Spring Has Sprung: Are You Ride-Ready?
Welcome back!
As always, it's been a while... But I've been deep into some major projects, and I've been writing like a crazy person lately. Riding like one, too!
I'm super excited about what I've gotten done in the last month in particular: a huge revamp to my active adventure/lifestyle site, TheOutdoorEdit.com both in the appearance and the content (take a look and let me know what you think!). A makeover for our Consummate Athlete Podcast website, plus a ton of new interviews and episodes that I am so excited about. And I finished my FIRST NOVEL! I'll talk about that more at the end of this month in the next newsletter, but I just finished the last touches before it ships, and did a ton of work on the campaign around it. I can't wait to tell you all more about it!
But I want to hear from you guys. I added a button under this note so you can email me, because I am dying to know what you're into these days. What kind of content are you hoping to see over at SaddleSoreWomen.com? What kind of articles would be helpful? What are your training goals or riding goals for this season, and how can I help?
Ride Comfortable & Ride Happy,
Molly
PSA: Give Your Nether Regions an Off-Day!
Spring has sprung so we're all heavy into base season. But that's not always great for our lower half!
After a couple really long endurance weeks of building base (and a month at a junior camp), I’ve realized something: we all understand the importance of rest days, but we also all really, really love riding our bikes. The problem here, though, is that we love riding our bikes so much that we ride them even when we should be taking an actual day off.
Today is a fantastic example of that for me. It’s the first off-day that I’ve had in a couple weeks, and the guys we’re staying with wanted to do a morning coffeeshop spin. While I’ve been able to avoid saddle sores so far, I admit that my butt was definitely in need of a break from time in the saddle and in a chamois. But at the same time, coffee! pastries! … I’m a sucker for a good coffeeshop ride and hang out. So initially, I said yes. And then, I thought better of it.
So I didn’t go. And I missed coffee. But… I am going to feel so, so much better tomorrow when I get back on the bike.
If you have a rest day and you have the urge to ride, I’m begging you: take a day off every now and then. It’s worth it. Let your body (especially your skin and sensitive soft tissue) recover—you’ll save yourself from saddle sore and skin issues later on, I promise.
Instead, you could:
Go to yoga
Go for a walk
Do a quick run or jog
Catch up on bike maintenance!
What do you do on your off days? Do you appreciate them?
(Image via Unsplash by Zach Betten)
Why You Should Never, Ever Ignore a Saddle Sore!
In a recent episode of The Consummate Athlete Podcast, the podcast that kinesiologist/coach/my husband Peter and I co-host, we chatted with Bernard Condevaux, a badass physical therapist and cyclist. He had some amazing advice for avoiding acute and chronic injury, and it’s worth listening to if you’re getting serious/are serious about cycling. But beyond that, he had an amazing PSA for our audience about why treating saddle sores is so, so important—and why you shouldn’t let them fester for years. His story—which comes towards the end of the podcast so if you’re just interested in that, skip to around the 45 minute mark—is absolutely insane! I’m so thankful he shared it, because I think a lot of people can benefit from hearing it.
Give it a listen here
Does Your Spring Training Need Spring Cleaning?
I’m so excited that SmartAthlete Coach Peter Glassford has partnered with me to make a great training plan for my readers! In it, we incorporate many of the training concepts from “Saddle, Sore” into a 3-month training plan designed to help any cyclist, but especially someone new to structured training, get fitter, stronger, and ready to crush her goals for the season. It also has gentle reminders about making sure you’re taking care of your body and your bike in addition to simply putting in the training hours.
Check out the plan here.
Get in touch with other women cyclists, ask any of the questions you've always wanted to ask on our Facebook Page, plus find out about events & other fun stuff!
If you don't already have a copy of Saddle, Sore, you can buy one here.
Host a Talk!
We spent 2016 traveling around the country giving talks on nutrition, lady parts and everything riding-related. We've talk awkward questions, women's cycling, and any training and nutrition questions you have—and hung out to drink some wine! Make your 2017 awesome and have your won Ladies Night with your local shop or club. Fill out the form here to get in touch.
Discounts for Readers
Save 25% on Cat's Tongue Towels
Cat’s Tongue Towels are always go in my saddlebag and my race bag before rides and trips. They’re designed to get grease off, whether it’s off of your hands when you have to stop to change a flat (anyone else end up with grease smeared on their face after a ride?) or off your bike where the chain left a mark, the towels work really well. I LOVE the individually wrapped ones for rides and when we fly places, but the canister is perfect for sticking in your car and having at all times.
Check them out at catstonguetowels.com and use the code MOLLY for a 25% discount!
20% Off Petal Power Chamois Cream
I'm super excited that Petal Power is offering SaddleSoreWomen.com readers a 20 percent off discount on chamois cream—stock up! I love their Joy Ride System—it has a pre-ride cleansing wipe, a fantastic chamois cream, and a post-ride shower gel. Cannot recommend their stuff enough!
Check it out at petal-power.com and use code SADDLESOREWOMEN for a discount!