Category: Sidesaddle Blog

A 10,000 MILE BIKE RIDE – FOLLOWING THE MONARCH MIGRATION.

Contributed by Sara Dykman

On my old steel mountain bike, dinged with the scars of past adventures, I loaded up all my gear and set off from the forests of central Mexico. My goal was to bike with monarchs, millions of them, from their overwintering forest to their summer range in Canada, and back again. The monarchs would fly because they were butterflies. I would bike because I was the self-proclaimed butterbiker.

It took three weeks for me to pedal from the forest of Mexico to the scrubland of Texas, where the female monarchs search out milkweed plants to lay their eggs. It took another three months to arrive to Canada. By summer, the monarchs had spread out from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. This vast range meant that there were many routes. To bike with monarchs, I merely needed to pick a road and bike.

Though I was on the route of the monarch migration, I was seeing only a fraction of what the migration had once been. The eastern population of the monarch butterfly has plummeted in recent years because of habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate change. Like getting to know a friend, hearing the monarchs’ story was the first step to saving them.

On my bike ride I visited classrooms and nature centers, recounting my adventures and explaining the migration to over 9,000 people. I spoke of the highway ditches alive and wild, filled with hungry caterpillars munching milkweed. I spoke of the horror of seeing that same habitat mowed down. I spoke of the relief I felt when I met people growing gardens. In this way, my bike ride with butterflies became a bike ride for butterflies.

By pedaling 10,201 miles with the monarchs I gave my voice to them, and helped remind people that just as human travelers need safe places to rest, healthy food to eat, and uninterrupted land for which to traverse, so too do butterfly travelers.

I am the butterbiker, biking to save the butterflies. Luckily there are many ways to help protect the monarchs – planting gardens, spreading the word, protecting wild places. You don’t have to quit your jobs and spend ten months biking with butterflies. But, of course, you can if you want to.

Sara Dykman divides her time between seasonal amphibian research, outdoor education, and education-linked adventures (www.beyondabook.org). She is currently working on a book about her bicycle trip following the monarchs.

We are delighted that Sara chose a Terry saddle to support her through her epic ride – a Liberator X Gel.

December 7, 2019
HOW TO PREVENT DOG ATTACKS – A GUIDE FOR CYCLISTS.
Contributed by Anne-Christine Strugnell

How to prevent dog attacks on or off the bike

A cautionary tale, with tips to help cyclists avoid attacks from dogs they approach

Lisa Wilkes, Terry customer support lead, was on her bicycle, wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and cycling gear when she stopped in to see some friends who were out in the driveway of their home. When Lisa rode down the driveway to her friends’ garage, she saw their dog, a 10 year old boxer she had met once before. The dog approached Lisa, and thinking that he’d recognize her, she bent down to greet him.

That’s when he lunged at her, biting her face. Fortunately, Lisa recovered well. When I met up with her almost a year later, I couldn’t see any traces of the attack until she pointed them out to me. But we were puzzled: why had the dog bitten without any warning? I reached out to Meredith Lunn, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and AKC CGC evaluator, to see if she could provide some insights and advice that might protect other cyclists in a similar situation.

After interviewing everyone involved, Meredith identified three possible triggers for this dog attack:
1. The helmet covering Lisa’s head, sunglasses concealing her eyes, even the bike itself could have made her look unfamiliar. This could have scared the dog and triggered him to bite when she bent over him.
2. She was bending over the dog, which for some dogs is confrontational and can make them feel trapped. Most dogs prefer to escape situations that make them feel uncomfortable. But if the dog felt unable to escape, that might explain why it attacked Lisa instead of avoiding her.
3. Dogs don’t generalize well. She’d met him before, but inside the house, so he might not have recognized her outside.
Dogs almost always give warning signals when they feel uncomfortable. They’ll avoid you, or growl, snarl, or air snap to ask people to back off, and only progress to biting when people continue to invade their space. Meredith urges people to be sensitive to these signals, and suggests several tips to avoid dog bites:
- Don’t stare at the dog. It can be a confrontational gesture.
- Let the dog approach you. Don’t go up to the dog, get into his space, or stick your hand in his face.
- Don’t bend over the dog, grab his head, or try to hug him.
- Stand with your side facing the dog instead of facing the dog head on. Keeping your arms at your sides, turn the palm of your hand out that’s nearest to the dog. Let him sniff and lick your hand.
- If the dog starts to back away, growl, or bark, don’t pursue him.
The good news is that for the most part, dogs don’t make unprovoked attacks. They’ll bite only when they feel uncomfortable and can’t get away from the threat they perceive. As a cyclist who may find herself crossing an unfamiliar dog’s territory, take a moment to think about how the dog might see you and adjust your behavior accordingly. Don’t assume either that every dog loves you, or that every dog is a threat. Instead, stay safe by giving them space and time to adjust to you and decide for themselves that you’re not a threat.

