The Bike Diva reviews a variety of cycling, running and triathlon clothing, equipment, and nutritional products. Go to the Product Endorsement page for complete details.
10/21/2014
Bike Diva is a FitFluential Ambassador
The Bike Diva was chosen to be a FitFluential Ambassador!
What is a FitFluential Ambassador?
Are you passionate about fitness and inspiring others through your healthy lifestyle? Interested in introducing new products to your audience, working with brands on your social media channels, and finding support to take your online endeavors to the next level? Then you may be the perfect candidate to become a FitFluential Ambassador!
FitFluential Ambassadors are social media influencers who work with FitFluential’s brand partners. FitFluential’s goal is to successfully connect brands in the fitness space with influential fitness enthusiasts. An ideal match is one where the FitFluential Ambassador (and their audience) matches with the brand’s target market. Our Ambassadors have a strong presence on their social media channels, high quality content with a definitive voice and a passion for fitness-related topics.
Cycling is slowly becoming everyone’s favorite hobby. It is fun and it also allows you to exercise properly. Many people are including it in their regular workout regimen and cycling is now at par with swimming. Not just that, cycling to work can help you in doing your bit for the environment. Children can cycle and lead healthy lives which would help them to grow and become healthier adults. Apart from bearing in mind safety consideration I also make sure I have a decent padlock, I have replaced a few bikes due to theft. However, in order for cycling to be as fun as it is supposed to be, you have to make sure that you follow all the safety pointers.
The following are top 5 safety tips for cyclists :
1. You Should Follow Legal Cycling Rules – If you follow the legal laws for cyclists, half your job would be done. This means that you should never cycle when the red lights are on. Also, don’t cycle through when the lights are on at the pedestrian crossings. Cycling on pavements is not legal unless you see a sign showing that the particular pavement is also a cycle path. On a one-way street, you shouldn’t cycle up the wrong way unless you see a sign showing that it is okay for cyclists to do that. Don’t ride across pedestrian crossings except in case of toucan crossings.
2. Try to Maintain Cycling Etiquette – Cycling etiquette might sound like something that you can ignore but it isn’t. There is a reason why it’s common etiquette – it leads to better safety for people and cyclists. This means that you should not weave your cycle in and out of the traffic. Don’t change your direction without signaling first. Even though it is not compulsory, make use of toucan crossings, cycle boxes, stop lines and cycle routes for safer cycling. It is always prudent to give priority to pedestrians. Some pedestrians could be disabled, deaf or blind, so you should be careful around them. If your cycle does not have a bell, get one fixed to inform people of your presence on the road.
3. Always Wear a Helmet – Even if you follow all the traffic rules, accidents can still happen. On the road, things happen pretty fast and there isn’t a lot you can do. Also, because there are other drivers and pedestrians involved, sometimes, because of no fault of your own, you can find yourself in a dangerous situation. Your bicycle could tumble and you could get hurt. In such a situation, you would be grateful that you were wearing a helmet because it will protect you from serious and severe head injuries. You can also wear shin and elbow pads to protect from scratches.
4. Don’t Listen to Music While Cycling – It is common to see cyclists listening to music on high volume when they are cycling but this can be extremely dangerous. This is because with your headphones on, you will not be able to hear other people sounding their horn. It could lead to accidents. Not only could it be fatal to you but it could also cause accidents to other people. Similarly, you should not speak on the phone, even if you are using hands-free headsets to do the same. Any blip in your concentration could be disastrous. If you get a call, stop at a safe stop and then take it.
5. Wear Bright Clothing During Low-Light Conditions – Because you are on a bicycle, it is important to be visible to others on the road. It is recommended that you get some lights installed on your bike but otherwise, you can also wear bright clothes in fluorescent colors to get people’s attention.
These tips will make sure that you can enjoy cycling safely.
I spend most weekends at my friend's house out in Loxahatchee, Florida which is about 35 miles from my apartment in Boynton Beach. He lives right across the street from 60,000 acres of JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area.
I do a bit of trail running and mountain biking out in the Florida wilderness. We are going into the hot and humid summer of south Florida, so this time of year I try to get my workouts in either early morning or later in the evening.
I often start my workouts very early, before sunrise, or later in the day as the sun is starting to set. I have a road bike, mountain bike and cyclocross bike and don't have the $ to buy 3 different bike lights. I've been looking for a bike light that was rugged, yet easy enough to switch between bikes.
