Moxie Vixen Cycling Jersey: Visibly Cool

Moxie Cycling Company'sT-Back Vixen combines style with visibility.  WindMax Helmet and Ability Eyewear by Rudy Project

Summer cycling is always a challenge. The sun, heat and humidity can all but ruin a ride. Personally, I love the cool breezes a sleeveless singlet can bring but always have to make sure my underthings don't show.
That's why I was so impressed with Moxie's designs in women's cycling jerseys. They totally get it. These little numbers have an included nylon support bra so simply throw this bad boy on and ride. As the company says: "Even busty ladies can feel 'locked and loaded' without needing additional support."

Moxie Vixen Cycling Jersey
The bold pattern of the Vixen offers maximum style and road visibility so get ready to turn heads. This is not a line for wallflowers although if you are, you can easily come out of your shell in the Vixen. This design was actually created by one of the company owners and as you can see it's just fabulous!

Moxie Vixen has ergonomic seams & a tag-less design

Material Goods
Moxie's Vixen and their many other styles are made of a substantial moisture transport fabric. The fabric is almost like that of a spandex Tankini and I suspect you could even use this top for a triathlon or swimming as getting wet wouldn't cause it to creep up or show through.

Heat Transfer
It's long been known that having your armpits exposed to the cooling breezes allows your blood to also chill out. The Vixen offers design specific ventilation points to release heat just where you need it, keeping you comfortable even on very hot days.

Got Your Back 
One thing I think is important in a cycling jersey is that it covers your backside even when your riding down in the drops or using your aero bars. This jersey has some structure so it's not going to fly up or inch up on you. The three rear pockets lay very flat and really you don't notice them unless you look closely. However the point is, you WILL be noticed in this cycling top and for me, the more visibility the better. Along with bold patterns like this, add as many lights on your helmet, bicycle and yourself as possible. Here on the back of the WindMax Cycle Helmet, we have a Super Nova Red Firefly LED Light. Set it on blink and add a bit of extra visibility and safety to your next ride.

T-Back design and rear pouches of the Vixen. Super Nova Helmet Light by Road ID.com

 

Rapha Womens 100: The Ride, Wildlife & Kit of the Day

On the highway for the FIRST ever Rapha Womens 100 Sportive

Somewhere in the wilds of NJ:Today is the day! I've been training for this first ever women's sportive and was awake at 4:30am. I was so excited! Training last month saw not one but two rear flat tires. However when I checked my computer this morning it seemed it wasn't reading anything but the time! I didn't have time to consult the "pit crew" so I took off as the sun was rising along with the heat.

Training for the Ride
I didn't go crazy with training but simply used my heavier Nishiki Sport Touring bicycle for most of my rides. With added bags, panniers and rear trunks, it's at least 20 lbs heavier than my Terry Symmetry. I've enjoyed smoothies with Rainbow Light Protein Energizers and that's really all I had before my ride today. I wasn't hungry nor did I "bonk" on the many hills I took along the way. It also gave me a bit of a head start on the hydration I was going to need because it's supposed to be over 90 degrees (again) today. I also trained in the heat to acclimatize myself to the hot weather.

Hydration Issues
The logistics of doing more than half a century ride includes taking along enough water. My Womens 100 route is a very rural one so refilling once you're out there was iffy. I took along a 24 oz and 12 oz Thermal Polar Bottle and stuck the smaller one in my rear jersey pouch. Filled with ice, they stay refreshingly cool for extended rides. The other problem is that us women need restroom facilities, (at least I do), as what goes in must come out. So riding in open country can be an issue there too.

Wildlife Challenge
I did see a group of other women cyclists while I was stopped to take some pictures during my ride. I asked if any of them were doing the Rapha Womens 100 today and they all said "No". So that was the first time I'd seen a group of all women riders out. What I saw more of was all this crazy wildlife!  First a snapping turtle was in the road and I stopped along with a police officer to shuffle him over.  Here's Mr. Snappy ready to blow a hole in my front tire.

Snapping turtle about the size of a dinner plate that I nearly hit during the Womens 100 today.

