This is a dedicated space for women that kick butt in the everyday errands, commute and fun rides, and decide to take it a curious, wanderluster step beyond comfort to miles and miles ahead to see what’s out there, do long distance rides, camping and explore the landscapes.
Please do leave your comments and/or questions for the featured riders and enjoy!
♥xxo.m

Women Who Bike the distance: Tracy

*Above photo provided by Tracy

When did you start your long distance curiosity and where was the first ride you recall as being such a long ride?
I only recently started riding long distances, I grew up in NYC, so
bikes were my main means of getting around the city (when it wasn’t
snowing), but I’m not sure if I had even rode more than maybe 10 to 15
miles in one stretch. I also never owned a nice bike while living
there, just a big heavy city bike that could be locked anywhere (which
I still own and ride around town when I will need to leave it
somewhere, my friends call it the resistance bike because it is so old
and broken). About 2 years ago I hurt my neck and all I could do was
ride a stationary bike, I started doing spin class and started to
really love riding. Once I was better, I decided I needed to buy a
real road bike (my blue and white Masi) and start riding for real. I
started by doing shorter rides to the Marin headlands, butter lap and
eventually I found out about a group of people that road down to work
(SF2G.com) and thought it was awesome, so I did my first 43 mile ride
with them and loved it. I now bike down from San Francisco to Mountain
View twice a week and try to do longer rides on the weekend.

I will be riding down to work (in Mountain View) twice this week, but
I am planning to do a ride up North (maybe to Pt. Reyes or just
Paradise Loop) this weekend. At some point I will sign up for a
century (up til now I’ve done only 90 miles and less) I would love to
start doing more multi-day bike trips as well.

a snack
my phone cash, and a credit card in case I get lost
an extra tube, a pump and tire levers

Riding long distance really sounds intimidating, but really its about
working up to longer rides. The more you ride the better you will get.
Bike people are also really friendly and love when new people join.
SF2G does a first friday of the month ride (http://sf2g.com/nrlb.html)
where they don’t leave anyone behind, so it is perfect for anyone who
wants to start riding down to anywhere in the south bay. There are
also a lot of other groups that do similar things, the Velo girls have
beginner friendly rides as well (specifically for women). Things that
I have found really useful is having a set of real bike clothes,
having the pockets in the back of the jerseys to carry some cash and a
phone as well as the padded shorts makes the ride way more comfortable
(it doesn’t have to be super fancy, many places have cheaper options
and sale stuff), carrying a backpack makes riding much more painful.
Also, water bottle cages on your bike. If you are riding to work,
brining a set of clothes to change into the day before is key. I guess
just carrying as little as possible on your person.

Probably mexican or Indian food. Anything spicy and flavorful. A good
beer is always great after a long ride as well.

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♥Gracias Tracy!!

This is a dedicated Wednesday post series for women that kick butt in the everyday errands, commute and fun rides, and decide to take it a curious, wanderluster step beyond comfort to miles and miles ahead to see what’s out there, do long distance rides, camping and explore the landscapes.
Please do leave your comments and/or questions for the featured riders and enjoy!
♥xxo.m

 

When did you start your long distance curiosity and where was the first ride you recall as being such a long ride?
I got my first road bike (my purple KHS) in the fall of ’08, but I’ve been into going FAR for only about a year.  The first ride that I got that “Its windy, I’m hungry, can you guys wait up? We’ve been gone for 6 hours” feeling was riding around Tahoe last summer.  Its a beautiful ride, I highly recommend it but watch out for 69 year-old drivers from Chico who will run you off the road!

In October I’m riding the Medio Fondo up on Santa Rosa, featuring the exhilarating Coleman Valley Road climb along the coast!  I’ve done two centuries this year (Napa Tour de Cure and Marin Century) but I think this ride is going to be the most beautiful!  (watch it rain now).

Tahoe Caravan

Gran Fondo Pit Stop

The 3 things that are a must to bring with you:

Saddle bag with patches, spare tube, mini multi tool, and an emergency Clif Shot (I consistently have a mini emotional breakdown at 50 miles that can be circumvented by GU at mile 48).

Google Maps on my phone (I get lost a lot)

Arm warmers.  Even in the middle of summer!

It sounds weird, but there is powder sunscreen that comes in a tube with a flow-through brush.  Its terrific for applying to your sweaty, greasy face because it absorbs oil as well as give SPF!  I use Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral because the tube is slim. 

Riding out a few zip codes is mentally so refreshing.  You get away from familiar places and you get a lot of time to just think inside your head, in a new environment.  Its healing.  Just go the pace you are comfortable with, and remember to keep eating!

Coconut water is the most refreshing beverage by far.  I’m not normally a huge meat eater but pretty much anything on a plate that used to be alive makes me really happy.  Like Kebabs.  On a stick.  On a plate.  In my hand.

**All photos by davidnichols

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♥Gracias Vivian!!

This is a dedicated Wednesday post series for women that kick butt in the everyday errands, commute and fun rides, and decide to take it a curious, wanderluster step beyond comfort to miles and miles ahead to see what’s out there, do long distance rides, camping and explore the landscapes.
Please do leave your comments and/or questions for the featured riders and enjoy!
♥xxo.m

amor y paz

wheelright. presente! – this lovely ready to ride 70+miles in her skirt and mixte. oh yes!!

