Yay Bike Women's Forum Meeting!

"Women in the United States bike far less than men; we represent a huge potential area of growth for bicycling. To tap this potential, Yay Bikes! will host four conversational forums for women cyclists and wanna-be cyclists in 2010. At these events we’ll gather data on what cycling means to us, how we experience cycling in Columbus, and what our vision is for cycling in this city. This information will be used to develop a women’s cycling agenda with specific outcomes to be pursued in 2011." (Source: www.yaybikes.com)

What does this mean for us, ladies? It is simply an experienced organization recognizing our potential to impact the cycling community. Together, we can work together to form ideas on how to improve our cycling experiences in Columbus, on all fronts. I encourage you to come out and support the organization, offer your insights, and get involved. I will be in attendance as well and look forward to meeting you, hearing your thoughts, and seeing where we can go from here.

JOIN US- THIS SUNDAY, Feb 28, 2-5p

Join Us:

More cushin' for the pushin'

Hello again ladies,

We may be headed towards another Ice Age quicker than expected, but there have been plenty of you in the shop recently, keeping the faith of an approaching spring. As you come in to work with us, we love answering your questions, but there are some things you would rather not ask. No worries, we've been there :) So, this post will consist of efforts to alleviate saddle discomfort, a small chip off the ol' block if you will. Amen sister! There are options!

It's true, we all have wider hips, (not to mention significantly greater brain mass and second-to-none multitasking ability)... ok, ok, well you catch my drift. Most of you know what I am talking about - that pain after 30 miles that creeps up on you like Patrick Swayze in Ghost, leaves you pumping out of your saddle for 20 minutes, or sometimes is the reason for the Nascar-like pit stops after a couple hours (Go Danika!) just to get off your bike and stretch, but more importantly, that discomfort, which like the Energizer bunny, keeps going and going, for the duration of your ride, AND a few days to follow. So, what do we do? Try understanding more of what you should do, compare, and then make slight changes to get more comfortable. Brace yourself, it could be a long process..

Every woman is different (ALL PERFECT), but there are many women out there with narrower hip bones. To determine where your sit bones are, sit on a low curb. When you pop'a'squat on the curb, you will be able to feel your sit bones. This is what you want supported by your bike saddle.. no more, no less. With a saddle that's too narrow, a lady can find herself effectively straddling it with her hip bones, or slipping off of one side and pinching nerves, which may eventually cause the legs or feet to go numb. A saddle that's too wide will also cause problems. Also, stay away from saddles that have gel padding as tall as the Eiffel Tower. Gel is not necessarily the best for road saddles, as they are designed for different sorts of riding. Finding a saddle with slightly wider dimensions than your sit bones are typically received the best.

When is comes to orienting the saddle, some women prefer to lower the nose of the saddle just slightly to relieve pressure from the area of soft tissue. Be careful not to lower the nose too much, as this may lead to shifting more weight to the front of the bike, which increases pressure on your wrists and arms, causing a potential for lower lumbar pain, and upper body numbness. However, most commonly you will find saddles in a position almost level with the ground. Make a few changes and dial this in, as it really comes down to preference.

Terry, as mentioned previously, is a pioneer in women's bikes and saddles, and has made several different saddles over the years. Their Butterfly saddles are of the most acclaimed. Terry has a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can actually try a saddle on real rides, risk free. They are producing a large variety of saddles now for both men and women, with and without gel, in a variety of widths. If you're in the market for a saddle, come on in, and we will help with this problem with a simple goal in mind- to get you comfortable, and riding more!

Check out some great information @ http://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles/womens

As always, if you have any questions, or need any clarification... lauren@roll-online.com

"Love life and it will love you back."

Certainly, many of you have been in our stores... and if not, you should make stopping in a priority :) Why? Because roll: has established a unparalled precedent for women's apparel and accessories by developing relationships with outstanding companies and brands that have comparable values to our own. Even better, these companies have a past. They have a story. They have their own definition of fitness, and how it is involved in our lives. Lets face it. Women could do it all if they had to (HELLO Octomom!). So, what is better than apparel that is made for all of the conditions we face? Technical, yet practical; Trendy, but comfortable; Bold, yet beautiful. It is from these desires that the selection of the roll: Women's apparel selection hails from. So come on ladies, whether you're looking for apparel that fits your everyday needs, or something more technical, we have it all. And we're not going to stop there. To offer our customers the best of selection to accommodate these needs is of our highest priority. So as always, more to come. Let me know what you think of our selections. Love it? Hate it? Want it? Email me at lauren@roll-online.com! Thanks!

