8 of the Best National Parks for Bicycling

Glacier National Park

This summer, as you pack up and head out on weekend trips with your friends and family, don't forget to pack your bike. While not every national park is best suited for cyclists—what with so many trails off limits to anyone but hikers—there are definitely a good handful that you shouldn't leave your bike at home for. If you're looking for a good place to start, here are some of our favorite bike-friendly national parks:

Via Flickr user BLMOregon

Crater Lake National Park
Oregon

The 33-mile loop around Crater Lake is certainly a physically demanding ride, what with the long, steep elevation gains when you're already well above sea level, but it's absolutely worth it. As you follow Rim Drive around the lake, be sure to stop at the vistas to get a glimpse of the gorgeous crystal-blue waters that fill that crater.

Acadia National Park
Maine

At Acadia National Park, you can explore both the beautiful New England coast, as well as the lush forests and granite slopes this incredible park has to offer. With 45 miles of historic carriage roads and plenty of paved roads, there's no shortage of good cycling.

Shenandoah National Park
Virginia

If you're looking for a lengthy, hilly challenge, then Shenandoah is the park for you. The 105-mile Skyline Drive following the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a demanding route and is best reserved for more experienced cyclists. But do be careful: Skyline Drive is a two-way road with a lot of curves and blind spots, so just be aware of your surroundings and the cars passing you.

Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona

Bikes may not be allowed in the canyon, but there are still plenty of options for bicyclists at this beautiful, iconic national park. Besides, the view from the top is simply outstanding. Both the North and South Rims have options for cyclists, including the 2.8-mile Hermit Road Greenway Trail on the South Rim.

Via Flickr user Andreas Johansson

Death Valley National Park
California

It may be the hottest, driest and lowest national park the U.S. has to offer, but Death Valley National Park has 785 miles of road and trail available to cyclists—you just might want to avoid the hottest of the summer months, when temperatures can rise to 120 degrees during the day and drop to zero at night.

Glacier National Park
Montana

Take your two-wheeled transport on a ride through the heart of Glacier National Park and around the mountainsides on the 55-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road. The scenery is gorgeous and you'll get a chance to view Jackson Glacier Overlook as well as local wildlife, like bighorn sheep and mountain goats. But it is a tough ride, so be prepared for some climbs.

Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming

There are plenty of awesome things to do at Grand Teton National Park, and biking is definitely one of them. With a multi-use pathway to ride along and see the park's sights, as well as several roads, there's plenty of great pedaling.

Redwood National Park
California

The paths and trails in Redwood National Park ride among the gorgeous redwoods of this Northern California forest, which tower 350 feet above the ground, and even offer incredible ocean views at certain points. With several different loops and trails to ride, you can easily spend an entire day (or a couple of days) exploring the area.

Are we missing your favorite? Let us know in the comments section.

Top 5 Stretches Every Cyclist Should Do

Photo by Gabriel Amadeus, via Flickr

Whether you ride distance, to race or simply to get yourself around town, your muscles are working hard to keep your feet pedaling and your wheels moving. The last thing any of us wants is soreness or an injury that might keep us off our bikes for awhile. Even if your longest ride is just a few miles roundtrip, it's a smart idea to practice good stretching habits regularly to keep your muscles long, limber and pain-free. Here are some stretches to get your started:

Quadriceps

If you've ever noticed that heaviness in your thighs after a long ride—or you've ever felt them burning during one—then no doubt you know just how much these muscles work. Treat them to a nice, long and slow stretch. Start by standing up straight, then reach back with your right hand and grab your right ankle and pull the foot up towards your rear until you feel the tension. Hold for at least five deep breaths and switch sides.

Calves

Have you ever ridden behind another cyclist and seen how much their calves flex and move while they pedal? Needless to say, it's a good idea to stretch these muscles out. One great way to do this is to stand straight up with your feet hip's width distance apart and your toes pointing forward. Then step forward with your right foot and bend your knee. Keep your left toes tucked under and push back into them until you feel the pull. Hold for at least five deep breaths and then switch it up.