Women Who Bike the distance: Ramona
Ramona rocks her bicycles all over the city, goes the distance and makes a kickass quinoa salad as a random surprise. Oh I love thou.
A wonderufl woman on wheels, great recycling educator (she will tell you what and why goes where) and you can find this lady on Market street or somewhere out in Marin.
Enjoy her profile, her white soma mixte and her green chucks. All in one!
besos!!

When did you start your long distance curiosity and where was the first ride you recall as being such a long ride?
I rode a bike around san francisco for about 4 years before ever going over the golden gate. It was a first date and I borrowed a friend’s bike for the ride. My bike of choice at the time was a schwinn hollywood. after that, I knew I needed a bike with gears and purchased a schwinn le tour tourist 12 speed mixte for $20 from an aspiring crackhead in the tenderloin. The guy was riding around without air in the tires so I felt it was a rescue effort and even though the bike may have been stolen, I had no idea how to return it to it’s owner, it wasn’t a particularly valuable bike (other than sentiment), and I gave it years of good service before I upgraded to my current ride. The bike did have a volvo sticker on it. What’s that? I threw a basket and rear carrier on the Tourist and started riding the distance, my favorite destination, camping.

approaching pt. reyes

What upcoming rides do you have +the location?
I do day rides all the time and camping trips as often as I can, but in all honesty I don’t really consider Bay Area rides long distance. You’re home in a couple of hours give or take 5 or so. The real long distance ride I’d like to enjoy would be from Portland to San Francisco. Train up, bike back. I’d give my self 5 weeks to accommodate a week or so in PDX, plenty of time to ride, and some buffer to enjoy the scenery and enjoy some staycation time when i get back home.

The 3 things that are a must to bring with you:

IMG_9638 (Medium) by krate-mayhem

The Wheelright by Adrienne Johnson SF

P1070327 by ramona wheelright

Other helpful tips you have for women +men, who are new and/or curious about long-distance riding:
Wear a wool base layer because it really does resist odor and keep the body dry, warm and cool. It’s almost as though spun and woven sheep hair is a miracle. Eat light before riding. Rest when your body needs it. Don’t overpack. Have fun.

Favorite meal/beverage after a long ride:

Check out Ramona’s blog here: wheelright.blogspot.com/

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♥Gracias Ramona!!

In Spanish there is a saying that goes something like “Front the bad weather with a good face”, or something like that. I’m not sure which one exactly would be for English. Do you know?

All it takes is your bike +friends +you’re there.

—

This photo of my friend Diana and I, was taken by our friend Alex last Friday during the SJ Bike Party aka **BIKE PARTYYYYYYY**
Will update more pics+video +more posts once I sit still. Promiseeee!!

Life is too beautiful and finding joy in the simple things to provide constant happy moments and good memories, are to be cherished every single day.
+ring your bike bell while at it.
mucho love.
♥xxo♥
meli

This is a dedicated space for women that kick butt in the everyday errands, commute and fun rides, and decide to take it a curious, wanderluster step beyond comfort to miles and miles ahead to see what’s out there, do long distance rides, camping and explore the landscapes.
Please do leave your comments and/or questions for the featured riders and enjoy!
♥xxo.m

Lilia and her friend Danielle

Women Who Bike the distance: Lilia
**all photos below provided by Lilia
r
When did you start your long distance curiosity and where was the first ride you recall as being such a long ride?
I’ve been biking as my primary mode of transportation for more than 15
years. But I only started doing long-distance riding 4 or 5 years ago.
On a whim, I bought a touring bike. But then I had trouble getting
people to go touring with me. So, I signed up for the AIDS LifeCycle.
That, of course, got me training all the time. We did the Tiburon Loop
about a thousand times. You know you’re ready for ALC when you can do
2 centuries 2 days in a row and still get out of bed on the third
morning. (read her 2006 post here)

I actually think 100 miles is more miles than fun. But 50 or 60 is
fantastic especially if it’s your main activity of the day. Then, it’s
best to spend the rest of the day submerged in warm water

Me and Ilana en route – from her 2007 post: New York Century

What upcoming rides do you have +the location?
I’m expecting a baby. So, long-distance rides are off limits for the
next bit. But I love riding the Marin Headlands after work. I work in
north San Jose, and sometimes I ride to work (with a little help from
BART to jump over the yucky bit) — it’s about 50 miles, which is
tough when you have to put in 8 hours of work afterwards. But it feels
fantastic… and then there are pastries.

The 3 things that are a must to bring with you:
When doing a long ride I need chapstick, sunscreen, and gloves. Water
is assumed, right?

Other helpful tips you have for women +men, who are new and/or curious about long-distance riding:
Start with what you’re comfortable with — maybe about 25 miles — and
then add 10 miles every week until you reach your distance goal. Drink
1 water bottle full every 15 miles. Don’t wear undies under your bike
shorts! If your knees hurt or you get shin splints (or similar), take
a break for the rest of the week and find out what’s wrong with your
bike fit and/or form. Ride a bike that fits you. Don’t rest in spandex
when you’re finished — change into cotton ASAP. Scrub your butt
(where it hits the seat) every day — I’m completely serious — and
moisturize before your ride. Have a bike seat that fits you. Don’t
compete with other people — focus on being better at being yourself.

November 2009

Favorite meal/beverage after a long ride:
When we ride to work, sometimes we have time to stop for pastries
before reaching the office. I can usually limit myself to 2 pastries
only. After evening rides, I really love fried food. I really love
water too. I drink water all the time though.

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♥Gracias Lilia!!