Tips to help cyclists prevent dog attacks while riding

Ever been chased by a dog when you cycle past its home?

Sooner or later every cyclist will encounter a dog “defending” its turf, playfully or aggressively. Either way it is an unpredictable and scary situation, and it’s best to be prepared ahead of time with some defensive strategies to prevent a dog attack, or reduce the risk of being bitten.

Having said that dogs don’t make unprovoked attacks, they are predatory animals, and can react to things going by them quickly – like bikes. Whether their instinct is to herd it or attack, they want to chase the fast-moving object. Cyclists and dog behavior experts recommend the following:
- Outrun it. This great idea only works if you can actually outrun it. The average dog can sprint about 19 MPH, though some are faster, and if you’re going up a hill, you’re going to lose that one.
- Master it. You can startle a less-aggressive dog in its tracks by simply yelling in your deepest “master” voice, “Go home!” “bad dog!” or something similar. You might even point at something over to the side to try to redirect their attention.
- Scare it. Squirting it with a water bottle has a mixed record of success. Pepper spray is good if you can accurately get the dog in the face, which is tough when you’re going fast. A “dog horn,” which is an air horn for dogs, delivers a very loud burst of sound that shocks most dogs. You can mount it on your bike for easy access.
- Stop. If you can’t deter the dog and confrontation is imminent, stop, put the bike between you and the dog, stand big and tall and scary, and avoid eye contact. When you’re not fleeing, you don’t look so much like prey. This might be a good moment to deploy the pepper spray or air horn, or you might not even need that extra deterrent. The dog might just trot back home. If not, and it continues to be aggressive, keep the bike between you and the dog so that if it bites something, it’s the bike.
Good luck out there!

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Anne-Christine Strugnell
acs@acswrites.com
www.acswrites.com
December 7, 2019
STAFF PICKS FOR CYCLING GIFT IDEAS.

Here are our insider picks from the shelves at Terry – the crème de la crème of gifts for cyclists to give, to receive or to covet.

We asked the Terry team for creative cycling gift ideas, and ended up with a list of goodies sure to make almost anyone happy, cyclist or otherwise. Here’s what we plan on giving, might like to receive ourselves, or would recommend to anyone shopping for a cyclist on their list.

These sox rock!

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Wool Cyclosox

These socks look festive, have just the right amount of cozy and are one size fits all.
Alysia C., Graphic Designer

These socks are my go-to for a stocking stuffer. They’re warm, comfortable, and last forever.
Nik H., Supply Chain Director

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Soleil – best seller for good reason

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Soleil Free Long Sleeve Top

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Soleil Hoodie

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Soleil Long Sleeve

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I plan on gifting the Soleil Free Long Sleeve Top! I love that it can be used for such a wide array of activities and various seasons. Great versatile gifting option!
Natalie P., Product Development

From a personal perspective, I’ve sometimes not gone to the gym or gone outside for a run or bike ride if I didn’t feel comfortable in what I was wearing. I think a long sleeve Soleil Free top would be a great gift for helping with this fear. They are creative and bright while still being stylish and comfortable. I also have a very picky 15 year old daughter (when it comes to clothes). I bought her a Soleil Hoodie and it is now her favorite. She loves the color and fit.
Danielle L., Controller

My daughter loves the Soleil Long Sleeve for cycling and hiking. Tested it out going to the Sun Road in Glacier Park this summer and it was perfect in various temps.
Colin S., Warehouse Manager

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Choice gift ideas for cyclists and others

Liv N’ Flannel: While I love being decked out in lycra I REALLY love the opportunity to wear something a little more ‘me.’ This top would be perfect for trips to the farmer’s market as well as taking on the Kingdom Trails.[clearfix]

Regi Pant: The gift to give the commuter in your life, the Regi Pant is a cute, comfortable, stand out pant for the office that continues to perform on the ride home. The zip vents on the leg can inspire me to turn my 5 mile ride home into a 20 mile loop![clearfix]

Gueglia Sweater: I plan on gifting this to my mother, she has a well cultivated wardrobe of items that are equally unique and timeless and this will be the perfect addition to her collection. She’ll have it forever![clearfix]

Chill 5 Short: Jack Frost might be nipping at my nose, but my mind is focused on a different kind of “Chill” I’m thinking of all the hills I’ll climb this spring in my favorite compression fit! (Perfect for an epic spin class too, when you can’t wait out the winter!)[clearfix]

Transit Dress: Every gal should have an L.B.B.D.! It’s the absolute perfect grab and go item for any cyclist whether you’re wearing it at the finish line or out for a celebratory drink after![clearfix]

Camarin M., Customer Service

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Favorite cycling gift ideas – for me and mine

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My favorite item this holiday is the Craft Storm Thermal Skirt. I made it an early Christmas gift to me and I have been living in it. Here I am at the REI Williston Grand Opening, I got lots of compliments on my outfit.

