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Bike Goals, Intentions, and Things to Try in 2017

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By Maria Boustead

Happy New Year! Did you ring in the new year safely and joyfully and are you ready to make 2017 one of your best years ever? WE hope so!

I doubt I’m the only one reflecting on 2016 and making resolutions for the year ahead, which got me to wondering what bike-related goals people were setting for the new year, and how they were planning on accomplishing them. I put the question to several NYC women-focused bike groups on Facebook, including the WE Bike Female Bike Forum, Bicycle Habitat’s Women’s Cycling NYC, and Black Girls Do Bike NYC. Below are some of the things people are working towards, as well as resources for accomplishing them. WE hope that this will inspire you to set your own bike goals for 2017 and WE look forward to hearing about your progress and celebrating your achievements!

Complete a Century or Gran Fondo
Training for and completing a long ride is one of the most common bike goals people cite for 2017. Whether this is getting ready for a ride that you find daunting or just increasing your mileage and seeing some scenery, it’s a good idea to start training now and not waiting until the weather warms.

An indoor trainer, a device that converts your bicycle into a stationary bike, is helpful for training through winter. There are a lot of varieties of trainers on the market today; if the options seem overwhelming, read the “How to Choose an Indoor Bike Trainer” article in Bicycling Magazine for some clarity. Or, better yet, head to Bicycle Habitat’s upcoming “Rollers VS Trainers” clinic. Don’t have space or budget for a trainer? Taking regular spin classes is an alternative.

Once you have your trainer, find a training plan that suits your needs. This 8-week Training Plan for Riding a Century from Bicycling Magazine came recommended from people who’ve done it. Another suggestion is to consider joining the Century Road Club Association (CRCA) which comes with a season-long training program and access to the Club Races in Central Park.

When and where are these rides? These are some that people mentioned training for:
– Gran Fondo NJ
– Transportation Alternatives NYC Century
– Five Boro Bike Tour
– Ride to Montauk
– Rapha Womens 100k

Bike Packing, Touring, and Adventure Cycling
If you long for the freedom of the open road and/or like to get outdoors and into nature, bike packing and touring might be the perfect thing for you to try this year. Blackburn’s Out There website is full of inspiration and good resource, while 718 Cyclery in Brooklyn’s Women’s Cycling Adventure Group is our local go-to resource for all things adventure cycling. Check their website for their 2017 calendar of trips and classes, and their Facebook page is a great resource for discovering spots to go, gear reviews, and just meeting fellow bike adventurers.

Commuting By Bike More Regularly
How often did you bike to work last year? Using your bike to commute to work is a great way to get regular exercise, have more control over the time it takes to get from A to B, and a great way to get to know the city. So, set a goal for 2017 that increases that amount you ride, whether that’s once per work or four days per week. Resolve to ride when the temperature is above Xº or ever day that’s dry or even on days that are a little wet.

Need some guidance for city riding or riding in less-than-ideal weather? Check the WE Bike blog for posts about biking in cold weather, and Bike NYC for classes on Bike Commuting and Citi Bike Street Skills. Have more questions? Post them in the Facebook Female Bike Forum so your fellow bike commuters can weigh in.

Learning Bike Maintenance Skills
We’re blessed with having a lot of great bike shops in our city but it’s good to know how to do some basic maintenance and repairs on your own. One of the most commonly mentioned thing to learn was how to fix a flat, a crucial skill particularly if you’re riding outside of town.

Many bike shops host fix-a-flat and bike maintenance workshops throughout the year — check the website or Facebook page of your nearby stores to see if they have anything coming up, or ask if they’d give you a private lesson. Bike New York also offers a plethora of skill-building classes, such as Bike Maintenance 101.

WE hope that this list inspires you to up your cycling game in 2017! Do you have a goal you’re working towards that WE didn’t include here? The conversation is still going on Facebook  – post your plans today!

Using Your Bike to Beat Holiday Stress

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By Maria Boustead

Have you ever noticed that for a season of joy, December can be unusually stressful? So while you might feel like you’re too busy or too stressed to ride, WE encourage you to remember bicycling is actually an excellent way to deal with stress.  Here’s how to take advantage of this benefit of bicycling this month:

Take a long ride through nature. Participating in a longer ride away from traffic reduces stress two main ways. The first is that the repetitiveness of pedaling over a longer time frame has a calming effect on your brain similar to concentrating on your breathing or a mantra during meditation. The second benefit is that being surrounded by trees and nature is guaranteed to relax you – especially compared to the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan.