Not only was Mr. Turtle obstructing the road but I also saw wild turkeys and their chicks running along side the highway. There were also goats and horses, (they were NOT in the road thank God), a low flying hawk and a turkey buzzard. This was SO beautiful but you have to get up early to see wildlife like this. I think if I had left too early, I might have missed seeing them as most cycling eye wear can be a little too dark to wear before sunrise. I knew this was going to be an issue so I left at about 6:15 am.    

Refueling
Having had a liquid breakfast, I was doing really well energy and hydration-wise. However as the sun was rising ever higher, so was the temperature. It was already in the 80's and rather humid when I left. So when I finally did stop to refuel, I had my Chocolate #9 Agave Gel and lots of cool water.  This is a low glycemic energy gel for a slow burn but it revived me very quickly so that I was able to sprint for the last leg of my ride home.

I keep  Chocolate #9 in my Medical Kit for bonking emergencies.

Space Issues
The thing is that on my touring bicycle, I have a rear rack which can accommodate all sorts of trunks, panniers and baskets. My Terry Symmetry is a sport bicycle so I only have the bare minimum of carry on luggage. I have a little wedge seat bag hung onto my aero bars and that's it! Still I am able to fit this Ultralight-Watertight Medical Kit .5, extra medicines, feminine supplies, my cell and a few gel packs. I also keep a few packets of Topricin homeopathic pain cream and some Bayer aspirin. Trust me, these small items offer a major comfort when you're out on the highway away from civilization. Travel light but right.

A horse farm as seen from the roadway on my Womens 100 ride today.

My Kit of the Day: Giordana's Womens Trade FRC (FormaRed Carbon)

The NYC Metro area is in the middle of a heatwave with temps in the mid 90's and humidity almost as high. At 6:15 am it was already above 80 degrees as the night time temps did not cool things off very much. So I picked a high performance kit which offered lightness, wicking action and a UPF of 50+.

My Giordana Kit washed and drying on the clothes line.

The Jersey
The Giordana FRC Trade Jersey has everything I love in a cycling top and more. Made in Italy these garments offer a WCF or Women's Contour Fit.  They totally get that we are not flat like the guys and this kit fits like a second skin. Not only that, even riding in the heat and humidity was a joy. So light and airy. Built in sun protection also kept things from heating up. Three rear open pouches made it easy to carry an extra water bottle which I needed today and a little zippered pocket can hold some cash or your cell. I especially like the wide arm bands which were comfortable while staying put. They are covered with reflective material so night riding in this kit will be no problem.


The Bibs
The Giordana FRC Trade Bib Shorts had just the right amount of padding without being bulky and uncomfortable. Long rides in the saddle can tire anyone but I was very much in charge with their flexible chamois called the W Cirro O.F. Pad. This was designed for their top of the line women's bibs and is incorporated with Aloe Vera to cool, protect and fight bacteria. The memory foam has a waffled texture and helps in venting and perspiration management. In fact after my ride when I took them off, the chamois was surprisingly dry! The shorts are made of the same high tech FormaRed Carbon material that makes the matching jersey so light and wicking. Same thing for the wide leg bands that stay in place while giving you a smooth leg line.

My kit of the day included Rudy Project's Wind Max lid, also being worn by Peter Sagan in the TDF.

  
The Wrap
All in all I am very pleased and thankful for the day as I logged a personal best and was treated to an amazing show of woodland and water animals. While I have done many charity rides and a mountain bike competition, I have only done about 14.5 miles at a time. Today I did 20.9 miles and could have done more. My original route for this sportive was detoured due to a local bridge being out, so I had to be a bit creative in re-mapping a ride that was both safe and scenic. I believe I succeeded on both and I'm happy that I didn't hit any animals or have any accidents or flats. Those women riders whom I saw on my ride don't know what they just missed. An opportunity to participate in a worldwide event that pushes us women to reach a goal...together.  Well, maybe next year?

X-Training Diary: Nike Leaner Legs, My Menu & Cycling Kit

KIT OF THE DAY: Rudy Project wins this round with their: Windmax Helmet, Kylix cycle eye wear and Long Sleeved Team Racing Jersey. Gore Bike Wear Shorts, Smartwool Hy-Fi Knee Warmers, Pearl Izumi Cycling Gloves.

Training Day
Well the temperatures finally broke a bit in the northeast and even though it was windy, 63 degrees felt pretty good!  As you may know, I am in training for the Rapha Women's 100 Cycling Sportive coming up on July 7, 2013. Now for the past two or three years, I've ridden through the winter but since Hurricane Sandy hit my area, there is still so much debris on the side of the road along with fallen trees whose branches lean in to snatch you. I have used my bicycle for short errands but that's not the same as a good long fitness ride. Over the next three months, I'll try to give you a snap-shot of one of my training days including what cross training exercises I did, menu ideas and my Kit of the Day.  Here we go with day one:

Oatmeal is delicious, full of protein & fiber. I'm going to need it!

Nike Leaner Legs
So I started off today with a group outdoor exercise class. It was beautiful outside and about 53 degrees at the time. We did the Nike Training Club App: Leaner Legs which takes you through 15 minutes of leg toning jumps and lunges. Just what I needed!  To fuel all this fun here is my breakfast & lunch menu:

Breakfast: 1/2 cup Oatmeal + handful of dried cranberries & 1 tsp. coconut oil

(15 Minute Nike Leaner Legs Workout plus lots of water)

Lunch: Egg Salad on 1 slice whole wheat bread. 2oz portion of grilled boneless skinless salmon & whiting

(After lunch, 6 + mile bicycle ride on my Nishiki Sport Touring)

Dinner: Homemade California Pizza with Avocado & bell peppers

Salmon is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and can help with post exercise recovery.

On the Road Again
After lunch, it was time to hit the road (bike). My strategy (yes I do have one) is to train on the heavier Nishiki Sport Touring bicycle replete with stuffed panniers for that extra drag. This should strengthen my legs and make it easier to push a much lighter bicycle on the day of the ride. That would be my Terry Symmetry.

Cycling Kit of the Day
I chose the long-sleeved Rudy Project Racing Jersey because it was windy today and I didn't want to get chilled. The full zip feature allowed me to regulate my temperature very easily and I like that it is white and highly visible. I topped it off with their new Windmax lid which is super light and airy. I could actually feel cool air blowing over my scalp! Comes with a bug net to allow air in but keep those critters out.

Rudy Project Kit - 
The Rudy Project Racing Jersey, helmet and glasses were so comfortable for my opening day ride. 100% polyester it offers some sun protection. Three open pouches in the back. Soft spun, it allows just the right amount of air to pass through so I stayed comfortable and dry.

Rudy Project Windmax Helmet - This thing is so light and comfortable.  Weighing only 250 grams (8.8 ozs) with out accessories, it is my favorite lid.  Comes with a removable mountain bike visor and insect net plus extra replacement padding for a custom fit.  Turn the knob in the back to dial in the perfect fit for your noggin. Helmets are always a problem for me due to my long hair but this one has that situation covered.

Rudy Project Kylix Eye Wear - I really like these for style and their ability to accommodate my eyeglass Rx. The nose and earpieces are totally adjustable but the payoff are the inter-changeable optics. I'm wearing the Lazer Red lenses here but most of Rudy's eye wear allows you to replace the lenses with another color / tint according to your specific riding conditions.

Smartwool Hy-Fi Knee Warmers

Smartwool Hy-Fi Knee Warmers

I wanted to wear my Gore Bike Wear shorts today but it was still a little too cold for all that air to be hitting my quads sooooo. I added these soft Merino Wool knee warmers from Smartwool to the kit. The silicone bands both on the skin and fabric sides keep them in place. They didn't move for the whole ride nor did they cause my shorts to shift.

I really can't say enough about these.  You get double duty out of your shorts and short sleeved jerseys because you can add these and extend the season.  It's still not warm enough to me for bare arms and knees.  I guess I'll be using them a while longer until the temps heat up.

Another side benefit I noticed is the leg/thigh compression the knee warmers offer. This gave me a little unexpected boost on the hills the first day out.  Thank you!

Smartwool Knee Warmers & RoadID Bibs on my Terry.

Next Stop, Bib Shorts!

I enjoy my cycle shorts but nothing beats the comfort and convenience of bib shorts.

Next to my Smartwool Knee Warmers, I enjoy wearing my Road ID Bib Shorts.  You never have to worry about pulling them up so they make the perfect companion for longer, more intensive rides.

So are you taking on the Rapha challenge or any others this season? Share what exercises programs or apps you're doing to get in shape this spring!

My "Trainer".  I figure with all the stuff I have in these panniers, I should shape up in NO time!