Links
The following information is intended to help you on the road to better riding and healthier living. Many of these tips and articles began as emails answering questions from clients and club members. If you'd like to submit an article or share a tip, email it to: lorri@velogirls.com.
CONTENTS:
Cycling: General
Analytic Cycling -- This one's for all you true bike geeks out there (you know who you are). Calculate cadence, speed, aerodynamicism, gear ratios, and all the other truly fascinating things you'd chat about at a cocktail party (with other bike geeks, of course).
Bay Trail -- maps to all the bike paths/trails in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Betty Bike Gear -- convenient accessory kits for roadside bike repair
BicycleCoach.com -- Your one-stop resource for information about professional bike coaches in the United States. This site features some great articles and tips written by USA Cycling licensed coaches. Yes, you'll find a little more about Lorri there, too!
BicycleLawyer.com -- Gary Brustin, sponsor of the Velo Girls Bike Basic Clinic, is a cyclist who specializes his legal practice in bicycle personal injury.
Bicycling Magazine -- Articles and forums for cyclists,
whether recreational or competitive. A great source of gear info and answers to technical
questions.
BikeCal.com -- Online guide to rides, events, news, and classifieds in California.
BikeJournal.com -- a fun, interactive, FREE way to track your rides.
Bike Map Dude Productions -- laminated map guides to all the best off-road riding in the Bay Area and Southern California.
BikeResults.com -- A fun little site with all kinds of race results, racer bios & photos. Check out the Bay Area Velo Girls and see what they've been up to.
BikeSutra.com -- Great links, great karma, need we say more! Here's a link to the women's resource page, which includes a number of cool women's cycling message boards.
Bicycling
Street Smarts -- The best on-line cycling guide we've seen. Written
by John S. Allen and published by Rodale Press (free online).
Brave
Soldier -- a basic guide for treating road rash
(ouch)!
Cycle Disciple -- news and analysis for the professional cycling fan. Lots of gossip and fun articles.
CyclingSingles.com -- an online "dating" site dedicated to helping your find the man or woman of your dreams who just happens to ride a bike!
Cycle California! -- A ride calendar and online
classified ads for the Californian with a yen for two-wheeled adventuring. The online home of
the free magazine of same name.
Cycling News -- world cycling news -- race results, gossip, industry news, and great photos, too! And they did a little piece on Velo Girls' 1st birthday, along with our victory at the 2003 Pilarcitos Stage Race, our fundraising success for The Breast Cancer Fund, and our Junior Velo Girls Initiative. They've also posted our photos from the 2003 Snelling Road Race.
Cycling Performance Tips -- an incredibly thorough resource with easy-to-use guidelines for training, nutrition, and other topics cycling-related.
Daily Peloton -- probably the most women-friendly & inclusive cycling news on the web. They've done a number of articles about Velo Girls, including Girls Got Skills, our $14,000 fundraising effort for The Breast Cancer Fund, and our Junior Velo Girls Initiative.
ErgoBike -- a scientific publication on proper bike fit. Try it online!
Fixed Gear Fever -- a great little site with tons of information on track racing.
Hash House Harriers -- okay, so they're runners who drink. Velo Girls have been known to tip a few after a good ride. This is the HHH bike links site (very comprehensive).
Impressions from Bicycle Travels -- Visual stories from America and Asia by a couple who met and fell in love on a cross-county bike ride (how romantic!).
Ken Kifer's Bike Pages -- Ken has collected the best of the best on the web for cyclists -- commuting, humor, traffic & safety, touring, lots of good stuff!
Klimb -- interactive route builder for the San Francisco bay area.
MikeBentley.com -- This guy has a very extensive collection of bike links (educational, regional, clubs, equipment).
National Bike Registry -- A national registration database that's used to help recover lost & stolen bikes. Only $10 for 10 years! What a great deal.
Northern California Velodrome Association -- news and information about Hellyer Velodrome (San Jose, CA) track racing.
Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association (NCNCA)
-- the regional support organization for rracing in this area.
Road Bike Rider -- one of the
best all-around references for road cyclists of all abilities. Free weekly email newsletter
and amazing e-books! Ed and Fred are our heroes!
SheldonBrown.com -- an extensive collection of cycling articles written by one of the coolest-looking men on a bike!
