Final day for ProDEALS of the Tour. We have LOVED this year’s Tour de France and its many surprising moments. Peter Sagan’s latest “rocky” video…Chris Froome dancing on the pavement…spectator belt deflategate. It’s sad to see it end and we’re already thinking ahead to next year. In the meantime, you have a few hours left to take advantage of our final ProDEAL week this summer…
At least for today. Last chance to get what’s left of our Queen of the Mountain Collection during our ProDEALS of the Tour…
Pure, simple, forgiving fit $27 (reg. $45)
As the Tour makes its way through the Jura Massif region from France into Switzerland this weekend, we’d like to highlight some of that area’s distinctive cycling style…
Mountains are unavoidable in Switzerland and for BMC, the testing and proving ground for its premium performance bikes. A pro team sponsor nearly since its inception, the bike geeks at BMC are devoted to precision engineering, with a Swiss carbon production facility that arguably produces the “Porsche of race bikes”.
Check.
Although their women’s line is extremely limited (and extremely expensive), Assos is one of those aspirational brands that, like a Swiss watch, oozes perfection.
One of the sponsors of the IAM Cycling Tour De France team, CUORE is another Swiss manufacturer with incredible attention to detail when it comes to apparel. Check out this elegant flatseam stitch with 4 thread colors, recently shared on FB:
Surf-inspired bikewear? Yes, please. These guys are the full lifestyle brand package, with a graphic that demonstrates it best here:
AND, they just received a biggie award by Outside magazine’s Buyer’s Guide for their Women’s Black Beach Shorts.
The Biker 37 Swiss Army knife is a cycling variation of the iconic classic that dates back to 1889.
And speaking of Swiss Army, check out the Voltitude V1 fold-up, pedal-assist electric bike. With free shipping worldwide, this highly patented Swiss beauty can be folded and unfolded in exactly 1 second.
Okay, when it comes to Swiss cycling style, nothing else comes close:
Bike World has been Iowa’s local bike shop since 1979. As “The Store that Supports the Sport”, they’re dedicated to providing the best selection, customer service, and cycling support in Iowa. Retail locations in Ames, Urbandale and West Des Moines allow Bike World to actively support these communities through bike safety presentations, local rides and cycling clubs, and they’re one of the official shops of RAGBRAI. To encourage folks to see the world through two wheels, they’ve even developed a tv show called Bike People which features trail highlights from around the midwest.
1. Why do you think women choose shop at your store?
We make it our mission to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for everybody who visits. Customer service is #1, and we also provide the widest selection of women’s cycling apparel in the area. We really want folks to be comfortable while riding. Finding the right fit, whether on a bike or with accessories, is an important part of that. We also host an annual Ladies Bike Social that creates a low pressure atmosphere for ladies to come in and gain knowledge about our products. Over 200 women attended this past year.
2. Why do you sell Terry?
Terry has great products that we can stand behind with confidence… both in quality and design.
3. When a new-to-cycling female customer comes in, what’s the first thing you tell her about cycling?
That the most important thing is that you are comfortable! You need a bike that feels great, and accessories to enhance that experience!
The right way (and the right recipe) to watch this weekend’s mountain stages of the Tour.
So simple, yet so fun. Pour 2 ounces of very cold water into champagne flute. Add .5 ounce of Pastis (if you’re a lightweight like me and still want to go for a ride later) and it changes to a milky white color. Spear your cherries and gently place them in the flute. Allez allez!!
Last day to save up to 50% on our Sprinter’s Cycling Collection during the ProDEALS of the Tour:
And don’t forget to pick up this week’s Web Exclusive…BUDDIES!!
Polka dots signifying the King/Queen of the Mountain – wherever did this come from? The maillot a pois rouge is a fairly recent addition (1975) to the long-standing competition for King of the Mountains in the Tour de France. There’s a very informative and entertaining historical recap by Simon Crisp here>.
Today, the iconic use of polka dots can be found in all manner of cycling products and applications. Here are the most fun we’ve found this year…
One of the first companies to popularize dots on cycling clothing for women, and still doing it best. Each year Kim and her team introduce some new and wonderful graphic treatment.
And why not? Seattle is a creative city and a cycling hub – an ideal place for this highly skilled, service oriented bike repair shop. Check out the Dot if you’re in the area.
The British do it best here. Get the full set of jerseys here.
We joined the fray with a limited edition T-Glove this year. Buy yours here>.
The Sandra (available in black or red) provides dots of fun and comfort. We stock them here>.
Our limited-edition salute to this year’s Tour…
Bikes To You, located in Grinnell, Iowa, has been an official bicycle shop on RAGBRAI since 1994. RAGBRAI has a significant economical impact on each community the ride passes through. Cyclists come from all over the United States – and world – to ride RAGBRAI each year. Locally, many cyclists begin training to ride RAGBRAI each spring, usually logging more than 500 miles before the ride begins the last full week of July. The team at Bikes to You helps first time riders prepare for their first RAGBRAI as well as helping veteran RAGBRAI riders upgrade to the latest and greatest bicycles, accessories, and apparel. Craig and April Cooper, store owners, started the business in 1992. April has made the shop one of the premier women’s cycling clothing stores in Iowa and shares a few secrets here:
Why do you think women choose to shop at your store?
I’ve been told that we have the best selection of women’s cycling apparel in the state of Iowa. I take special care to display our cycling apparel in an thematic sense. I also hold special Ladies’ Nights which provide an evening of socializing and shopping with other women in a fun environment. For the past two years, I have sponsored a Fashion Show featuring clothing from Terry as well as other vendors at the Iowa Bicycle Expo/RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party in January.
Why do you sell Terry?
I sell Terry apparel because of the quality, functionality, fit, and comfort. Every woman deserves to have access to fun, stylish, colorful, exciting, and quality cycling apparel no matter her level of fitness. I sell Terry saddles because of their high level of comfort and the Ride It & Love It guarantee. In addition, Terry merchandises beautifully in my showroom.
When a new-to-cycling female customer comes in, what’s the first thing you tell her about cycling?
Cycling is fantastic exercise and is FUN! We tell our new-to-cycling female customers that we want them to be comfortable on their bike and that the “fit” of their bicycle is extremely important when just starting to cycle.
Getting there:
921 Broad Street, Grinnell IA, 50112
(641) 236-8600
Eyes in the back of your head – wishful thinking for a cyclist (come on evolution, help us out here). We all know how vulnerable we are on the road. We wear bright clothing, seek out quiet roads, always ride single file and obey the rules of the road. BUT, we are still vulnerable to what’s going on behind us. In my 20 years of working and riding with Georgena Terry, I never saw her without a helmet mirror, and while it may not be the sexiest accessory you ever added to your bike kit, it can give you the visibility and confidence to be aware and offensive. From old school super cheap to new smart technology, here are some great options for getting a better view:
While we haven’t tried this, the reviews are very positive and it’s a giant technical step forward that’s exciting to consider. Here’s a wonderful article by blogger, DC Rainmaker that spells it out. Depending on whether you get both pieces, you’re looking at a serious investment (radar only $199; radar + display $299).
In celebration of our favorite cycling month, we’ve just made it easier to get what you need, when you need it, and for free. No minimum, no promotion code, just free. Go wild until Sunday 7/24 at midnight!