to have your ID attached to your body, in a crash you may be separated from your bicycle. I always wear my Road ID on my wrist. When I crashed I simply gave the officer my ID and he was able to get all the information he needed, although he suggested I put my birth date on the ID. Finally, take a bicycle safety class, like the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling course. The course will help you to ride safely in all environments, it is also a great way to allow you to enjoy bicycling more.

On the bright side: looking ahead after my bike accident

I am on the road to recovery. Good medical care, therapy, and a positive attitude are helping me move forward. If all goes as planned, I will be back on my bike by the end of September and bicycling across the country again in the spring of 2019. We only have 20 states to go. I can’t wait!

Motivation is a huge part of recovery. I think I’ll treat myself to some new biking clothes. After the summer I’ve had, I deserve it!

A note about terminology:

What is the difference between crash and accident and who cares? In professional bicycle and pedestrian safety circles we use the term crash to mean a collision that is predictable and therefore preventable, like my crash. Typically, one of the individuals involved in a crash did something wrong. Education of the motorist, pedestrian, and bicyclists can hopefully reduce the number of crashes. In our professional usage an accident is considered not predictable and therefore not preventable.

The term accident is used in this blog in its everyday sense.
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Check out our book “Coast to Coast on a Tandem” to learn more about me and our first big adventure.

September 9, 2018
CONGRATULATIONS, GEORGENA!!

On September 6th, the Friends of Blackwater surprised Georgena Terry with a wonderful honor: a “self help bike station” at the Refuge Visitor Center, complete with honorary plaque. The event occurred on the eve of this year’s Wild Goose Chase, a women-only benefit ride that Georgena conceived of 10 years ago.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore has always been one of her favorite places to ride. She first experienced the beauty of Blackwater during a busy family weekend in 2002. “I needed a break while attending a wedding. I went riding in Blackwater to find some quiet and I was instantly captivated.” (Knowing her as I do, it would not surprise me if she failed to make it to that wedding.)

Blackwater Refuge is a place of extraordinary beauty and a critical habitat for a wide assortment of wildlife in the Mid Atlantic region. It is home to a number of at-risk and endangered species as well as the second largest collection of nesting bald eagles in the eastern United States.

“Habitat conservation and cycling go hand in hand,” says Terry. “Without habitat, there’s no place to ride.”

Since its inception, the Wild Goose Chase has contributed in excess of $170,000 to the Friends of Blackwater in support of the Refuge. What started as a one-day event has now turned into a weekend of outdoor activities and participation by a number of cycling companies. Thousands of women have attended throughout this past decade and have all made a contribution to support numerous Refuge projects, in addition to riding with Georgena and friends.

Congratulations on this wonderful honor and cycling legacy, Georgena!

September 7, 2018
VELOCIPEDIA – A NEW TWIST ON DREAM BIKES.

Velocipedia is a virtual museum of the world’s most unlikely bicycles

It’s amazing to see how many variations are possible on the basic form of the bicycle.

Think how different road, mountain, cruiser, and BMX bikes are for example. Then of course there are all sorts of cargo bikes, multi-seaters, creative home-made and customized machines unlike anything else.

As unique as some of those bikes are, they are outdone by the creations “documented” by the Velocipedia project. It sets the bar for inventive reinterpretation of the humble bike impossibly high, with the emphasis on “impossibly”.

The only thing everyone got right was the number of wheels.

It all started when Gianluca Gimini, a designer based in Bologna, Italy, was intrigued by a friend’s funny story about hopeless attempts to draw a bicycle from memory.

He challenged others to do the same, and soon collected impromptu sketches of bicycles from hundreds of people. A few were quite accurate. Many, many more were comically wrong.

Gianluca gave himself the job of actually rendering the bikes with 3D imaging software, exactly as they had been depicted, and the Velocipedia project was born.

It’s an amusing idea, a very impressive labor of love, and the results are delightful.

Velocipedia bicycles are strange, funny, wonderful creations. At first glance, they look like they would be a hoot to get around on. On closer inspection you realize many would be impossible to ride, even deadly dangerous.

Imagine taking these dream bikes for a spin…

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One Velocipedia exhibit included a contest for children, inviting them to draw the bicycle of their dreams rather than the usual request to draw a bike from memory. The kids produced some amazingly inventive visions of bicycles, and a few won a print of their fully rendered creation as their prize. The dream machines Gianluca brought to virtual life for these kids are among the most interesting of the Velocipedia collection. See more of them here on Gianluca’s Facebook page.