Sweet Pea Biycles -- Portland, OR based builder of custom bicycle frames for women.
Team Speed Queen -- Giana Roberge's (former women's coach and assistant general manager of Team Saturn) newest venture -- uniting women's grassroots and elite cycling to create a better world!
Trips for Kids -- one of the coolest cycling organizations out there, with a wide variety of programs focused on getting kids on bikes. "Trips for Kids Marin is a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit that provides mountain bike outings and environmental education for kids that would not otherwise be exposed to these types of activities. Our goal is to combine lessons in personal responsibility, achievement and environmental awareness through the development of practical skills and the simple act of having fun. The Trips for Kids Re-Cyclery program focuses on recycling used bikes and bike parts and provides job-training programs for youth. The bikes that the program repairs provide safe, environmentally friendly and affordable transportation for both children and adults."
TrueSport.com -- racing calendar, results, photos, and articles in a
very user-friendly format.
United Bicycle Institute -- the international authority on all things mechanical. And, they teach a week-long women's bike maintenance class. The website has some incredible links. Bike geeks, go now!!!
USA Cycling -- the governing body for racing in
the United States.
Velo News -- the journal for competitive cycling.
Wrench Science -- Custom bikes with a cool on-line bike fit calculator (try it, it's fun!).
Women's Cycling & Sportswear
Adventure Chix -- Women's Mountain Bike Camps with Allison Dunlap.
Bike Friday -- although these super-trick bikes aren't designed just for women, they've got an entire series -- the petite series -- designed just for smaller riders.
Discord Designs -- Jewelry from Recycled Bicycle Parts, locally-made in the bay area.
DOL Active Wear -- Super cool custom cycling wear, including super-cute little skirts, designed and manufactured here in the bay area. Perfect for the Cinderella Classic!
GirlBike.com -- online shopping resources and
editorial for all girl bikers! Published by former Bay Area cyclist, Crystal Waters. Includes
a great reference for plus-size cycling clothes.
Harlot -- a fresh approach to cycling wear for the savvy woman, named after the term used to describe the world's first cycling women who shortened their long skirts or wore pants in order to ride.
Lucy -- Lucy's mission is to: "To provide selection, style
and service to active women of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels." Lucy has locations in
New York, California, Washington, and Arizona, all stocking some of the cutest athletic wear
available.
Luna Cycles -- Custom women's bikes made in New Mexico by a really cool woman (yes, a woman) named Margo Conover.
Luna Tours -- Cycling Adventures for Women!
See Jane Run Sports -- San Francisco-area women's resource for clinics, training, clothing, and all else running (and now triathlon too!).
Team Estrogen -- The online mecca for the stylish
cycliste. TE stocks the latest gear in a range of sizes (yes!). In addition, TE
provides reference and education for cycling women. And Team Estrogen is a proud sponsor of Velo Girls for 2003! Thanks, TE!
Terry Precision Cycling -- Terry
Cycling designs, manufactures, and sells products designed with the needs (and comfort) of the
femal cyclist. In addition to a generous line of cycles designed with women-specific
geometry, Terry has a cool line of cycling clothing and gift ideas for the cyclist
who already has almost anything
Title IX Sports -- Founded in 1989,
Title IX is a groovy company that provides both a catalog and retail outlets for female
athletes.
Health & Fitness
Active.com -- Online registration and training
plans for running, cycling, triathlon, and more!
American College of Sports Medicine -- The ACSM's
mission is to develop and provide high-quality credentials and continuing education programs
for health and exercise professionals, and to promote and educate the importance of exercise
to the health and well-being of all individuals.
American Council on Exercise -- Resource
for finding a fitness facility, personal trainer, and lots of gret fitness articles.
Bumblebee Fitness -- Personal Training with a focus on plus-size women, based in San Francisco. Owned by Velo Girl, Sharon Snyder (go Sharon!).
City Athletes -- an online resource for athletes in the SF Bay area, including club listings, fitness articles, and other local resources.
Cyberdiet -- An online resource providing
community support, tools, and educational material for individuals trying to get fit and/or
improve their eating habits.
Fit Day -- excellent tool for tracking
your exercise and nutrition -- and it's free!
Gaiam.com, Inc -- Incredible, natural health & fitness resources. Great collection of yoga videos & books!