Hamstrings

It's easy to forget about the hamstrings, but when these puppies are tight there are huge complications for your back and knees. To stretch them out, find a step or curb. Stand straight up and lift your right leg so your heel (toes pointing straight up) rests on the step. Then, keeping a flat back, slowly bend over at the hip until you feel the stretch. Again, hold for five deep breaths and do the other leg.

IT Band

A lot of cyclists might at one point or another complain about knee or hip problems. Most of the time, these aches and pains are caused by a knotted up IT band. Sit straight up with your legs out in front of you. Then bring your right foot of your left knee, turn to face your right and add resistance by pressing your left elbow against the outside of your right knee. Gently push through your elbow until you feel the stretch. Hold for at least five breaths and switch legs.

Glutes

It's ridiculously easy to transition into a glute stretch from the IT band stretch above. In the same seated position with your right foot on the outside of your left knee, just face forward pull your knee to you in a hug. But just because it's so easy doesn't mean you shouldn't do it—tight glutes can cause more work for your lower back, which can cause chronic pain now or later in life. Just be sure to hold the stretch for at least five breaths and to repeat on the other side.

15 of the Best Bicycling Quotes

Who doesn't love a great quote, especially when it's about something you love? Regardless of whether it's inspirational, funny, full of good advice, what-have-you, a solid quote sticks with you. And, naturally, we're pretty big suckers for sayings about cycling. Here are 15 of our favorites- Please note- we added one more that we missed originally. 

http://bicyclinghub.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-of-best-bicycling-quotes.html

"Ride lots." –Eddy Merckx


“Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling.”  - James E. Starrs

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." -H.G. Wells

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them." –Ernest Hemingway

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live." –Mark Twain

"It never gets easier, you just go faster." –Greg LeMond

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." –John F. Kennedy

"I won! I won! I don't have to go to school anymore!" –Eddy Merckx, after his first win

"The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community." –Ann Strong

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." –Albert Einstein


"If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much." –Jens Voigt

"When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle." –Elizabeth West

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." –Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"Shut up legs! Do what I tell you to do." –Jens Voigt

"Bikes are almost as good as guitars for meeting girls." –Bob Weir

"Ever bike? Now that's something that makes life worth living! I take exercise every afternoon that way. Oh, to just grip your handlebars and lay down to it, and go ripping and tearing through streets and road, over railroad tracks and bridges, threading crowds, avoiding collisions, at twenty miles or more an hour, and wondering all the time when you're going to smash up. Well now, that's something! And then go home again after three hours of it ... and then to think that tomorrow I can do it all over again!" –Jack London

Did we leave out your favorite quote? Let us know in the comments section below.

Top 8 Favorite Songs About Bicycles

Every once in awhile there's a great song that provides us bike-lovers with a new anthem to add to the collection. So last week we asked our Facebook and Twitter community for your favorite songs about bicycles. Here's what you said (plus some of our favorites too):

Queen: "Bicycle Race"
Of course the song with the opening lyrics, "Bicycle! Bicycle! Bicycle! I want to ride my bicycle," appears on this list, because is that not our rallying cry? Granted, the song does get overplayed at cycling events, as Steve S. pointed out on Facebook, but we can't deny it's a classic song—with a great music video.

KRAFTWERK: "Tour de France"

 

If you've either checked out a translated version of KRAFTWERK's scratchy electronic beat, or you speak German, you know that the lyrics literally describe the race's route. And the added sound of breathlessness—well, let's just say it seems pretty accurate in an ode to the Tour de France.

Pink Floyd: "Bike"

 

Though parts of this song are definitely on the creepier side, "Bike" has some damn good—albeit pretty silly—lyrics set to a great, psychedelic tune.

Sons of Science: "Motherf*cking Bike"

Hilarious lyrics, sick beat—what more is there to say about this song? Oh, the video is pretty great too.

The Mixtures: "Pushbike Song"

 

With a nice summer sound, The Mixture's "Push Bike" definitely makes you want to get outside and enjoy some sunshine, and you know, maybe meet someone that way. Related: this is definitely the kind of song you can serenade a special someone with.

