Riding Comfortably and Happily Into Fall
Guys, I am not ready for August to be partially over already. Anyone else in the same boat? We’re heading across the country from Ironman in BC to a clinic we’re coaching in Virginia (picture a diagonal line running across North America. That’s our route.). So the nice thing is that it gives me time to ponder the future of things like SaddleSoreWomen.com and think about my new projects, Shred-Girls.com, the Consummate Athlete Podcast and TheOutdoorEdit.com. There are a ton of cool collaboration efforts going on between all of the arms of our mini-business empire, but the overall goal is as it’s always been: to get more people—women in particular—to get active and adventuring in a happy and healthy way.
SaddleSoreWomen.com remains my most niche project, but the one that is still arguably nearest and dearest to my heart. It’s been super gratifying to be interviewed and reviewed a bunch in recent months, including in Casquette and in Canadian Cycling magazine. But even cooler is the fact that I’m not the only voice speaking up about issues like dealing with what Casquette has dubbed ‘flapmash’ (<— amazing.). We’re demanding better bikes, better chamois, better service and more recognition, and that’s so fricking rad.
I’ve also had a steady stream of women emailing me with great questions and I’ve luckily been able to provide bits of advice and insight. So, if you have a burning (or itching, ha) question, I’d love it if you responded to this! And to those who already have, thanks for being in touch!
OK, let’s get into some tips and tidbits to get through summer and crush it heading into fall.
How are all of your bikes fitting?
As we’re shifting from road and mountain bike season into cyclocross, let’s take a few minutes and assess our bike fits. What was working really well for you over the summer, and what wasn’t? This is where I remind everyone that a road bike and a cyclocross bike and an adventure bike all have slightly different geometries, and sadly, the measurements that work on one may not work on the other. So let’s make this the year we head into cyclocross season feeling confident in our bike fit. Find a fitter that makes you feel comfortable and is willing to talk to you about ALL of your issues (and be honest about numbness and chafing).
I wrote an article over at Bicycling earlier this year about bike fits, and how to get the most bang for your buck: check it out!
Why You Should Invest in a Bike Fit this Season
Where's Your Head At?
I just wrote this article about what to do when a goal didn't work out the way you'd hoped over at MapMyRun.com but I think it applies to any athlete! And even for those of you who absolutely crushed your goals, there's still this weird 'post-goal' moment of trying to figure out what's next—especially when it was your Big Scary Goal for the year. I know I was stressed about that post-Ironman this last week. But thanks to the rad people I've been interviewing and books we've been reading (more on that in a sec), I'm feeling really just ready to tackle anything, even without a new goal in mind!
Check out the full article here, and think a little about your past goals, current plans, and future goals: should you be reframing some of them so they're more attainable/manageable/quantifiable/achievable?
Are you looking to up-level your training?
I’m pretty stoked on this training plan that SmartAthlete Coaching and I have collaborated on! If you need a simple plan to take your cycling from JRA (just riding around) to ready for anything that the local group ride or race series throws at you, or you want to really get to the point where riding with friends is fun, not scary or intimidating, this is an awesome starting point. It’s a three-month plan that will teach you some of the basics of structured training without taking a ton of time, and will give you some serious results whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned rider just looking to hit the next level of riding. I’ve been the guinea pig in the development phase and it definitely changed the way I was approaching training! (Plus, of course, since I’m involved, we get into a ton about overall ride comfort and happiness, not just watts!)
Check out the plan here
Have you joined the Athletic Bookworms?
I’ve been loving this new book club for us athletic nerds! It’s been really cool to get nerdy and dive into The Brave Athlete with a bunch of rad readers and athletes, and we’re only halfway done with the book! If you’re interested in joining the fun, you can head over to the site (fill out the contact form to stay on top of all the new discussions, “assignments" and announcements).
Join the club here.
Are you ready to ride comfortable into cyclocross season?
It’s that time of year again! Cyclocross season is always my favorite for the back to school vibe I get when it happens. (Except instead of new pens, I’m getting new tires. Also new pens because I am not an animal.) Anyway, I’m excited for another fall of serious cyclocrossing, even if I’ll mostly be at races in a journalist capacity. But if you’re planning on racing, might I recommend checking out my book, “Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy”? Cross is hell on lady (and dude) parts, if we’re being honest. We’re slamming our stuff on the saddle repeatedly, riding through seriously gross mud puddles, and getting filthy and sweaty, then hanging out in our skinsuits to drink that post-race beer. And don’t even get me started on embrocation getting in… places. Pick up a copy to learn a ridiculous amount about how to make every ride (and post-ride) comfortable and happy!
Buy a copy here
And just a reminder: there's a button under this note so you can email me, because I am dying to know what you're into. What kind of content are you hoping to see over at SaddleSoreWomen.com? What kind of articles would be helpful?
Ride Comfortable & Ride Happy,
Molly
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!
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!
If you don't already have a copy of Saddle, Sore, you can buy one here.
Know a Young Cyclist?
Get her inspired over at Shred-Girls.com, a site devoted to featuring both fictional and nonfiction looks at cycling for young middle-grade riders (and potential riders).