For my sisters, it’s Soleil tops for all. I love that there are so many great color options – something for everyone!
Lisa W., Customer Service

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Cycling stocking stuffer gift ideas

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F10+ Multi-tool

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FF Windstopper Gloves

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Alpine Neckwarmer

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As a cycling family, our favorite stocking stuffers are bike related. Suggestions for great stocking stuffers from Terry include: multipurpose wrench, socks, boleros, buffs, caps and neck-gaiters, CO2 pump, gloves – anything that could squeeze into a stocking. We’re not all about the jewelry, although that is nice as well!
Jeannette S., Customer Service

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Versatile style

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Switchback Hybrid Jacket

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Remy Jacket
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I have my eye on the Switchback Hybrid Jacket by Krimson Klover, or the Remy Jacket by Tonia Debellis. Both pieces have a simple, classic silhouette that my wife looks great in, along with interesting fabrics and contemporary detailing. Can’t decide… it might have to be both!
Colin D., Web Marketing

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Thoughtful, practical, & fun

Heart Shape Bicycle Taillight
Very bright, rechargeable – and cute!

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Everybody’s getting a little love from me this year.
Paula D., VP Marketing

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Explore our cycling gift section, and check out the accessories and jewelry categories for more cycling gift ideas.

Is it the last minute already? Here’s your answer: one gift idea that is always welcome for any woman cyclist, or a guy you know needs a bike saddle upgrade – a Terry Gift Certificate.

Happy Holidays!
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December 6, 2019
WINTER CYCLING TIPS.
Here is a roundup of winter cycling tips to help you stay warm, safe, and upright, through the deepest cold of the season.

More and more cyclists are choosing to keep riding through the winter, thanks to better equipment, clothing, and a little know-how.

Good snow clearance on the bike lanes of cycling-friendly cities helps a lot too, but even without that you don’t have to stop racking up the miles, or take to a car, just because it turns cold.

In fact, winter riding can be really fun – there’s great satisfaction in defying the cold to enjoy the outdoors and stay fit.

Some of my favorite early cycling memories are from long winter rides with my club mates, “twiddling” low fixed gears over hill and dale, picking our way gingerly over icy rural roads in frosted landscapes. The reward was always multiple pots of tea and toasted buns in our café of choice.

On the other hand, winter brings some real hazards – some fairly obvious, some not so much – that call for a little preparation and common sense.

The first key to enjoyable winter cycling: stay warm and dry.

As impoverished teens, my friends and I would start our early morning winter rides with newspapers lining our bike jerseys – it had some insulation value but the real benefit was wind-proofing. As both the day and the ride warmed up we would pull the papers out and discard them. Thankfully there are now much better options available (thank you, Terry).
- Choose your clothing with layering in mind, and go for fabrics with good moisture transport. Plan on adding or subtracting layers to suit the conditions as you go. A good baselayer, midlayer and a breathable windproof shell will take you comfortably through a wide range of conditions. It’s not a bad idea to bring an extra mid-weight layer just in case you end up waiting around somewhere in the cold (fixing a flat, for example), and a spare base layer in a water proof bag can feel like a life saver if you get soaked along the way. Experience talking there.
- Remember you will warm up as you work, so when you are first setting off it’s okay to feel slightly under-dressed. You will soon warm up, and if you felt warm to begin with you’d quickly overheat and get sweaty.
- Your core temperature is vital of course, but your extremities make a huge difference to your comfort, so it’s well worth kitting out with wind and waterproof gloves, and booties.
- Keeping your head warm is essential for keeping your core warm. Avoid jacket hoods, which fill with cold air as you ride. Instead opt for a tight fitting helmet liner or beanie, and a helmet cover to keep the wind off.
- Keep a quick source of heat on hand – air activated hand warmers slipped inside your gloves can avert a lot of cold-weather misery. Now usb-powered pocket warmers are also available: very easy to pack for instant heat with no waste.
- Don’t forget to pack extra food, a vital way to maintain your energy level. It never hurts to pack more than you think you’ll use, just in case you are delayed somewhere in the cold. Nothing is more welcome than hot food in an insulated container during a break on a long adventure in the cold. The voice of experience again: hot rice pudding works very well.
Cycling through snow and ice calls for different equipment

