Digest 2001-09

From: mahaffey
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 2:50 PM
Subject: [WCDL] Seems to be a consensus...


Seems no matter where we are from, women wish we had a peer group for
riding. This is what I've been dreaming/visualizing for the last few
weeks. I am even considering moving from Texas to an area where I can
join a group of women with whom I might have a little more in common. I
just don't know where that is! Plus I have the annoying task of
complying with where I can also find employment.

Reading July's posts, I see a group of enthusiastic,
constructively-addicted women for whom road and mountain biking has
helped. It builds our bodies, our self-esteem, and structures what at
times seems to be a chaotic existence. Okay at least this is what biking
does for me. In my 20's I was into road biking, but left off when I
married. In my 30's I bought a gleaming red mountain bike (Cannondale
Jekyll 600) and made the mental switch. Sorta like the difference
between ballet and jazz, if that makes sense to anyone.

Why am I not riding today when the rain's have finally stopped? I had
two reasons: I forgot to wash my bike shorts (yuck) - but the
do-I-go-stinky dilemma  was solved when my order (placed Friday night)
from Team Estrogen arrived. I saw the package on the front porch and
thought Damn the boyfriend's been on ebay again. Yeah, actually he has,
but this was my package - cool @ss shebeest shorts with fabulous padding
and a black jersey. Most of the time I never see a living soul on the
trails where I ride, but I can't shake my mother's fashion influence.
Maybe it's really just for me because I weigh 100 pounds less than I
used to.

The only other reason I'm not riding today is I just got the stitches
out. BUT TOMORROW - yee haw y'all. Durn the mud in my new chain and damn
the water that could ruin the hydraulic brakes. I need an adventure.

Happy riding to all, and to all a good ride.

Uniquah

#######

From: SammysJazz1@aol.com
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seems to be a consensus...


Welcome Tex,

Don't know your first name sorry. If you live around San Antonio you should 
check with a Big Shop called Bike World they can help you. I can tell you, it 
has been an exercise in futility trying to find any women to ride with in 
this part of Canada. 

Gee, and I thought Texas was a place to move for MTB. (laugh) I guess not! No 
matter where you live there can be problems, especially with finding Women 
that ride mountain bikes. Finding women in their 30s, 40s and up that will 
rise to the occasion, get out on the trails, and stop wining about why they 
can't ride; i.e. too cold, too hot, too muddy, too afraid, too busy with the 
kids, or just too tired is a task in itself. I even tried to get my younger 
Sister into a potential riding partner but failed. If you cannot find the 
women in your area that share the same interest, may I suggest riding with 
the Men or get your boyfriend into the sport. Many of the men's groups 
welcome women riders and they have a few women in the group as well. Hey, 
it's not bad. I have been lucky, the men I have met on the trail have been so 
polite and cordial and willing to teach their riding skills. I wish I could 
wave a wand and make them all that way -laughing. Also, just trying to keep 
up with the Boys might make you a better rider. I have to admit I found it 
helpful. Besides getting more women into the sport, I guess we need to 
organize ourselves a little better as the men do. 

On another note: Is there anyone out there in the New Jersey/Philadelphia 
area, Pocono Mountain area in PA or the New York area close to the NJ border? 
I am out of here in October. I 'm moving back home to the USA, Yippee! 

Regards,
Sammy

#######

From: Dr. Marcy Brown
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 4:44 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seems to be a consensus...


Well, Uniquah, if you're in Texas, I'm here too, and am still trying to find
a peer group myself.  In my case my primary use of the bike is for
commuting, though I find time for longer rides on the weekends.  I just got
married and my husband isn't into cycling (his big things is model trains,
and we search for parity in our financial investment in each pursuit), so I
can't really get him out.

I have to agree with you on the benefits of this sport for structuring us.
Actually, I've been off the bike for about a month and have missed it
greatly.  My absence was due to the wedding (a good reason for being away),
and then immediately afterward I broke my arm in a mountain biking accident
on the singetrack at Copper Mountain in Colorado while on our honeymoon!  I
only just got out of the cast this past week, and completely disobeyed
doctor's orders and biked into work today--my first ride in a long time.
The exhilaration of being back was great, and extremely difficult to
explain.  Of course, I'm still being really careful, and my big obstacle now
is conquering the fear that I might crash again.