Lole: Live Out Loud Everyday.

"We understand the active woman. We know she loves the outdoors and communing with nature. Working out, to her really menas playing outside. Exercising is a daily delight for herself and her family. It’s how she expresses her individuality, her passion for a full life, lived out loud. The clothes she wears reflect all that it means to be her."

prAna for Women

"Nature has guided prAna since the very start, with its abundance of color, materials and energy along with endless inspiration to make products that can be well worn and, more importantly, well lived in. Whether in our sports, our travels or in our yoga practice, the adventure has never failed to make us many wonderful friends and memories. For these incredible generosities, we are grateful and hope to give back something in return."

Terry Precision

"We want women to have fun cycling. That's it, in a nutshell. Consequently we make things that fit better, look better, perform better and make for happier riding occasions."

Pearl Izumi

"The name Pearl Izumi is derived from the gem "pearl" and an area of Japan known for its clear water "Izumi." Literally translated, our name means, "fountain of pearls.'"

Finally, a way to achieve more comfort while riding, not to mention looking good doing it!

A simple answer to a timeless question..

This may be the easiest process you ever experience. Far easier in comparison to a tire rotation, oil change, appliance search, or shopping for school supplies. Trust me, all the work has already been done. When it comes to looking for a chick bike, it doesn't have to be difficult. After all, if the shoe fits - wear it.

That's right.. you've all heard it, but what actually comes together to compose a ride specific to our geometry? Well, besides the commonly thought lower top tube, and all of those pastel Easter Bunny colors (Bedazzle whatever you'd like ladies!) Is it simply a marketing ploy? For Giant, it is simply a mission. It is a dedication to realize the differences between women and men. It is a painstaking effort to address these issues to make riding more comfortable, and to do so from all angles. So, what is behind Giant's 5 point address to women specific issues? What does Giant do differently?

"Giant provides bikes specifically for the particular needs of women. And not from a physiological standpoint. We try to fully understand the individual rider. We think about how women interact with our products from a variety of perspectives, including visual impact, emotional response, and the feel underneath." -Giant Bicycles

Giant focuses on the Geometry, Styling, Sizing, Components, and Construction to ensure the quality and approval, to and from, their most appreciative customers. These differences are milestones for the bicycle market, let alone standards for everyone else in the industry. This is the one time in your life when being a woman is, well, simple.

Come in, put faith in us. I'd love to get on a bike with you and see your face when you feel the difference. Combined with the Giant 5 Point System and the roll: Perfect Fit, you'll be more than prepared for the upcoming spring. Give it a shot, register for your FREE fit consultation @ http://roll-online.com/articles/roll-perfect-fit-pg154.htm.

Welcome!

Here, Here! Finally a blog dedicated to the ladies - all of us! Being in the shop year round, we see you, talk to you, and listen to you. We all enjoy riding for different reasons- great rec. time with the kids, a way to stay healthy, a time to chat, and for some of us (Laura), a time for us to act as if we were center stage, and a backup to the one, and ONLY, Celine Dion. Whatever the reason may be, we share the same passion. We love the feeling of that two-wheeled escape that doesn't talk back, listens well, and doesn't leave the toilet seat up :) As a Sales Manager at the Polaris location, I love speaking with all of you, hearing your stories, and watching you become involved. Now, I believe we can all benefit by promoting an avenue to expand on these leads, earn more from our investments, and believe in ourselves again. I believe cycling has the ability to transform our lives. To me; It is more than a single revolution, cadence, or distance. It is more than a pound here and there. It is about the consistent battles that all of us are faced with at one point in our lives. It is about establishing friendships and relationships that are based off of common interest. It is a little blue sky, the crisp wind against your face, the rhythm of the ride, and a quick diversion of reality back to the good 'ole days. It is about laughter, excitement, and motivation. For me, it is about making this experience apparent to people, helping to believe in themselves, each other, and the goals that we can achieve together! With that said, if you have any questions, comments, areas of interest - please don't hesitate to come in and chat, or email me at lauren@roll-online.com :) Other than that, continue to check back and see our progress!