What Velocipedia reveals about people

Gianluca found some interesting psychological phonomena in the sketches he collected. It turns out psychologists use similar experiments to work with memory, and there is a documented tendency for people to fill in the blanks when they think they remember something clearly but in fact do not.

A few “mistakes” showed up in many of the sketches, and interestingly, they split along gender lines. Of the people who connected the chain to the front wheel instead of the rear, more than 90% were female. Their drawings were much simpler than those of males. The guys would get things wrong and realize it, then keep adding details to try and correct it, ending up with complex drawings with lots of mistakes!

Hmmm…

Check out this video for a closer look at the work that went into the Velocipedia creations – Gianluca compressed over 9 hours of painstaking 3D rendering into 4 minutes!

Like bikes and art? This video is a fascinating look at the work of a variety of artists who focus on bicycles – Gianluca is featured in a segment in the middle.

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Discover more Velocipedia

This feature on We Present includes more on the backstory behind Velocipedia.

Gianluca’s Velocipedia prints are available for purchase here on tictail – what a cool trophy for that obsessive cyclist with a quirky sense of humor on your list!

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Images used by kind permission of Gianluca Gimini.

September 7, 2018
TERRY BIKE GEAR GOES MULTI-SPORT.

Terry Bike Gear can be surprisingly suited to life beyond cycling

Soleil Top – perfect for beach walking. Photo: Phil Erb

Many of us enjoy exercise beyond the bike, and whether we’re going from yoga to the gym, running races or running errands, our Terry bike gear goes with us.

It turns out that clothing designed to be comfortable, functional and flattering for cycling can be all those things for other activities too. Versatility is built in.

It makes sense – fabric that feels good, wicks well, and keeps the sun off when you’re on a bike, performs just the same anywhere else.
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Terry bike gear that goes the extra distance – Staff Picks and Customer Faves

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Shanin E., Customer Service – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Soleil Long Sleeve Top

Shanin wears the Soleil Long Sleeve for paddling. Photo: Phil Erb

I absolutely love the versatility of the Soleil Long Sleeve Top. It’s the most versatile piece of clothing in my closet. I bring it everywhere and wear it for every occasion.

Whether we’re heading to the beach, mountain, poolside, or work, it’s one of my go-to tops. Its UPF 50+ fabric and long sleeves offer the right amount of sun protection for our daily beach walks along the Maine coast. Heading out for a hike, the fabric is super light weight, breathable and wicks away moisture keeping me dry and ready for my next adventure.

All seasons in Vermont are unpredictable, we can always count on vast changes in the weather within a 24 hour period. I often wear the Soleil as a base-layer to add extra warmth.

I’ve added one or two Soleil Long Sleeve Tops to my wardrobe each year ever since they were introduced. The colors are dynamic and the prints are fun, making them easy to pair with a casual hoodie or outerwear.

One last thing, the pockets are perfectly sized to fit your phone, dog leash, or wallet.

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Kelly K., Merchandising – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Soleil Tops

At Terry, we are all proud of our Soleil program. The versatility of the tops provide life for them beyond cycling. They transport me from bike to garden with ease – the handy back pockets provide storage for cell phone, gloves and handfuls of green beans. But what I like most about the Soleil Top (the UPF 50+ is a given!) is how it manages to keep me cool when heat and humidity strike so I don’t end up looking like a hot mess fright!

Explore all our Soleil options.
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Melissa S., Accounting – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Metro Shorts

Metro Short – Carbon

I wear my Metro Shorts all summer. They are lightweight and work well in any summer weather conditions. They are good for any sport, and even non-sport, including “hammock-reading”. They are so comfortable, you don’t even realize you have them on!

Shop Metro Shorts.

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Jeannette trail running in the Bella Sleeveless

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Jeannette S., Customer Service – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Bella Sleeveless and Sun Goddess Jerseys

Whenever I’m getting ready for a trail run, I throw on one of my Terry jerseys. The back pockets are perfect for my i-phone (I have to record that run!), dog leash and keys. The fabrics are perfect for running, and it’s so handy to have those pockets!

Shop Bella Sleeveless and Sun Goddess Jerseys.
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Kathy Y., Terry family – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Transit Dress & Top, and Metro Shorts

The Transit Dress is my “one and done” go-to. Great no-fuss wear for casual events, shopping and the beach – the possibilities are endless. The design is flattering, packs well and I love the pockets! Be prepared for lots of compliments. Oh. and for a change of mood, I mix it up with the Transit Top for a different look.