My first job in the U.S., in Yarmouth, Maine, required a short commute: from one end of Main Street to the other. A bit too long to walk, much too short to drive. I bought a $20 bike to make the trip, and kept to it no matter what winter brought. The only real problem I had was when the temperatures dropped well below zero – whatever was lubricating the brake cables froze stiff and the brakes were completely useless. Of course, on those days I gave up and walked.
- A well equipped winter bike will have fenders, lights and wide tires. Fenders are particularly important for keeping you and your riding companions dry – the spray from wet roads can soak you through and set you up for hypothermia on a long, chilly ride.
- It’s a good idea to switch to flat pedals for the winter, avoiding clips or straps – BMX pedals are good for use with heavier footwear, being wide and grippy. This will leave your feet free so you can put a foot down quickly when needed.
- Lower your tire pressure. You want to keep enough air in your tires to avoid pinch flats and an energy-sucking ride, but lower pressure will increase the surface area of the tire in contact with the road and give you more traction.
- Many winter-loving cyclists opt for single-speed setups, to avoid the hassles of ice-bound derailleurs.
- Studded winter bike tires are easily available these days. They aren’t a cheap option, but those who ride a lot on them swear by them – very secure on ice. The carbide ones last longer and may actually work out cheaper than regular steel in the long run.
Cycling in winter means riding through poor visibility, in low light, or darkness.
- Be as visible as possible: drivers are not looking for cyclists in the off-season and visibility can be very poor during wintry weather.
- Ride with bright lights even during daylight hours.
- Wear light and bright colors, but avoid white, which blends in with a snowy background.
- Opt for as many reflective accessories and clothes as you can. Many hardcore winter cyclists add their own reflective accents with 3M tape: on bags, clothes and bikes – the more the better.
Adapt your cycling technique to stay upright and on track
- Slow down, avoid sudden movements, take wide turns.
- In wintry conditions it’s even more important than usual to anticipate road conditions and traffic movements ahead. There’s often less road available when snow is banked against the curb. Make sure you have a safe path to ride ahead.
- When riding on ice it’s very easy to lock your front wheel and have it slip out from under you. Use your rear brake to slow down rather than the front, especially on slippy surfaces.
- Get in the habit of testing your brakes before you need them, to clear ice or slush and make sure all is okay.
Things to look out for when the temperature drops
- Hidden ice: Leaves or snow can cover ice patches; metal plates and service covers in the road can be especially slippy; asphalt can have an invisible glaze of ice. Be especially careful if it’s been wet and the temperature drops below freezing.
- Salt and dirt can wreak havoc with your bike and its components. That’s one good reason for using a cheaper, more rugged bike for winter, instead of your prized high specification summer mount. In any case, make sure to wash or wipe your bike down after every ride. Salt left in place can corrode metal surfaces surprisingly quickly.
- If you can, store your bike in the cold. A warm bike taken into freezing temps can attract condensation and melt the spray or snow that lands on it, which will soon freeze. That can be a hazard for brakes and gears.
- Dehydration – when it’s cold it’s less obvious that you’re still sweating and need to keep up fluid intake. Don’t forget to pre-hydrate and bring water with you. It can help to bring hot beverages in insulated containers: a great way to keep warm as well as hydrated.
- Sunburn – on a sunny day in winter you can burn just as readily as in summer. Keep using sunblock and take it along for the ride.
- Plan your routes with the worst case scenario in mind. If the weather takes a turn for the worse during your ride, it’s really helpful to be able to bail out and jump on public transport, or have a sheltered place to wait for a rescue ride. Also, plan to fight strong winds on your outward leg, and take advantage of tailwinds on the return, when you’re more tired.
Respect the snow and ice

It’s really fun to ride in challenging conditions, but there’s a point where the risk of slipping and falling, or being vulnerable to accidents with vehicles, outweighs other considerations. Be mindful of where that point is for you, and don’t feel you need to keep riding to prove a point.

If it’s not fun, or if it’s not safe, it’s time to find a different way.

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Do you have any favorite winter cycling tips? Let us know how you keep rolling through the snow…
November 2, 2019
THE HOTTEST HUNDRED MILES ANYWHERE.

For riders who like it hot, the Hotter’N Hell Hundred doesn’t disappoint!

It sounds like one of the most uninviting challenges in the cycling calendar, but it seems cyclists can’t get enough punishment – this event is the biggest century ride in the U.S.!

Proclaimed as the THE CENTENNIAL RIDE FROM HELL, and A TEXAS “RIDE” OF PASSAGE, the HOTTER’N HELL HUNDRED is now a cycling fixture in Wichita Falls, Texas, close to the northern border with Oklahoma.

