Innehållsförteckning för October 2013 från Bicycling

Fall Forward A AS EACH SUMMER WANES, I OFTEN FIND myself assessing how the season went. Did I get enough quality time with my kids? Was my tomato crop heartbreakingly good? And, of course, how solid is my sock-line tan? With regard to that last item, this summer was hit and miss. I commuted and ran errands on a bike more than ever, did neighborhood rambles with the boys, and enjoyed dozens of afternoon spins. Still, because of the time I put into work, travel, and family, I failed to squeeze in the big rides that both deplete and fortify you. Luckily, cycling offers constant opportunities for renewal and self-improvement. In my case, the arrival of fall is all I need. I recently penciled in four solid one-day rides in…

Vintage Allure Dust off your wingtips and bow tie. There’s a growing cycling scene that celebrates classic style over speed. Tweed rides, in which participants roll casually along a planned route wearing such throwback attire as tartan capes and houndstooth blazers, originated in London in the early 1990s. Today there are nearly 50 organized rides all over the world. Vintage bicycles are generally encouraged, and prizes are often awarded for such distinctions as Most Posh Lady or Most Stylish Steed. Break out your herringbone and turn to page 22 for six of the most elegant rides in North America.…

Buffalo Lazy Randonneur Club Tweed Ride Buffalo, New York Rain or shine, the ride takes place the first Sunday of spring along 13 miles of bike trails that pass the Frank Lloyd Wright boathouse, Squaw Island, and the Japanese Garden. Awards include Wittiest, Prettiest, and One We Love Most Info Buffalo Lazy Randonneur Club Facebook Group Missoula Tweed Ride Missoula, Montana Meet at Free Cycles Missoula for 5 miles of old-timey fun, including tea stops at Greenough Park and Bernice’s Bakery. The ride ends at a street fair with refreshments, games, and mustache painting. October 20, 2013 Awards include Most Authentic Beard and Best Dressed Info missoulatweedride.org SF Tweed San Francisco The 6-mile ride stops for dancing and revelry, and finishes at a tavern. Intersection ambassadors carry signs with messages…

You’ve probably encountered this scenario many times while riding: You and a driver approach the same space on the road. Maybe the motorist waves you through an intersection, or perhaps you indicate to the driver to pass you. One of you accepts the gesture, and you go your separate ways. Because cyclists share the road with other users, it’s a good idea to be polite and cooperative. But what if an accident occurs after your interaction? The person who waved could be held liable depending upon the location of the accident. In Ohio, among other states, waving someone on cannot be interpreted as anything other than a simple gesture of politeness. In these jurisdictions, you are not telling the other person that it is safe to go; you are merely…

Frame Work The very reason riding a bike is easy on your joints makes it less beneficial for your bones. Here’s how to shore up your skeleton and stay injury-free. DANIEL MATHENY IS STRONG. THE KIND OF strong that makes it possible to excel in some of the world’s most demanding mountain bike endurance events. So in 2011, when the 32-year-old pro racer with Team Honey Stinger Bontrager Off Road discovered he had a major weakness, he was surprised. The problem wasn’t his ability to muscle up climbs, pedal hard for hours, or maneuver knobby tires over rock-studded terrain. Turns out that hiding underneath his powerful cyclist’s physique was a frail skeleton. It’s long been known that bike riders are more susceptible to having weaker bones than people who do…

I HAD ALREADY DECIDED THAT I WOULD STAY ON THE BIKE NO MATTER WHAT. After weeks of postponements and calendar conflicts and overtime work hours, I was finally in the saddle and pedaling. The dread I had felt about riding—or really about all the riding I wasn’t doing—began to fizzle away as I set off on a training loop near Great Sacandaga Lake, in upstate New York. It was early July, and I had set aside a few days to start preparing for a weeklong ride I was hosting a few weeks hence with a group of friends. I pedaled a circle around the top of the mountain near my cabin, just northeast of Saratoga on the first big rise of the Adirondacks. Then I dropped down a long, steep…