FitMD - Women's Health and Fitness Planner
Matisse & Jack's -- Bake-at-home energy bar mixes made with whole ingredients like organic oats and flaxseed, with no refined flours or trans fats.
MyFitnessPage.com -- Very robust online training journal for running, cycling, resistance training, walking, swimming, and more! Also includes a nutrition journal.
Nicole Baggett, RD -- As an athlete herself, Nicole understands the demands of training and balancing good nutrition while optimizing physical performance.
NutritionData.com -- a handy little site that maintains a larger food database than the USDA. Includes information on fast foods and food additives, and provides useful tools for analyzing your diet.
Powering Muscles -- great training and nutritional resources from Pacific Healthlabs (the makers of Accelerade and Endurox) -- with a very impressive editorial board and contributing writers.
Race Day, Inc. -- an organization dedicated to providing funding for endurance athletes and sports programs. Make a donation. Or apply to receive funding!
Sharkies -- some of the coolest exercise food out there -- filled with carb, minerals, and electrolytes. Check 'em out!
Advocacy
East Bay Bicycle Coalition -- Dedicated to promoting bicycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation, and safeguarding the interest of bicyclists in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
League of American Bicyclists -- The
League of American Bicyclists "promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and works
through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America"
Peninsula Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition --
The Peninsula Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is dedicated to understanding and advocating for
the needs of all residents who desire to bike and walk as an alternative to the car
in California's San Mateo County. The coalition undertakes a number of activities to meet this
goal, including work to increase the public space on roads for bicycles and pedestrians,
educating the public, and influencing organizations in the area that have an impact on
bicycling and pedestrian issues. Pen Bi Ped is also the host of this handy on-line incident report to be used if you have an "incident" with a car/driver in San Mateo county. $1 of every Velo Girls membership will be donated to the Pen Bi Ped in 2004.
ROMP -- Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers -- the oldest off-road cycling advocacy group in the Bay Area. Presently, they have about 400 members who are concerned with trail access in the San Francisco South Bay and Peninsula regions. To accomplish their mission of leading the participation of mountain cyclists in the trail community, they work with local cycling industry leaders, government agencies, and other trail user groups. Such work is necessary to protect our rights to our public parks and open space.
Rails to Trails -- Founded in 1986, the Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) is a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters
who work to "enrich America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of
public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors"
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition -- An
alliance of thousands of people in the San Francisco area who ride bicycles and want to
encourage more people to ride bicycles too. Thousands of members work together to educate,
organize, and lobby in line with their mission to improve city life through promotion
of cycling as everyday transportation.
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition -- A
Silicon Valley-based coalition dedicated to organizing, discussing, and taking action on the
common concerns of cyclists in the area.
Street Smarts -- an innovative educational program in San Jose, CA, focused on educating drivers about sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists.
Transport
Come visit us in the Bay Area! Public transportation is available when you don't want to ride
your bike, or want to cart your bike somewhere else in the area. Ferries, trains and buses are usually
equipped with a bike rack. Check out the sites for schedules, route maps, and more info:
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) -- serving the
east bay and San Francisco.
Better World Club -- like Triple A for your bike. Annual membership service that provides roadside assistance (repair and towing) for you & your bike!
Bike to Work Day -- May 15th, 2003, ditch the car and try commuting by bike for this fun, annual event. Who knows, you may never go back.
CalTrain -- serving San Jose, the
peninsula,and San Francisco.
Commute.org -- Commute and alternative transportation resource for San Mateo County.
San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority -- one-stop shopping for information about all the ferries in the bay area.
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition -- links to bike transportation maps for the entire bay area.
General Interest
Full Moon Days (or would that be nights) -- did you know that every full moon of the year is named? April is the Full Pink Moon (our favorite, followed by the Full Flower Moon in May).
Intellicast Weather -- radar on demand, including video loops of 6-hour weather changes. Great for planning your rides.
Sunrise & Sunset Tables -- if you don't want to ride in the dark, you need this site!!!
The Weather Underground -- super-fast, easy to use, up-to-the minute weather site.
Clubs
Velo Girls is the best cycling club in the Bay Area! CitySports Magazine says so, in their
first annual CitySports
Best of the Bay Reader's Poll. Of course, there are plenty of other great cycling clubs out
there. Here are some of our friends:
Artemis Racing -- based in the Washington, DC metro area, Artemis is dedicated to promoting women in competitive cycling -- and they were chosen "Women's Club of the Year" in 2000 and 2001 by USACycling as recognition of this effort! Yay, Artemis!