You’ll experience these benefits best on routes where you don’t have to start and stop a lot, so take a break from city streets and do some Central Park or Prospect Park laps, or take on some of NYC’s lovely trails, like the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail or the trusty Hudson River Greenway Trail. Worried about the cold? Check our blog for some tips on staying warm while the weather gets cold.

Challenge yourself! Speaking of riding in cold weather, you may just find that accomplishing a personal goal of riding in -X degrees helps lift your mood. That’s because another way that bicycling can help you beat stress is that the more you do it, the more confident you become, and the better you feel. Set a few bicycling goals this month – anything from miles per week, to beating a new low temperature, to doing all your holiday shopping by bike – that will give you a sense of accomplishment. And share your accomplishments in WE Bike NYC Female Bike Forum on Facebook so that we can cheer you on!

(Re)Connect with your cycling community. While all these rides may be good for your psyche, many riders find rides are more enjoyable when done with other people. But let’s be honest: now that we’re moving into winter, planned rides by cycling clubs are less frequent. Don’t despair if you can’t find a ride to join this month: an alternative is to plan a ride yourself and post it in the forum to find some companions.

Beyond the actual cycling part, even getting together with friends who cycle can go a long way to reducing stress this holiday season. It’s no secret that humans are super social animals, and socializing with people whose company you enjoy actually reduces anxiety on a physiological level. Fortunately, social gatherings in December are not in short supply, and the WE Bike NYC White Elephant Gift Swap should definitely be on your calendar this month.

Lastly, volunteering for causes you believe in has a similar calming effect on our minds as socializing, and the benefits can be farther reaching. To stay on the bike theme, NYC has a bunch of bicycle-related non-profit groups that could all use your support, such as Recycle-a-Bicycle, Transportation Alternatives, Bike NYC, and, of course WE Bike NYC. ‘Tis is the season for giving, after all!

How to Dress for Biking in Colder Weather

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By: Maria Boustead

The shorter days, the crispness in the air, the pumpkin spice everything…we all know what it means. Fall is here and winter is around the corner. Yes, the weather is getting cooler by the week but that doesn’t mean that your 2016 biking days are over.

The pleasures of biking through fall and winter are numerous. Fall, with its stunning colors, makes biking through the city’s parks and neighborhood streets a true joy. Winter may lose some of that brilliance but I find the tranquility of the quieter parks and (some) streets to be similarly rewarding.

Not being sure of how to dress for the colder temperatures is a common reason people give for not biking through more months of fall and winter. This is a topic WE’ve seen come up frequently on our Facebook Female Bike Forum, so we’ve culled those discussions for some head to toe suggestions of how to dress differently for fall and winter bicycling:

Head

You may already be wearing a riding cap, but as it gets cooler, opt for a fleece or merino wool cap to keep your head warm. They’re thin enough to comfortably wear under your helmet – although you may need to make a simple adjustment to how your helmet fits. WE suggest getting a cap with ear flaps to keep you extra warm as we move from fall to winter.

A scarf is a versatile accessory that you can push up over your nose and cheeks if you start to feel cold, or loosen around your neck if you start to get overheated. Also, you’ll probably discover that your nose drips a lot more in cooler weather, so having a handkerchief or tissue easily accessible is key.

Torso

Layering your tops is essential to staying warm and comfortable while biking in cooler temperatures. Once you start feeling a little chilly while riding, it’s time to start wearing a polypro or merino wool base layer.

Your next layer should be a fleece tunic to add a layer of warmth to your upper body. You may want to consider investing in a softshell jacket, whose wind-blocking, water-repelling, breathability super powers goes a bit farther than just straight-up fleece to protect you from the weather. And when it starts to get really cold, you can wear both.

Hands

Keeping your hands warm is a must. Not only are cold hands uncomfortable, but have you ever noticed how your hands can seem weaker and slower to react when they’re cold? That’s not good when you need to squeeze your brakes at a moment’s notice to avoid a collision.