Make yourself more visible—and make a statement—with Lazer’s Helium. The helmet is available in 11 other colors, but the satisfyingly bold fluoro yellow is our favorite. Plus, few helmets have this many features: The RollSys adjustment system is easy to use, add-on magnets lock Lazer’s Magneto sunglasses in place, a plastic shell (sold separately) snaps on to keep the elements out on cold days, and optional ear covers further boost cold-weather comfort. And about the color: After a period off the cool list, vivid hues are showing up everywhere. Incorporating a pop of fluorescence with an accessory like this can elevate your look—and keep you safe. $230; lazersport.com…

It’s been a rough morning at work. I need a ride, but not one that will tax me. I don’t want to wear a jersey and bibs, or clip into pedals, or shower afterward. The Civia Twin City hangs in the bike room, ready to test. “It’s a looker,” our mechanic had told me. A swoopy top tube and sweptback handlebar tastefully marry modern aesthetics such as a limegreen brake cable that matches the logo—both of which pop against the cobalt-blue frame. I step easily over the top tube in my skirt and settle onto the saddle. The coiled springs underneath give a little, as if sighing. I expect they’ll soak up my stress along with road flaws. My feet rest on the rubber-topped flat pedals. The internal gears change…

Lever Pressing the shorter of two paddles on the handlebar-mounted lever lowers the saddle by 40mm, which gives riders more control on descents without making the bike significantly harder to pedal. Toggling the longer lever drops the saddle either 100mm or 125mm, depending on your model. Tension Shaft This long vertical tube runs inside the upper seatpost and contains a preloaded spring. It connects the lever to a flanged piece called the ball cam that sits at the end of the shaft and controls the post’s movement. Ball Cam The ball cam has small depressions for eight ball bearings. Pushing the longer lever guides all eight bearings into the cam, allowing for full travel. Engaging the shorter lever pushes just four bearings into the depressions, which restricts the post to…

1. Glacier Gloves Premium Cyclocross Neoprene, a material that keeps divers and surfers warm in cold water, makes these gloves a good choice for days when it’s raining and near freezing. A thin leather palm and articulated knuckles help preserve dexterity. $50, glacierglove.com 2. Gore Countdown Gore-Tex Lady A Gore-Tex fabric seals out wind, rain, and snow, while a thin thermal layer keeps warmth inside. And unlike many foul-weather models, these have padding to cushion your hands from the bar. $80, goreapparel.com 3. Giordana Nordic AV This midweight model is ideal for rainy, 40-degree rides. The high cuff covers your wrists, sealing out rain. Tacky rubber on the fingers helps you maintain your grip on the bar. $45, giordanausa.com 4. DeFeet Duraglove Wool This 80 percent merino glove has a…

In “All That You Leave Behind” (p. 44), New York Times media columnist David Carr leads a group of friends on a cycling tour of the Adirondacks—an experience that bore an eerie resemblance to his recovery from substance abuse. A pack of riders is similar to a therapeutic community, he says, in that thinking about the collective needs actually helps each individual. “You have to live outside yourself,” he says, “to find out who you are.” Carr has also written for New York Magazine and the Atlantic. In her Joy Ride column (p. 42), which debuted in our pages last month, Heidi Swift celebrates the simplicity of having fun on two wheels. “I draw inspiration from tiny moments on the bike,” says the cyclocross racer turned road cyclist. “Noting details…

ALL YOUR RIDE QUANDARIES, SOLVED GOOD TRAIL ETIQUETTE is not just a matter of safety; it’s also about building community and making riders of all abilities feel welcome. So the most important thing is to be friendly. Instead of shouting that you’re about to pass from behind, try saying something like, “Mind if I sneak by?” When you meet headon, the rider going downhill should yield because it’s harder to stop and restart when you’re pedaling uphill. Regardless, resist the urge to get self-righteous about the rules. “If you make eye contact and smile you’ll generally find that the pass goes smoothly,” says Mark Eller of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Also, remember that mountain bikers aren’t the only trail users: Always yield to hikers and equestrians. Is it okay…

