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Cycling in a Pace Line

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

While cycling in a group is fun, it can also be challenging. Earlier this summer, a group I ride with had a close call because of one rider, new to the sport, who was cycling in a pace line for the first time. His erratic speed—shooting out in front of the

Read more . . . Cycling in a Pace Line

July 28th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Banishing White-Knuckle Cycling

By Sheila Ascroft

For the first few years of cycling, fear sat on the nape of my neck. I hated the noise of cars whizzing by and tensed up every time a driver zoomed passed me. It wasn’t that I was afraid of falling off my bike; it was that something might knock me

Read more . . . Banishing White-Knuckle Cycling

July 27th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Five Steps to Pedal Power

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Most of us learn how to pedal a bike when we’re tots, but the up and down strokes that work on a tricycle won’t cut it on a road bike. To maximize your pedal efficiency, think circles and clocks, not pistons.

Pedal Through the Dead Spots (These instructions are for

Read more . . . Five Steps to Pedal Power

July 26th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Time to Recalibrate Your Workout

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

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Do you monitor your heart rate while working out? If so, you may be setting your pace too high. A recent study of 5,500 women at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago found that the time-tested formula for calculating maximum heart rate for women is, uh . . .wrong!

Up to now, the

Read more . . . Time to Recalibrate Your Workout

July 23rd, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cycling Chicago

By Jacqui Snyder

Chicago has won many awards for being one of the top cycle-friendly cities in the US, and justifiably so. They have an extensive waterfront trail that runs North and South along the shores of Lake Michigan. At certain places the bike routes head away from the water to provide a more

Read more . . . Cycling Chicago

July 22nd, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How To Repair A Bicycle Tire

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

If you cycle a lot chances are eventually you’re going to get a flat tire. What do you do when that happens? Well that depends. Do you carry a spare inner tube, or have a tire repair kit? Do you have tire levers in your saddle bag? Are you packing a

Read more . . . How To Repair A Bicycle Tire

July 21st, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bike Train Expands Service

New Bike Train pilot showcases green travel option to Muskoka and Ontario’s Near North

The award-winning Bike Train Initiative is once again expanding service in Ontario, this time to Muskoka and Ontario’s Near North. On three pilot weekends cyclists will be able to board the Ontario

Read more . . . Bike Train Expands Service

July 20th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Canal Days Mountain Bike Race

Back by popular demand is the 2nd annual Canal Days Mountain Bike Race on Sunday Aug 1, 2010 in Port Colborne, ON.  A citizen’s event, CDMBR is bigger and better with a more festive atmosphere. The race will feature some of the most challenging trails in Southern Ontario. There will be twisty trails,

Read more . . . Canal Days Mountain Bike Race

July 13th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg's Ride

SHARE THE ROAD FOR GREG’S RIDE — OTTAWA

GREAT FUN!!          GREAT RIDE!!          GREAT CAUSE!!

August 29, 2010, Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre (Britannia Park)

In June 2006, OPP Sgt. Greg Stobbart was hit by a truck as he rode his bike on a rural road. He died as a result of

Read more . . . Greg’s Ride

July 13th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My Tour de France

By Monika Blewett

Mention the Tour de France

Read more . . . My Tour de France

July 12th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Beat The Heat

By Diane Stibbard

Now that summer is well underway, some parts of the country are hitting record high temperatures, with humidity levels running between 60 and 100 percent. Hot weather is a challenge for cyclists but don’t worry, your body adapts to these conditions quickly.

How? Within ten to twelve days you’ll start sweating earlier, and you’ll

Read more . . . Beat The Heat

July 8th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Road Cycling: Cornering

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

It doesn’t matter where you live–whether it’s in the mountains or down on the plains–you’re going to encounter curves in the road. The essence of good cornering is maintaining your speed, safely. To do that you have to carefully choose your line through the turn, determine the appropriate speed, be aware

Read more . . . Road Cycling: Cornering

June 30th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mountain Biking is for Old Ladies Too!

By Hella Comat

There I was, on a bike trip in the Nevada desert, using tweezers to dig cactus spines out of a stranger’s butt, and having the time of my life. More about the spiky plants later, but if you thought mountain biking wasn’t for a 50-something lady, I am living proof that

Read more . . . Mountain Biking is for Old Ladies Too!