Marcy

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From: mahaffey
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 6:57 PM
Subject: [WCDL] re: riding with men


Hello: 
Marcy, I am so sorry to hear you broke your arm biking on your honeymoon in Colorado.
Was it your left arm? It's just a theory I'm testing out. I have a disproportionate
number of scrapes and scars on the left side of my body. I FORCE myself to wear shin 
and elbow guards despite the heat and geek factor. It's like umbrella insurance, 
because it rarely rains when I'm carrying an umbrella. Superstitions supersede logic! 

Sammy, may I be the first to welcome you back from the land of back bacon and 18% tax 
(is that right?). You made some excellent points. What woman hasn't been trying to 
keep up with men in certain areas all of her life? Of course, we have talents thanks 
to genetics, too. All in all, we are people first, but men in spandex....wait, let 
me qualify that, ATHLETIC men in spandex dot dot dot - biting lip. That prejudice 
comes from seeing my ex-husband dancing around (sober) in a hot pink thong trying 
to resurrect our sex life. 

The name Uniquah is a joke, of course. My boyfriend is very much a mountain biker, 
and has been, at times, an okay coach. Always a first rate mechanic/engineer. He's 
in Montana (again) visiting family and vastly improving his lung capacity while 
I'm still in the Houston/Spring area of Texas. . When will I ever catch up to him??! 
How many rides I've pushed and pushed myself just to get a glimpse of his spandex 
clad rear. A group no matter what gender would afford all levels of inspiration. 
Men are tempting, a distraction, but that's an immaturity on my part. Or just part 
of being a  hormonal 36 year old (Can I get an amen sisters?). 

Most of the men I talked with on the trails have been very courteous with only a 
couple of exceptions. Too many relate the story of their wives/girlfriends  
being interested for a while in biking, but no longer. I don't know why that is. 
I am not particularly athletic nor competitive, but I can tell you every bike 
I've ever had from age three up (lots of them were red and one had a banana seat). 
Mainly it's the benefits afterwards: endorphins are the only drugs I want in my 
system. Plus I am a lot nicer after I ride my bike. Serene, at times even giddy. 
I rarely have to make the reply, "You say bitch like it's a bad thing." Or 
"Listen, geek techie coworker, I had three extra bowls of Bitch Flakes for 
breakfast this morning so you better (insert action here)." 

See, y'all, biking makes the world a safer and more beautiful place. 
Don't let the y'all fool you, I was born in Detroit. 

Jill 



#######

From: Dr. Marcy Brown
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] re: riding with men


>Marcy, I am so sorry to hear you broke your arm biking on your honeymoon in
>Colorado. Was it your left arm? It's just a theory I'm testing out. I have
a >disproportionate number of scrapes and scars on the left side of my body.

Nope, it was my right.  I did an endo and broke the radial head while I was
flying/crashing, which is a pretty common break in many sports.  The worst
part of recovery has been trying to get my wrist movement back due to it
being so stiff in the cast, and then trying to pronate/supinate the arm.

Actually, in my case this is my 15th broken bone, a feat which never ceases
to amaze the students in the anatomy class I teach.  Everyone asks whether
it is because I have weak bones, but I've had a bone scan to look at density
(I was the only 30-year-old in among women in their 60s and 70s getting bone
scans!).  There's nothing wrong with my bones, which of course is worse,
since all it means is that I'm just really clumsy.

Marcy


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From: Carol Bronson
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 11:43 AM
Subject: [WCDL] Moment of Silence


Each breath is shared with every other human.
Unfortunately, it usually takes a major tragedy to remind us of this.
-----
Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop your car,
or step out of your establishment to light a candle and
say a prayer or take a moment of silence
for all of those who have been lost in or touched by this tragedy.
We will show the world that
Americans are strong and united together against terrorism and violence.
Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list.
We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly.
The message: WE STAND UNITED – WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM.
We need press to cover this-- we need the world to see.


