Snow Visions - Lole's NEW Jenny Jacket

Skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing means having the RIGHT gear. Lole Jenny Jacket.

NEW for Winter 2013 - Lole's Jenny Jacket
One thing I love about winter is getting outdoors! With the right technical equipment, you'll take on the snow with ease. That's why I was so impressed with Montreal born, Lole's Jenny Jacket shown here in white with black accents. Don't let it's beauty fool you. It is a very tricked out ski/snowboarding jacket which offers lots of cool features. Here are the specs from the LoleWomen.com website:

"You’ll be an angel in the snow and a speed demon on the slopes in the fabulous colors and awesome technical detailing of this versatile jacket. It's a snow-stopping sensation in our 100% polyester Polytwill, a stretch-by-construction, breathable, wind- and waterproof fabric."

• Waterproof asymmetrical front zipper
• Stand-up collar
• Two-way adjustable and removable hood
• Two zippered hand pockets
• One additional zippered pocket at front
• One zippered pocket on sleeve for ski pass
• Velcro® adjustable cuffs
• Hand gaiters
• Underarm mesh vents
• Adjustable storm skirt
• Strategically seam sealed
• Thermaglow^TM Mid insulation
• Length: 27 ½ in./70 cm  

Lole's Chunky Stripe Knit Hat has a soft, non-itch lining. XX2i Optics France2 Pro Racing Eyewear

Lole's Chunky Stripe Knit Hat
Looking AMAZING with the Jenny Jacket is the colorful Chunky Stripe Knit Hat with pom-pom. The chunky knit is on trend this season and with the no-itch soft lining, it won't itch or leave marks on your forehead.  As you ca see our model has LOTS of hair but this cap fits perfectly. More knit hats, scarves and gloves can be seen at LoleWomen.com.

XX2i Optics Pro Racing Eyewear
These colorful, blue-green reflective lenses are not only stylish but very functional on the slopes. The France2 Kit comes with two sets of interchangeable lenses to change up the look and UV protective ability. These high performance glasses will work for many outdoor winter activities and come with an adjustable nose piece and strap. These are designed for serious action so check out the other designs by XX2i.com

Fashion and function come together in the Jenny Jacket.

Hat, Jacket &  eyewear c/o Lole & XX2i Optics respectively.

X-Training Diary: Park Ride, My Menu and Kit of the Day

Kit of the Day: Lazer Helium in Flash Flouro, XX2i France1 Eye Wear, Gore Bike Wear Countdown Lady AS Vest, Victoria Thermal Jersey and Spinnaker Capris by Terry.

RAPHA WOMEN'S 100, NJ: What a beautiful weekend! I started with a bit of cross-training on Saturday by doing some curls and chest presses on my Nordic Flex machine. Many cyclists neglect the upper arms but you do need a certain level of strength and tone for steering and quick handling.

Sunday morning started off right with a new multi grain cereal. Hodgson Mill Multigrain with milled flaxseed & soy.  It is a hot cereal and takes a little less time to cook than my Irish oatmeal.  It contains oats, wheat bran, milled flaxseed, soy grits, untoasted wheat germ and cracked whole wheat. It is SO delicious and is rich in Omega 3 oils due to the flaxseed. Complex carbohydrates like these were just what I needed for my training ride. Today, I went to my local park to avoid weekend street traffic.

My training buddy. Fully loaded Nishiki Sport Touring

A Ride in the Park
I find riding to my local park to be a cross-training adventure in itself. Once I arrived, there is a fitness trail that you can either hike or bike. It's about a 7 mile loop around the park and past meadows and marshy areas. 
The bright sunshine and blooming flowers and trees we amazing. I stayed on the main road and pulled into this bike rack here to stretch and take a few sips of water. I would have stayed longer but the wind and low temps were making it difficult to extend my training session.

