The Daily Feed Archives // womenspecific.com

Daily Feed Archives

March 2006

March 31, 2006
Posted by Jannine

A Women's Specific Blog Fest at the Sea Otter Classic*

Next week from April 6-9 Womenspecific.com will be at the Sea Otter Classic reporting on all of latest race news from a women’s perspective. The Sea Otter Classic, in Monterey California, is one of the largest bike events in the U.S. drawing in over 10,000 athletes and 40,000 spectators. This event is commonly considered the season opener for the cycling race season. It will be a women’s specific blog fest. We will be posting a daily blog on the races, interviews and events that occur through out. We will also be reporting on the latest and greatest in cycling products for this season. Be sure to keep logged on to womenspecific.com and our Living Adventure section all next week.

March 29, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Guava Girl Women's Cotton T-shirts

A soft, light, and simple solution for a tee shirt that not only looks good, but gets complimented. I do not know how many people who have seen me in this t-shirt pause mid conversation, and say, “guava girl”, and then continue with the conversation. The name sticks! When I found out this company was run by a couple of ladies out of Newburyport MA, I knew it would be a good product. As a southern New Hampshire-ite, I remember visiting Newburyport for the arts, cafes, and boutiques that make it so unique. It had to be an out of the ordinary artsy, cool, and fashionable, product. It’s the perfect match to any pair of blue jeans.

March 29, 2006
Posted by Jannine

A glorious morning on Glory.

When I woke up this morning I assumed this day would be like every other day. With the exception that we received a bunch of snow and we were going to start the day out with a hike and snowboard off Glory Mountain.

March 24, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Contourwear Women's Keyhole Top

“Ohhhh, Mama, yooouuu look beauuutiful,” exclaimed my three 1/2 year-old daughter the other day when I tried on the long-sleeved cranberry red Countourwear Keyhole top. She is sweet but loves me too much to be trusted as the fashion police. The sassy neckline with tear-drop hole that shows some skin just above my jog bra did divert my husband’s eye away from his computer a few minutes later. But it wasn’t until later that evening when one of my sixteen year-old volleyball players said “Hey coach, nice shirt,” that I was convinced it really did look great.

March 21, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Out for the count.

The human body is absolutely amazing. You can go from a full day of skiing where you are feeling great and on your game. Then two hours later you are shivering ferociously in your zero degree sleeping bag because you have a fever. Yes, I have spent the past two days going through bouts of shivers into bouts of massive sweats. Lovely!

March 20, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Sperry Top-Sider Women's Pelican Boot

Yes…it is getting into the mud time of year here in the Rockies. The snow is starting to melt…well, just a little bit this year. We are still enjoying great skiing. I ain’t afraid of no stinkin rain and mud…I got me some sassy new boots.

March 20, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Amanda's final day at the Cycling House.

Womenspecific.com’s Amanda Riley has just posted her last report from the Cycling House in Tucson, Arizona. Her last day brought her back to the reality of cycling in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. BUT…as you can also read in her account of Lotoja, this woman is not a rookie to suffering. Her outlook on why she cycles and suffers is a lesson to be learned by us all.

Please contact Evan at the Cycling House if you, your team, or just a group of the girls want to head south next winter for some pro cycling treatment. Sounds like you won’t regret it.

March 20, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Final day at the Cycling House: Brought back to the reality of cycling in the Rockies.

My trip to the Cycling House ended with a bang. I enjoyed the climb up Mount Lemmon on Friday so much I decided to do it again this morning. After 2 hours of climbing it started snowing. “Seriously,” I asked myself, “could this really be happening? I’m in Arizona!” Snow and then driving rain pounded me for the next hour and a half, a harsh reminder of the weather that will greet me when I touch down in Wyoming tonight. After the 15 mile descent, I got to the base with teeth chattering (this optimist didn’t pack a raincoat for Tucson), lips blue, everything but my core numb, and leaned my bike against a guardrail. There, I did sets of pushups and jumping jacks until I was warm enough to ride again.