#######

From: Dulcy Misotti
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 1:30 PM
Subject: [WCDL] horrors of bike shipping


Hello everyone,  I guess what I am looking for with this is sympathy.  I 
shipped my bike via UPS in a Trico iron case on Wednesday Sept 19th from 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Moab, Utah.  I have been checking the tracking 
number and there is only 1 scan on it when it got to Jacksonville, Florida, 
Thursday Sept 20th.  Now my bike is supposed to be delivered to the bike 
shop in Moab tomorrow (thurs Sept27)and according to UPS tracking record-  
it's still in Jacksonville, FL.  I called and talked to several UPS 
employees and everyone tells me the same thing -if it is not in Moab 
Thursday then they will start a trace on it.  Well that does not ease my 
mind.  UPS also told me that 50% of their packages don't get scanned but do 
get delivered.  Basically what they are telling me is that they do not 
really know where my bicycle is at this time.  It could be on a truck 
heading to Utah, it could be still in the Jacksonville warehouse or it could 
be in someone else's living room-who know's.  Now I ask you what is the 
point of having tracking numbers if you don't use them.  Now on Monday Oct 
1st,  I will be flying to Moab for Dirt Camp (a mountain bike school where 
you learn different techniques using your own, familiar bike) and at this 
time I have no idea if I will be picking up my bike from the bike shop or if 
I will be renting one and spending half my time on the phone with UPS trying 
to find mine.  I was going on vacation to relax not have more stress.  At 
least I put plenty of insurance on it but in all reality I just want my bike 
back.  Has anyone else had this problem before or anyone have any words of 
comfort or ideas?  Anything might help. Thanks, Dulcy Misotti

#######

From: Julie Wagner
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 1:47 PM
Subject: RE: [WCDL] horrors of bike shipping





Dulcy...so sorry to hear.  UPS is the worst and has a horrible tracking
system.  I tend to use fed-ex (even though it is way more expensive) because
they have an awesome tracking system.  But you've already shipped it.  So
take a deep breath...worst case scenario you'll have to rent.  But your bike
will turn up!  Don't let it ruin your wonderful vacation plans.  Also, you
have to let me know how your trip is when your done, because I'm considering
doing something similar next year!

Hang in there!

#######

From: Donald Bechard
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 5:10 PM
Subject: [WCDL] Heart Rate Monitors


Hello, all----        

I am in the market for a heart rate monitor to enhance my training for more 
speed and endurance.

What is the group's concensus re: HRMs, brand names and how much to spend?  

Sheril

#######

From: 
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 12:44 AM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] horrors of bike shipping


Dulcy, 
My condolences about your bike being shipped through the twighlight zone, MIA 
@ UPS. I remember suggesting in earlier communications that you fly it with 
you (as over sized luggage) to your destination, using the TRICO Iron case. I 
stopped using UPS a few years ago when they kept all of my clothing including 
my underwear) when I had them shipped from Florida to Canada. I was plannng 
an extended visit from the summer to the winter months. There I was, looking 
like Ellie Mae on the Beverly Hillbillies (accent and all) barlely clad in 
little shorts and few cut of T-shirts suffering in one of the coldest spots 
on earth. Normally, I am a patient woman with a good sense of humor about 
things like that, but as the winter came in my patience faded. Being a "Bitch 
from Hell" was the only way to get my own clothes on my back from UPS. Even 
my sense of humor turned into snied remarks like, "how long does it take you 
damn fools to count my pantys; and was this their idea of nothern exposure." 
LOLOL My clothes were delivered the next day. Imagine that? I never used UPS 
again after that. The service has not been good in the last few years. 

For your own peace of mind, I would check my bike on the plane as oversized 
luggage which is $75 American each way. It's worth it! 

All I can suggest is that if the bike dosen't turn up by tomorrow you contact 
a Manager of the lost shipments or package area. Explain how you have been 
"jerked around" and demand that they track your bike down immediately. You 
may want to give them a little more motivation to resolve this by telling 
them that they should reimburse you for the MTB vacation camp in addition to 
the Bike & Case insurance. Don't forget to get the full names, or employee ID 
numbers of the UPS employees as you speak to them giving each of them a sense 
of accountability and urgency in resolving the matter. 