Terry customer and Athens Bike Club member, Suellen Van Der Colff, completed the event in the Terry Chill 7 short and the Breakaway Jersey in TDF Mashup. She’s picture here with a couple of club colleagues.

Other Athens Bike Club members (from left) Jeff Little, Richard David, Richard Griffin and Marc Abadie participated in the 100-miler. [clearfix]

From the event website: The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation. Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers will come to Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state and several foreign countries. HHH is not just one day, it is at least 4 days of challenging and inspiring activities for the entire family.

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A community of more than 100,000 residents, Wichita Falls created a Centennial event featuring 100 miles of cycling in 100 degree heat to celebrate their 100 years. That first year, 1,100 riders showed up and paved the way for an event that is now the largest single day 100 mile bike ride in the nation. The event grew rapidly to a peak of 13,000 registrations in 2015. [clearfix]

The 2019 event drew close to that many for 3 days of fun and events, including 6 road ride distances (100 Mile; 75 Mile; 100K; 50 Mile; 25 Mile & 10K), mountain biking, gravel grinding, trail running, pro races, a big consumer show/expo and a dinner and breakfast.

Of course, the demanding conditions are a big part of the draw. From mid-May to mid-September, when high temps regularly exceed 100 degrees, shade is in painfully short supply. The course record of 109 degrees was set in 2011.

Those temperatures and limited opportunities for refilling water bottles inspired a creative hydration solution that turned into an entire outdoor category.

In 1989, bicycle enthusiast Michael Eidson, was competing in the “Hotter’N Hell 100.” Eidson, an emergency medical technician by trade, decided to fill an IV bag with water and slip it into a white tube sock. Then he stuffed the contraption into the back of his bike jersey, threw a thin hose over his shoulder and clamped it on with a clothespin. Hands-free hydration was born. Of course, Eidson was able to drink as he pedaled…hands free! Other riders laughed at the idea, but three decades on the Camelbak founder clearly earned the last laugh.

Fast forward to 2019 and approximately 8,900 riders rode in the 38th Annual Hotter’N Hell Hundred, for once enjoying cooler-than-average temperatures. The early racers were finishing the 75-mile event before temps even reached the 80s.

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The Athens Bike Club meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Syler Vet Clinic. Riders of all levels are welcome. For more information, contact Suellen Van der Colff at 903-675-5401 or e-mail her at Dr.V@embarq.com.

October 31, 2019
CYCLING ADVENTURES IN CORSICA.
Like hills and mountains? You’ll love cycling in Corsica!

I spent a week exploring the many long ups and precipitous downs of Corsica – one of the world’s most beautiful cycling destinations.

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy. It is part of France with a population of just 300,000, but it can get pretty busy during the summer as many Europeans covet the pristine beaches and seaside towns. October is a great time to go as the temps still rise into the 80s, but vacationers are gone, and there are remarkably few cars. Haute Corse, the northern part of the island, is by far the most popular for cycling and best accessed through the Bastia airport.
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My approach to a solo unsupported bike tour is to rent a car and find a central location for the territory I want to cover. Of course, nothing beats your own bike (Air France from Montreal, the bike is $125 USD each way, but make sure you pass through CDG airport in Paris). There is something comforting about staying put and coming back to the same shower and bed. Making friends with the hosts and earning their cell numbers is valuable in case the need arises for a pickup. And you become more steeped in local lore with an understanding of the best food and wine in town. I stayed in Oletta, about 30 minutes from the airport and all my rides began with no more than a one hour 15 minute drive to get to a point of departure.

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The road cycling is about as beautiful as it gets, but it is not for the faint of heart. Fear of heights is not an option. There is very little in the way of flat, the roads are narrow and very windy with only a 6” rock barrier in many places to hold you back from a drop into the sea. While there are few cars in late October, it only takes one, and there is always that unexpected tour bus or garbage truck that requires you to dismount and snuggle up to the cliff for it to pass. Point being, you can never be off your guard, and downhills require nearly constant pressure on the brakes. But, for those who love an adventure and crave remote, beautiful landscapes, check out these photos and explore the following itineraries. It can be the ride of a lifetime!

