Established in 1983, Bicycle Garage Indy is a leader in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana community. The knowledgeable of their professional staff is their most important asset and key to providing the best possible customer service for life-long, loyal customers. They strive to support and increase bicycling in their community through advocacy efforts, event support and by providing bicycles to those in need through their Shifting Gears program. During 2016 they plan to have monthly activities (March – November) focused on increasing the number of women who ride: large events like Ladies’ Nights as well as smaller events like clinics and rides.
Why do you think women choose to shop at your store?
We strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere for all of our customers. In addition, we hold special events such as Ladies’ Nights which provide an evening of socializing, information and shopping 2-3 times a year. One of our most popular Ladies’ Nights was a fashion show which featured clothing from Terry as well as other vendors. Over the past 9 years, more than 750 unique women have attended our Ladies’ Nights. We regularly hold fixing flat tire clinics as well as other topics (Mastering your bike, Shifting Gears on Your Bike, Riding Outside Your Neighborhood for example) and clinic attendees are 60% women.
Why do you sell Terry?
The quality and design of Terry products is a great complement to the other clothing lines we carry. We are able to provide a great variety of clothing options by carrying Terry. We also carry Terry saddles which provide additional options for saddle comfort.
When a new-to-cycling female customer comes in, what’s the first thing you tell her about cycling?
“Bicycling is a fun activity, no matter what type of bicycling you are interested in. There are many opportunities to ride with others and learn about bicycling in our community. We have clinics, women-focused rides and events throughout the year; we encourage you to check them out and meet other women interested in bicycling.”
Epic mountain rides, switchbacks and dramatic seascapes – Welcome to Mallorca, Spain.
If you’re considering an international cycling vacation to Mallorca, March is a good time to go. The roads are quiet, other than the occasional pro-team on a training ride, and daytime temps rise into the 60s. That being said – avoid the week before Easter, as it is a busy German holiday and the beginning of the high tourism season.
Be sure to have a car handy as it gives you access to epic mountain rides to the north with switchback turns and dramatic seascapes, or alternatively, to quiet farm country roads in the south that meander to old world fishing villages and brilliant white sandy beaches nestled in cavernous inlets carved into the rocky coastline. WARNING: Images below may evoke wanderlust, or an insatiable desire for travel.
Gear that “made the ride” while on the bike vacation of a lifetime.
The epic sights were without question the best part of the ride – but coming in at a close second? My shorts.
The Bella Prima Bib Shorts were a ride saver. The Flex Air chamois provides padding in all the right places while the soft wing construction eliminates bunching and chafing letting me focus on the ride rather than the shorts. For hurried pit stops at seaside cafes, I simply unzipped my jacket and jersey and pulled the stretchy, open mesh halter-top up over my helmet!
Paired with the bib, I wore the full zip, super lightweight, moisture wicking Terry Bella Jersey and matching arm warmers and a sleeveless base layer for maximum versatility as temps fluctuate with altitude and proximity to the sea. The UPF 50+ fabric is a bonus in the Mediterranean sun. Have you ever seen the Mediterranean sun? It looks a lot like this –
For colder, wetter days? I chose the Terry Thermal Tights. They are so brushed and comfy, and make you feel like you are swimming in warm butter. With a DWR finish, they are remarkably wind resistant and even provide protection in a light drizzle.
Pairing this with the Mandarin Thermal Jersey I stayed warm and dry without over heating through my ride. Even without the gear however, I think I would have found a way to continue cycling when the scenery looked like this:
In the North where roads were relatively smooth, I most certainly benefitted from the range of motion and slimmer profile provided by my FLX Gel saddle.
However, on some of the rougher southern roads and in villages with cobblestones I did wish that I had the shock absorbing PORON XRD found in the Butterfly Century.
Also handy? Knog high lumen lights. They are easy to strap on, are available as front and rear lights and invaluable for tunnels particularly in the Tramuntana Mountains with its beautiful alpine like villages.
And last but NOT least: Fly Swiss International and your bike will travel for $125 each way. And if you’re lucky, it might even get a free ride. Also, make sure you have new tires (25cm) on that bike!
Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations and Terry Bicycles bring you an extraordinary women’s bike tour weekend full of fun.
When: Thursday, June 16ththroughSunday, June 19th. Join this relaxed, educational and social gathering that’s specifically designed for women interested in cycling – from those just getting into the sport to those who’ve been riding for years. Learn more about cycling skills, bike fit for women, nutrition, fitness for cycling, and basic road repairs, all while enjoying miles of fabulous rides in the company of like-minded women.