Flobots: "Handlebars"

 

 

It's hard to say what this song is actually about, but let's just get down to basics: riding a bike with no handlebars doesn't sound very easy. I mean, riding no-handed (like is shown in the video) is one thing, but no bar altogether? That's got to be tough.

MC SpandX: "Performance"

 

"Performance" is a classic of sorts in the cycling world. When MC SpandX, aka Robin Moore, released it in 2009, it quickly reached viral status. Since then, he's put out a couple other great cycling-related songs that are definitely worth a listen: "Get Dirty" and "Le Velo."

Alex Marco: "The Bike"

A silly little French song with French people decked out in Peugeot gear doing a silly little dance that we can only assume is called "The Bike." Don't get us wrong, we're all for self-expression, but we'll take an actual bike ride over having to do "The Bike," thank you very much.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.

10 Best Cycling Movies

It should come as no surprise that we love films about our favorite sport—bicycling. As these things go, though, some of the bike movies out there are (much) better than others. So if you're looking for a good cycling flick, these are the ones most worth your while:

Breaking Away
Directed by Peter Yates

Who doesn't love a classic love story, especially one that includes a bike racing plotline? Obsessed with Italian bike culture and enamored by a pretty college girl, recent high school graduate from the wrong side of the tracks Dave Stoller masquerades as an Italian exchange student to try and win his crush's affections. But when an Italian racing team comes to town and they use dirty tricks to win a race against Dave, he drops his fake identity to build a team to race against the Italians in the university's upcoming "Little 500" bicycle race. A largely word-of-mouth success at the box office, Breaking Away also went on to win several awards, including the Academy Award for "Best Screenplay."

Slaying the Badger
Directed by John Dower

Our most recent addition to this list, Slaying the Badger is the story of one of the greatest Tour de France races of all time.   At the conclusion of the 1985 Tour de France, Bernard Hinault publicly said he would back Greg LeMond in the 1986 Tour.  In reality, the lines get blurred and it's not clear who he is working for.  Each cyclist tells a very narrative of the "Badger's" motivation during the race.  It's a gripping tale and we're proud to move it to our top 10 list of all time best bicycling films.




The Triplets of Belleville
Directed by Silvain Chomet

When Madame Souza notices her young grandson, Champion, is sad and lonely after his parents' death, she at first buys him a puppy named Bruno. But he is soon melancholic again, so, taking note of Champion's interest in bike racing, she buys him a tricycle. Years later, he's entering the Tour de France with Souza as his coach. But during the race he is kidnapped by the French Mafia. So what does Souza do? She and Bruno set off on a journey to save Champion, of course, and they meet a cast of characters along the way. This is definitely one to watch even if animation isn't your thing.

American Flyers
Directed by John Badham

Written by Steve Tesich, who also wrote Breaking Away, American Flyers follows brothers Marcus and David as they train for and compete in a bike race across the Rocky Mountains called, "The Hell of the West." Making matters a little more complicated, one of the brothers may likely be afflicted by the tendency for a cerebral aneurysm, which is what killed their father. What's extra cool about this flick and makes it a must-see for cycling buffs is it includes actual footage from the old Coors International Bicycle Classic. Oh, and don't miss the quick Eddy Merckx cameo at the start of stage 1.

A Sunday in Hell
Directed by Jørgen Leth

This is a great one for history buffs. A Sunday in Hell captures the 1976 Paris-Roubaix from the viewpoints of the organizers, spectators and participants. What sets this apart from other race documentaries is that it really reveals the atmosphere and spirit of a professional race. Following contenders Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck, Freddy Maertens and Francesco Moser from the start of the race all the way through the punctures and crashes in the muddied, slick, cobbled tracks to the finish, this film gives a realistic feel of how the races plays out. And when they're done, these badass cyclists, definitely look like they've spent the day in hell.

Stars and Watercarriers
Directed by Jørgen Leth

Another great documentary from Leth, Stars and Watercarriers is less about the story of the 1973 Giro d'Italia it covers, and more about the heroic—and downright intimidating—way Eddy Merckx handles a race. But it also reveals some of the often unspoken heroics of the watercarriers and workers behind the scenes. There's a particularly incredible scene where the glass bottles are opened with church keys and passed around.