Great routes for cycling day tours in Corsica

Cap Corse West: Nonza – Pino – Nonza (35 miles, including a few detours down off the bluffs to fishing villages)

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”3″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]Cap Corse East: Erbalunga – Col St Nicolas – Erbalunga (45 miles)

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”5″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]L’Isle Rousse – Montegrosso-Muro-Monticello – L’Isle Rousse (50 miles)

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”6″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]Calvi – Galeria – Manso – Calvi (60 miles)

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”7″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]Oletta – Casta –San Pietro di Tenda – Rapale – Olmeda – Oletta (40 miles)

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”8″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]L’Isle Rousse – Muro – Catera – Sant’Antonino – L’Isle Rousse (30 miles)

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In case you go – a few tips for happy rides in Corsica:
- There is a great bike shop on T11 just south of Bastia called Velo Shop.
- St Florent is the most beautiful town with the best restaurants in Haute Corse.
- SPAR supermarkets are in most large towns.
- Be so careful setting bike off pavement or gravel – tire popping PRICKERS everywhere.
- Watch for barbed chestnut shells on the roads– get off and walk if dense.
- Beware the bullshit and the bulls running loose.
- Some speed bumps are cobbled and tires can get caught – take these at an angle.
- Paying constant attention, you can often see cars coming at you and through hairpin turns you can see cars coming from behind. On the downhills, you are likely going as fast as the cars following.
- Choose your parking spots carefully. Space is at a premium and it is possible to get boxed in.
October 31, 2019
STAY WARM, DRY, & VISIBLE FOR FALL.

We rounded up our favorite Fall cycling gear to get you ready for those variable conditions.

Crisp air and turning leaves make for delightful cycling, but early nightfall and surprise frosts also bring challenges. Here are some top picks from our current lineup of cycling apparel and accessories, to prepare you for the ups and downs of the season…

Mandarin Thermal Jersey – Terry

A perpetual customer favorite – brushed interior for luxurious next-to-skin feel with warmth and great wicking ability.

Hi Visibility Elite Jacket – Showers Pass

Fluorescent, reflective, and LED illuminated, plus water and wind resistance with breathability. A winner!

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Hybrid Weather Glove – Craft

Lightweight but warm, with versatile built-in over-mitt, and brushed pile interior. A best selling cold-weather favorite.
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C3 GTX Helmet Cover – Gore

Waterproof, breathable, highly visible and easy to stow until you need it. Indispensable.
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Coolweather Tight – Terry

Great fitting, premium padded tight for cold conditions, available in your choice of lengths.

Ideal Wind Jacket – Craft

Brushed interior for warmth, with water resistant, wind-blocking shell.

Veneer Jacket – Shebeest

Lightweight and versatile wind-resistant shell, easy to layer and stow in a pocket.

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Training Beanie & Training Headband – Smartwool

Merino for warmth and comfort, synthetics to block the wind.

FF Windstopper Glove – Terry

Padded and shaped for comfort, maximum warmth and dexterity with wind-blocking powers.

October 6, 2019
CYCLING DESTINATION: BIKEMAINE GOES MID-COAST.

Charlie and I at Weskeag River on our way to “Owls Head” light house. I loved my new Soleil jersey and had so many complements.

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Terry customer Debra Hoover, and her husband, Charlie, recently completed a week’s tour through some of Maine’s most interesting cycling country. The BikeMaine event is now an early Fall tradition, each year exploring a different part of a state with very diverse regions.

This year the tour centered on Maine’s mid-coast region, with a loop encompassing the valley where the state’s organic farming tradition took root, and plenty of picturesque coastal villages. As Debra put it, “We had a great trip, but who knew the mid-coast could have soooo many hills…The countryside and seaside were beautiful as we expected!”

Lisa W., our customer service lead, also has fond memories of cycling in Maine: “In 2011 I had the pleasure of riding the Maine Women’s Ride out of the LL Bean parking lot, and out into the beautiful Maine countryside. It was early spring (for the Northeast) and the trees and flowers were bright spring green with splashes of vibrant purples and yellows. But more colorful and wonderful were the women I met along the route. Great tales of cycling, family life, LL Bean connections and of course The Way Life Should Be!”

Sunrise on the waterfront, Belfast, ME

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Bales of Hay – idyllic pasture in Monroe, Maine

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Great lunch and beautiful sea view at Anchor Inn, Round Pond, Maine

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Colorful collection of tents at the waterfront park in Belfast, Maine

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Leaving Owls Head Lighthouse – we had to stop for pic of lobster buoys on Lobster Lane Road, Owls Head, Maine

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Start of ride: Head of Falls Park, crossing the Kennebec River to start the ride, Waterville, Maine

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The event had a little bit of something for everyone: coastal tent villages, live bands, lobster feasts, farm stands, beer gardens, gorgeous scenery, gift shops, chocolate tastings, frame photos, Terry jerseys, tandem, recumbent, road and gravel bikes, colorful sunsets, exciting bridge crossings.

450 cyclists plus staff participated in BikeMaine this year, so the tour is quite an undertaking. The organizers provide tents and logistics, and there are options for guests to camp with riders but make their own way around the route, so non-cycling friends and family can share the fun. The focus is on providing great cycling routes with an authentic experience in each host community, plus an emphasis on good food and drink.

