Tag: Brooklyn Fit Chick

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
SPRING FIT CHICK PICKS.

My Spring Picks for Terry Bicycles Gear.

The ultimate spring commuter ensemble: Urban Hoodie, a thermal base layer and Metro Skort.

This is Brooklyn Fit Chick and I am a Terry Brand Ambassador who loves to spend as much time on my bike as possible. Now, being based in Brooklyn means that my winters are pretty darn harsh and this one in particular has made me yearn so much for the open road once again. (Too much snow! I am serious—my bike is literally gathering dust in my apartment…)

However, you know what they say “March—it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” so when the spring “lamb” weather comes back I am planning on taking these Terry items with me:

Terry Urban Hoodie

The Urban Hoodie from Terry achieves that cool balance of being close fitting and flattering (which is always my conundrum). It fights the wind and water and also has front pockets to keep your emergency lip gloss and hankie (that’s what I always need them for!) Plus—there is a reflective stripe in the back and a fabulous hood to keep your head warm and protect the hairdo. LOVE.

Metro Skort

OMG—this skort is the cutest thing in the world! It comes in black and olive and includes a universal liner that is padded that you can also wear under just about any of your clothes. The skort itself has a v-shaped elastic gusset which means it will be more comfortable when you ride and won’t bunch up in the seat. Definitely the item I plan to wear when I’m just riding around on a weekend afternoon. Score!

That’s all from me this month. I will be back in a few weeks to talk about more of my favorite gear from Terry Bikes. 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

April 6, 2015
FIT CHICK PICKS :: the top 5.

Brooklyn Fit Chick here and the East Coast weather is finally starting behave which means I can start going on my all-day rides once again. (Huzzah!) My personal favorite day trip runs from Prospect Park to For Tilden Beach and requires generous amounts of sun block and an iPod full of motivating tunes.

Being a Terry Fitness Ambassador has some pretty sweet perks such as getting to try out their new gear and let you all know what I think. So today I wanted to let you all know about my favorite gear sold by Terry and where you can find it on their site—you’re welcome!

Terry Ti Saddle

This is hands down the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in my life and can NOT wait to get this on the road for my first century ride of the season. Women ride the seat differently than men and Terry Saddles are created with the comfort of females in mind. If you plan on going on out for 3+ hours at a time on average—this is the best gear to invest in.

Element GT Lady Jacket

As I previously stated—the weather on the East Coast has been very up and down. Yesterday for example (as I type this) it was 86 degrees and humid while today it is in the mid-60s and cloudy. (This makes my sinuses very unhappy, by the way.) Each day I leave my home to go for a ride I am not sure how the day will turn out but this Gore Bike Wear windbreaker is very dependable. It repels water and wind and feels so light that it won’t weigh you down. Also, it’s light enough to throw into a backpack if it starts to get too hot. Perfect for early morning/evening jaunts when the temperature is unpredictable.

Liner Short by Terry

Bike shorts are essential for day-long rides but not terribly cute under a maxi dress or a pair of capri pants. When I want the padding but still be dressed in casual street wear, I slip one of these liners underneath. They fit like a bike short and will keep you comfortable all day without making you look like a racer. Perfect for any cyclist who likes to look cute on her bike. (Nothing wrong with wanting to be cute!)

Giro Bike Helmet

Helmets are a must whether you are racing through the city or just taking a spin around your neighborhood (please tell me you always wear one!) I love this particular style because it is light, vented and doesn’t clamp my head in-therefore protecting my hair from turning into a sweaty, moppy mess which is very important to me. (I spend a lot of time on my hair!)

Tailwind Tank by Zoic

I am saving up to get this tank next because it is so adorable and I know I can wear it with jeans, shorts or a skirt. Who says you can’t be fashionable while on the road? Not me! Terry offers several tank styles each summer and I have been happy with everyone I have ever bought.

That’s all for me this month. Next time I will talk about riding in super-high temps & humidity. In the meantime—be sure to enjoy your rides!

Brooklyn Fit Chick

June 19, 2014
BROOKLYN FIT CHICK: SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR BIKE.

Happy Spring Everybody!

Brooklyn Fit Chick here and I am so excited for the upcoming spring season and the opportunity to get back on my bike outside once again (it’s been too long, folks!)

Every year about this time I take my own road bike “Trixie” to 9th Street Cycles for a tune-up and it got me thinking about what I can do on my own to get her ready for the road all year round. So who better than Bicycling magazine’s Executive Editor Leah Flickinger can offer us all this sound advice?

Here are a few tips from Leah on what we can all do to get our bikes ready to rock:

FRAME

Wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. As you wipe the frame, use the opportunity to inspect it for nicks, cracks, or other damage. Pay close attention to chain stays where damage can occur when a chain accidentally gets jammed.

WHEEL RIMS

Dirty rims can reduce stopping power. Scrub with a clean rag and mild dish detergent and water. Rinse, then dry. Spin each wheel and check for wobbling. If they wobble, take them to a shop to get trued (a process in which a mechanic adjusts tension in the spokes so the wheel rolls straight).

BRAKES (assuming rim brakes)

Wipe down brake pads with a clean rag, dislodge any crud or buildup, and check them for wear. Pads usually have grooves; when they begin to disappear, it’s time to replace the pads. Spin each wheel and listen for rubbing. If you hear it, adjust the calipers so the pad doesn’t rub. (It’s usually pretty easy to do this manually just by moving the calipers gently.)

CHAIN

Apply degreaser to the chain, scrub it with a clean rag or toothbrush, allow to air dry. Apply a drop of lube to each link/pin (turn the cranks in reverse to get a full rotation). Soak up excess lube by holding a clean rag to the chain and spinning the cranks backward. Then, with your chain in the large ring and smallest cog, use a 12-inch ruler to measure a 24-link section of chain from pin to pin. If it measures 12 1/8″ or more, the chain is worn and you should replace it.

TIRES

Deflate the tire to about half its pressure. Look for cuts in the sidewalls or treads. If you find any that go either through the tire or are deep enough to make you anxious, replace the tire. For knobby tires: If five or more treads are ripped away, the tire will likely fail and should be replaced.

Want to troubleshoot and tackle additional repairs on your own? Check out Bicycling.com repair tips and videos or pick up a copy of Bicycling’s Essential Road Bike Maintenance Handbook (available at Rodalestore.com).

That’s all for me this month. Looking forward to checking in with all of you soon!

Brooklyn Fit Chick

March 20, 2014