The Bicycle Thief
Directed by Vittorio De Sica

Nobody likes a bike thief. Set in post-WWII Rome, The Bicycle Thief follows Antonio Ricci and his son Bruno, as they search for Antonio's stolen bike, which is a necessity if he wants to keep his job and be able to support his family. The film itself is really well done and, only four years after its 1948 release, Sight and Sound magazine declared it the best film of all time.

The Flying Scotsman
Directed by Douglas Mackinnon

Based on the life and career of Scottish amateur cyclist Graeme Obree, The Flying Scotsman captures Obree's attempts to become the world's fastest bike racer despite his debt, mental illness and the resentment he faces for having no real funding or backing. The script was adapted from Obree's autobiography of the same name. One of the cool things is that Obree actually stood in for Jonny Lee Miller, the actor who portrays him, in some of the cycling sequences.

The Greatest Show on Earth
Directed by Michael Pfleghar

Not to be confused with the 1952 movie about a circus, The Greatest Show on Earth does reveal the circus-like aspects of bike racing as it documents the 1974 Giro d'Italia, which is the perhaps the most insane of the Grand Tours. Oh, and the Pope makes an extra special appearance. This is a natural follow-up film to watch after Stars and Watercarriers, an overall great way to spend a couple of hours.

Bicycle Dreams
Directed by Steven Auerbach

Sleep deprivation, challenging terrain and bad weather—that's what riders in the 2005 Race Across America had to cope with (plus, you know, the part where they were racing across America). Bicycle Dreams sets out to capture the 3,000-mile race from start to finish, but when one of the riders, Bob Breedlove, a veteran racer and endurance cycling legend, is killed in a collision only days into the race, the other cyclists must figure out how to cope and whether or not they should keep going.


Honorable mentions include Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Ride the Divide, The Impossible Hour, 2 Seconds and Quicksilver.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments section below.

Why Do You Love Your Bike?

Compiled by Sarah Esterman

via Flickr user eelke dekker

It should come as no surprise, but we here at BicyclingHub.com love our bikes. They get us from A to B, whether that means commute rides between home and work, weekend rides for pleasure or training rides for races. They keep us in shape. They save us money we might otherwise have to spend on gas. They give us a wealth of great times. And, frankly, they hold sentimental value. My ride right now, for instance, was a college graduation gift from my parents, and I love it all the more because of that.

Yesterday, we went to our Facebook community and asked why you love your bikes. Here's what you said:

"I bought it with some inheritance from my grandma. She was the most incredible woman. Really like a second mom to me. Its my in remembrance of grandma bike and I ride it with pride. Also, my bike helped me lose 100lbs, and get to my first century ride!" –Ivy S.

"Riding releases stress... Every problem I have goes away. And when I am done, I can relax. Nothing else I do does that for me. I will ride until I can't anymore..." –Chris P.

"My bike will never leave me for another lover." –Enitan O.

"She quietly spends her free time in my garage, dreaming of the places we will go next!" –Jill L.

"I worked hard to buy it. I work hard to stay fit enough to compete. Even at close to 66 I have to fight for the time to suit up and ride. But then, on the road, I have a few hours of joy." –Tom M.

"My lovely white 'Marco Pierre' is an extension of myself and provides me with the balance I need in my life. We will journey together for as long as we can." –Audrey M.

"My good old Bridgestone mountain/road hybrid 'Little Blue' gets me wherever I need to go. She's the first thing I ever bought with a credit card (27 years ago!) and definitely the best bang-for-the-buck purchase I've ever made." –Cynthia H.

"For the wind in my hair and the smile on my face. It also stimulates the brain." –Shane B.


Why do you love your bike? Let us know in the comments.