DRAWSTRING BAG Good for Light or temporary loads Tip For a snugger fit, shorten the straps by pulling them together at your sternum with a small carabiner. MESSENGER BAG OR BACKPACK Good for Commutes, light errands Tip Place heavy items like laptops in a corner of the messenger bag that sits low and in the center of your back; arrange bulky items so they rest flat. BASKET Good for A dedicated commuter or cruiser bike; spontaneous carrying needs Tip If you use a front-mount model, attach it tightly and as close to the frame as possible to prevent it from dangling or swinging during turns. PANNIERS Good for A dedicated commuter or touring bike with a front or rear rack; regular grocery shopping and errands Tip Consider panniers that have…

1 With its one-piece construction, extra-thick walls, and integrated hinge, the Yeti Roadie 20 will last a lifetime. The ice-cold beer inside? A few minutes—if you’re lucky. $230 2 The Bodum Bistro Thermo Jug has a press-open lid that automatically closes after each pour and ensures that your java will never get cold. $50 3 Stand out from the heckling masses and their mass-market ringers when you clang the 7-inch-tall, hand-forged steel Desert Flats Farm cowbell. $40 4 With a fleece lining, wind-and rainproof shell, and an access zipper to attach a leash, EzyDog’s Element Jacket will keep your shepherd from shivering. $40 5 Cold, wet feet can put an early end to your day. The Speedvagen Pit Boot’s sturdy rubber exterior keeps elements out, and a semi-insulated interior keeps…

THE ROAD AHEAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT and between me and the hazy horizon there was not a car nor a dog walker nor a lawnmower pusher in sight, let alone another cyclist. It was an early Sunday morning during a sapping heat wave and I was still waking up, 3 or 4 miles from home, at a comfortable clip, humming some stray pop tune. A thin layer of steam hovered over the pavement, and a pair of red-winged blackbirds sat sluggishly in the shadows of a roadside ditch. The landscape was in a stupor. Early rising and early riding are not my thing, but there was no other way to beat the worst of the heat. My goal was unambitious: a few hours of leisurely pedaling and splendid isolation…

When I was in my twenties, which must have been a hundred years ago, I worked 12-hour nights in a plastics factory in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and I commuted on my bike 6 miles each way, starting my shift at 7 at night and ending at 7 the next morning. These days, such a commute would probably qualify me for a solid-citizenship award—hell, having a manufacturing job would probably qualify me as something special, too—but back then, I didn’t own a car, so if I wanted the golden opportunity to make plastic bottles all night long, I had to place my butt in the saddle. The job itself wasn’t too bad, really, if you could ignore the plastic fumes and the toxic coolants and machining lubes and the terrible hours…

Night Vision Thanks to tiny LED bulbs, these lights will illuminate the darkest nights { ROAD & MOUNTAIN } 1 Light & Motion Taz 1000 This easy-to-mount light is bright enough to illuminate your way on any kind of terrain, and it lets you see far enough ahead to cruise at a good clip. There are three brightness levels, a pulsing mode, and separate lights on the side, each with its own control. PRICE: $250 LUMENS: 1,000 RUN TIME: 1:40–18 hours lightandmotion.com { EVENING RIDER } 2 Knog Blinder Taz Road 2 If you’re coming home after dark (or leaving before dawn), this light will make you visible and help you spot patches of gravel. It’s too heavy to leave on your bike all the time, but it’s easy to…

In the third or fourth linked curve, I rode the banking of the road high to low and with only this slight extra speed passed through the group until I was beside Tom Kellogg and I said to him, “Is this real?” For much of the season I’d been on carbon superbikes that were so sharp and powerful I felt I could ignore any contour and slice whatever lines I wanted into the pavement, lop the top off rollers when I stood and accelerated, and pound the genuine climbs down, making them flatter, lower, shorter. The Lolo I was now riding, a blend of Columbus Spirit and Life steel, seemed instead to encourage me to seek the most natural and beautiful way to ride a road, then enriched the experience…