Where: This long weekend version of Sojourn’s award-winning tour of the Lake Champlain Valley, features Vermont’s prized country roads and picture book landscapes. You’ll ride through historic covered bridges and explore quaint villages in one of the most beautiful states in the US. Gentle valley farmland offers miles of fabulous cycling, and the nearby foothills of the Green Mountains provide challenging options for stronger riders.
The Basin Harbor Club, a classic turn-of-the-century lakeside resort, is the perfect setting for this event as it offers tranquility along with a variety of amenities such as watercraft, tennis, golf, and its very own pub. Riders also get the opportunity to purchase the best in women’s cycling clothing and accessories at discounted pricing. Join us for this very special long weekend and make new friends, learn about women’s cycling-related topics, and enjoy this stunningly beautiful lakeside setting.
Previously offered in early autumn, Sojourn is now offering their Women’s Weekend in mid-June to better suit busy schedules, take advantage of longer days and to start the cycling summer on a high note.
Whether it is rain or shine – great gear will always make the ride. This wet weather gear guide has a few quick tips and tricks to keep you singing, and pedaling, in the rain.
For the Covert Commuter
The Slight Shirt Dress by NAU:
Wind- and water-resistant dress made out of a technically recycled polyester fabric, with a clean, flattering style that looks great indoor and out. The simple yet durable construction makes this jacket/dress as light as possible without compromising performance.
The Introvert Jacket by NAU:
This is a new kind of urban jacket created with a wind- and water-resistant organic cotton shell, and featuring a super high collar, shirttail hem and modified dolman sleeve.
Image Source: www.detours.us
Fremonster Flap:
An urban commuter’s dream bike bag, complete with neoprene laptop sleeve, stowable rain cover and reflective detailing. This is the bag that’s large enough for market or work. Two simple clips attach it to your bike; shoulder strap for off bike utility.
A closet must-have for cyclists, this versatile and lightweight GORE-TEX Active Shell Element GT is the #1 jacket for every kind of bad weather. Guaranteed rain and wind protection in a lightweight also makes this jacket our go-to choice for touring.
Especially lightweight and compact overshoes feature GORE-TEX technology and are water/windproof, yet still breathable, ensuring warm feet even in bad weather.
Gore Bike Wear’s Universal 2.0 GT Helmet Cover provides maximum comfort and protection during varied weather conditions. Breathable, GORE-TEX® technology is waterproof and windproof. The compact cover fits over your helmet and folds up small.
WINDSTOPPER® exterior, high visibilty and convertibility from jacket to vest – it doesn’t get more versatile than Gore Bike Wear’s Element AS Zip Off Jacket. It’s almost like having a multi-tool in your cycling kit. We like it!
Now that we’ve gone over gear – it’s time to do a little dancing.
Jeff and Leslie Latimer own Gus’ Bike Shop in North Hampton, NH. We caught up with Leslie at a recent event for “Gus’ Gals” at their shop and asked her a few questions.
Tell us a bit about Gus’ Bike Shop:
“When my husband and I bought the shop there was no bike shop in New Hampshire that had a women’s department or worked to make women feel at home. We created a welcoming atmosphere, a weekly shop ride just for women, monthly pot luck suppers and minute clinics before each weekly ride” – Today you’ll typically find 40 -50 women joining our Thursday evening ride during the summer.
One of my favorite descriptions of our shop was written by a customer – it’s right here on our website: “Gus’ has been a purple institution (literally, purple) on the New Hampshire seacoast for many years, but only recently has the shop has been transformed into the community cycling epicenter. This change has occurred thanks to the Latimer family who purchased the store several years ago and have single-handedly recruited more women into cycling than I think even they could have imagined. Although the shop is known for its striking women’s cycling fashions, the slick women-specific bikes and the always friendly and helpful advice, it’s the palpable feel of family and community that attracts women who quickly become loyal customers. Before you even get out of your car, you are enthusiastically greeted by the couple’s teenage sons (and dog!). Outside the shop, local cyclists relax in chairs under big umbrellas and wave hi as you walk by like you’ve known each other for years. Inside, the crew gives you a big hello and asks you about your family. Where else do you get this type of welcome?” This summer Gus’ will be celebrating our 45th year of serving Seacoast cyclists and we’re looking forward to another great season with Gus’ Gals – the name affectionately chosen by the ladies for their Thursday evening ride.
