Picking the right bicycle helmet

In my first post on bike accessories, I discussed the importance of purchasing a helmet. Here I want to focus on how I selecting a helmet that fits my needs. With prices varying from $10-$300, and a variety of brands to choose from, this decision can quickly become overwhelming. But as I learned, when it comes ti gear, the first question is What do I need? 

No matter what any bilboard of magazine advertisement claims, all brands average the same in crash tests. No study has shown a relationship between a helmet's cost and its safety rating. In fact, the only thing you want to make sure is on your helmet, is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sticker. This proves the helmet has been tested, and meets all safety standards. Besides that, it is all about needs and looks : ) 

For me, I was looking for a simple helmet, that would provide ventilation as I commute to work, without breaking the bank. In the end, I went with a $30 entry level Giro. I have had this helmet for about three months now and couldn't be happier. In retrospect, the only thing I would change is my helmet's color. I haven't researched this, but I imagine that a lighter color would not only increase my visibility on the road, but absorb less of the suns heat. Just a theory. 

To finally decide on which helmet was right for me, I watched dozens of YouTube videos and read even more articles. The video below really helped give me a general idea of the types of bike helmets on the market and how to correctly fit one to my size. After watching it, I went into a few local bike shops to be sized and feel the difference between the various brands and price tags. Though I love my helmet, that does not mean it is the best helmet for your individual needs. I hope my experience and the video below will help you find what is right for you : ) 

Week One: Cycling to Work

This week I took on the seven mile trek to work on my single-speed. In the grand scheme of things, a round trip fourteen mile ride is no big deal. For some reason, however, I was intimidated enough to put this trip off for more than a month. But that was then and this is now : )

In the now, I feel so empowered by my decision to take on bike commuting. It is crazy to me the many ways innovation in the fields of mechanics and technology have caused an inflation in my perception of mind power and a deflated of my perception of body power. I am now more set than ever on one say cycling across the united states. But as my mother always said, "Pride comes before a fall." And boy did I hit a low this week the equally matched the high of pushing body to a new level. 


Few, if any, activities are risk free. This week, I learned cycling is no exception. Besides dodging cars and inhaling exhaust (specific to urban settings), cycling has some health risks that are not obvious, or even discussed. After waking up last friday unable to walk, I began doing some research on these unspoken risks. Hopefully, this blog will help you avoid some common mistakes made by cyclists of all experience levels - including myself.

Lesson One: Stay hydrated! 
The first major lesson I have learned about bike commuting is the importance of staying hydrated. If you decide to begin cycling to work, be sure to significantly increase the amount of water you consume each day. This week I made the mistake of judging my water needs by my feelings. FALSE. Drink water whether or not you feel like it. The end of my story turned out something like this: super dehydrated, super nauseous, sleepless night wishing I had taken the time to drink more water. Lesson learned. 

Lesson Two: Buy a great saddle
It is no secret, the average bike saddle (seat) is super uncomfortable. What is less known, is the average saddle is actually bad for you. Why? Because the forward riding position of most bikes, especially road and mountain bikes, places all of your weight on a bone that is not designed to handle it. That bone also contains the nerves and blood vessels that connect to male and female genitalia. Who new cycling could heart your sex life? In fact, many studies have shown that extensive time on a traditional bike saddle leads to sexual disfunction for male and female riders. (For the details and studies, check out this great New York Times article)   


So how do you keep everything down their working at its best? Buy a new saddle : ) Here are some saddles I am looking at that do a better job of correctly positioning a riders weight: Selle San Marco Caymano Arrowhead,  ISM Adamo Podium, Sella Italia, and Specialized BG. 

Lesson Three: Cyclist are at a higher risk for bone loss than other athletes

So bones become stronger the more often they have weight put on them - ironically the opposite of joints. This is the reason astronauts come back with significantly weaker bones. Space's zero gravity climate, puts no weight on an astronauts bones, causes them to adapt by thinning out. The same goes for exercise. The fact that cycling, particularly on the road, places as little weight as possible on bones, makes it so that as a cyclist ages their bones dramatically thin out. 


This situation is made worse by two other cycling realities. First, the average cyclist burns many more nutrients than they usually consume. This translates to your body working at a deficiency: not being able to give your bones and muscles the nutrients they need to work at their best. Second, for cyclist that regularly take on longer treks, this extensive exercise causes their bodies to produce less hormones (testosterone in men and estrogen in women). Though many female athletes are happy to give up their period every month, which is often the case for professional female athletes, testosterone and estrogen play a key roll in preventing bone loss. (For further reading on this topic, check out this great LA Times article) 


So what can a cyclist do about it? Diversify their exercise. It is not enough to just cycle. To keep your bones strong, it is important to take on other types of workouts. Examples of these could be volleyball, running, basketball, etc. (I've decided to keep it simple and take a run every weekend to keep my bones strong. 

Thinking about "Week Two: Commuting to Work"
It's crazy what one week cycling to work has taught me. Unfortunately, I did not learn these lessons before injuring myself : ( 


As some of you know, my first week cycling to work I hit a record high of 75 total miles! But since I failed to meet my body's need for water and nutrients I ended up severely straining my lower back. The weakness of my muscles paired with a horrible seat, and Miami pot holes, led to me severely misaligning my pelvis - I couldn't stand straight for three days...