I do think that your bike will turn up, but when and how it turns up is also 
a concern. 
There is the possibility that because of the recent tradegy your bike & case 
might have been held or diverted to another point or on route for further 
examination. Once you do get your bike and assemble it, I would suggest that 
you go to a shop and have them examine the Bike's frame, the frame alignment 
and the rear triangle area to see if it is bent. Aluminium frames cannot be 
straightened or aligned and therefore they will have to reimbuse or replace 
that for you. This could happen if your bike was under a heavy load of 
packages for a duration of time. Of course, you should also inspect all the 
parts of the bike including the rear derailer and wheel spokes for Tru or 
bending. Of course, this is just an added precaution. Good luck and don't let 
this ruin your wonderful vacation. 

Sammy


#######

From: Rita Liotta 
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 4:32 PM
To: Women's Cycling Discussion
Subject: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


Hi,

I'm about ready to dump my new road bike in a ditch. It's so uncomfortable!
The dealer is no use. They are a ski shop and bikes are a sideline.

Anyway, I think I have the seat height right. Also the fore-and-aft
position. The problem is extreme discomfort and pressure, mostly on my pubic
bone. This has happened with 3 different saddles, various seat and handlebar
heights, various fore-and-aft positions, and various up-or-down tilts.
Nothing seems to make a difference. Is there any possible cause I might have
missed? (Other than some odd body geometry?) 

TIA

Rita


#######

From: Donald Bechard
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


Rita---

I also went thru at least 10 seats, different seat heights, different stem
heights, and finally bought a whole new bike with a terry liberator saddle
and am in seventh heaven.  Also, before I bought my new bike, I had a
professional bike fitter do all the anatomy and geometry on my body, and
advise me on all the various problems and solutions.

Hang in there, woman, as there are solutions to the problems.  Find a bike
fitter, or buy a very good bike book ( A woman's guide to cycling by Susan
Weaver is excellent) and start problem solving.

Sheril

#######

From: 
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


By all means find someone competent to do a bike fit. Often even the smallest 
adjustment in what seems like an unrelated or odd place can make a world of 
difference. (A good bike shop?, a friendly bike club member?)

I also use a Terry both on and off road and think they are the cat's meow :-).

Marcia


#######

From: Julie Wagner
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 9:41 AM
Subject: RE: [WCDL] Heart Rate Monitors

Hi Sheril.  I have a Polar M21 (I think that's the model number).  I paid
$130 for it.  It measures performance, calories burned, let's you know how
long you are in your fat burning zone and has a timer.  My boyfriend has one
that monitors the number of miles you ride, which you can attach to your
bike....but I don't think it does the other stuff.  They may have a model
though that does both.  From what I understand, Polar is the best.  They
have a website...check it out.

#######

From: Janyne Kizer
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


Do you also use the terry liberator saddle?  I have a similar problem
and I was kinda waiting to buy a new bike (replace the el cheapo that I
have now) before getting a saddle but I am definitely in the market!

#######

From: Janyne Kizer
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 2:58 PM
Subject: [WCDL] Fall/Winter clothing


What do most of you wear for fall and winter clothing?  I have some bike
and hike shorts (kinda like the insport cruisers) that I have been
wearing but shorts weather may be leaving soon.  I don't really feel
spandex-ready, if you know what I mean, so I'd prefer not to do the
tights thing but that's all that I have found.  Any ideas would be
appreciated.  I've been doing about five miles a day and more on
weekends.  I know that it's not a lot but it's a start...
-- 
Janyne

#######

From: Jennifer Stoke
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 4:54 PM
Subject: RE: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


My vote goes for the Selle Italia Lady Trans Am, but everyone is shaped
differently.  I say go through a reputable dealer that has a good return
policy and start ordering! (Performance and Nashbar are both great) I went
through 5 saddles before I found one that fit me.  Try to pinpoint what it
is that makes one saddle uncomfortable for you and look for that quality in
the next one you try. And pay no attention to the equations which tell you
how your saddle should be adjusted.  I went by the numbers and had horrible
knee pain.  Take your allen wrench along and keep stopping and adjusting
until you get it right!