I like to pair the Transit Top with the Metro Shorts. Talk about comfort! Not only are they great on the bike, the removable chamois liner and ease of movement makes them great for gardening, jogging the bike path and wearing to sporting events.

Shop the Terry Transit collection here.
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Donna S., Terry family – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Terry Stretch Mini

Stretch Mini in Wine & Bikes.

I use the Stretch Mini over my leggings after yoga or after my workout. It makes it easy to transition back to my day without a complete wardrobe change.

Shop the Stretch Mini here.

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Karyn L., Wellness Group Leader – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Tech Tee

Karyn loves her Tech Tee collection, and wrote a complete review here.

Of all her Terry bike gear, Karyn finds the Tech Tee and Tank most versatile – she wears them for cycling, hiking, gym workouts and leading spin classes. She particularly likes the fabric for its moisture and odor handling, comfort and easy washing.

Check out our full selection of Terry Tech Tees here.
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Cindy W., Terry customer – Favorite Terry Bike Gear: Soleil, Breakaway, and Sun Goddess Jerseys

Yoga in the bungalow on Moorea – wearing the Breakaway, of course!

I can easily justify all of the Terry tops I own, because in addition to biking I wear them Monday-Friday working out at the gym. The pockets and cord/headphone access hole are great. I can toss on a clean one afterwards, to wear for errands. I find all my Terry tops are great as casual wear.

Cindy gave her Terry bike gear a complete Tropical Test – read all about it here.

Shop Soleil, Breakaway, and Sun Goddess Jerseys.
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August 9, 2018
FALL PREVIEW: A BEAUTIFUL SEASON AHEAD.

Color of the season: psycho red. News of the season: higher rises, new options in tights and coolweather jerseys and a whole new crop of cycling-inspired tops and accessories.

Soleil Jersey & Capri in Pollen/violet

NEW Hybrid Jacket + NEW Psychlo Tight

Soleil Hoodie in Nautilus + Holster Hi Rise Capri

Mandarin Thermal in Sun Dog

Strada Jersey in Big Wheel + NEW Holster Prima Tight

Nordic Lights Jacket + Holster Hi Rise Capri

Soleil Flow in Fox Trot + NEW Breakaway Tight

Soleil LS in Pollen/Cyan + Breakaway Knicker

Signature Vest in Pollen/Psycho

Mandarin Thermal in Leaves + Thermal Tight

Active Intensity Baselayer + Cadence Print Capri

NEW Coolweather Jersey + Coolweather Tight

Bellissima + Azalea, NEW from Shebeest

Bike-inspired Gaia & PhD Print Tight

Copenhagen Hoodie + Fixie Short

Euro Bike Dress

Euro Bike Blouse

Hazel’s favorite – Chevron Top

Winston’s favorite: Escape Route Top

August 8, 2018
LEBRON JAMES: CYCLING TO WORK AND A BETTER WORLD

LeBron James Cycling Stories Hit Mainstream Media

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Is LeBron James Now the World’s Most Famous Cyclist?

No, no, I hear you saying – LeBron is the world’s most famous basketball player!

Then you haven’t seen the media coverage of LeBron James’ cycling exploits…

Yep, he’s also a dyed-in-the-wool, raised-from-a-pup cyclist.

Sure enough, he grew up riding all over Akron, Ohio, with his buddies, on a series of everyday bikes that gave him the taste of freedom and possibility we all know as cyclists. As he says himself, “I’ll never forget the day I got my first bike. It was like being handed keys to the world. The city was my playground and from that moment on, mom could never keep me in the house! I rode the streets of Akron from basketball court to basketball court. It’s where I found my love for basketball; but more importantly, it’s where I fell in love with this community. ”

In his adult life he commutes to his day job by bike, participates in group rides, and is one of the most active advocates and promoters of cycling for youth through his family’s foundation.

All true, and all so, so cool.

LeBron James, Cycling Enthusiast Revealed

This Wall Street Journal interview reveals what cycling means to LeBron James and how it shaped his early life, even what bikes he rides and how he stands on clipping in. The journalist, Jason Gay, is a self-described “massive bike dork” too, so he knows the right questions to ask.

A story on la.curbed.com marks LeBron’s move to the LA Lakers, and notes his preference for commuting by bike over driving – he has given credit to his pre-game cycling warmup for at least some of his on-court performance.

Speculating on the route he would take to the stadium is a jumping off point to explore the problems with developing bike-friendly infrastructure in LA. They face an uphill struggle in a city notoriously built entirely for cars, but they’re hoping LeBron’s fame and influence on social media will add momentum to the push for improvements in cycling safety and practicality.