Quinoa Porridge: a Recipe for Success from the Bicycle Chef

By Guest Blogger Denine R. Gorniak

I call myself The Bicycle-Chef because I am a chef and an avid cyclist.  I’m also a lot of other things, such as a mother to a rambunctious 2 year old  - He’s called, Nate, or Nibblet, depending on the moment and I’m Momma Neeny!  I am a passionate “eatie” - that’s the non-snobby foodie; and I am an adventurous amateur photographer, chronicling the burgeoning and interesting Street Art Scene in Philadelphia.  My blog, The Bicycle-Chef, grew out of my passions for biking and cooking.   While the blog is primarily about my culinary and two-wheeled adventures I also like to serve up side orders of other interesting topics.  I’m a three-time Sprint Triathlete and mentor, having competed in three triahlons and I mentored over 20 women for the The SheRox Triathlon Series.  I take tons of photos of urban city images and found art. Furthermore, I’m a huge baseball “PHAN” for my beloved Philadelphia Phillies.  In addition to all of these hobbies and interests, I work full time and and, oh, yeah, I'm on a mission to cook and eat healthy and to share my weight loss and exercise experiences with others.    

I started biking on the road to wellville on July 31, 2007.  That was the day I set forth to become a healthier person.  At age 40, I had a jolting wake up call about my life. I was over 70 pounds overweight, diagnosed as pre-diabetic with the beginnings of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  I have a family history of heart disease and diabetes so I knew I was facing a shortened life. I joined Weight Watchers that night. The next day, I started to eat and cook healthier and within the month, I bought a used bike from a friend and I began bike riding in earnest.  Cycling had been a passion of mine when I was 19 and 20, and I set the interest aside for 20 years!  Now it was time to for me to become reacquainted with my lost riding spirit. 

Within a month I lost 15 pounds and my medical numbers and stats improved. Each month thereafter my blood pressure decreased and my doctor became more amazed with my weight loss and determination. Since that time I have lost over 60 pounds and found my inner athlete. While my weight has fluctuated from 60 to 75 pounds total pounds lost, I am still determined to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Cycling has been a tremendous help to me in keeping my weight at bay, my muscles toned and my over-all well-being in check.  During my cycling “season,” from April to the end of September, I bike 3 to 5 mornings a week, rising at 5:50 AM and meeting my cycling buddies for a 24 mile, hour and a half ride through the City of Philadelphia and around our beautiful Schuylkill River and through Fairmount Park.  My riding crew is known as the "Sue Crew;" several of the women in the group are named Sue.  We’ve been doing our morning ride for at least three seasons.  People come and go, but the core Group of “Sues” have lasted.  There’s Sue S., The Original Sue; “Sue” Ellen; Carrie-”Sue”; Aaron “The Boy Named Sue”; Fair-weather Sue K.; and me - Sous Chef!  Since we all have busy schedules, meeting in the early morning gives us motivation to exercise and thereby giving us more energy for the day ahead. 

Good Grains and Hearty Breakfast Recipes for Cyclists


It took me over a year to figure out the best nutritional balance for pre- and post riding meals.  Typically I grab a strong shot of coffee and some water and a homemade electrolyte beverage (1/4 cup of lemon or citrus juice mixed with 2 cups of  filtered water, a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a 1/2 tablespoon of sugar) before my morning ride.  I don’t like to eat beforehand but by the time I come home, I’m famished.  Depending on the time of year, I may eat fresh fruit with mix of non-fat, plain Greek-style yogurt with a high fiber and low sugar cereal.  Or I’ll splurge and make an egg white microwave and veggie omelet and serve it on a high fiber, low-calorie deli flat, with low-fat cheese and Canadian bacon. 