Jennifer

#######

From: mebrown 
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 1:01 PM
Subject: RE: [WCDL] Fall/Winter clothing


With more coverage on the legs during winter, you want to be careful to select 
something that isn't going to be caught in the gears/chainring, and so that's 
why having tights is a good thing.  I've just recently gotten a pair of 
legwarmers to wear with my normal cycling shorts, since mornings are chilly 
when I commute to work, but the evenings are warmer and I don't need as much 
coverage.

If you're going with tights, you will definitely want something that will 
block the wind and is lightweight.  Some people try nylon running pants, but 
if you use them you will want to layer tights underneath if it's very cold, 
and use velcro leg straps to keep the fabric out of the chainring.

As far as tops go, I usually pick a base layer that wicks away moisture, and 
layer over it fleece or something that is more windstopping.

Other suggestions for winter are perhaps a balaclava for your head (under your 
helmet of course) and some good gloves that will protect your hands and keep 
them warm.

Marcy

#######

From: 
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


In a message dated 9/28/01 2:37:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
janyne writes:

<< Do you also use the terry liberator saddle?  >>

I actually have one of the first Terry saddles on my MTB...no cut out, but 
holes in the understructure. I think it was their original race saddle. They 
even replaced it once after over a year when the stitching came undone. The 
second one has held up quite well (although it looks worn) and I will 
probably use it until it falls apart - or I do, whichever comes first. [A 
person well into the second half of their allotted century is allowed to say 
things like that :-).]

On the road bike I have a newer (3-4 years) Liberator Ti Race. As you can 
tell I find the narrower saddles much more comfortable.

And just for good measure my husband uses a Terry Fly on his road bike. He 
tried regular Ti Race (when they had the red cut out which he was distinctly 
unenthusiastic about ) but it pinched and they took it back.

As you can see, we have had great luck both fit wise and in dealing with the 
company. They are very helpful when you call. But saddles are very personal. 
Most of the women I ride with (road) use saddles with a cut out, but several 
prefer the Performance version. Off road it doesn't seem as critical to me 
since you spend a lot less time actually in the saddle.

Hope this helps,
Marcia

#######

From: mahaffey
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


Give it up for Terry. On my mountain bike (a SWEET red Cannondale Jekyll 600),
I've been using a Terry Butterfly for about 8 months. Just discovered this
saddle is supposed to be for road riding. So what!

Reasons I like the Terry Butterfly on my mountain bike:
Narrow - easy to slip off the back when going downhill
Light
Long - easy to "steer" the bike when I'm over the seat.
Wears well

In the right position to support my sit bones, the Butterfly is great. However,
what's made the saddle even better is a pair of Shebeest shorts with a fabulous
chamois - a bit diaper-like but my private areas are no longer chafed. Worth it!

Incidentally, I have a Terry Liberator Ti on my road bike which looks awful and
works well.

Jill

#######

From: mahaffey
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 7:08 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Fall/Winter clothing


Kudos to Jayne for her consistent daily efforts! 5 miles a day is enough to
get anyone addicted.

I've never been spandex ready in my life, but biking clothing is more
efficient (and more comfortable excuse me in the crotch area).

My point: whether wearing tights or sweat pants, I keep my knees warm for
the first 20 minutes or so of cold weather cycling. I use an old pair of leg
warmers - yeah, like in Flashdance. Once blood's flowing to the quads, calf
muscles and knee joints, I use one hand to shove them down from thigh to
ankle. I don't like to stop to remove layers - I'd  rather pull up or down
or unzip. Somehow the leg warmers don't snarl up in the chain rings. Works
for me and saves my knees!

Jill

#######

From: mahaffey
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 7:12 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Fall/Winter clothing OOPS


I apologize for misspelling Janyne's name!

It's spelled  J A N Y N E, who now has permission to cruelly butcher my name
into frightening derivatives.

Jill

#######

From: Rita Liotta
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 7:58 AM
To: Women's Cycling Discussion
Subject: [WCDL] Thanks!


Hi, everyone:

I just wanted to thank the group for all the info and help you've given me
regarding my new road bike. All of you have been insightful and patient. I
do appreciate it. I don't think I'll be able to return the bike, but I might
try to sell it and put the money toward one that fits.

Thanks again. I'll keep you posted...

Rita


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