We're looking forward to seeing @KingJames in the purple and gold…and riding his bike at a CicLAvia! #hometeam #Losangeles #lakers #activeliving pic.twitter.com/k9TJyMzA6K

— CicLAvia (@CicLAvia) July 2, 2018

LeBron James Bicycle Company – or at least a piece of one

LeBron bought a stake in Cannondale back in 2007, and they commemorated the association with an ultra limited edition – the “King James” bike. You can snag one on ebay for exceptional bragging rights.

The LeBron James Bicycle Charity

The most impressive of LeBron James’ cycling credentials could well be his work to promote cycling in his home community. Over several years, the LeBron James Family Foundation has given many hundreds of bikes and helmets to young Akron students through its Wheels for Education program. LeBron’s goal is to help youngsters be successful in school and get the practical benefits of cheap, healthy transportation, a path to physical fitness, and those same feelings of freedom and independence he enjoyed as a kid. What a great program to replicate in other communities – anyone?

August 7, 2018
THE LANTERNE ROUGE – THE RACE TO BE LAST.

The Lanterne Rouge – the race to be last in the Tour de France.

It would seem like a dubious honor at best, maybe even a mark of failure, but for some the Lanterne Rouge has been the most coveted prize of the Tour de France after the celebrated jerseys…

Named for the red light on the rear of a train, the Lanterne Rouge has been part of the Tour de France from its beginnings. It was never an official award, but a very popular unofficial recognition, highly prized by riders who couldn’t be contenders for victory, and enormously popular with the public.

The Lanterne Rouge of the Tour de France may be the most contested booby prize in all of sport.

Very few people remember who finished half way down the field in the last Tour de France, or who was next to last, but the rider who gets to Paris in the very last place sticks out and is remembered.

This rider attracts sympathy and some notoriety for enduring all the hardships and agony without giving up, even though they had no hope of winning. The organizers

In the circuit of criterium races that used to follow the Tour de France, the jersey winners would be able to command substantial appearance fees as celebrities. The Lanterne Rouge benefitted from his achievement the same way, often doubling his annual income in a few weeks of post-Tour racing.

Naturally, the Lanterne Rouge became a distinction to aim for. Back in the earlier days of the Tour, riders would resort to all kinds of devious tactics to “win” it: sabotaging opponents so they might be eliminated, hiding down alleys to lose time.

The Lanterne Rouge Specialists

A few riders made a specialty of the Lanterne Rouge. Belgian rider Wim Vansevenant was in last place three years in a row from 2006, though intentionally only the last time.

It’s Austrian rider Gerhard Schönbacher who gets the yellow jersey of Lanterne Rouges. In the 1979 Tour de France he set out in pursuit of the extra income and celebrity of last place, and went further, announcing it to the press and cultivating publicity throughout the Tour.

The Classic Lanterne Rouge Duel

In the same year, French rider Philippe Tesnière, who had been Lanterne Rouge the previous year, also set his sights on the prize.

The two pitted wits and strategies against each other through the race, coming down to a final time trial where last place depended on achieving a fairly exact percentage of the expected winner’s time – it was Bernard Hinault that year. Too much faster and you wouldn’t be last. Slower and you would be eliminated from the race. It was Schönbacher who gauged it correctly.

Lanterne Rouge – 2018 Tour de France

Lawson Craddock has the unusual distinction of attaining the Lanterne Rouge position on the first stage of 2018 and holding it through the entire race. No one else has ever done that. Unlike many who achieved the Lanterne Rouge by calculation or maneuvering, Craddock suffered a bad crash in the first stage, and battled his way through the race with injuries but without being eliminated – a notable feat of bravery (and suffering) and well worth recognition.

Even so, the Lanterne Rouge is not quite so prized these days. Because compensation has changed so much as the sport has reached a higher profile, post-tour appearance fees are largely a thing of the past. Now for riders at least, the “honor” is more of what we might expect – a bit of a joke, kind of embarrassing, and certainly not achieved on purpose.

The story of the Lanterne Rouge and the riders who achieved it is actually a great insight into the Tour de France itself.

Lanterne Rouge: The Last Man in the Tour de France, by Max Leonard, covers a lot of fascinating and very amusing stories behind the Tour and the people who run it and race it. A highly recommended summer read!
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Read a detailed story on the Lanterne Rouge here, and check out our post on the Tour de France Jersey Colors here.
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July 29, 2018