My Menu for the Day
I was glad to have had the multi-grain cereal under my belt. I also had a cup of Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer with a shot of coffee added to it. This gave me a bit more alertness and energy. I only did about 5 miles but after bucking the wind most of the time, I was a bit hungry when I got home.  Here is my menu for the day, not including dinner which will most likely be rotisserie chicken and mixed vegetables:

Chocolate milk is a great recovery drink. This is even better!

Breakfast
1 Cup Multi Grain Hot Cereal
1 tsp Butter + Canola oil
Splash of Milk

1 Cup Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer

Lunch
15 Small Shrimp fried in Coconut Oil
1 cup mixed organic spring greens
3 marinated mushrooms
1/2 fresh avocado
1 tsp lemon juice
1/3 cup ramen noodles 

I try to keep anti-inflammatory foods like avocado & shrimp high on my training table list.

Kit of the Day
It was only about 48 degrees when I went out just before noon. Add in the wind chill factor and it felt more like 42. I prefer it a little warmer if I can get it of course but it was dry and sunny so I took a chance.  Here is my "weekend kit" which has more visibility due to the flashy green Lazer Helium helmet and white vest. My jersey and knickers are mostly black so I wanted to be sure and stand out for those Sunday drivers.

This thermal kit is good for between 44-48 degrees.

Lazer Helium Lid in Flash Flouro Yellow and XX2i France1 Eye Wear.

Terry's Victoria Jersey had a mandarin collar and is soft brush lined. Terry's Spinnaker Tights have minimum padding as they are more suited for spinning class.
With the added Gore Bike Wear Vest, I was very comfortable despite the wind. That's due in part to the built in Windstopper fabric. You want to keep your core warm.

In the 40's, I prefer full fingered gloves. These soft, fitted Pittards by Pearl Izumi are perfect and I also have a fingerless pair.  That's how much I like them! So this kit offers adequate to good comfort for between 44-48 degrees outdoors.

Last but not least, I always wear my RoadID FIXX ID tags just in case of an emergency. These go on with every kit and I pray I'll never need them.

XX2i Optics New France1 Dual Kit

The France1 in Tortoise, XX2i Optics latest in fashionable - functional - interchangeable eye wear. Daphne Scarf in Coral  by Pistil Designs

Sure to become a fixture at the Tour de France, some of the most innovative eye wear is coming from XX2i Optics this season.  Their very cool new France1 Dual Kit gives you excellent optical clarity paired with your choice of interchangeable frames and lenses. This means you can mix and match your eye wear more specifically to your: visibility conditions, cycling kit, running jersey, your helmet, team colors and more.

XX2i Optics NEW France1 Dual Kit

The Dual Kit contains: 2 Sunglasses, 5 Lenses (blue, yellow & clear), 1 Hard Case, 5 Soft Pouches.

The reduction in road glare is incredible with the France1. What's great is that the frames, (Tortoise Shell & Glossy Black) are so light-weight and fitted with a wrap-around configuration that keeps both wind, road debris and sun completely out. I often train on rural roads with lots of dust kicking up so sport-glasses like these are essential.

So far I've been cycling, running, skateboarding and inline skating in the France1 and the fit is perfect. No matter what the activity, the lenses stay in place. The France1 Dual Kit is just as at home for activities like golf, tennis, running and volleyball. Both frames have comfortable, adjustable nose and ear pieces.  Out of the box, I've not had to adjust them at all.  Given us women have smaller faces than the men, you can see these glasses do not over-power me.  Perfect!

Both frames, lenses and soft pouches store securely in this hard shell, padded case.

The France1 Dual Kit is fully Rx-able so you can plug in your own eyeglass prescription as needed.  There are also optional Polarized lenses and Polarized readers available to fit these frames. Custom optics that come in at a very comfortable price point. The list price is only $259.00.  We will be testing out these XX2i frames even more in preparation for the Rapha Women's 100 coming up in July.  However the first glance tells me these are sport-worthy with no compromise in style or quality. In other words, these shades are HOT!

XX2i Optics NEW France1 eye wear and Dual Kit Case