It’s always a popular tour, so if you’re interested, book early!

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is one of the most effective bicycle advocacy groups in the country. Since its founding in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition has helped improve bike safety education, advocate for better bike laws, increase funding for bike trails and other biking infrastructure, and open up more areas for cycling. The Coalition also has launched several successful events such as the Great Maine Bike Swap, and BikeMaine.

October 4, 2019
THREE NEW WAYS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CYCLING GEAR.

We made it easier to be choosier.

Have you ever found something online, taken the plunge and bought it, only to find once it’s in your hands it’s not what you were expecting at all?

Not surprising! It’s hard enough to choose clothes online, since you can’t touch and feel the fabrics, or see how a print or style looks and feels on your body rather than on a model’s. When you add in all the complexities of specialized athletic apparel or equipment, it can be quite a challenge to choose the right cycling gear.

It’s important to get it right, and not just to avoid dealing with returns. Choosing gear that’s well suited to the activity you are doing is a big part of enjoying it – when it’s the wrong thing, or it doesn’t fit you properly, it can really ruin your ride.

That’s why we’re always looking for ways to make it easier for you to find exactly the right gear for the riding you will do, and get the right fit for your needs.

We recently added new features on our website to help you narrow down the options to the ones that will work best for you. Now you can see much more easily what colors are available when there is a choice, and filter down our extensive array of cycling bottoms by the product attributes that matter most to you.

Let’s take a closer look:

New filtering controls.

All the cycling bottoms categories on our site now feature a set of filtering tools, located just above the listed items. A row of tabs lets you expand several groups of attributes – each one can be shown or hidden so you can work with just the filters you want.

Using the buttons in each section, you can filter down to the subcategories of shorts, knickers, tights and capris, and combine selections for features like leg length, rise, compression and more. The controls available will be a little different depending on the category you’re in. Whenever you select or deselect a button the items displayed are updated immediately.
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Let’s say you wanted to find loose fitting shorts with a long leg, available in size large. On the On Sale > Cycling Bottoms page we select four filters, and find two items on sale at the moment. On the current Cycling Bottoms category page there are four matching items.

What if you only wanted to see items made in the USA? One more button and we arrive at the Liberty Short. Done.

You can also filter by the chamois, so if you have a favorite or a recommendation from customer service you can quickly find all the cycling bottoms that have the type of chamois you need.

One thing to note is that this filter works on the items on the page you are currently viewing only. It doesn’t pull in items that match from other categories, so you may still need to look at both the current and on sale categories to see all your choices, depending on what you are looking for.

Shop By Size and Color Too

The size filter is available on all categories across the site where items are offered in a choice of sizes. It improves on the previous Shop By Size feature with smoother operation and updating.

Also appearing across the site you will notice thumbnails under the larger display images in all category views. These thumbnails indicate when other colors are available – rolling over the thumbnails, or tapping the thumbnail on your phone, gives you a preview of the other colors without clicking through to the item page. For the Cycling Tops categories, where prints and patterns are a big part of the decision, the thumbnail becomes a swatch, showing a closer view of the print choices currently available.

Thumbnails now show all the color choices available for each item. Rollover or tap for a preview.

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Swatches give a closer view of print choices on the Cycling tops categories.

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Saddle Selection Made Easy

Saddle recommendations with a highlight for final selection.

Earlier this year we unveiled our Saddle Selector, which distills the expertise of our customer service team into a unique web page. Answer a short series of questions about how you ride, and you see just the saddles that exactly match your requirements. You can then sort by your priority for low price, lowest weight, or premium choice, to get a personal recommendation for your ideal bike saddle.

There is a FAQ section on the page to give you a little extra information, but the questions are fairly self-explanatory. Like the bottoms filter, the Saddle Selector updates the matching items immediately, so you can narrow down your selection with just one or two buttons, depending on what you are looking for. For example you could see all the saddles we recommend for women on mountain bikes, or all the saddles we recommend for long rides several days a week.
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We hope it’s now a lot quicker and easier for you to choose the right cycling gear – let us know how these new features work for you:

Cycling Bottoms

Cycling Tops

Saddle Selector

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October 4, 2019
PROVENCE, PYRENEES, & PERSISTENCE.

Climbing the Cols of the Tour de France through Provence and the Pyrenees

Contributed by Terry Ambassador Karen Marshall

Featuring lots of lavender, Lord of the Rings landscapes, and some of the toughest riding you may ever do.

