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
Updated: Saturday, 16 June 2007 11:57 AM EDT
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