I ride not because I have to, but because I want to; really, really want to and a little inclimate, 40 degree weather isn’t going to stop me from having another great day on the bike. I easily could have called Evan up for a ride and he would have come immediately with clothes, food and hot tea. But, I enjoy pedaling in tough conditions. In the long run, it helps me deal with life’s more pressing challenges. So what, if I’m cold. I just deal with it and move on. So many times we get so wrapped up in the little things we’re unable to recognize the beauty and greatness of the big picture. My big picture is that I am healthy and able to go out and ride, ski, hike and enjoy life. That is no small thing and it deserves daily appreciation. A little rain can’t change that!

I returned to the house where Evan served up a hot-out-of-the-oven lunch suited for royalty. We traded bad weather hypothermia race stories as we sipped gourmet, uber strong coffee. Evan is the master of coffee, a beverage no cyclist should ever go without. Be on the lookout for The Cycling House coffee. Evan is personally picking the beans and roast type. As with everything else he does at the House, he’ll produce the best coffee around.

In closing, The Cycling House has it nailed. I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of this experience. I rode 400 miles over 6 days, got a ton of good quality training and recovery done, got a little tan, relaxed and learned a lot. The House provides the ideal atmosphere to ride, improve your fitness and training techniques and learn about nutrition essential to cycling all in a comfortable, welcoming setting. If any of you are interested in a trip next winter, get in touch with Evan (evan@thecyclinghouse.com). He’s planning on an even bigger house next year, so ask your girlfriends, tell your teammates and think about going even on your own. I promise you won’t regret it!

As for me…I’m happily headed home, but not so happily returning to riding on the indoor trainer. Although life as a pro sure would be fun, I think one of the things I’d enjoy the most is returning home after time away. I love riding, but I also love my boyfriend, my dog, and most importantly, my life in Jackson Hole. I am, however, already scheming on how I can get there again next winter. You can bet it’ll be a lot longer than a week.

March 19, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Betty Bike Gear Flat Tire Kit

Sisters are doin’ it for themselves!

For good or bad, gone are the days of a maiden in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor to rescue her. Women everywhere will love the independence and freedom that comes from knowing how to do it yourself.

Betty Bike Gear offers a flat tire repair kit that comes cleverly packed in a water bottle. A couple of sturdy tire levers and glueless patches are accompanied by a Red Zepplin CO2 cartridge and valve. A handy take-along laminated instruction card reviews how to take off either wheel, remove, repair and replace the tire, and how to inflate. Carry it right in the water bottle cage and ride on!

March 18, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Day 4 at the Cycling House: Keeping the addiction fed.

I’m happy to report that today’s ride brought more joy than pain. We started the 75 mile almost 5 hour ride at 8am, with aspirations of making it to an all you can eat sushi buffet for lunch. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes and eggs, I slathered on sunscreen, suited up, pumped my tires, got my water bottles and went on my way.

I was anxious to see how my legs responded to climbing for 2.5 hours straight, especially with my new compact crank. There was a 45 minute spin to the base of Mount Lemmon which loosened my legs and warmed me up, but the next 2 and a half hours were all uphill. Thankfully, I felt so good I was able to appreciate the scenery. Granted, I’ve put the time in on my trainer all winter to prepare for efforts like this and lots of telemark skiing all winter may have helped. But mostly, I think I just enjoyed the overall experience a hard climb brings to a cyclist.

The road up Mt. Lemmon is stunning. It gains 6,000 feet in 27 miles high above the town of Tucson, winding through canyons so beautiful it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road. There was hardly any traffic and I spun my way up for hours, rocking out to my ipod, occasionally checking my heart rate, enjoying every minute of knowing the only thing I had to do all day was ride.

What took 2.5 hours to ascend took about 40 minutes to descend. It was very windy, and the strong gusts made descending at 40mph a bit sketchy at times. And that just added to the beauty ride. I got so much of why I love cycling thrown at me today; the freedom and rush of a big mountain descent and the clarity, focus and thinking time climbing provides. Riding hard and fast is a pure and clarifying experience, and these experiences, like the ones I’ve had in Tucson, feed my addiction to riding bikes.

Evan was right there with us all day driving the support car, shuttling back and forth making sure we all had water, enough clothes and were comfortable. Pretty much consistent with the entire week here! We ditched the sushi idea to lounge by the pool post-ride and take advantage of the picture-perfect weather. Good thing, because I finally got the guts to take a plunge in the unheated outdoor pool. It may be Arizona weather, but it had Wyoming water temperature!

March 17, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Happy St. Patricks Day! A few tips on endurance.

Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish to keep you feeling fresh tomorrow morning after a long night of Car Bombs ...I suggest first bombing yourself with Emergen-c and then liters of Sport Tea in the AM. By noon you should be ready for a day of skiing. My grandparents will be proud!

Keep logging on to our Living Adventure section for daily updates on Amanda Riley’s experience at the Cycling House in Tucson, Arizona.

March 17, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Day 3 at the Cycling House: The bike shop...a girls best friend!

Today was the first day I rode on my own. After 2 days of group rides, it was good to get out on my own and do an easy spin after 2 days of long, hard efforts. I spend a lot of time riding both my road and mountain bike alone in Wyoming, so I was happy to have the opportunity to ride solo down here.
My morning spin was followed by an afternoon massage that Evan arranged for us ahead of time and more of the usual. Fantastic food, relaxation and an evening core strength workout and yoga session out on the patio. The Cycling House sits upon a hill overlooking mountains and saguaro cacti and I did my practice as the sun set into the gorgeous desert skyline.

March 16, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Winter is still very much here: Avalanche Beacon Reviews

I woke up yesterday with the idea of getting an early morning ski in before I started my workday. I went over to my computer and pulled up the avalanche forecast, only to check out the wind and temperature. Little did I realize that it snowed 7 inches over night and that they would be closing Teton Pass for avalanche control. March in the Rockies is so unpredictable. With my gear all packed up I decided to get some work done and wait till the afternoon to go for a ski with a friend.

Keep logging on to our Living Adventure section for daily updates on Amanda Riley’s experience at the Cycling House in Tucson, Arizona.

March 16, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Day 2 at the Cycling House: 75 miles of rolling hills at 78 degrees...aah!

The best thing about this entire experience is how comfortable I am. From the second I met Evan Lawrence, the owner and manager of the Cycling House, he has made me feel right at home. I feel like I am crashing at a friend’s place like I have done so many times before, but this time with the added benefit of a talented, experienced cyclist who is willing to share as much of his knowledge as you would like. Any level cyclist would surely have a similar experience, as everything about the Cycling House points to the fact that Evan has gone to great lengths to make anyone feel at home.

He custom tailors every day to meet your training goals. Meals are prepared to your liking and you can help yourself to anything at any time. Daily core workouts are available, but not required. Magazines ranging from Surfing and Outside to Yoga and Oprah cover a homemade table (a surfboard mounted on table legs) providing entertainment for any taste. Although Evan is a Category 1 road racer, he’ll happily ride along at a 60-year old grandmother’s pace. He just wants to make sure everyone is having fun.

We did another great training ride today, 75 miles along endless rolling hills in beautiful 78 degree sunny weather. The miles are long, yet so much time has been spent on recovering from our efforts, my legs and body feel fantastic. The Cycling House fulfills our daily on-the-bike and recovery fueling needs with Hammer Nutrition products. As an experienced and religious Hammer user, I know these products have everything to do with why I feel so good!

After dinner, I called home and my boyfriend told me it had snowed 7 inches on our deck at the base of Teton Pass in Jackson Hole. I looked down at my sunburned legs and smiled to myself, knowing there were probably a lot of cyclists up north wishing they were sitting where I was right now. Next year, I’ll be sure to drag at least a few of my training partners with me!

March 15, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Day 1 at the Cycling House.

My first day at the Cycling House has me fixated on how I can possibly turn pro. Could this really be what life is like for a professional cyclist?

Today I awoke to the smell of amazing coffee, ate banana strawberry pancakes I didn’t make myself, watched my bike be assembled for me, spent a leisurely hour stretching and doing core strength in the warm, beautiful Arizona sunshine and then set out for a 4 hour, 70 mile training ride among cactus and blue-bird skies. This was all in good company. Just to make sure I had it all right, after a long recovery stretch, late afternoon lunch (also prepared for me) and an hour long siesta, I watched the movie Overcoming, a documentary about the pro cycling team CSC and their season surrounding the 2004 Tour De France to examine the pro lifestyle. Yup…life at the Cycling House is fit for a pro. The focus is purely cycling, cycling and more cycling.

Today was a day of firsts. First day riding in Arizona. First time riding my new carbon fiber Felt F1C road bike. First day riding a compact crank. First time in almost 5 months riding on a real road, not on a trainer. First day of the year I got to work on my hideous cyclist’s tan, one that only a true rider takes pride in. First day, I think ever, that the only thing I had to do all day was do what I 110% love to do…Ride.