June 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CycleFit Chicks Cycling Club: developing strength, skills and comradery

By Sheila Ascroft

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Sylvie D’Aoust, creator of the “CHICKS” club 2nd from left

Some women need more than just a bike and an open road. They want the cycling skills to feel confident and companions who won’t intimidate them.

“We want people to NOT feel intimidated about joining the club,” says Sylvie D’Aoust, creator

Read more . . . CycleFit Chicks Cycling Club: developing strength, skills and comradery

June 28th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LUNA Sport: Cycling Gear Just for Women

You’ve probably heard of of LUNA Bars—those yummy nutritional energy snacks made especially for women—but did you know that LUNA also makes cycling clothes? Inspired—and modelled by—the LUNA Chix Pro Cycling Team, LUNA Sport has been designing cycling essentials for women since 2006.

LUNA Sport’s goal is to “develop, test and refine the most authentic women’s

Read more . . . LUNA Sport: Cycling Gear Just for Women

June 25th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Training Plans For Cyclists

Reviewed by Laurel-Lea Shannon

You may be a beginner cyclist working up to your first 50 km ride (31 miles), or an intermediate rider wanting to improve your time on a 100 km ride (62 miles). Or maybe this is the year you’re chasing down a century (160 km/100 miles). Whatever level of rider

Read more . . . Training Plans For Cyclists

June 24th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Warming Up and Cooling Down

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Cyclists, especially new ones, are notorious for not warming up before rides or cooling down and stretching afterwards. It’s easy to jump on your bike and snort off down the road at top speed. But skipping your warm up before cycling can cause injuries, sore leg muscles, and make you feel short of

Read more . . . Warming Up and Cooling Down

June 23rd, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Eat & Drink Safely on Your Bicycle

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Many cyclists make pit stops to hydrate and refuel but that’s not always possible if you’re riding in a fast group. You may be so focused on hanging on to the pack that you don’t realize you haven’t been sipping from your water bottle or eaten the calories that you need

Read more . . . Eat & Drink Safely on Your Bicycle

June 22nd, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

7 Quick Tips for Cycling in Traffic

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

There are a lot of concerns about the safety of cars and bikes sharing the roads in Canada and the US. We’ve all heard about the tragedies that occur when these two worlds collide. One question we’re frequently asked at Women’s Cycling.ca is: How much of the road are cyclists entitled

Read more . . . 7 Quick Tips for Cycling in Traffic

June 17th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tour de Mississippi Mills

The Tour de Mississippi Mills is designed for everyone – with 30, 55, 80, and 100 km rides led by local riders. These rides will be geared for families, teens, seniors and long distance riders.

Registration: $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 16, $25 for

Read more . . . Tour de Mississippi Mills

June 17th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cycling Lite

Finally, A Weight Loss Program For Women That Works!

Cycling Lite takes you back to basics about weight loss.

No gimmicks . . .

No diet food . . .

No bull . . .

Just the basic facts about how you can
lose weight now and keep it off forever.

Cycling Lite

June 10th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Keeping Fit in the Off-Season

This Winter Get Four Months
Coaching From A Pro

Would you like to be

Read more . . . Keeping Fit in the Off-Season

June 10th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Team LUNA Chix

Back Row (L to R): Yonina DeKeyser, Christie Fix, DiAnn Bottomley, Renee Dessens, Emily Nolan| Front Row (L to R): Cindy Weisz, Sara Rigel, Tamara Teague, Kay Valasquez | missing from photo: Amanda Stoneham

Launched in 2001, Team LUNA Chix is the brainchild of Gary Erickson, co-owner of Clif Bar

Read more . . . Team LUNA Chix

May 31st, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Family on Bikes: Cycling the Pan-American Highway

On June 8, 2008 Nancy Vogel, her husband John (both school teachers) and their 10-year-old twin sons Daryl and Davy, left on a 2 1/2 year bicycle odyssey, traversing the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Patagonia, Argentina.

This year Daryl and Davy turned 12, while still on their cycling trip. The

Read more . . . Family on Bikes: Cycling the Pan-American Highway

May 31st, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hill Climbs on Your Bike

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Hill climbs are challenging for all cyclists and can be intimidating for beginners. Hills are where inexperienced riders often get dropped from the pack. But finding the right gear, cadence and technique can turn the most grueling climb into an enjoyable ride.

Climbing is all about conserving energy, and how you

Read more . . . Hill Climbs on Your Bike

May 28th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *