2015 Rapha Women's 100 Cycling Sportive

Join women from all over the world for the Rapha Women's 100 on July 26th!

Now into its 3rd year, the Rapha Women's 100k kicks off on Sunday, July 26th. I'm signed up and mapping my ride for the day but you can sign up and/or find a local ride HERE.

As I've participated in this ride for two years now, I'll be sharing my route details, training table menu, conditioning tips and cycling equipment on XTreme XTraining. You can click here to see my post from the 2014 Rapha Women's 100 Ride.

My Vespertine Vesp & Terry Symmetry from the 2014 Ride

Spring-Summer Training: Since it still pretty cool most mornings, I have a wide range of cool weather cycle-wear to go from about 48-55 degrees. Layers are going to be essential. I like to ride early in the morning if I can before the sun gets up too high. As July is notoriously hot, I chose to wear very light cycle wear such as the Castelli Body Paint series which was incredibly aerodynamic yet cool. 

Castelli Body Paint Kit & Giro Amare Road Helmet from my 2014 Ride

Giro Amare Cycling Helmet is very light and well vented thus was a real lifesaver in the heat last season. I've added Cat-Ears to the straps since last year's ride and can now hear traffic approaching from behind. They help dampen the wind noise quite effectively.

Cat Ears added to my Amare

So these are just a few tweeks I've made to my cycling kit to help keep me cool as well as safe out on the road. Visibility is extremely important so I keep a very bright head and tail light on all my bicycles and run them during the day. I also wear my Road ID which has all my contact and medical information. I wore it for the More Fitness Women's Half-Marathon too! Really anytime I leave the house for a run, walk or ride I wear it. 
Looking forward to getting to it for this cycling sportive!

Want to Ride With Me?  Rapha Women's 100 Sponsorships are OPEN
I am accepting a limited number of elite, fitness related sponsors for the upcoming Rapha Women's 100 Cycling Sportive on July 26th, 2015. Companies interested in supporting/advertising with me on this ride should get in touch as soon as possible via email at: Drmiczak@yahoo.com

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 Women's 100

This year many women will make a dream their reality. Join us in the Rapha Women's 100K going on worldwide, this July 7th!

I am VERY excited about this upcoming ride event for women.  Really, it's not just a one-day thing. It is a 3 month journey of preparation, training and practice. Better still is that you can do it wherever you are in the world. Yes, you can do this.

If you look at my Ride Video below via my CatEye INOU Cam, my regular route has low traffic and winds past scenic horse farms and estates. My plans are to draft a longer route along the course of this ride for the Rapha Women's 100.   
If you are in the NY/NJ area and would like to join me on my route through Monmouth County, NJ please contact me by May 10th, 2013. I have extra sets of padded shorts, cycling jerseys and other gear that I'm willing to share with the "team". Just let me know your size!
 

  

Rapha Women's 100

On Sunday 7th July 2013 join thousands of women around the world to ride 100km. The aim is to create a global event, with thousands of women taking to the road to complete a 100km journey. The 7th July is the date of the Etape du Tour, the amateur cyclist's chance to ride a major mountain stage of the 100th edition of the Tour de France. Rapha are sending 100 women to ride the sportive, which will form part of the day's festival of riding. The Rapha Women’s 100 is not a competition to see who is the fastest, it is about gathering a global community of women around the world to take part in this shared adventure.

In the build up to the 7th of July, we will feature tales from the women riding the 100 and chart their training, experiences and thoughts leading up to the big day. From seasoned racers to brand new roadies, the riders will discuss their cycling and the goal of riding 100km this summer. Sign up online at Rapha Women's 100

My Milan San Remo Kit and Gore Bike Wear Signature Cap