A Woman’s Specific Saddle: For Women, Tested by Women. The saddle is one of three contact points you have with your bike—bars, pedals, and seat. If you are uncomfortable at any of these contact points, you’ll fatigue faster, and the ride will be less than ideal. Get them dialed in just right, and you canContinue reading “Shimano’s PRO Sirin Women’s-Specific Saddle”
Category Archives: Product Reviews
Riding into Fall in Comfort: ASSOS Women’s UMA GT Bib Tights
There’s now a chill in the air as I start my morning fall rides in Chicago. The temperature fluctuates from chilly starts to milder mid-50s by the end of my ride. I’ve been testing the new UMA GT bib tights from ASSOS for several weeks now, and they’ve quickly become a favorite for cooler weather.Continue reading “Riding into Fall in Comfort: ASSOS Women’s UMA GT Bib Tights”
Bikepacking Gear Roundup – Part 2
Figuring out how to carry gear on a bikepacking trip can cause anxiety, especially if you don’t have a bike with dedicated mounting points. Companies are well aware of the growing interest in bikepacking, particularly with non-traditional bikepacking bikes, and now offer solutions that allow you to use any bike for your adventure. Yes, roadContinue reading “Bikepacking Gear Roundup – Part 2”
Bikepacking Gear Roundup – Part 1
One of my goals for this year is to try bikepacking. I lean toward credit card camping (aka hotels, motels, BnBs), but I haven’t ruled out sleeping in a tent. Either way, a multi-day adventure will have me carrying gear on my bike. I currently have two exciting adventures planned. A three-day trip in WisconsinContinue reading “Bikepacking Gear Roundup – Part 1”
A Kit Designed for the Long Haul
At Sea Otter Classic, Velocio launched its 2025 Spring/Summer collection, which included the new Merino LUXE jersey and LUXE bibs for men and women, specifically designed for the long-distance rider in mind. Merino LUXE Jersey Men’s Women’s 4 stars Price: $199 Sizes: XXS-3XL (women’s); XS-4XL (men’s) Colors: Smoked paprika, Black, Sulphur Materials: 71% Wool, 18%Continue reading “A Kit Designed for the Long Haul”
SaltStick FastChews: The difference between a DNF or finishing strong
I can confidently say that SaltStick FastChews were a lifesaver during Unbound and saved me from a DNF. The company sent me samples in late February, but the temperatures in Chicagoland made it impossible to test the product. I waited for the weather to warm up, and then Unbound arrived. The combination of a challengingContinue reading “SaltStick FastChews: The difference between a DNF or finishing strong”
USWE Rush 8L Hydration Pack Review
No Dancing Monkey on My Back! I’m writing detailed product reviews on gear that got me through the Unbound Gravel race. One key item was a USWE Rush hydration pack. What sets it apart from other hydration packs? The No Dancing Monkey (NDM) design. The team behind USWE (pronounced you-swii) grew up riding off-road motorcyclesContinue reading “USWE Rush 8L Hydration Pack Review”
Cycling Sunglasses Roundup
Sunglasses for Every Budget and Personality The first half of this year saw a large number of new sunglass models from a variety of brands. In my roundup of shades, you’re bound to find a pair to fit your face, personality, budget, and riding style. Several brands have incorporated sustainability into their materials, packaging, andContinue reading “Cycling Sunglasses Roundup”
Tailwind High Carb Fuel Review
Designed for High-Intensity Efforts Just before Sea Otter Classic in early April ’25, Tailwind Nutrition launched its newest product― High Carb Fuel mix. This new product mix immediately caught my attention for a couple of reasons. First, it was developed with the help of Ellen Campbell, an elite cyclist I met at The Cycling HouseContinue reading “Tailwind High Carb Fuel Review”
Peppermint Cycling’s Women’s Signature Jersey, Bibs, and Socks
I wasn’t familiar with Peppermint Cycling until they contacted me to stop by their booth at Sea Otter Classic to view their 2025 Spring/Summer line. The company, founded in Montreal, Canada, designs cycling apparel for women. They feature comprehensive collections for road, mountain, and gravel riding. Peppermint Cycling’s new Spring/Summer 2025 apparel includes: Road: CompletelyContinue reading “Peppermint Cycling’s Women’s Signature Jersey, Bibs, and Socks”
Sunflowers and Pedals 