Terry Peloton

Tag: women’s cycling

  • DISCOVERING PEDAL POWER.

    Terry Bicycles Wellness Revolution group ride on bike path

    Another great night of the Wellness Revolution with Terry Bikes.

    Contributed by Pat Jackson

    It ain’t just about the bling.

    These are people who really want women to get out on their bikes, feel comfortable, feel confident, and make this a part of their everyday lives. Women who haven’t biked in ten years; women whose bikes have been sitting in a storage shed; women who don’t even own a bike helmet; women who couldn’t even imagine biking in the city.

    So we started out with a welcome by Liz Robert from Terry Bikes, giving us the overall picture. In the crowd, big smiles, some nervous laughter, but deep down inside I’m sure each woman there nurtured a desire to break out, to get out on that bike. Even if it has been 10 years.

    We were each fitted with a helmet, so no excuse for not feeling ready to go out and conquer. Especially because it was fluorescent yellow and we could be seen for miles. Kind of fun biking in this group of 30-some women and feeling like I belong to some cult because of these fluorescent yellow helmets. Believe me, cars take a wide berth. That’s a good thing.

    Terry Bikes Wellness Revolution group bike maintenance class
    The following week, we had a Maintenance Workshop at Skirack. Again some nervous laughter, but then a more focused attention on our two instructors who took us through some of the nitty-gritty of popping a chain back on after it came off the sprocket, that dastardly event of changing a flat, educating us about what we should have in our little pack that rides on our bike: a patch kit, an extra tube, ID, some cash, even a glove to keep yourself from getting greased up if you’re doing some repair work. All of these recommendations, along with a compact pump to ride along on your bike can give you the confidence you need to feel like you can venture farther from home.

    The confidence continues to smolder.

    Terry Bikes Wellness Revolution group pre-ride stretching Terry Bikes Wellness Revolution group ride on the bikepath
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    Then Saturday rolled around and our first group ride, and what a group! This included the Tuesday and Thursday night groups so we had about 60 women with our famous fluorescent yellow helmets. We actually started the day by going through some yoga stretching and some dancing out on the lawn in front of the Terry Warehouse. Stretches, warming up, that got us ready to leap on our bikes and head out on the bike path. As I rode along in this sinuous stream of women out on an early, somewhat raw Saturday morning, the sky threatening rain, it was uplifting to look ahead and see this long strand of wild women, all out to conquer a fear, a doubt they may have had, but were now working at putting behind them, surrounded by like-minded individuals, all doing the same. Bravo!

    Terry Bikes Wellness Revolution group urban cycling workshop
    The next Tuesday evening we met at the Terry Office again for an Urban Cycling workshop. Jason, from LocalMotion listened to our fears, our concerns — and there were many — and gently but fervently explained how to handle each one. He had been doing this for years and was ready to show us how we could break through this barrier also. So off we went, wending our way through Burlington’s streets, slick with rain, but each of us heeding his lessons, implementing them, stopping to regroup, discuss, and then go out for more. We climbed hills, then turned around and headed back down, practicing our braking in such a way to afford much more stability, more confidence. Some who were so fearful before leaving the confines of the office were now sailing down a steep hill, positioning themselves farther back in the saddle, as he had explained, to maintain more control. Even smiling while doing it! Just beautiful!

    I’m thrilled to be able to be a part of this group. I felt like I came upon this by chance, and I’m just gushing about each event that we have together. Well I may have been biking for years, in lots of different settings, but I’m still learning lots from each of these gatherings. I’m learning from the teachers, the mechanics, the bike advocates who are out there making life better for us.

    But also, I’m learning from the women. Hearing folks murmur with a nervousness that is now subsiding. They’re asking the questions, they’re facing their fears. They’re doing it!

    Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, and thank you Terry Bikes, and to all the local bike shops, enthusiasts, educators, fanatics — and that’s a good thing! — who are partnering with them to get lots of wild women out on their bikes.

    Watch out for those fluorescent yellow helmets. There’s no holding us back now.

    By Pat Jackson
    Photos: Lisa Wilkes

    Related: WELLNESS REVOLUTION GRAD RIDES A “HALF-COUNTRY.”

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  • NEWS IN HELMETS.

