FitSugar

A Reader Buys Her First Bike and Preps For a Bike Race

Fit Community — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:49 PDT

Being a beginner cyclist didn't stop FitSugar reader bjeanne18 from participating in a 15k bike race! She shares what it was like to shop for a bike and prep for her big race day in our FitSugar Community.

The 15K bike race was part of the Corporate Challenge. I signed up for the bike race and a 5K run and they are the first races I've ever competed in as long as you aren't counting elementary school where I was downright legit at the water balloon relay. Word.

I probably got into biking around January when the BF and I decided to look into getting bikes. We went to our local Richardson Bike Mart and told the salesman we were total newbs and looking for beginner bikes. He nods his head as if he understands us and says, "Ah yes, so the sub-$1000 range." Sub-$1,000?! Um, wow. I really was under the impression a $300 bike was a lot of money. I mean, I still have to be able to afford shoes.

So I get completely schooled/versed on bikes and read a lot of stuff online but I still can't part with the money for a nice road bike - I ended up going with a hybrid Men's DiamondBack but I absolutely love it. It cost me a little less than $300 from Sports Authority and came with a free tune-up in the first year. I like that my seat is more cushion-y than actual road bikes and that my handles bend back slightly so I can sit up straight when I'm riding. It's a lot more comfortable.

Read on to learn more about bjeanne18's bike race prep.

A FitSugar PSA: Wear a Bike Helmet For Goodness Sake!

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:30:26 PDT

While Pink was in Berlin for her Funhouse Summer Carnival tour, she still managed to take time off to enjoy the city. We LOVE that Pink's idea of fun is riding a bike, especially while traveling, because it's a great way to check out a new city and get in some exercise at the same time. Still, I gotta ask, "Pink, where the heck is your helmet?"

Allow me to just rant a little bit and remind all of you how very important it is to wear a helmet while biking. A bike helmet may not be the most fashionable accessory, but it could be what saves you from sustaining a serious injury if you're ever in an accident. And even though you might be a safe biker, you have to account for the fact that not everyone on the road is. In a sense, a bike helmet is akin to wearing a seat belt in a car. And because accidents happen, better safe than sorry, right? If I still haven't convinced you, take into account a report stating that that helmet laws have cut the amount of bicycle related deaths in children by 50 percent.

Love It or Hate It? Antler Handlebars

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 May 2010 10:00:00 PDT

UK-based designer Sung Kug Kim debuted his Bi-King antler bike handlebars at ICFF this year. Not only are they hilariously brilliant and take the antler trend to a whole new level, but they're also beautifully polished, made of wood and chrome. What do you think? Would you rock these antler handlebars on your two-wheeler?

Etsy Finds: Bicycles Built For Home

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:00:00 PDT

In case you didn't know, May is American bike month. The Spring month often provides folks the ideal weather for a ride to the park with a picnic basket in tow. To celebrate the age-old pastime, I'm highlighting some of my favorite whimsical wheels for this week's edition of Etsy Finds.

Electronic Foldable YikeBike: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:29:51 PDT

If bikes were as ubiquitous as cars, the ozone might not look like lace. In addition to being a great form of exercise, biking is also a great way to deal with heavily trafficked urban streets. In case you don't want to pedal, but still don't want to sit in traffic, there is the YikeBike. This mini two-wheeler is electric, so there is no need to pedal. It has been redesigned in other ways as well. The handlebars are next to the seat so you sit upright instead of hunched over to improve visibility. The speed is limited, so it can only go about 12 mph (20 km/hour), even downhill. Being fairly new, this bike costs around $5,500 - considerably more than a really nice road bike. Check out this video to see the YikeBike in action.

Do you like the Yike?

Oh Snap! Bikers Promise to Dress If Israel Lets Them Ride

TresSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:28:14 PDT

Earlier this week the Israeli government voted down a bill, which would have funded procycling projects. So last night naked cyclists rode around Tel Aviv as part of a nighttime protest, calling on the government to support cycling. Hey, at least they saved their nudity for after dark! One of these days I want someone to find out if all these nude protests actually get results.

Do You Store Your Bike Indoors?

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:24 PDT

I've had more bicycles stolen in my lifetime than I can count. Living in a city, it's just a reality you must come to terms with. In college, I always bought the cheapest bike I could find, $45 at most. But, bikes are precious to me, regardless of how inexpensive they are. So, sometimes the smartest thing to do is just store it in indoors, as cumbersome as that may be. Luckily, there's more and more stylish bike storage these days, to make a bike indoors less of an eyesore. Is yours indoors?
Photo by Todd Selby

Casa Verde: Put Your Bike to Work

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:00:05 PDT

If you're moving across country, probably the most eco-friendly way to handle the move is to sell your things on Craigslist, and then buy furnishings in your new town off of Craigslist or at thrift and antique stores once you've settled. If you're just moving across town, there's no reason to get rid of your stuff. But the earth-friendly answer isn't to rent a U-Haul, either. That hogs gas, and costs money! Instead, put your bike to work! San Francisco blogger, biker, and photographer SFWiggle recently moved, and decided to borrow a Bikes at Work Bike Trailer from the San Francisco Bike Coalition. As a member ($35/year), you can check out a trailer for free, which you can use to lug anything from your briefcase and groceries to your mattress or a sofa. Check with your local bike coalition to see if they offer a similar service! If not, Bikes at Work Trailers are available for purchase.
Source

Cool or Not: Topshop Designing Cycling Gear

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 PDT

After invading New York retail, Topshop is now invading the world of cycling gear. According to the UK Telegraph, this week the fashion-forward retailer is releasing a line of biking shorts, jackets, and accessories for female cyclists. The edgy, brightly colored goods were designed by Cyclodelic and will be available in the UK. British safety experts caution that hats and headscarves are no substitute for helmets, but I'm loving the bags in particular. Would you pick this stuff up?

Source

Roundup: Velo Love

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:00:29 PDT

The Spring weather has found me eager to pedal my bike onto city streets and run errands on two wheels. There's nothing like a leisurely bicycle trip to the farmers market or the post office on a sunny Spring day. Who doesn't love combining exercise, fun, and shopping trips into one outing?

Of course, you needn't restrict your bicycle obsession to city streets. Why not bring a little velo love into your home? I'd start with this Anthropologie Two-Speed Wallpaper ($198). I've blown up the wallpaper in this photo to show you the detailing, but when it's on a wall, the pattern is much more subtle. I love the color scheme and the juxtaposition of florals with the bicycle's shape.

To see some other favorite bicycle finds,

Design House Stockholm - 'carrie' bicycle basket by dhs - Sold Out	Tandem Bicycle Canvas, Set of 4 - Sold Out
Bike Pillow - Sold Out	Matte Stephens The Duke Of NY Riding His Bike - Print - Sold Out
Anthologie Quartett - catena wall clock by andreas dober for anthologie quartett - $2,338.00	Bike Wheel Table - Sold Out
Hybrid-Home Bike Love - Light Green Limited Edition Print - Sold Out	Two-Speed Wallpaper - Sold Out