During the colder season, typically the early spring and beginning of the cooler fall cycling season, I want hearty and hot whole grain cereals.  Oatmeal gets boring, so I mix it up; multigrain hot cereal blends; whole wheat breakfast couscous, or my new favorite, Quinoa Porridge.  Quinoa is an old grain, high in protein and easy to cook.  Usually it’s made as a savory side-dish, used like brown rice but not as heavy or difficult to cook.  It works beautifully as a breakfast cereal.  I made my porridge by flavoring the cooking water, using a cinnamon stick, a large piece of diced candied ginger (which works as an anti-inflammatory agent) and a pinch of ground clove. Flavoring the water ensures tasty grains that don’t need to have fat and refined sugars as flavoring.  Added fat and sugar would counter-act the health benefits of this nutritional powerhouse grain.  When the quinoa is almost cooked through and has absorbed all the flavorful cooking water, I toss in some dried cranberries and cherries.  In my cereal bowl I top the porridge with warmed non-fat milk for my calcium intake; unsweetened coconut flakes for crunch and a tropical taste; flax seeds for iron replenishment and a dose of high antioxidants; toasted cashews for a bit of healthy fat and a tiny drizzle of pure maple syrup to round it out.  This isn’t Goldie Locks bowl of porridge that’s for sure and the Three Bears wouldn’t have left any of it behind for the flaxen tressed lass to gobble! 

The porridge is an easy recipe to make, and can be embellished with whatever dried fruits and nuts that you prefer.  It’s important to flavor the cooking water.  Once you find a combination that works for you, feel free to experiment.  The flavor combinations are endless!

Quinoa Porridge Ingredients:

•   1 Cup Dried Quinoa - rinsed and shaken dry

•   2 1/2 Cups Cold Water

•   1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

•   Pinch of Salt

•   1 Cinnamon Stick

•   1 Large Piece Candied Ginger (about 1 Tablespoon) - finely diced

•   1 Whole Clove or 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Clove

•   1/4 Cup EACH Dried Cranberries & Dried Cherries (or dried fruits of choice)

For Serving/Garnish per bowl:

•   1/4 Cup Non-Fat Milk - warmed

•   1 Tablespoon Flax Seeds, Sesame Seeds or Chia Seeds

•   1 Tablespoon Dried and Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

•   1 Tablespoon Toasted Cashews, Almonds or Walnuts (or toasted, unsalted nuts of choice)

•   2 Teaspoons Maple Syrup

Directions:

1.     Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water.  Shake off excess water and then add the wet quinoa to a 3 or 4 quart pot with a heavy bottom and a tight fitting lid.  Pour the 2 1/2 cups of cold water into the pot with the quinoa.  Add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, a pinch of salt, the diced candied ginger and the whole or ground clove.  Turn heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil; when the water reaches a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low and cover the pot, allowing the quinoa to absorb the cooking water, about 15 to 20 minutes. 

2.     Before all the water has been absorbed, after about 15 minutes, add in the dried cranberries and cherries.  Turn off the heat and keep the pot covered and let it sit for a total of another 15 minutes, then fluff the quinoa grains with a fork.  Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and the whole clove (if using.)

3.     Serve hot topped with warmed non-fat or low-fat milk, a sprinkle of flax, chia or sesame seeds, a generous pinch of toasted unsweetened coconut and toasted nuts.  Drizzle with one to two teaspoons of maple syrup.  Makes 4 servings and will hold in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  35 to 40 minutes total cooking time, prep through cooking time.

I truly believe that anyone can make positive life changes and stick with them as long as you try, start and pick yourself up if you fall off that wagon and start anew.  It is my mission to cook simple and healthy meals that look and taste great.   Photography and food writing are other passions of mine. Join me at my table while I dish up some tasty stories about life, biking and cooking in Philadelphia, home to more than just the City of Brotherly Love.  For more healthy recipes, tasty food photos and other tales, visit my blog at www.thebicycle-chef.com  

All the Retro, None of the Grouch: New Retro Image Apparel Has Arrived!

Everything Vintage is New Again!

If you're happy and you know it, ride your bike! The (mostly) smiling staff of BicyclingHub.com modeling the new men's and women's Smile Jerseys from Retro Image Apparel.

I can't tell you how pleased we are to have all your iconic favorites back in stock. With a new manufacturer for 2011, these Retro Image Apparel jerseys offer an improved fit, brighter sublimated graphics and a softer, rapid-wicking fabric.

As soon as the boxes landed in our (outstretched) arms, BicyclingHub.com staff tried on some new Retro Image Apparel jerseys vs. the old ones for comparison. Immediately noticeable was the difference in the quality of the fabric itself: possessing a softly brushed interior with an almost silky feel directly against the skin, this new Euro fabric also provides slightly more stretch than previous years and lays flatter against the torso, eliminating the awkward "bunching" effect in the stomach region.