Which should you wear: gloves, mittens, or lobster gloves? This question always starts off a debate so just go with what works best for you. It’s most important to choose hand protection that is insulated. Finding hand coverings that let you use your touchscreen without removing them is a plus. And merino wool glove liners are your friend if you need a even more warmth.

Legs

Pulling on some merino wool tights or thermal leggings will make a big difference in how warm your legs feel while biking in colder weather. You can wear these under slacks or skirts, and you can wear more than one pair at once if you need more protection.

Feet

Similar to leggings, you’re going to want to go with layering merino wool socks to keep your feet warm. Several thermal layers will keep your toes toasty warm. Still not enough? Many cyclists swear by warming pouches that you can slip into your shoes (or gloves) to keep your extremities warm. A popular brand is “HotHands” which can be found in drugstores like CVS or in bulk on Amazon.

Keep in mind that different people have different thresholds for temperatures. You might find that you start donning extra layers much earlier or later than others. You might find that your fingertips get cold super fast and your toes overheat, while your best riding buddy experiences the reverse. It takes a little trial and error, but what’s important is finding out what works for you.

WE look forward to seeing you in the bike lanes this fall and winter!

Advice on what to do in a crash

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By Meg Ausen

WE here at WE Bike NYC do all WE can to build a community of cyclists. Part of this includes arming people with knowledge and skills, because knowledge is power! Whether it’s learning the names of the parts on your bicycle at Bike Parts Bingo or practicing bike maintenance with our friends at NYC Mechanical Gardens Bike Coop, WE know that the more you know, the farther you will go! One of our more popular workshops that WE introduced in 2016 is a falling workshop, which teaches folks the motions of falling properly in efforts to best prepare them in case they fall. After all, WE can do countless things to ride safely and protect ourselves on the road, but we cannot control the actions of others and therefore crashes are a reality. Below are some tips in case you are ever in a crash or you witness a crash. Obviously the tips below are contingent on how serious the crash is and the level of mobility/awareness you are able to maintain after the crash. Remember to keep these tips in mind in case you witness a crash as they also apply when you are not the victim.

Try to stay calm and collect yourself slowly – much easier said than done, but if you can take some deep breaths to calm your nerves after a crash, you will likely be in a better position to recall important details of what led to the crash and to assess your injuries. Adrenaline is an amazing thing and it is not uncommon for individuals to walk away from a crash not realizing the degree of their injuries until several hours or days later. Crashing is a very traumatic experience – taking as much time as you need to gather yourself is 100% okay!

Call for help – whether it’s 911 or an emergency contact, it’s best to get others involved as soon as possible. Were there witnesses to the crash? If so, don’t feel shy about asking them to give a statement for a police report. Related to calling for help: tell people when you are going on a ride (even a short commute) and tell them when you have arrived at your destination. It’s extremely easy to forget to communicate with others about when and where you are riding, but doing so can be a huge help in the case that a crash occurs.

Create a safe space – try to use your bicycle as a barrier (either moving it yourself if injuries are minor or asking if a witness can move it or create a different type of barricade) to give yourself space after the crash. The last thing anyone needs to deal with during the aftermath of a crash is traffic continuing to travel in close proximity. If you are able, relocate to a safe space such as a sidewalk or park bench to move yourself out of traffic’s way.

Do what you can until help arrives – if injuries are more serious, try your best not to move as it could exacerbate the injuries. Do not remove your helmet or eat or drink water. In the case of a head injury/trauma, talk out loud and try to form coherent thoughts, even if you are by yourself.

Report the crash – whether to the police or to a different agency (like the Department of Transportation if your crash occurred due to an unsafe road condition), it’s important to report what happened. The sooner you can report the crash, the better, since details will likely be more fresh in your mind. Tell several people you know – walking through the details multiple times will not only help in situations such as filing a police report, but it will also help in the mental recovery process that lies ahead.

Always seek medical help – remember how we said that an adrenaline rush can mask the severity of injuries? Even if you are able to walk away from a crash with minor bumps and bruises, it’s always wise to see a doctor if possible to confirm whether or not your injuries are minor or if they are more severe.

If you have any tips to share, join us in the conversation at the Female Bike Forum on Facebook!

Looking to buy a new bike? Here’s our advice!