Bay Area Women's Cycling Association -- dedicated
to promoting women's bike racing in the San Francisco Area. Hosts a monthly women's group ride the
first Saturday of the month.
Cycling Sisters -- women's cycling club in Chicago.
Desert Foxes -- a new women's cycling club in Arizona.
Dirty Divas -- women's mtn bike team in Kentucky -- also produces women's mtn bike clinics.
Dotsie Cowden -- official website of pro racer Dotsie Cowden. Includes some inspirational content about her rise from recreational rider to top-ranked pro in just 4 years and her history as a high fashion model suffering from anorexia, bulemia, and cocaine addiction.
Fremont Freewheelers -- Produces the annual Cinderella
Training Ride Series. Learn to ride in a fun, safe, environment. The goal is to complete the
Cinderella Classic in March.
MTBChick.com -- national women's mountain bike team based in Boulder, CO.
Northwest Womens' Cycling -- committed to improving the quality of women's bike racing in the Pacific Northwest.
Ophir Milan -- Women's cycling club in
Sacramento, CA.
Serotta's Women's Road Series Camps -- three day clinics for women in Colorado Springs, CO; Saratoga Springs, NY; and Madison; WI.
Single Track Sistahs -- Women's mountain bike club based in Boulder, Co. Rides, clinics, and racing (all while giggling & gabbing).
Team Speed Queen -- Giana Roberge's (former women's coach and assistant general manager of Team Saturn) newest venture -- uniting women's grassroots and elite cycling to create a better world!
Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Touring Club
-- Based in Dublin, California, the Valley Spokesmen presents the Annual Cinderella Classic -- a
metric century just for girls and women. They also host a monthly women's group ride on the
Third Saturday of the month.
Velo Bella -- Our neighbors in Monterey, California.
Velo Bella is a cycling club and team for women of various abilities and interests.
Women Cyclists -- The website for the Yoplait Women's Cycling Task Force. Great resources, articles, and links for women cyclists.
WOMBATS -- Women's Mountain Bike & Tea Society, based in Marin County, California. National Organization for women who love mud too much -- chapters include Alaska, New Mexico, and Massachusetts as well as the California contingent.
And here's an interesting article about the Yoplait Women's Cycling Initiative (including a mention of Velo Girls).
And this little tidbit from DailyPeloton.com includes some thoughts, ideas, and quotes about women's cycling from some of the coolest women in cycling.
Bike Shops
There's a rumor going around that girls like to shop. Well, the truth of that depends on the
girl. When we Velo Girls go shopping, often as not we come back with gifts for our bikes.
You might find us browsing or supporting the economy of any of these fine local bike shops
in the Bay Area:
Mike's Bikes -- Mike's Bikes is thrilled to be supporting the Velo Girls this year! Stop in to get 10% off bicycles and 15% off parts, accessories, and clothing with proof of current membership at any of shops. With 6 stores in Northern California (Sacramento, San Rafael, Sausalito, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Palo Alto), we're easy to reach from all corners of the Bay. And at each location you'll find world-class customer service. As the #2 Specialized and Cannondale dealer in the U.S., we're always stocked with a vast selection of the industry's best -- including a vast array of women-specific bikes and clothing. And since our talented staff ride their bikes every day on some of the best road and mountain terrain in the country, their enthusiasm for all things bicycle translates directly into a positive sales and service experience for everyone who walks through the door.
The Bicycle Outfitter -- Los Altos. TBO has one of the best selections of women's cycling clothes I've ever seen and they give a 10% discount on clothing and accessories for Velo Girls members.
Big Swingin' Cycles -- two locations in San Francisco. They'll offer Velo Girls a 10% discount on parts & accessories.
The Bike Hut offers rentals, repairs and youth training on Pier 40 in San Francisco's South Beach. Opened in 1996 as an outpost of the Bicycle Community Project, it's a resource for local cyclists and a center for skills training for kids from low-income communities.
The Bike Kitchen -- a cooperative bicycle repair shop run by volunteers in San Francisco's Mission District. Volunteers always needed (and you can earn membership or bikes or parts). Rumor has it they're starting a women's night in summer 2004.