Let Me See the Light
LumeneX was kind enough to send me one of their bike lights to test out and review for the Bike Diva blog. The light has 2 parts - a small flash light that gets attached to the front of your bike near the handle bars, and a small red tail light. Both lights use one of those flat watch/hearing aid type batteries.
The LumeneX bike light is exactly what I was looking for. It's light weight, battery operated, and easy to switch between bikes. The front light is adjustable from a wide beam of light to a fine pinpoint of light, depending on where you are using it. I use the wide beam setting when biking on roads and the pinpoint beam while riding on the trails.
Above: the Lumenx bike light attached to my Felt Breed single speed cyclocross bike.
Bike Light Product Description
The Lumenx mountable bicycle headlight is a powerfful 2-in-1 portable LED bike light that will shine up to 500 feet and can effectively light up your path every time. Its LED lights are shockproof with a higher light output and life span than other competitive incandescent bulbs.
It is protable and easy to install and remove with no tools needed. It fits around any handlebar, seat post frame tube and more. The Lumenx bike light is available on Amazon.com.
Guaranteed to be made of the highest quality materials and gives the highest safety and security possible.
Characteristics:
*Up to 500 feet light visibility
*1x - 2000x zoom and flash mode
*Made up of durable military grade aluminum
*Flexible silicone water-resistant body
*Energy-saving feature that ensures long-lasting battery life
Above: Lumenex tail light attached to the seat post of my cyclocross bike.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I recently got to try the QSpeed CoQ10 supplement from Nuline Nutritionals. Instead of having to swallow a pill, this supplement comes in a fast melting tablet. You simply place one or two tablets in your mouth and they instantly melt away.
CoQ10 is known as a supplement to help restore energy levels. I like taking these tablets mid-morning, after my early morning cup of coffee has worn off and it's not quite time for lunch. You know that time of day when you feel like you might fall asleep at your desk but it's too early to sneak out to grab a bite to eat.
According to Web MD "Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance similar to a vitamin. It is found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. It also functions as an antioxidant, which protects the body from damage caused by harmful molecules."
CoQ10 is also used as a supplement to help speed recovery after working out. In fact the QSpeed CoQ10 package directions say to take 1 to 3 tablets 20 to 40 minutes before you start exercising. Dr. Andrew Weil mentions the many benefits of CoQ10, " Since this enzyme is found in high concentration in heart muscle cells, deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular problems including angina, arrhythmia, heart failure and high blood pressure. Problems with blood sugar regulation, gingival (gum) health, and stomach ulcers have also been associated with CoQ10 deficiency."
QSpeed CoQ10 Product Description
QSpeed Fast-Melt CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is clinically tested and proven to be effective. We proudly flaunt our Award Winning Heart Health Supplement, internationally recognized for taste and quality. Nuline Nutritionals utilizes a patented formulation that creates a tablet that melts in your mouth in seconds, while also delivering a full dosage in just a single tablet. Our guarantee is that QSpeed will always be sugar free, gluten free, caffeine free, free from artificial flavorings, coloring, and preservatives, and each ingredient to be non-GMO. Further, our CoQ10 is top quality, as we only utilize 100% natural CoQ10.
QSpeed is a great alternative to pills and capsules, as no water is needed. Just pop the tablet in your mouth, and it will melt immediately with a great taste.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Above: Shandali travel towel comes in small or medium in gray, navy or light blue.
I recently got to test out a microfiber towel from Shandali. I do a bit of running and cycling and always carry a small towel in my gym bag. I don't like beach towels, they take up a lot of room, and once you use them you're left with a stinky, wet mess. Shandali was kind enough to send me one of their small, ultra sport travel towels, which measures 20" by 40".
I use one of those chamois cloth towels on the rare occasions when I go to the gym or pool to go swimming. Chamois cloths have to be wet to work, so they are great to dry off after swimming but not so great if you're just trying to dry off after a hard workout in the woods. I probably should have gotten the medium size towel, which would have fit better on the driver's seat of my van so I could use it to sit on during the drive back home after running/biking.
Great Sports Towel
The towel is very thin and folds up neatly to fit in the bottom of my sports bag without taking up a lot of room. The towel is made from super absorbent micro-fiber which doesn't get soaking wet after using it. I do most of my workouts outdoors, far away from a gym. I am a heavy sweater and need to have a towel to dry off after working out before getting back into my van.