    Bike helmet companies delivered big when it came to helmets for women in 2018. Most everything we’re buying this season comes with MIPS which reduces rotational forces that can be transferred to a rider’s brain in certain impacts. Both Smith and Giro offer it and at a nominal cost over non-MIPS equipped bike helmets. Both companies also added a lot of style this season which of course, we appreciate. Check these out and buy them here…

    Savant MIPS at $120: 25-vents, super light, slim design.

     

    Ember MIPS at $150: sleek, roadie with 26 vents & wider ponytail port.

     

     

    Cinder MIPS at $150: compact shape, 26 vents & ponytail friendly.

     

     

    Sonnet at $100: high viz value, 25 vents and ponytail compatibility.

     

     

    Overtake at $280: revolutionary design with AEROCORE + Koroyd + X-static lining; Pivlock Sunglasses to match!

     

     

     

    When to replace your bike helmet…

    In general, it’s recommended (by manufacturers and safety organizations like helmets.org) that you should replace your helmet every 5 years. Deterioriation depends upon your use, care and how much abuse you’ve put it through. If you ride thousands of miles, five years is probably a realistic timeframe of helmet wear life. Technology has changed a lot in the last decade and there’s a lot to be said for upgrading if you haven’t in awhile.

    Here are the guidelines for replacement from helmets.org:

    1. Did you crash it? Replace immediately.
    2. Did you drop it hard enough to crack the foam? Replace.
    3. Is it from the 1970’s? Replace.
    4. Is the outside just foam or cloth instead of plastic? Replace.
    5. Does it lack a CPSC, ASTM or Snell sticker inside? Replace.
    6. Can you not adjust it to fit correctly? Replace!!

     

     

  • SHOP LOCAL: BRICK WHEELS.

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    Brick Wheels is the largest bike store in Northern Michigan which allows them to carry an extensive selection of bikes, accessories and cycling apparel. Owner, Tim Brick, opened this store 42 years ago and has always been a pioneer in carrying many products 2-3 years before they become some of the hottest trends. He has a talent for forward thinking in this industry and is not afraid to take the risk of introducing new product, which is why Brick Wheels is so unique and is always a delightful shopping experience.

    Why do you think women choose to shop at your store?

    We offer a huge selection and variety of everything bike. The longevity of our staff and willingness to go above and beyond for customer service makes us recognized in the community as well as in our shop. We are very proud to show you what we have and what we know.
    We have 5 women on staff with a combined 65 years’ experience here at Brick Wheels that have been active in cycling and have various interests so we are able to relate to our women customers in order to make them comfortable shopping here and find the right products for them.

    When you enter our store you are welcomed with a pleasing display of all of our women’s cycling clothing along with other active wear. We choose active wear that can be mixed with our cycling lifestyle wear in order to blend with our new demand for bike to work population and also for our more casual riders.

    Why do you sell Terry?

    We sell Terry because the products are high quality. Also, our customers are huge fans and love to come in and see their favorite Terry gear on the shelf.

    When a new-to-cycling female customer comes in, what’s the first thing you tell her about cycling?

    Start out nice and easy, enjoy yourself, and progress gradually.

    terry clothing 2016

  • (TI)ME FOR A CHANGE.

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    Let me know if you do not agree, but I am finding more and more that “New Bike Day” is the best day of the year. Last year, when I traded in my aluminum road bike in for a carbon frame, women’s specific bike lovingly named Princess Lady Lovely Locks, I thought to myself – this is it, this is the only road bike I will ever need.

    Famous last words, right? This season after panicking over countless potholes and some frame sizing issues, I decided rather than trading sideways to another bike-in-a-box, that this would be the year to invest in a titanium frame. An article by Bicycling Magazine described precisely why I chose titanium over carbon this time around:

    [Tom Kellogg] points to ti’s nonlinear modulus as the source of the metal’s unique ride: That characteristic means the more force you apply, the harder it becomes to bend. “If you try to bend a piece it will at first give a little,” says Kellogg. “But the further you try to flex it, the more resistant it becomes.” On the road, that trait means you know exactly what’s going on at the intersection of your tire and the pavement—a sensation demanded by performance-oriented riders—but the initial flex means you’re not bothered by rough pavement. Bikes made from steel, aluminum, and carbon can also achieve that result, it’s just that titanium does so with a blend of ride sensations nothing else quite matches…”

    I decided to hand pick each component with my body and riding style in mind to really make it roll. This process led me through several stages that looked something like this:

    1) How hard can this be? I can totally do this, I know what goes into making a bike!
    2) Wait…what is that? and does this go with that? How are there so many choices for that?!
    3) This is impossible.
    4) I am a genius.

