Tag: best scenic bicycle rides

DREAM RIDE: CYCLING IN MALLORCA.

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.

EPIC

LEISURE RIDE

Check out the gear that made the ride here.

Tailwinds,

Liz Robert, CEO

March 23, 2016
DREAM GEAR: CYCLING IN MALLORCA.

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!

Want to see more of Mallorca? Check it out here.

Tailwinds,

Liz Robert, CEO

March 23, 2016
5 THINGS I LEARNED ON MY BIKE-PACKING HONEYMOON.

Let’s Take A Trip.

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Here are some important things I learned while on an 8-day, 300 mile loop in the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec:

1. Break from tradition/make your own memories.

Shaun, my husband, and I decided to use our passion for hiking, camping and biking to create a honeymoon special to us. So we planned a bike-packing trip in the Gaspe Peninsula. We also invited our friend Thorin along. WAIT, WHAT, you invited someone else on your honeymoon?! We invited him for safety reasons (in case one of us got hurt, one person could stay and one could go get help), to keep each other sane, and also a trip with more people is always much more fun! It is one of the greatest memories I have today, which I’m not sure I would feel the same about if we had gone with the typical beach style honeymoon.

2. You’re never too old to make new friends.

We would start and end our trip at the Auberge Festive Sea Shack (The Beach Party Hostel) where we could leave our car and camp out/party before heading out on our trip. We were the only US citizens there and stuck out like two sore thumbs. A German kid named Benedikt Glitz came up to us and we started chatting. As it turned out, he was traveling by bike to a town along the same route as our trip. The next day, Benedikt joined us for all but 1 day of our trip. He cooked us “Stockbrot” (stick bread) and ended up taking a lot of photos to capture memories that we wouldn’t have been able to capture on our own. We still keep in touch, and he came and stayed with us for 2 weeks a few months after the trip. We look forward to visiting him in Germany as well.

3. Planning will only get you so far.

At the beginning of the trip there were lots of campgrounds to stay at along the coast of the St. Lawrence. But as we headed back inland, they became few and far between. This made me nervous; I like plans and I like to follow them. In most situations I would have freaked out, closed myself off and been miserable. But somehow on this trip, I decided to try and go with the flow. I knew that I couldn’t be in control of every situation and I needed to trust that things would work out. And of course they did. When we didn’t have a “campground” to stay in, we made do. Finding an abandoned hunting shack on the side of the road. Creating a great camp at a beautiful lake when we were on class four roads in the middle of nowhere. And you know what, those nights were some of the best nights we had. No people, no noise, just us and the wilderness.

4. Sometimes you’ve got to ride the Struggle-Bus.

In anything that you do, there are times that are just downright hard to maneuver and you don’t know how you’re going to get through. For me, this trip had many hills (literally and figuratively). The only way to get through it was to jump on the “Struggle-Bus”. You’re in pain, you have self-doubt and you are just struggling to keep going. In biking, it usually happens on hills, and in Gaspe, there were plenty. But you just have to think about the after, how you feel when you make it up that STEEP hill without walking. You thought you were going to die, but you didn’t. You just kept peddling. Then you make it and you can take a breath and realize what you’ve just accomplished. You are that much stronger than you were twenty minutes ago, a day ago, a year ago and the “Struggle-Bus” is how you got there.

5. Just Go For it.

I was never the one who liked to take risks and then would often think about why I didn’t do something and regret not taking that chance. This trip took a lot for me to get through, both mentally and physically. Physically, I didn’t think I would be able to keep up with both Shaun and Thorin (and eventually Benedikt), but you know what, I did. I went for it and pushed through, and I also spoke up if I needed a rest instead of resenting them for not knowing I needed to stop. Mentally, I needed to battle my fears of the unknown, and the uncontrollable. We went off road a few times and didn’t know exactly where we were on the 3 maps that we had. But with common sense, and just being confident in what decisions we made, we ended up where we wanted to be. This trip changed me more than I could have imagined and in the best ways possible. Just take that chance, because you just never know what you’ll find out there and in yourself.