I carry the towel with me at all times. It's a perfect way to dry off after a hot and steamy trail run or off-road mountain bike ride. The sports towel would also be perfect for taking to the beach or packing with your hiking and camping gear. So if you are looking for a great sports towel, and are tired of using soggy beach towels, give the Shandali travel towel a try.
Above: UltraSport Travel Towel by Shandali.
The Shandali Travel Towel Available on Amzon
Lighten your load and stay dry all day long with new and advanced microfiber lightweight material
ULTRA-ABSORBENT & QUICK-DRYING: Support your active lifestyle with a towel that absorbs wetness and drys 10x as fast as a cotton towel
TRAVEL | SPORT | CAMPING | BEACH: Shandali UltraSport Travel Towel is multi-purpose towel that allows you to use the same great towel in multiple places. Enjoy it during a relaxing day at the beach, a kick-*** workout at the gym, or while you're camping out on a kayaking trip.
100% MICROFIBER MATERIAL: Soft on your skin, super-durable, and extra-compact so you hardly notice it's in your bag. Take it backpacking and keep your load light.
COLOURS: Comes in Pebble and Stone, River Blue and Light Blue.
SIZES:
S: 20"x40" inches
M: 24"x48" inches
BASICALLY:
Super Absorbent! Ultra-Fast-Drying. Light and Tightly Packed Towel. Perfect for Camping, Backpacking, Shower.... And best of all, No Bleed Dye!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Check out this great infographic on the Great 8 Top US Cities for Cycling. Hmmm, I live in south Florida, no surprise we didn't make the list.
Tucson, AZ is a great place to ride. I had a chance to do the 100+ mile century ride, El Tour de Tucson, back in 2007. I would love to travel to Seattle, WA and spend some time cycling - road trip anyone? What's your favorite US city/state for riding your bike? And what kind of cycling are you doing there - roadie, mountain, triathlon or something else?
Brought to you by:SpareFoot.com - See more at: http://blog.sparefoot.com/eight-best-cities-for-cyclists/#sthash.oaGHpkcR.dpuf
Matt works on the SpareFoot marketing team and specializes in SEO. He enjoys reading "interesting" blog posts by Matt Cutts, watching sports, and jammin out to the latest underground hit.
Did you know that May is National Osteoporosis Month? Dr. Mario Trucillo, Managing Editor of the American Recall Center, just sent me this infographic to share with my Bike Diva followers. Click on the infographic to see a full size version.
Today's infographic on triathlons is brought to you by London Cycling Insurance. Please click on the image below for a full size version of the World Triathlon London infographic.
ISSAQUAH, WA, May 15, 2014 – Bicycle Adventures, the leader in North American bicycle touring, is proud to announce that it is the presenting sponsor of a brand-new, one-of-a-kind cycling experience taking place in June in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
“We’re committed to promoting cutting-edge bicycling opportunities for enthusiasts of all interests and abilities, so when we had the chance to sponsor a cycling event never before offered in the U.S., the Suncadia Cycling Festival, we jumped,” said Todd Starnes, owner/president.
Starnes’ team is helping coordinate three days, June 27-29, celebrating all things bicycle in the mountains of Washington State. This is a fondo-style cycling weekend with a mix of dirt, pavement and gravel cycling on three courses that celebrate the beauty and charm of Suncadia http://www.suncadiaresort.com/ and neighboring towns on the sunny side of Washington's Cascade Range. There is also a special family ride planned during the weekend.
“As gravel roads are disappearing under asphalt, it’s interesting to know that bicycle riders are discovering, or re-discovering, the pleasures of these often tertiary routes that convey life in the country and mountains as it used to be,” says Starnes.
The event is designed for bikers of all ages and abilities. Families are encouraged to join the fun. Starnes hopes that this will become an annual event in this region and that other sections of the country can follow this lead.
Bicycle Adventures has designed and will offer special lodging, meals and riding packages for the weekend event. For more details please see:
For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: or visit online at: http://bicycleadventures.com/.
About Suncadia
Suncadia has quickly become a recreational playground for Seattleites and travelers across the Pacific Northwest. Located 80 miles east of Seattle in the Cascade Mountains, Suncadia is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering a unique combination of activities and amenities that make it an ideal Northwest getaway and resort residential community. Suncadia Resort received the 2013 AAA Four Diamond Award, the fourth time the resort has received this award since its opening in 2007.
