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]