Erika Boyce

Still riding together after 3 years, Erika, Terry Graphic Designer, and husband Shaun live in rural Vermont with their 2 cats. In another completely unique adventure, they’ve just begun clearing their own land, milling their own lumber and building their own house. The trip to Germany will have to wait a bit…

October 26, 2015
RED WHEELS, GREEN APPLES & PERFECT PIE RECIPE.

Last week I ventured out on a fall ride to my favorite apple orchard; Thanksgiving pies must be planned!

Temps were in the high 50’s and a little cloudy with warmer weather and sunshine expected in the afternoon, a perfect combination for my Terry Grand Prix Wool Cycling Jersey, cozy new Breakaway Knickers and the new, warm and wonderful Woolies Socks.

The wool jersey adapts incredibly well to spring and fall weather fluctuations…a New England necessity! The knickers are imperative for protecting ones knees in temps dipping below 65 degrees, and my Terry socks capped off the perfect fall ensemble.

The gal at the Orchard told me she uses Macintosh apples for her pies. I’ve never used this variety and have decided to do a test run this weekend and see how they fare!

Many thanks to Shelburne Orchards for a great Fall destination!

Tomorrow’s apple pie recipe:
In a bowl Combine:
8 Macintosh Apples…peeled, cored and sliced
2+ Tablespoons Flour (depending on apple juice)
1/2 cup of Sugar
Heavy sprinkle of Cinnamon
Light sprinkle of Nutmeg and Salt
Squeeze of Lemon
6 Small Chunks of Butter
I generally bake my pie shell for 10 minutes, cool slightly and fill with apple mixture. Cover the pie with outer pastry shell, crimp top and bottom shells together, cover edges with foil and bake @ 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (removing the foil half way through the baking process).

Remove from the oven when the crust is golden brown and bubbling!

Until next time,
Lisa Wilkes (Red Wheels)

About Lisa: If you’ve had the pleasure of talking to a “real person” at Terry, chances are good that it may have been Lisa or one of her team. As a former bike coach and our Customer Service Manager, she’s full of personal inspiration and professional expertise when it comes to getting comfortable with saddles, choosing the right apparel, answering questions about cycling and a few other specialties that are guaranteed to help improve your attitude, if not your ride!

October 7, 2015
Ask A Tour Leader: Bike Tour Beginner Basics.

Adventure Ready.

You’ve thought about it, now is the year to do it – go on an overnight bike tour. What are some of the things you need to know?

Just get out and do it. Traveling by bicycle takes many forms and there are lots of resources to help. Bring only a change of clothes and a credit card, and you can go as far as you’re willing with the same clothes washed in your hotel sink. With racks or a trailer on your bike you can become self-sufficient, camping and cooking wherever it strikes you.

Bicycle travel happens at a slower pace than your weekly group ride. Give yourself permission to enjoy the journey. Stop at the antiques store or enjoy a picnic lunch at the side of a creek. These are opportunities that don’t always present themselves when driving. Remember that you’ll be riding for more hours in a day than you’re used to. Keep your energy level up by eating small meals and snacks throughout the day. And no matter how delectable, that rich exotic gourmet meal with wine at the country inn may not be your best choice. Simple energy rich dinners will leave you feeling ready to ride the next day.

Any trip will be better with preparation. Make sure both your body and your bike are ready for multiple days of riding. It’s not necessary to carry a lot on a bike trip but you should have a few first aid supplies and the tools and know-how to fix a flat tire. Keep your clothes simple. Plain darker colors help you blend in at your destination and hide dirt. Always bring two pairs of bike shorts so you can wash one each night. The weather can change quickly so a rain jacket is a good accessory.

Now you’re ready to head out and ride!

– Joyce Casey, Adventure Cycling Tour Leader

September 11, 2015
BIKEPACKING: TINY ADVENTURE; BIG FUN.