For decades, cyclists have ventured onto dirt and gravel roads, motivated by either necessity or a sense of adventure. Now, ever-growing numbers of riders are seeking the thrills that wait beyond the reach of pavement—up a craggy pass or deep into a shady, undeveloped glade. Gravel races like Kansas’s 200-mile-long Dirty Kanza have tapped into this trend and bike makers have responded with models designed to make riding rough roads smoother and more enjoyable. Of these new bikes, Specialized’s CruX Elite Evo is one of the most intriguing. It’s built around the company’s existing CruX cyclocross frame, but comes with components better suited to long rides on dirt and gravel. Compared with some other new bikes intended for rough terrain, the CruX is a thorough bred. In fact, multitime Dirty…

Size matters Consider how much water you’ll need: A two-liter reservoir is good for short trips, but you’ll want three or more on longer rides. Just remember that water is heavy—2.2 pounds per liter. If possible, try packs on with weights to see what riding with a load will feel like. Focus on fit When trying on a pack, tighten the straps and make sure none chafe or bind. The bag should fit your torso’s length, and women should look for models with curved straps. Some new models use a triangular bladder that sits lower in the pack, which helps alleviate back pain. Bladder control? Make sure the reservoir is easy to open and close and that the hose detaches. These features can simplify filling and loading the bladder. Also…

Darlington provides the cycling version of the school-lunch principle, which states that a hot dog with ketchup that gets eaten provides more nutrition than liver and broccoli that end up in the garbage. Today I didn’t feel up to my 15-mile ride. Instead of skipping it, I was motivated to go for a delightful 6.6 miles. KATHY PAYNE BAILEYVILLE, ME I’m a 76-year-old woman who has been riding since age five. Recently I’ve been concerned that I can’t keep up the pace I used to, and wondered if someone my age should be pushing hard or even riding at all. But after reading this article, I feel comfortable riding slower and enjoying the ride as well. L. ESTHER PARK QUEEN CREEK, AZ The Final Pursuit Readers lamented that “It All…

I take a lot of ribbing when people hear that I’m vegan. In fact, one of my best friends, who’s part Cherokee, tells me the term translates to “bad hunter.” I became a vegan—someone who eats no animal products—after reading The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell, which chronicles research that found that people who consumed more animal products were more likely to suffer from diseases such as cancer. Two and a half years later, I’ve lost nearly 50 pounds and lowered my total cholesterol by 75 points. I have more energy, think more clearly, and pedal uphill a lot quicker. Whether you want to lose weight, are concerned with your health, or just want to ride faster, consider adopting a plant-based diet all or some of the time. It’s…

If you’ve hit it really hard, the next few hours are the optimal window for helping your body get the most from your effort, says exercise physiologist Stacy Sims, PhD. The good news is you don’t have to spend the whole time recovering. Even just a couple of these proven methods will make you feel good. REFUEL Hard efforts deplete energy stores and trigger production of the stress hormone cortisol. Carbs will restock glycogen. But you need protein, preferably a mix of whey and casein, to shut down cortisol so your muscles can start rebuilding. (The combination helps prolong the process.) “Blend milk, whey protein powder, dark cocoa powder (for flavor), and a shot of espresso,” says Sims. Caffeine revs your metabolism, which speeds the restoration. “Or mix low-fat Greek…

DO COOLER HEADS PREVAIL? Because smooth aerodynamic helmets typically have no venting, cyclists have long debated whether their wind-cheating benefits are worth the risk of overheating. Turns out a hot head does not necessarily make for a lukewarm performance. In a recent University of Texas study, cyclists wore a traditional helmet for one time trial and an aero lid with less venting for another. Though their head temperatures were higher after the latter, their heart rates, power outputs, and performances were not affected. If staying cool is a priority, consider the Specialized S-Works Evade or the Giro Air Attack, two new aerodynamic lids that incorporate ventilation. TECHNIQUE: Balance Your Pedal Stroke Think both your legs are pulling their weight on the bike? A recent study reveals that when most cyclists…