Suncadia is set on six miles of pristine Cle Elum River frontage, with 80 percent of the resort community designated as open space. It features over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails and is a certified Built Green Community. Its three golf courses - Prospector and Rope Rider Golf Courses and the private Tumble Creek Golf Course - were ranked among the top ‘10 Best New Courses in America’ in 2006 and 2011 by Golf Digest. Rope Rider was named 2011 Best New Course of the Year by Golf Magazine.
Suncadia Resort is operated by Destination Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Lowe Enterprises, Inc. For more information about Suncadia, please visit www.suncadia.com.
About Bicycle Adventures
Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Casual category trips offer budget-conscious lodging and meals, with the same full van support.
Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii and New Zealand.
# # #
For photos and/or more information please contact:
Sara Widness / /
Dave Wiggins / /
Website and Portfolio of Past Releases: http://www.travelnewssource.com/
Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter:
Above: Bike Diva crossing the finish line after her first ever half marathon trail run.
Although this blog is called Bike Diva, I do a bit of running from time to time. My favorite type of race is duathlons, run-bike-run, so I actually have to do quite a bit of run training. My last official "race" was the Dopey Challenge at the Disney Marathon in January. That was 48.6 miles of running over a 4 day period, the last day being the marathon.
While I've done a ton of half marathons, I've only done 2 marathons. It was quite the struggle to complete 26.2 miles so the thought of becoming an ultra-runner seems a bit intimidating. But there are a few ultra runs near me, including a 50k (30 miles) trail run at one of the local parks. I did the half marathon trail run at the park last year but have yet to put in the training to become an ultra runner, maybe in the future!
Above: Bike Diva (on the right) and members of the Palm Beach Chapter Team in Training about to start on the 4 day, 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge.
Ultra Running is Cool
Ultra running has really hit a vein of popularity in recent years. Whether it’s the challenge, the endorphins, or the thought of pushing yourself further and further to near and often past breaking point is hard to know. However, one thing’s for sure – it’s here to stay.
Whether you’ve begun endurance running, have thought about it at one stage or another or are even a hard-core lover of endurance running there are some essentials that you will need to make the most of your experience.
Pacing is everything
Be a tortoise when running an endurance race and remember to pace yourself. A lot of people find they end up in serious trouble because they try to beat their personal best on race day. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it does greatly increase your chance of becoming injured or tiring yourself.
Mental Prep
Mental preparation for the endurance race is an essential and you have to know that it’s going to hurt and get your head around that fact. Failing to do mental prep will leave you disillusioned and increase the chance of you giving up. These tips should help your prepare for the long slog ahead and the victory at the end.
Hydration and Food
Staying properly hydrated, either with water or an electrolyte solution, is key to long distance running. Food is so important before an event like this and you need to plan what you’re going to eat on race day to make sure you stay focused. Different sorts of foods work for different people and you need to experiment and get yourself out there. Gels are great during the race, but think about what you eat a day or 2 before the race. Foods like oatmeal, jam sandwiches and pasta will help you carboload and are the key to successfully completing an endurance race.
Think Long term
While a blister may not be a big deal during a 10k, if you’re running for up to 10 hours it can be. Prepare for the posibility of a blister in advance. Products like Aquaphor or Vaseline should be used on your feet before you put your socks on, to help prevent blister during the race. Fail to prepare; prepare to fail. You might even want to bring an extra pair of socks with you, in the event you encounter muddy, wet trails during a trail run.
In your Stride
Taking things in your stride by breaking up the run into smaller goals can really make it a lot easier. Give yourself an easy goal, like "I'm going to run to that large pinetree in the distance before taking my next walk break." Take walk breaks whenever needed and remember that once you keep putting one foot in front of the other you’ll eventually reach the finish line. Good running or walking shoes help immensely – WebTogs have a good selection and even stock the excellent North Face Hedgehog – a great shoe for seasoned walkers.
The Gear
Good quality gear can be a significant aid no matter how well-trained you are. The weather, your feet and a range of other things can cause problems, so be aware of these variables and pack and use suitable equipment. Good running shoes, quality gear from companies such as North Face and other items will help. In addition, pack some warm clothing, an extra pair of socks, band-aids, a phone, food and a map to make sure you have no problems when getting there.
Following these tips will greatly improve the chance of your ultra running event being a success letting you feel the pride of completing an endurance event.