Why do you think women choose to shop at your store?
Women are made to feel welcome here at Gus’ Bike Shop. Every customer here get’s the “Gus’ love”
Why do you sell Terry?
“Love Terry fit and Terry style. This past summer we did a tour in Quebec. The Terry tops are stylish enough to wear out to dinner paired with the Metro Crop pants. The top I wore to dinner, became the next days jersey. Each day I wore the Bella shorts and they have become a favorite of mine. I’ve actually worn some of my Terry jerseys and sweaters to work and never fail to get compliments on them.”
When a new-to-cycling female customer comes in, what’s the first thing you tell her about cycling?
“That it’s fun and that there’s a place for her on a Gus’ ride. Our rides feature a fast, medium, social or really social pace, no one’s left out. It’s all about community. “
After breaking a world record, fans rely on media professionals to get into the mind of the athlete – what went well, what could have gone better. The first interview Evelyn Stevens gave after smashing the UCI Hour Record on Saturday, February 27th, far exceeded those expectations.
Asking the hard hitting questions, ‘Abby the Awesome’ got to know the Women’s UCI Hour Record holder, in the only interview that matters:
If you’ve ever wanted to live vicariously through an international cyclist, you’ll want to know Inge.
She was born in the relatively flat countryside of Holland, where learning to walk is soon followed by learning to ride. Kids bike to school; moms do their shopping with panniers; it’s just the way things are done.
When life took her beyond her Dutch borders, she got away from riding and pursued other interests. Then on a visit home in 2005 with South African friend Anthea, which included a barge bike tour of the waterways, towns and villages, Inge caught the pedaling bug again.
A year later in South Africa, while watching the Argus Tour (the largest timed cycling event in the world, hosting 35,000 riders), she told her friends “We can do those big hills. Let’s do this event next year.”
Back in Canada that summer, she started training and thought “Me and my big mouth – what have I done?” Through sheer will and determination though, she got serious, trained well, and with no fancy training plan other than varying her terrain, rode a minimum of 3 rides a week.
In March of 2007, on upright bicycles and at the ripe young age of 50, Inge and Anthea rode their first (68-mile) Argus Bike Tour. This Sunday they will ride their 10th.
In May she occasionally travels to Italy to ride the 127 mile Nove Colli with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. She also enjoys her annual 5 day ride from Jeffrey’s Bay to Gordon’s Bay, which includes the famous Garden Route – another great Argus training trip.
I truly enjoy working with Inge, helping her pick out her next Terry jerseys (Actif, Touring and Sun Goddess are her favorites), but even more exciting is having the opportunity to hear of her adventures and add many of them to my bucket list!
-Lisa Wilkes
About the Terry Team: This is a monthly shout out to dedicated Terry fans who are part of our illustrious sisterhood of athletes and adventurers. We ride through wind and rain. We sweat. We dream. We discover. We push ourselves to and past our limits. We take each day and ride it to its fullest. Sound like you? Send your story to customerservice@terrybicycles.com.
Getting plenty of fuel is the best route to a successful ride. Whether you’re riding on the road, mountain, gravel or bike packing, here are a few of our favorite ride snacks to munch along the way.
Grab and Go
Image Source: Clif Bar
All the benefit of a gel shot in a much more appealing package. These bloks are packed full of energy for the ride but have the noted benefit of being solid, rather than a gel. Coming in an 8 fruity flavors (including margarita) – everyone can find the perfect fit for their ride.
Image Source: Barnana
It’s true that these chocolate covered banana bites by Barnana are packed with potassium, organic ingredients and happen to be perfectly bite-sized, but that’s not why we love them; these babies are downright DELICIOUS. So go ahead, pack a bag in your jersey pocket and you are in for a very happy ride.
Image Source: The Feed.
Often, buying snacks created with cycling in mind means that you end up with a giant box of one snack in one flavor. The Feed, based in Boulder, CO lets you customize your own variety box of munchies to match your ride.
Make Your Own
Image Source: Skratch Labs
In a world of easily accessible prepackages snacks, it takes a certain amount of commitment to make your own. To help turn this commitment into a breeze, Skratch Labs, is here with their Feed Zone Portables cookbook. With plenty of options from savory to sweet, every rider can find their perfect ride snack. Here is Biju Thomas creating our favorite ride companion – a portable rice cake with blueberries, chocolate and coconut:
