12. Under the Radar

Eyewear is what Oakley do very very well. They've been committed to developing high-performance sporting products for women as more than just a 'side project' alongside the mens/unisex gear.



So anyway. The Radar is a wrap-style pair of sunnies that's streamlined and the design for women means that they don't have awkward gaps or sticky-out bits like sometimes happens if you're wearing sunnies that are built for bigger faces.

If hot pink is your thing, then you're in luck but they also come in more muted colours.

All the technical stuff checks out, but like anything you'd have to try them for yourself to see if they're right for you.

> Have a look at Oakley's website for more

11. For loving your skin

The first time I smelt this stuff I was in heaven. I know it's not strictly 'cycling', but it's always nice to treat your hands after they've been tucked away inside your riding gloves and gripping your handlebars.



How do you describe a fragrance on the internet? Not really possible, except to say 'divine'... and that it goes on like a dream and isn't oily. Aesop was born in Melbourne in 1987 and they combine botanics with science, splashed with whimsy and intellect.

> What is it? Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, AU$25.00 from Aesop

10. Get ahead

Protect your head with funky colours and retro designs with these helmets from Nutcase. Probably not the kind of helmet to wear if you're thrashing out 100km on the roadie, but if you're swinging your leg over your city bike to cruise into town, they're perfect. Heaps of different colours and designs, 11 vents for keeping your hair sweat-free and complies with Australian standards.



> Costs AU$99.95 and available at Treadly Bike Shop or from Nutcase.

9. For getting dirty

I love the feeling of riding off road: away from traffic, amongst the trees. Just you, your bike and the ups, downs and flow of the trail. What better way to live in the moment.

A mountain bike should feel like an extension of your body: light, responsive, natural. A bike that's designed for women takes into account things that often make the female anatomy different: shorter torso, narrower shoulders, smaller hands. Angles are adjusted, handlebars aren't so wide, brake levers easier to grab, crank length shorter and even the suspension can be dialled differently.

Scott have taken all these elements and shaped them into the Contessa series of bikes, which includes road and mountain bikes. The Scale RC is a carbon fibre hardtail that doesn't compromise on componentry. Meaning you don't compromise your ride.



> Available through AvantiPlus dealers

8. Somewhere to go

You can't really wrap this and pop it under the tree, but it will last for longer than the time it would take to unwrap.

Get your bike and go on a journey in 2011.

Where to? Here are some suggestions.

Santos Tour Down Under Sport&Style Legend's Weekend
Live the Tour with Sport&Style. Take part in the thrill of the chase as you cheer on the best riders from around the world in Australia's premier cycling event. 21-23 January 2011.
> More here
...

Pedal in the remote Kimberley, WA
You don't have to have amazing off-road skills and the endurance of an IronMan athlete to partake in this outback mountain biking adventure. Bike, helmet, tent and stunning location all provided.
> More info here
...

Gear Up Girl Challenge, Sydney / Goulburn / Adelaide /
A recreational cycling event for women of all ages and cycling ability. Varying distances and a bit of an expo for all things cycling afterwards. (Photo: Bicycle SA)
> Find out more here

7. Something to read

Cycling magazine, meet Arty-Designy-Cultural magazine. Now that that introduction is sorted, let us introduce you to Treadlie. A fusion of the two, where bicycles are celebrated for their form as well as their function.



Managing Editor Tamsin O'Neill says:
"Treadlie is for bike lovers, would be bike lovers and those that appreciate great bike design - a magazine devoted to culture, fashion and design. Featuring people and their bikes, bike businesses, cycling cities, bike trail reviews and products."

Issue #1 goes on sale on 17 December, just in time for the Christmas stocking.

> Subscribe online here
> Follow their Tweets here

6. Get a grip

Achieve maximum comfort and best distribution of pressure with these nifty grips from Ergon. They really are comfortable.



Best thing is, they are made for small hands (big hands don't miss out either!). Plus they are easy to put onto your handlbars and what's more, they make you ride faster (not scientifically proven).

Great for your mountain bike. Comes with or without bar-ends and in black or cool lime green.



> Get these from Over the Edge Sports in Melrose, SA (these guys are also the Australian distributor). Cost from AU49.95

5. Frame it

What could be better than pedalling downhill in bursts of sunshine? Framing that moment and hanging it on your wall, of course.



This art print comes from Adelaide artist and maker Naomi Murrell:
"Naomi’s work is big on hope, happiness, and the things that make us laugh. Her products are made with good choices based on a love of people and the planet. She believes in a sustainable future where all design is socially and environmentally responsible."

The print has been silk screen printed onto 300gsm uncoated recycled paper and is signed by the artist.

Comes unframed, but fits perfectly into IKEA Ribba frames, or another frame of your choice.

> Order one here! Costs AU55.00

4. Carry it around

Put your things in something and carry them around. Make it an over-the-shoulder bag by Crumpler: they're Australian. They're comfortable to wear/carry. They're great for pedalling around with. They come in different colours.

> Find out more about Crumpler here

3. Wear it.

Wear your passion for bikes loud and proud with these clothes for on and off the bike.

T-shirt, by Mudbric
> Get this from Oxygen Cycles, McLaren Vale SA

Jersey, by Body Torque
> Get this from Body Torque

ChopperGram T-shirt, by Nzo
> Get this here

Not strictly bikey, but you could pedal in this skirt by Chalky Digits
> Find out where to get it here

2. Bicycle Ambulance

When you buy this bicycle ambulance, you don't actually get to unwrap it yourself - that joy goes to communities in rural Malawi who can then use it to get expectant mothers, the sick and frail to hospitals which can be 30km away. Better than the alternative, which is often in a wheelbarrow.

The gift of a bicycle ambulance can be made through Oxfam (check it out online here) and will set you back AU296.00

Pretty nifty, I'd say.

1. Fast carbon

I thought I'd post this one first in case you need to do some saving up! But hey, it doesn't hurt to dream and there's always next Christmas, or your next birthday...

This one comes from our kiwi friends at Avanti Bicycle Company. They've been making great bicycles for 25 years now and have put their experience, technology and design behind their new range for women, WISE.

This is from their website:
Women + Insights + Science = EXCELLENCE
We wanted to really understand what women wanted, what they liked and what they disliked when it came to cycling. We also wanted to get the inside information that would enable us to develop bikes that would quite simply be better for women to ride. And so we went out and talked to riders. Specifically, female riders.

So here we have the Avanti Questa Team (RRP AU6999.95)
Yes please, Santa.

'Tis the season, or something like that.

It's the first of December and I am wondering who let this happen so quickly?? All of a sudden the year is drawing to a speedy exit stage left and soon it will be 2011.

As usually happens this time of year, it's hard to escape any mention of Christmas and all it entails.

So you might be thinking of 'stuff': finding stuff, giving stuff, hinting about stuff you want, receiving stuff. And some of that may be bike stuff.

So let's talk about stuff and where you might look for it.

Each day from now until Christmas day I will post something tempting (presents for others, of course!). I'll try and feature things that are unique, crafted and designed specifically for females and locally sourced where possible.

Have fun and happy pedalling x

[image from www.cyclinginfo.co.uk]

The girl in the red coat

This brightened my day yesterday. Loved one of the early scenes in the British film 'Wild Target' where Rose (played by the most gorgeous Emily Blunt) cycles through London on a Dutch-style bike in a vivid red coat, weaving in and out of traffic, dodging pedestrians, setting off firecrackers to distract security guards before cycling through the National Gallery. Ha!



(image from www.wildtargetmovie.com)

Little Friday things.

Have a little look at these bikey vintage things made by Sydney-based Rocket Fuel from vintage and recycled fabrics. Great things to decorate your noggin'.

Bikes from other places (and times).

Bikes that have caught my eye somewhere, sometime.

This bike was waiting for its owner one night outside the Wheatsheaf hotel, Adelaide.

...

Wandering around Old Cromwell Town, NZ
...

Bikes are everywhere in Shanghai, China

It's raining.

Again. What a long winter we've had! I'm here at work, but what I feel like doing is riding trails and getting all muddy.

I like...

...unexpectedly finding new bike shops! This little beauty is tucked away in Adelaide's Ebenezer Place, a stone's throw from the yummy Chocolate Bean cafe. Sam, Em and Rusty the shop dog have just opened this store called Treadly, full of shiny dutch-style bikes, fast fixies and parts to tinker with.

Go and say hello. Immediately.

Friday smile.

Bicycles make me smile. I was feeling a little flat, but with no good reason besides just a bit of the 'blerghs'.

This makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile too, knowing that bicycles are providing simple, sustainable relief to people in underdeveloped regions of the world.

oh my!

I came across this today via Twitter, posted by the author of this blog.

All I could think of was, "oh my!"

Have a look for yourself.



You can see more of this here.

Sunny afternoon forest ride

What better thing to do on a sunny Sunday afternoon than explore a forest by mountain bike. This forest is one of the Barossa's hidden gems here in South Australia. The ride was just right for an afternoon sojourn: carefree, breezy and full of laughs.

The best part was the Silentium sparkling shiraz consumed afterwards. Now that's perfect.

fixie friday

follow this link for some fixie fun.

It's Friday... inspire me!

back on the boards...

...and loving it! It's the second time I've made a track 'comeback', and once again I'm wondering why I stopped in the interim. (Besides work/life/work/work/life etc etc).

My legs may not be as fast as I'd like them to be, but it all came back really quickly - that is, all the keep-pedalling, hold-the-line, don't-slide-down-the-track business.

It's loads of fun and such a buzz.

There's some other ladies who are racing as well, it's all super encouraging. Saturday women's-only training sessions have been a great thing as well!

If you're in Adelaide, have a look here. Maybe even come and try!

green with envy

The other day, I happened to find myself in the McLaren Vale, a gorgeous little spot with some rather nice wineries scattered around. It's also home to this groovy little bike shop, Oxygen Cycles, which you should visit if you're in the Vale. Actually, you MUST visit.

If not to cast your eyes upon this little beauty. I couldn't help but stare, then gently touch it.

It's name is Civia Loring and it's lovely. The mudguards and racks are made from bamboo.

Pop in and say hello, maybe even take her home.