BIKERx -- mobile bike repair service in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Chain Reaction Bicycles -- Redwood City. The guys at Chain Reaction have introduced so many women to Velo Girls that now they're complaining that they don't have anyone to ride with anymore (sorry, guys)! They have one of the best women's clothing sections of any bike shop we've seen and they'll offer Velo Girls members a 10% discount on all cycling apparel.
Cycle City -- Located in Alameda, Cycle City is owned and managed by a woman (imagine that!) and she offers a 10% discount to Velo Girls members. Go girl!
Cycle Sports -- located in Oakland, Cycle Sports offers some great clinics and organized rides. And they're proud to support Velo Girls by offering a 10% discount on everything but labor to Velo Girls members.
Go Ride Bicycles -- located in Redwood City, Go Ride offers Velo Girls members a 20% discount on clothing, accessories, and service, and a 10% discount on bikes.
La Dolce Velo -- Owned by Velo Girl, Jacquie Mardell, La Dolce Velo focuses on road and triathlon, with a full line of bikes, clothing, and equipment. They offer a 10% discount to Velo Girls members.
Ocean Cyclery -- This Family owned shop in San Francisco has a unique twist! Owner, Sabine, approaches cycling from her European heritage as cycling for utility and transportation. And, as a new mom, she's got lots of resources for women who want to bring their children along (including infants). In addition, Ocean Cyclery carries a full line of bikes for the entire family, from commuter to recreational rider to racer! Ocean Cyclery is pleased to offer Velo Girls members a 10% discount on parts and accessories.
Palo Alto Bicycles -- In, um, Palo Alto. The webmaster at PA Bikes likes our website so much he included it in his "best of" pages. Thanks!
Travel Resources
California Association of B&Bs -- This statewide association of quality-certified Bed & Breakfast establishments now presents a special directory of bicycle-friendly Inns. Criteria for qualification for this distinction include unique accommodations, locked bike storage and a hearty, healthy breakfast in the popular California cycling locations. In addition, most inns are happy to provide area bike maps and some laundry services.
Undiscovered Country Tours -- Run by Velo Girls member Mary Morse and her husband, Terry, Undiscovered Country Tours offers full-serivce weekend get-aways throughout California. Velo Girls members give them rave reviews!!!
Velo Girls Member Sites
Just a sampling of who we are and what we do.....
Fleeting Moment Photography -- Tiffany Bianco's site -- the official photographer for the Bay Area Velo Girls . Her photos rock!!!
The incomparable Downtown Julie Brown -- Velo Girl and ALC Training Ride Leader Extraordinaire!
Teresa Callen -- If there's a Velo Girl who can make you look and feel beautiful, it's the fabulous Teresa Callen.
Sarah Clatterbuck -- follow team velo girls member, Sarah, as she shares her experience racing and off-the-bike!
Fran Davis Raquetball --
professional coaching & camps by a former US National Champion, US National & Olympic Coach.
Lise Dumont Photography -- A pictures speaks a
million words. See for youself!
Annette Flores -- join Annette as she prepares to complete AIDS LifeCycle. MUST READ! Annette is a talented writer and one funny velo girl!
Tina Leonardi -- Velo Girls member (and sponsor), Tina will help you finance the home of your dreams!
Jackie Link, our resident tourist, folding bike expert, and Sunday ride leader, shares her thoughts on retirement, politics, and life in the great city of San Francisco.
Lorri Lee Lown's California AIDS
Ride journal from 2001.
Jan Medina -- Velo Girls member (and sponsor), Jan will sell you a fabulous house in San Francisco.
Allison Miller spins on the bike and on the web (and
helped develop this links page!)
The life & times of Beatrice Murch -- one of our very first Velo Girls .
Read about the life of Bernie Png, a web developer, rat lover, mountain bike rider, and Mac addict.
Stasha Powell, aka Miss Morte-- our resident
Goth Biker Chick!
Bumblebee Fitness -- Sharon Snyder's Plus-Size Fitness Training site.
Su Legal Group -- Jessica Su's legal consulting services -- Legal Services that make Business Sense.
Lauren Wu -- Venture capitalist, YMCA group exercise instructor and aspiring triathlete. Go Lauren!
|