Retro Image Apparel's new fabric also promises to be far more breathable, rapidly wicking away sweat from the body and transferring it to the surface for quick evaporation. Mesh sides with pinhole air vents pair fashion with function, and s mall details such as the double-stitching and lined backing on the zippers were also improved--and much appreciated.

A note on sizing: while not exactly the same extra snug racer cut of years prior, Retro Image Apparel Women's Jerseys still offer a tapered cut for a sleek and stylish look. At 5' 7" and medium build, I fit into the Retro Image Apparel Women's Medium, but found the sleeves to be a bit constricting on my biceps (mountain-biking, vinyasa yoga and cross-country skiing all serve to give them some extra definition) and the jersey was a tad short for me on the hip line. Because of these two factors, I opted for a size large, which gave me a little extra length in the torso I prefer. I'd recommend someone of my size and height to go up one size from their traditional American cut, or the same as their European-brand cycling clothing.

The final word from the cycling clothing experts: for a snug fit, order the same size as your American-sized garments; for a slightly more relaxed cut, we recommend ordering one size UP from your traditional American size.

Looking for the perfect in-between seasons glove? Castelli Lightness wins hands-down

Back by popular demand, Scott Mars from Crossbikereview.com has found a new favorite pair of cycling gloves for the "in-between" seasons, including rainy springs and autumns filled with cyclocross crusades. Read his full product review below.

	Castelli Lightness Glove Product review by Scott Mares, Crossbikereview.com. Published May 5th, 2011. "The Castelli Lightness Gloves rock and were quickly moved to the front of the line in our gear bag. We hate bulky gloves and love the articulation that these gloves offer...These gloves are worth the money, will give you that pro look and performance." We Liked Castelli has always been about quality and they are more so now than they have ever been. The Castelli Lightness glove is a great example of this commitment to quality. However I would also have to add in the word performance as well. This glove was form-fitting but it was not tight and that meant that when you move (articulate) you fingers you are unrestricted and have a great sense of freedom with this glove. Its almost like the glove is painted on your hand. Usually when a glove fits like this there is a trade off in performance. This would normally mean that the glove dose not offer as much protection from the elements as you would think. With the Castelli Lightness glove this is just the opposite. The glove offers much more warmth than other gloves that offer as much freedom of movement. This glove is warm and operates great in blocking out wind and cold. I would like to say that it does have a limit to how cold this glove should be worn to. The Castelli Lightness glove is a cool to mildly cold glove. But what a job it does in the 40 to 60 degree range. Another thing that we like about the Castelli Lightness glove is the grippy palm. The entire palm is covered with a two tone white and grey silicone imprint of the Castelli logo and name. This makes for plenty of grip and allows the palm to be flexible at the same time. We Didn't Like Getting in the glove takes a little bit of work. This is due to its form fitting nature of the glove. Now, I feel I need to explain what I mean by this. You hand structurally is widest at the knuckles and tapers down at the wrist. The Castelli lightness glove is cut anatomically to fit the hand. That means your putting your fist (widest part of your hand) though the narrowest part of the glove and that is where I personally found resistance. After that no problem. I would also like to see some grip put on the first two fingers and thumb of the glove. The grip that is on the palm is WONDERFUL. The Final Say The Castelli Lightness gloves rock and were quickly moved to the front of the line in our gear bag. We hate bulky gloves and love the articulation that these gloves offer. They are surprisingly warm and kept our hands and fingers warm on cool morning rides. At 30 bucks this glove easily performance as well as gloves that cost twice as much. That's right these gloves only cost $30.00! The nice thing that Castelli does is the glove comes with a temperature rating. This means that they tell you what temperature range this glove is for. This way if you know the temp you know what is the best glove to be wearing. Castelli does this on all of their garments. I only think that there are only a handful of companies that actually offer that. These gloves are worth the money, will give you that pro look and performance. I definitely recommend that you get a pair for your cyclocross and spring campaigns.