    After a lot of research, phone calls to my bike shop, article reading and part searching, I finally had a box together with everything I needed to officially start the build. 30 minutes into a youtube video describing how to build your own bike, I decided to hand it off to the professionals for fear of crushing the beautiful headset I had just spent over a week choosing. One wheelset debacle and a cracked bottom bracket later – I have one sweet ride and I have never been more comfortable.

    It may be the curse of our sport, that as long as you are riding, you will find a reason to upgrade, modify and trade up. But this time, I firmly believe – this is the only road bike I will ever need.

  • TERRY TEAM: MEET LENORE IMHOF.

    Lenore Racing

    Whether she is recharging her batteries on a bike, or juggling her busy schedule, this month’s newest Terry teammate never stops rolling.

    Lenore balances a career as a school teacher and an attorney; family life, including her cycle-loving mom and rescue-dog Jake; volunteering and training for her next adventure.

    She began cycling in 6th grade when Santa brought her a shiny new Silver Ross 10 speed with red lettering. She hoped it would give her skinnier legs; instead it gave her a love of cycling. It was her outlet when her dad was struggling with Parkinson’s; and again when career changes inspired dream changes; in addition, it provides fuel for all things everyday life throws her way.

    While her resume includes her high school’s “Teacher of the Year Award” and numerous other professional accolades, it’s her lifelong love of sports that got my attention. She began swimming at age 4, which lead to her role as captain of the Georgetown University NCAA Division 1 swim team and many strong triathlon finishes…including a big win right here in Vermont.

    Her first bike race was in ’96 and she went on to race for many teams including Colavita Bolla and Colavita Cooking Light as a Cat 2 Domestique. She loves the team energy, maneuvers, speed, and strategy.

    She has a tough time choosing her best day ever on the bike and in many ways hopes that day is yet to come. Some of her favorites include the 30+ women’s 3-day, 4-race Coupe des Amerique win in Quebec in 2002; the Tuesday Night Race Series at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in NJ; and the “underdog” Colavita Cooking Light women’s win at the 4-day “Tour of Fitchburg.”

    When her big racing days ended with repeated herniated disks in her neck, she moved to Minnesota for a summer. Here, Lenore renewed her love of cycling on trails, in the mountains, and on single track; riding like she did as a kid in NJ, for fun, wearing skorts and meeting lots of wonderful people.

    While her pre-ride food is often a French or Italian roast coffee, she has many healthy eating habits like fruity protein yogurt smoothies, salmon, and leafy salads with red peppers. Lenore has brought her lunch to school every day for 21 years–she calls this her Terry clothing budget builder!

    When Lenore checks in at Terry, we love to hear about all of her new endeavors and all she is doing to make her community a better place. Her goal for 2016 is good advice for all of us, more stretching!

    It’s great to have you on our team, Lenore!

    -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.

  • A WINNING TERRY STORY.

    Every once in a while, we offer the chance to win a Terry Bicycle. The most fun is letting someone know they’ve won. We just had to share this lucky winner’s response…

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    Dear Lisa and the Gals,
    Instead of giving you my height and inseam, I want to share with you my Terry Story. I’m not a random internet email winner.

    You have no idea the synchronicity that just occurred. I haven’t been able to ride much since my severe trimalleolar ankle fracture 7 years ago.  How it happened? Not on a bike, just walking down a slippery slope.

    But just this morning after physical therapy was going so well (6 months after my second ankle surgery), I hoped and dreamed of riding again. Riding my favorite bike anytime. My beloved Terry.

    I went to the garage to get ready.  In my saddle bag, there was my lost spare key fob, gone 6 months. I couldn’t believe my luck. After a 6 month recovery, what a lucky find.  I thought, “the gods are smiling and telling me its time to ride again. It’s OK. It’s time. I won’t hurt my ankle, and make things worse”. But my ankle was getting sore, so I decided to sit, ice, and check my emails.