A Micro-Adventure Awaits.

Chugging down the rail-trail.

Watching the sun set at Kettle Pond.

The first time I heard the word “bikepacking”, a light went off in my head – I knew this was going to be my activity of choice for my Surly Pugsley (named Wednesday). The activity is defined very much as it sounds, a combination of biking and backpacking, an off-road tour, and can last for weeks or less than 24 hours. This type of adventure has absolutely exploded in popularity in the last 5 years and along with it, specialized bikepacking gear has entered the bike scene.

Bikepacking equipment, like most bicycle accessories, range from the high-end, ultra-technical, chic, custom bags to very basic and minimalistic parts to facilitate gear attachments.

Porcelain Rocket specializes in beautiful, functional and custom bikepacking bags that minimize bulk and maximize awesome –

Loaded Mr.Fusion by Porcelain Rocket

Before going custom, I decided to try the Outpost series by Blackburn, a great value for technical gear –

Outpost Handelbar Roll by Blackburn

Outpost Seat Pack by Blackburn

After buying all of the special equipment, I was champing at the bit to head out on the trails and yet, I waited 5 months to set off on my first bikepacking trip.

The biggest factor in my hesitation was wanting to make sure I went on the best trail, something remote and endlessly beautiful, something not too difficult but challenging enough to keep it interesting. This trail may indeed exist but it is not the trail we ended up traveling. After much deliberation, Wednesday and I set off towards a section of the Cross VT Trail on a late Friday afternoon. There was a moment of hesitation as we started off towards the rail trail–that it would be crowded with large families and dogs–but it turned out to be just treacherous enough to leave us bounding down the path in total solitude.

Unsurprisingly, bikepacking is my new favorite activity – it has the capacity to be a huge adventure on a grand scale but also exists as the perfect weekend micro-adventure. Somehow carrying everything you need to survive (for less than 24 hours) on two fat wheels, straight into the forest makes even the most mundane surroundings absolutely marvelous.

My only advice, no matter your equipment or how much time you have, ride out and spend a night under the stars.

– Whitney McKiddy

September 10, 2015
LET’S GET COMFORTABLE.

My Journey to Saddle Comfort.

Happily climbing Emerald Bay.

I can vividly remember my very first rides in 1999. I had signed up to train and ride 100 miles in Lake Tahoe, and my saddle pain seemed insurmountable. Finally, I looked at my coach and said, “I can’t do this, the pain is too intense.” He looked back at me and using his charming French accent said, “go get a saddle with a cutout and I’ll see you next week.”

I hobbled to my bike shop and repeated the words of my coach (without the accent) and, I am happy to report, my shop put a Terry Butterfly on my bike. Best bike upgrade ever!

The rest is history…I rode a very comfortable 100 miles in Lake Tahoe and a few thousand more.

A good bike fit and good, padded, breathable shorts (without your underwear) will also help you achieve saddle comfort. I was very lucky to find a great saddle so quickly and I have great sympathy for those struggling with this endeavor.

The moral of this story is to keep working to find the best saddle for your needs and reach out for assistance if the road gets rough.

Tailwinds,

Lisa Wilkes

About Lisa: If you’ve had the pleasure of talking to a “real person” at Terry, chances are good that it may have been Lisa or one of her team. As a former bike coach and our Customer Service Manager, she’s full of personal inspiration and professional expertise when it comes to getting comfortable with saddles, choosing the right apparel, answering questions about cycling and a few other specialties that are guaranteed to help improve your attitude, if not your ride!

September 2, 2015
Ask A Tour Leader: What Is Your Favorite Bike Tour?

Some things are better by bike – including beaches.

As a tour leader for Adventure Cycling Association, people often ask me what my favorite bike trip is. While that’s a bit like asking who my favorite child is, in this case the answer is easy – it’s our Introduction to Bicycle Touring out of Eugene, Oregon.