After a riding adventure with a too heavy bag last summer I made a vow: pack only the apparel you absolutely need to be comfortable riding all day, playing tourist and relaxing with a great meal and glass of wine at night. Our destinations were Malaucene in Provence and the villages of Castillion-en-Couserans, Arreau, Aucun and Lanne en Bartous deep in the French Pyrenees. In my bag for our 18-day adventure was an easy to smoosh, lightweight Terry wardrobe: four Soleil tops, a slew of sun goddess jerseys, four pairs of my all-time favorite peloton shorts, a new pair of CHILL shorts, yellow bolero, and my go everywhere black transit dress.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”2″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]Along with a few other essentials, my bike and a new helmet, I was eager to conquer big climbs. Eight months earlier, a Provence and Pyrenees riding trip wasn’t on the radar screen – a tough crash, broken collar bone and fairly significant head injury made getting back in the saddle a distant goal. I shared this trip with my life partner Tom and eight other men… here’s my story of Goldilocks and her nine cycling musketeers.

Mt. Ventoux is the highest peak in Provence at 1912 meters, a symbolic Tour de France segment and bucket list ride for many cyclists. I started this climb after a super-hot 69-kilometer ride from Malaucene to Sault, working our way up through forever stretching, fragrant fields of lavender. The beauty couldn’t overcome what my body was telling me… the heat index is off the charts, you’re dehydrated, today is not your day.

Feeling a bit defeated, I turned back and descended through the lavender landscape – stopping along the way to appreciate the heavenly scent surrounding me, knowing I made the right decision and refueled with a gelato.

I conquered my Ventoux the next day with a 26km climb to the top of the foreboding peak in more inclement weather. There were moments in the steep, barren climb where I simply said “grit, grit, grit” to myself over and over again. Moral of my Mt. Ventoux victory: listen to your body but never give up!

What is a col?

Suzette. Pyresourde. Aspin. H’ourquette de Ancizan. Issarbe. Soudet. Bagargui. Soulour. Aubisque. Lie. I’chere. Houratate. By definition, a col is the lowest point of a ridge or saddle between two peaks. When riding in the Pyrenees it’s also the highest point you’re grinding up to for what might be a few hours. My tally for our cycling adventure was 480 miles and 54,500 feet of vertical, commemorating incredible climbs on quiet roads in Lord of the Rings-like landscapes.

I ground my way up and raced my way down with my riding musketeers on each of these cols. Initially, I oddly found myself intimidated by guy talk – how tough and long the 8-17% gradient climbs were. The reality is I found the same power, grit, stamina, cadence and climbed side by side with the gents. RIDE LADIES RIDE! Never doubt your ability to get to the top, one pedal rotation at a time.

Our most spectacular climb was Col d’Bagargui where we were rewarded with wild horses grazing on a precipice over the valley thousands of feet below. The ridgetop route was a panorama with hundreds of shades of green and jaw-dropping mountain vistas.

My newest Terry piece this summer was a pair of weightless compression chill shorts. You forget you have them on. They matched up well with my Provence jersey as we toured the countryside, churches and Cols d’I’chere, Lie and H’ouratate. I chose them for our longest rides for comfort and performance. Chill shorts rule except when you leave them at home and have to opt for mountain bike shorts instead. On a 52-mile ride that included trekking up the Col d’Aubisque to the Col d’Soulor to watch the Tour d’ France 14th stage I repeated over and over, “You are such a bad-ss girl, you can ride this without bike shorts!” It was the only way to convince myself that riding without a chamois was doable.

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Watching the Tour among the French people was magical; it’s a concert, parade, cycling race, generations of families, joy d’vivre and French nationalism all at once.
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Home sweet chateau with the musketeers.

Let’s face it, “kit” is a guy cyclist term for male riding apparel that will never, ever fit a female correctly. Laden with manufacturer logos, the jerseys scream out, the short chamois don’t belong on our bodies and “kits” make us look like one of the guys, we’re blending in to a male dominated sport. One of my favorite moments of the breakfast routine at our chateau in Lanne-en-Bartous was the morning one of the musketeer cyclists commented, “You’ve got another Terry kit on” – a compliment, a recognition, a moment in time where I was proud that my Terry apparel worn day in and out represented women – formidable and fashionable – in a riding pack of our own. Next time you’re out on the road and see the “kits” say a large THANK YOU TERRY! for creating cycling apparel that’s made just for us, fits right, feels good, performs exceptionally, and looks fantastic!

If you seek a magnificent place to stay with friends and family in the Pyrenees, you’ll find the last home of the famous musketeer Porthos to your liking! Built in the 17th century, en. Chateau-de-Porthos is nestled in Lanne-en-Bartous in the heart of all of these rides.

Karen Marshall – #terryfaerie – is Executive Vice President at Marathon Health, a provider of worksite health centers across the nation.

September 6, 2019