Luckily though, after a few visits to the chiropractor and some readings on riding safety, I should be up and ready to go next week. This does mean, though, that "Week Two: Cycling to Work" will be postponed a week. Hopefully though I can fill the gap with another informative post on bike maintenance and wicked pics of my messed up pelvis : )


As always, happy and safe riding everyone. 




*Have your own commuting to work stories/lessons? Share them below!!!

Bike Accessories

Once I bought my bike, the next step was to purchase the accessories : )

The first, and most important, accessory I purchased was an entry level Giro bike helmet. Cycling the streets of Miami, I wanted to make sure to be as safe as possible. Even though there are helmets that go for hundreds of dollars, I am not yet astute or committed enough to tell the difference, so why break the bank? (pricier helmets are not safer, just lighter and cooler)

Next I went out and purchased lights for those late night commutes. I went with a Topeak headlight and  Planet Bike taillight. Thus far, both of these lights have worked great. Not only do they make me visible in the dark (which I am a big fan of), but they are super easy to remove and transfer to another bike.

Once I felt safe riding day and night, I looked into increasing the practicality of my bike as a primary commuter vehicle. (Who needs a car?) With my eyes set on a rear rack, I went weeks looking for the perfect rack and bag. I was unimpressed by everything I saw, until I came across this YouTube video on the Topeak MTX Trunk Bag. It was love at first sight. Not only does this bag have tons of storage space, but its sleek design and slide-and-lock system makes removing it from my bike and throwing it over me shoulder a breeze. But all these perks didn't come cheap.

The rack and bag totalled more than a hundred bucks. If the price wasn't enough, a two month back order meant a long time until the whole in my bank account was filled with a drastic change to my riding habits. However after months of waiting, I can truly say this is the best purchase I have ever made. I highly recommend this to any commuter that is sick of riding with a backpack in the Miami heat (which is not only a sweat issue, but ass issue on those longer rides)

All in all, I would say the biggest lesson I learned in all of this is to calculate accessories as part of your initial purchase. If you are not prepared for all of these extra costs it can really break your bank. 

Why my first bike was a single-speed

The most stressful decision I have faced entering the world of cycling was purchasing my first bike. There are so many different types of bikes for every imaginable purpose, deciding which was best for me took weeks. Did I want the rugid strength of a mountain bike, the versatility of a hybrid, or the refined speed of a road bike? After reading dozens of descriptions/reviews and honestly reflecting on the type of cyclist I wanted to be, I purchased a single-speed.

Single-speed v. fixie
Now before I begin my soapbox on the merits of single-speed road bikes for first time cyclists, it is important to explain how they differ from a fixed-gear (fixie). Although both single-speeds and fixies lack the gearing system of the common road and mountain bike, fixies are the simplest and oldest type of bicycle. As long as the bike is moving, so are a fixie's pedals, leaving riders unable to 'coast.' Here is part one and two of a great video made by two novice cyclists - like me : ) - converting a geared bike into a fixie. Not only do they visually explain 'coasting,' they also highlight how easy it is to convert an old road bike into a fixed gear drive train (if you so desire).

Why I went with a single-speed
In the end, I found fixies to be more restrictive than liberating. The idea of shooting down a Miami bridge with my pedals moving faster than my feet seemed like a simple recipe for a broken leg or accident. A single-speed bike, however, would allow me to 'coast' down bridges, keep a simple design, and give me an opportunity to learn the basics of bike maintenance anxiety free. Plus lets be honest, $200 was a much less risky investment than the $700 for the average entry level geared road bike. Once it was clear what I wanted, I went to my local bike shop and decided on the bike above (it was love at first sight).


Selling a single-speed
After about three months on my single-speed, I have loged in 100 to 200 commuter miles. In this time, I built up my legs to handle an average flat speet of about fifteen miles per hour. Also, through YouTube searches and tinkering I have learned how to clean and lube a chain, adjust handlebars and breaks, and the importance of storing a bike inside (away from the elements - rust is no joke).

As I near my fourth month, I have begun seriously considering making the jump to a geared touring bike. I am getting more and more excited about the idea of cycling across the country, and although a single-speed is phenomenal for short distance rides (less than fifty miles), the inability to switch gears translates to more energy on the side of the cyclist. This was great in the beginning to get me into cycling shape, but as I look to long distance cycling trips (200+ miles), a geared touring bike seems ideal.

But the best part is single-speed bikes are super easy to maintain, and therefore super easy to sell back at, or near, equal value! Even though I am beginning the transition to the world of geared cycling, I would never trade in the lessons I learned on my single-speed. I highly recommend single-speed bikes to anyone that desires to test the waters before making the jump into the world of cycling.

Buying your first bike

The first step to entering into the word of cycling is buying a bike. Whether you plan to be a weekend beach cruiser or a rain or shine commuter, a bike is essential. 

WARNING: do not get so caught up in researching a bike that you forget to buy one. Remember, you are a beginner. If you eventually decide to compete in le tour de France you will not do so on your first bicycle. You are looking entry level: something to test the waters, something you can tinker with without fearing the wrath of the cycling gods. 

For years, I waited for the perfect scenario to start cycling. Finally I decided it was time to just set a deadline, do my research, and buy a bike - and I have never been happier. And the best part is, if you buy your bike and are unhappy, you can return it : )

If you are still in the research process, here is a great article for determining the right bike for you. (It is really more about you than the bike)

If you learn better through people's stories, here is a great video on taking the necessary steps to purchasing your bike through the story of a San Franciscan cyclist.

Hope this is helpful : )

*If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment below.