Bicycle travel is about discovering great places at a pace that allows you to enjoy them. This trip offers that, plus the chance to discover something about yourself. Participants have come to challenge themselves to learn new skills and push their limits while meeting new people. I can offer them all that, plus the chance to see one of the most beautiful areas this country has to offer. After two days learning the ins and outs of self-contained bicycle touring, we set off for the Oregon Coast.

First it’s up and over the Coast Range. The climbing through the forest is tough but is rewarded by stunning Pacific Ocean views. We camp on the beach and then ride south past Heceta Head lighthouse and the beginnings of the massive sand dunes along the south coast. We shop and eat seafood in Florence before turning inland again. Then it’s back over the mountains for our return to Eugene.

In four short days on the road, this trip has it all. Challenging climbs, sweeping descents bring stunning views. There’s the chance to camp on the beach and eat seafood at the coast. We top it all off with dinner at a small town restaurant with amazing pie. What could be better?

– Joyce Casey, Adventure Cycling Association Tour Leader

August 6, 2015
HEADING FOR THE HILLS.

I have always preferred the certainty of road riding to mountain- relatively well paved roads, intuitive turns with an occasional pothole or cow pie as the only obstacles to a meditative ride.

Trying my luck on the Cliffs of Insanity.

However, with insane winds getting in the way of a couple of long bike days I decided to dust off Wednesday, my beloved Surly Pugsley, and head for the hills.

Fortunately, in Burlington we have some incredible mountain trails for all skill levels within our reach. My choice? Catamount Outdoor Family Center. They have over 20 miles of trails and also offer trail running, cross country skiing and winter fat biking access during cooler months.

After about two hours I was sweaty, covered in mud, and totally in love with the trails.

Within ten minutes of going on the green route, I B-lined towards tougher trails. Now–you have to laugh with me while watching the video below. I thought I was shredding some seriously technical routes and watching it after it looks like a dirt filled sidewalk–albeit a VERY fun dirt sidewalk.

June 12, 2015
BIG RIDES IN THE BIG APPLE.

Top 5 NYC Bike Rides

This is Brooklyn Fit Chick (you may call me Margo) and I am a Terry Brand Ambassador who spends every chance possible on my bike discovering the boroughs in and around New York City. The gang at Terry asked me to pick my five favorite bikes rides to take in and around my beloved city and here they are…

♥ Prospect Park to Coney Island: Ah—when I am dying for a Nathan’s hot dog and little extra sun, I take off down the lovely Ocean Parkway which has a wide designated bike lane that takes you straight to the boardwalk. But a word of caution—in some neighborhoods people still crowd the bike lane so keep your wits about you!

♥ Governor’s Island: What a find this place is!! Left abandoned for many after serving as a military prison among other things, Governor’s Island features amazing -and often free- events throughout the spring and summer. Just bring your bike over on one of the many ferries available and spend an afternoon picnicking, gawking at the stately homes and riding the lovely tree-lined paths -pure heaven!

♥ Fort Tilden Beach: This is one of the most pristine beaches you will find in the tri-state area and if you have an entire afternoon to enjoy sunbathing it is definitely worth the trek. Just be careful to note that there are not always lifeguards on duty and on super-hot days the hipsters head off to this spot by taking the bus in record numbers. (You will recognize them by their tiny hats and maxi-dresses.)

♥ Hudson River Greenway: This is one of those fabulous routes that runs 11 miles from Battery Park to the George Washington Bridge and if you get there at just the right hour it will wiz by as you take in the ocean breeze. (Though avoid at rush hour at all costs as the tourists will cross your path with no notice!)

♥ Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach: This ride is so breathtaking you will want to stop to take pictures constantly. One of the nicest parks in the city—get yourself to Staten Island via the ferry and enjoy miles of beautiful beaches along with a lovely skyline and thank me later for the journey!

Thank you so much for your time and be sure to follow me on twitter @BrooklynFitChik (note the spelling!)

Until next month…

Brooklyn Fit Chick

June 8, 2015