    And that’s when I read your email and wanted to jump up and down, but mostly shuffled, cried and said, “OMG,OMG,OMG. I wish they knew my whole Terry Story: the why and the how it became my favorite bike. How it gave me the comfort and security to go from riding 1 city block to hundreds of country miles.”

    Sincerely in Terry Bicycle Love,

    P.S. If you insist on giving me the bike, I want to coordinate it with the Boise Bike Project to find the best size for a suitable woman in need of a bike.  Let’s keep in touch.

    Interested in entering our current contest? Click here, and if you have a winning bike story of your own please let us know in the comment section below!

    Happy Riding,

    The Terry Team

  • SHOP LOCAL: BICYCLE GARAGE INDY.

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    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.”  

  • DREAM RIDE: CYCLING IN MALLORCA.

    Epic mountain rides, switchbacks and dramatic seascapes – Welcome to Mallorca, Spain.

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    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 

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    LEISURE RIDE

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    Check out the gear that made the ride here.

    Tailwinds,

    Liz Robert, CEO

  • YOU’RE INVITED: WOMEN’S WEEKEND BIKE ADVENTURE.

    Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations and Terry Bicycles bring you an extraordinary women’s bike tour weekend full of fun.

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    When: Thursday, June 16th through Sunday, 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.

    Sign up here: Find more details and itinerary, click here: GoSojourn.com/Terry-Vermont-Bicycle-Tour

     

  • TERRY/BCBSVT LAUNCH THIRD YEAR OF THE WELLNESS REVOLUTION.

    Bike Winner

    For Immediate release: March 22, 2106

    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and Terry Bicycles
    Team Up for Women’s Wellness Revolution.
    Third year of program designed to promote healthier lifestyles through cycling

    Contact: Megan Peek, BCBSVT (802) 764-4858
    Whitney McKiddy, Terry Bicycles (802) 861-7615

    Burlington, VT – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and Terry Bicycles (Terry) are back with the third running of Wellness Revolution, designed to promote healthier lifestyles for Vermont women through cycling. The eight-week program offers participants the opportunity to begin cycling regardless of their fitness levels, with support and confidence.

    “The Wellness Revolution came into my life just when I needed it most,” says a Wellness Revolution alumnus, Erin Creley. “I am so grateful for the wonderful and welcoming group of leaders and participants in the program for not only reassuring me that I’m not alone in my trepidation after an accident but that I am also more than capable of reclaiming my love of cycling.“

    The program mission is to improve the lives of Vermont women by providing access to health and wellness resources and to support positive lifestyle changes. Wellness Revolution will lead participants through all aspects of cycling like bike maintenance, mindfulness and safety, and also get participants out on the road so they experience the joy of outdoor riding.

    “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is proud to collaborate with Terry Bicycles on Wellness Revolution,” says Megan Peek, community relations and health education manager. “We have plans to strengthen the Burlington program and begin a pilot in Rutland allowing even more Vermont women to enjoy the camaraderie and confidence-boosting opportunities that this program offers.”

    The Burlington program kicks off on April 19th with an informational and goal-setting session. Additional highlights of this free program include sessions on bike maintenance, mindfulness, urban riding techniques, cross training and more. Incentives include free helmets and gift certificates for Terry apparel. The program will culminate on June 4th with a team ride and a raffle to award one participant with a free Terry bike. The Rutland program dates will be announced later this year.

    “Women love this program because we help them overcome fear and teach them to be comfortable and confident on a bike,” said Terry CEO Liz Robert. ”By taking a holistic approach to teaching cycling with our sincerely committed health services partner, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, and adding fun prizes and incentives, our participants stick with it, and many keep on cycling long after the program is over which is the real win for everyone”.

    For over 30 years, TERRY has been dedicated to getting more women riding bikes. TERRY apparel and saddles for both women and men are designed to improve the ride for all levels of cyclists and are distributed by better bike shops and major retailers across the US. From serious gear to recreational fun, TERRY positions itself as a brand for all, where technical performance and feminine style ride in tandem.

    Click to download the full release: 2016WRPressRelease