“TELL ME THE CHEESEBURGER STORY ONE more time,” Sal said. “I need to remember why we’re driving three hours out of our way.” A few days earlier, he and I had put our bikes in the back of our truck and headed out into the Central Oregon desert for some riding, but our trip had been short-circuited by freak lightning storms. As we watched a wall of black clouds spit jagged forks in the distance, I suggested that maybe this meant we finally had an opportunity to chase the legendary cheeseburger of Mitchell, Oregon. I’d discovered the cheeseburger almost a year earlier, after an eight-hour day on a 75-pound, fully loaded touring bike. I’d been pedaling through the region without a plan—camping wherever I ended up, following roads as they…

LIZ JOSE, 29 New York City FOUNDER, WE BIKENYC “The ‘WE’ stands for women’s empowerment,” says Jose, who since starting her group last year has organized mechanical workshops and social rides designed to be fun and nonintimidating. Next came the 5 Borough Bike Brunch, a series of rides that explore different neighborhoods and end with a midmorning meal—part of her mission to “meet people where they’re at.” This year Jose added Mujeres en Movimiento, a Spanish-language earn-a-bike program whose graduates take their new wrenching skills and “pay it forward” by teaching other women in their communities. She also launched Moms on Wheels, a series of Brooklyn-based try-before-you-buy events involving donated kid-carrying bikes, trailers, and saddles. “When moms bike,” Jose says, “that’s when communities change. KRISTIN GAVIN, 32 Philadelphia FOUNDER, GEARINGUP…

OUR PICK: Terry FLX Gel Our testers noted that the center channel does a good job of relieving soft-tissue pressure. The flat profile and compact shape let you move around until you find your ideal spot—then easily adjust your weight as the terrain changes. Perforated dots and subtle silver accents on this Italian-made leather perch add visual appeal without too much flash. The gel padding felt equally firm from front to rear, and provided comfortable support on our longest rides. $130; 266.7g; terrybicycles.com Specialized Oura RBX Expert Gel With two color choices (gray and white), a generous cutout, and three width options (143, 155, 168mm) that correspond to common sitbone widths, the Oura will please a wide range of cyclists. The slightly tacky synthetic cover, along with the saddle’s convex…

Until I rode this bike’s predecessor, the SB95, I didn’t enjoy 29ers with more than 4 inches of travel. Other 29ers made me feel like a passenger, but that one turned me into the pilot—just like my favorite 26-inch bikes. I could put that Yeti where I wanted, choosing my line and dancing through challenging terrain. The bike also provided enough comfort to let me hammer the hardest trails. It felt agile, reacting to changes in the trail and moving in sync with my inputs. But at 7.5 pounds, the aluminum SB95’s frame is relatively heavy. To keep the 95’s best attributes and reduce its weight, Yeti turned to carbon, which shed 1.75 pounds. The material also increased the bike’s stiffness by 15 percent, Yeti says, and I never noticed…

Trek Speed Concept 7.8 Not a squirrelly tri bike, the 7.8 felt stable and predictable in corners, which encouraged us to spend more time in a fast position. The aero bars are adjustable, helping our testers find an appropriate fit. The tube shapes mirror those on Trek’s pro-level models, flattened quick-release levers align with the frame, and a sleek box mounts behind the seat tube, improving aerodynamics—and storing a flat kit. The Force crank has race-ready 53/39 chainrings. Trek says next year’s version is even more aero and adjustable, and places cables and a Di2 battery (on some builds) inside the frame. 19.0 lb. (54cm), $4,620, trekbikes.com ALSO ON THE PODIUM | Cervélo P3, $3,600, cervelo.com; Specialized Shiv Expert, $4,400, specialized.com READ ABOUT OUR OTHER FINALISTS AT BICYCLING.COM/ECMULTISPORT.…