Tonight I’ll fall asleep on quite possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on to dreams of doing all day and every day what I did today. Good thing I’ll wake up for the next 5 days to a dream come true!

Please login here to participate in our forum on compact cranks.

March 15, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Sunny days of cycling in Arizona: Day 1 at the Cycling House.

Womenspecific.com’s, Amanda Riley, has posted her first entry from the Cycling House training facility in Tucson, Arizona. If you have a case of the winter blahs and you are dreaming of turning those cranks check out this article. My blahs were held at bay today as I enjoyed 7 inches of fresh powder skiing. BUT…they will certainly come back once I get back on the trainer. Ugh! Amanda will be contacting us over the next 5 days with updates on her experience. Keep logging on to our Living Adventure section for daily updates.

March 13, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Arc'Teryx Women's Beta SL Jacket

When I found out our weight restriction for taking a helicopter in to the Fairy Meadow Hut I frantically thought of ways to go light as possible. After ruling out fasting to make more allowance for chocolate and beer I decided to focus on the gear.

March 12, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit & Thermolite Emergency Bivy Sack

March 11, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Womenspecific.com logs in some training miles at The Cycling House: Tuscon, Arizona

Are you getting bored of riding those indoor trainers? Looking for an escape to some warm weather before the soggy spring hits? If you are an avid cyclist and would love to log in some fully supported training miles you might want to check out the Cycling House in Tucson, Arizona.

Please check our Living Adventure section daily starting Monday, March 13th, to follow the daily postings from Amanda Riley during her stay at The Cycling House.

March 10, 2006
Posted by Jannine

The Cycling House: A fully supported training facility.

After riding my bike on an indoor trainer 5-6 days a week for the past 4 months in wintry Jackson Hole, Wyoming, an offer to ride at The Cycling House in Tucson, Arizona was almost too good to be true. When I heard the news, snow covered the ground outside my window and the thermometer was in the single digits. I quickly checked the weather in Tucson: 78 and sunny. I bought a plane ticket an hour later.

March 06, 2006
Posted by Jannine

These year's AMAZING WOMEN award goes to...Lunafest.

While some people were preparing to watch the Oscars, Scott accompanied me to LUNAFEST. No, we did not dress up in costume and dance around a fire praising the moon. Instead, we gathered in a theatre to praise women. Unlike the competing Oscar Awards night, we were praising women for who they are as a whole. There were no lavish outfits and fancy hair-dos…just naturally beautiful, compassionate, giving, women. Scott represented only 10% of the men in the audience…he turned to me and said…”Honey, I am here to empower you.” After laughing our *x%x?’s off we were treated to great film festival.

March 06, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Uvex Corus Women's Ski Goggle

“Low pro” she said when I asked my backcountry she partner how they looked. “Sexy,” is what the he partner replied.

March 02, 2006
Posted by Jannine

4th Annual HERA Ovarian Cancer Climb For Life Las Vegas Hits Record Numbers.

The fourth annual HERA Climb for Life Las Vegas held February 25 – 26, more than doubled last year’s fundraising effort. The two-day climbing event raised just over $22,000 in cash for the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation. Last year the event raised $10,000. A portion of the funds will remain in Las Vegas with the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada. There were 125 participants at the Red Rock Climbing Center on West Charleston Blvd. on Saturday and a group of 19 climbers climbed for life in Red Rock Canyon with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides on Sunday.

March 01, 2006
Posted by Jannine

You live you learn! I love this job.

Yesterday, Margo Conover, from Luna Cycles, contacted me regarding my prior blog. Luna Cycles specializes exclusively in the fit and performance needs of female cyclists. Luna is the only frame builder in the country with a woman designing and building all of their bicycles. Luna Cycles with a few other custom frame builders, depend on low overhead websites for the majority of their business. Therefore, I must make an exception to my personal judgment towards online purchases.

March 01, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Icebreaker Women's Oasis Crew (Skin 200)

This piece is the lightweight champion of the world. It is so soft you won’t even realize you’re wearing it. Odor ceases to takeover for days which makes it really nice for travel, active wear, snow sports and everyday use.