Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide - Pedaling into Fall Part 2
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Advanced Cycling & Cross Training Equipment


Here it is! Part 2 of Off Ice Cross Training : Pedaling into Fall at the Figure Skating Guide is giving you some serious information on advanced cycling for cross training for the ice. Improved cardiovascular and leg muscle strength are only two perks you'll get. Great edge control and balance are often obtained by x-training with cycling. Read the complete reviews at,Off Ice X-Training : Pedaling Into Fall Part I & II by clicking right here: http://www.suite101.com/articles.cfm/9114/ or click on the Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide link to your right.

This is a photo gallery of the BEST equipment and accessories to make your time on the road safe, successful and super!

Many thanks once again to this issue's participating companies including:
Terry Precision Cycling, also representing Giro & Craft, Veltec Group for Look, Sidi, CicloSport, Enervit and Easton, Pearl Izumi, Shebeest, Athleta, Rudy Project, Rollerblade, Lazer, Park Tool USA, Cateye, Sigma Sport, Jerry Boy-PB n' Go, Sinclair Imports for Elite's Ozone Warming Oil and Atsko, makers of Sportwash and SnoSeal.

Each of these companies contributed their time, products and expertise to help me cross over from ice skater to road cyclist. I've made so much progress that I plan to enter the MS Tour next summer. PLUS...I am in More Magazine's January 2005 issue ice skating and discussing my x-training program. I'm also appearing on the CBS Early Show with co-anchor Rene Syler! Our next X-Training Photo Gallery will be a Winter Sports Special with Snowboarding, Sledding, Snowshoeing, Skiing and a lot more.
Thank you all for your continued support!

So I am pleased to launch our NEW online X-Training Photo Gallery format which allows you to click on the thumbnail photos below to read my reviews and comments on each item. All of the products discussed in Part I and Part II of this article series are here PLUS some items for cooler weather cycling and spring touring. Start clicking!:

X-Training with Style, Cyclewear Fashion Show
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Clothes to Hit the Road With!
Ah yes, here it is! Just in time for our Suite 101 Figure Skating Guide "cross training with cycling" articles are some of the HOTTEST activewear. Keeping you cool and dry in new age fabrics such as CoolMax, Sueded Tactel, SilkSkin and much more. If you want to jump start yourself into a x-training cycling program, you can simply get these three essentials pictured below and hit the road. You'll find yourself wanting to take this first item, Athleta's Zippered Hoodie, with you to the ice rink after your ride.




LEFT PHOTO: Warm-Up Hoodie by Athleta in Bayou Blue. Semi-fitted with princess seams, it features an ergonomic hood and a kangaroo front pocket with hidden zip closures at both ends. Fabric, Sueded Tactel=buttery soft. To see more, click here: Athleta, Where Women Gear Up

MIDDLE PHOTO: Pearl Izumi's Women's Heliarc Cycling Shorts. Generous padding, fusion welded seams and Microsensor fabric for high moisture transfer performance. Draw cord waistband for a snug fit. These are the shorts to wear in the summer heat.

RIGHT PHOTO: Pearl Izumi's Women's Gel-Lite Cycling Gloves. Super light weight. Ribbed gel palms for flexible fit. Large wiping surface and mesh area for air flow. Women specific fit. Visit Pearl Izumi at: Pearl Izumi.com


Fact is, hoodies and even some thin chamois cool weather cycling pants can do double duty on the road and at the rink. That's because the padding in the pants will give you some cushioning for the tailbone area should you take a spill on the ice. For example, I tested the zippered hoodie pictured above from Athleta which I used cycling AND on the ice. It transitioned beautifully while keeping me both warm and dry.

HOT TIP! To maintain these fabric's breathability and moisture wicking properties, use Sport Wash or Sensi Clean from Atsko. These special laundry detergents rinse clean and do not leave a film which can inhibit the fabric's air / moisture transfer. Sport Wash also removes odors often associated with synthetic materials. Contact Atsko for Sport Wash & Sensi Clean


More photos are yet to come of some fabulously colorful cycling jerseys but first let's look at some of the equipment and cycling fashions covered in the Figure Skating Guide's September 30th issue, "Off Ice X-Training, Pedaling into Fall-Part I".





PHOTO: This is the Look Pro Team fully zippered jersey and bib shorts. Serious road wear! The top is very easy to get in and out of and has extra CoolMax vented panels under the arms. Very handy zippered back pouch too. The bib short is thickly padded for extended cycling and racing. Padded Look gloves complete the ensemble.







PHOTO: Look Pro Team outfit in red with matching cycling gloves and my Nishiki 12 Speed. Why do racers wear bib shorts anyway? During a race, a rider can lose up to 7 lbs. While this is mostly fluid, it is enough to cause shorts to slide down. Bib shorts have elastic suspenders which prevent that from happening.





PHOTO: Sidi Genius Women's Road Shoes-Hook these up a set of Look A-5.1 Competition Pedals in blue as pictured above and you'll have nothing but power. Sure put some pep into my 12 year old Nishiki. The Sidi Genius Road Shoes offer soft, supple leather in a beautiful iridescent blue and lasted for a woman's foot. Very cool with side mesh vents and preforations. I especially liked the flexible tongue which does not cut into your instep. Both available in the U.S. from Veltec Group by clicking here: Veltec Group USA


Look for more women's cycling fashions and advanced gear next time as we follow up with the October 31st issue of the Figure Skating Guide, "Pedaling into Fall-Part II"


See you on the road....

Dr. Marie Miczak

Front Page News!
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: New Book Gets the Attention of the Press

Hi All,

Following a book signing for The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide at Barnes & Noble on May 17th, the Asbury Park Press, (Gannett Newspapers), ran a full color article covering the event! The May 27th issue offered a two page column which ran in New Jersey's second largest circulation daily.

Staff writer, Joan Marshall, did an excellent job of including information from both the event and the book such as tips for juicing, optimal exercise and how to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with my new Microdermabrasion Crytals Soap. You can purchase the book directly from Lotus Press 800-824-6396, or order online at Barnes & Noble Booksellers Online

What's next on the horizon? Well, I'd like to do a sports conditioning book which covers everything from cross training to makeup. Artistry in Motion is the working title thus far. For more information on my books or my Microdermabrasion Skincare line for a younger, flawless complexion visit Miczak.com's online store Credit cards accepted!

Here is a photo of the front page article:

Posted by Author at 7:31 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 2 October 2004 5:18 PM EDT
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