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By Meg Ausen

August may seem like an odd time to welcome a new bike into your family, but it’s actually the beginning of the “end of the season” (don’t worry! WE ride all year round!). If you are looking to buy new, August is when you will see current year models go on sale so that shops can bring in the next year’s stock. If you are looking to buy used, people might be off-loading a bike due to space or a desire to find a new steed. Below are some questions to ask yourself before purchasing and ideas to get you started!!

What size frame do I need?

While each bicycle manufacturer varies slightly, knowing the size of frame that’s right for your body is crucial when buying a new bike, especially if you are buying used and therefore do not have the option of test riding several different sizes at a shop. The primary measurement to determine the size you need is your pubic bone height – wearing shoes that you cycling in, measure the length from the base of your pubic bone to the base of your heel. This measurement will determine the size of frame that will fit you best as you can compare your height to the manufacturer’s inseam. Road bikes (whether new or classic) primarily use centimeters and mountain bikes primarily use inches.

You can make modifications on your bike on everything EXCEPT for the size of the frame (seat height, stem length, type of handlebars, etc). Having the right frame size will not only improve your comfort, but it will also be better for your body. Riding a lot on a bike that isn’t the right size can contribute to health problems.

What purpose will this bike serve?

If you have a very specific purpose in mind for you new bike, definitely gear your research and purchasing towards a bike that will meet that purpose. 

Commuting – functionality is a word that comes to mind when thinking of a commuter bike. Will you want to attach a rack(s) to the bike? If so, how much weight will you want to carry? Steel frames are better suited to carry a lot of weight versus aluminum frames. Will you be locking it up outside often? If your answer is yes and you are worried about bike thieves, the amount of money you want to invest in a commuter bike might change. Is your commute hilly? If you have some inclines, think about how many gears you’ll want. Are you more comfortable sitting upright or bent over? This can influence what type of handlebars you want.

You will likely be spending a lot of time on a commuter bike day in and day out, making any discomfort extremely noticeable. That said, you’ll definitely want a commuter bike that’s comfortable and durable. Steel bikes are great for commuting as they are super durable and weigh more, providing a sense of security when riding the pot-holed streets of New York City. Aluminum bikes are also great for commuting as they are light to carry up and down stairs (vital if you live in a walk up). 

Long rides – if you want a bike to zip around in the park or up along 9w, you will probably want a lighter bicycle with a medium to high number of gears. Typically, your crankset will have between one and three rings. The more rings you have, the more gears you have There is a lot of discussion among people looking to go fast about whether to have two or three rings as the extra ring adds weight. The number of gears you have is completely a personal preference, bud definitely something to keep in mind if you will be climbing a lot of hills on this bike. Most road bikes will have drop handlebars, but not all. If you want to use this bike primarily for laps or weekend rides, it’s not as important for these bikes to be extremely functional like a commuter bike.

Touring– similar to a commuter bike, you’ll want a bike that’s extremely functional for touring (I commute on the bike I got for a bike tour, so have doubled up on one bike serving two purposes). You’ll want a bike that can hold a lot of weight on racks and that is durable – think steel. 

Components and Accessories

If you are planning to buy new, use the shop where you are buying – that’s what they are there for! Ask them about saddles, brake systems, pedals, possible modifications, etc. If you are buying used, take into consideration the following:

Frame– is the frame dented, scratched, or rusted? Has it’s integrity been compromised in any way? Ask the current owner to describe the current condition as well as what type of riding they used the bike for. Did the current owner leave the bike outside often?

Tires/wheels – what is the condition of the tires? Look for good tread and that there are no cracks in the tubes. When test riding, take note of how smoothly the bike rides. If you feel wobbly or uneven, the wheel might be out of true which can be unsafe. 

Brakes – are the brake pads worn down? This is an easy fix, but riding with worn down brake pads can be dangerous as your stopping power is dramatically reduced.

Ask about when the bike last got a tune up. If it’s a vintage bike, ask whether the bike has EVER been tuned up while the seller has owned it. Obviously things wear down over time – it’s not uncommon for an older bike to be more susceptible to problems here or there if it hasn’t been regularly maintenanced throughout its life. For example, I once had a bike where the crankset needed a replacement after a bump I passed over caused the bottom bracket to break. Ask A LOT of questions!

And always, always, always test ride a bike you are planning to buy before buying it!

If you have any tips to share, join us in the conversation at the Female Bike Forum on Facebook!