Clothing picks for winter by Debbie Chambers
earlier this year the got adventure racing team was lucky enough to secure gear sponsorship from macpac. what a godsend this gear has been. I have discovered after years of training through the winter months that it is sooooo much easier and more enjoyable if you have the right gear. This winter i have identified my two favourite macpac items of clothing.
the first is the traverse jacket. this jacket is awesome for walking, running, or cycling. it is lightweight yet sturdy enough to protect you in a heavy downpour or in a brisk southerly. it is also breathable, wind and waterproof. it is designed with chicks in mind and fits snugly so you don’t have all that flapping in the wind going on as you scream downhill on your bike. i have worn it every training session since getting it and never leave the house without it. initially i was sceptical about the lack of pit zips but the event fabric is so breathable pit zips are redundant.
The second item is the macpac range of merino tops pants and underwear . These are my saviour this winter and i find myself looking forward to getting out training so i can wear them. They are so comfortable and soft you hardly know you have them on. they also keep you warm and snug in wet conditions. another major bonus is that merino wool is odour resistant so you smell as fresh as a daisy no matter how hard or long your training session has been. this is great when you decide to stop for coffee in a cafe after training.i have both short and long sleeved tops with and without zips and find that any combination of these keep me warm in any conditions - even in rotorua!! These are well worth getting and will keep you snug as a bug in a rug. the merino range is massive giving you heaps of choice. the beanies are heaven - light weight and comfortable - and pretty stylish too.
Check out the macpac range and deals www.macpac.co.nz
The Measure Of A Woman’s Pack...
How good a pack is for adventure racing is not determined when you put it on for 5 minutes and parade around a shop. It’s when you’ve been trekking up a rocky, rough, rugged stream for over 5 hours. You’re hungry, starting to get tired, and you’ve fallen over a few times in the water and are sopping wet.
The MACPAC AMP 25 is a pack made for adventure racing.
It’s size is perfect for a shorter 6 hour race, right up to 48 hours , and it makes a great day pack as well. You can easily get in all the essential gear and there’s lots of room and bungies for taking or strapping on extra gear. And best of all it’s really light-weight and comfortable with lots of padding and adjusting straps.
The pockets are tailor made for stashing everything important. The two side pockets are deep and robust and can handle food or a drink bottle, with easy access while you are trekking or biking. There’s also a front mesh pocket, and these and side pockets can be tightened to make sure gear is secure. There is also an outside and inside top zip pocket, as well as two large pockets on front of the waist belt. The waist belt pockets are great for equipment and emergency supplies that you need quick access to such as gels, pencils and No Doze!
Other great features of the MACPAC AMP 25 include holes for quick draining (when you are falling over in streams), tough material on bottom (for when you slide down rocks), and a decent clip for holding your CamelBak in place to make sure you can always get lots of fluid. It comes in orange and black but we find the orange ones great to ensure visibility when you have to go along main roads and through hunting areas.
The MACPAC AMP 25 is a practical and comfortable piece of adventure racing kit I wouldn’t be without. No compromises.
by Erin Roberts
Seats for Bikes
Hi....Girlies,
Vanessa here - keen GOTer and owner of Kiwivelo bike shop in Takapuna (also online at kiwivelo.co.nz for out-of-towners). I have a little bit of experience in this area so I thought I would share my thoughts with you.
Saddles - yes, they can be a pain in the butt if it's not one that suits you.
I have a few recommendations that I have trialed and really liked (I have tried many, many seats and have narrowed it down to a few)The one I am riding now (for the last week) is a Selle Italia Diva and I'm enjoying that at the moment.
Similar in style and shape which I also like is the San Marco Arami (there is also a San Marco Atola which has a shorter nose then the Arami) Selle Italia XO is also a nice comfortable saddle too but not quite as racey looking (or expensive!) as the Diva
or Arami.
I have found the key to picking a comfortable seat (for me) is one with a cut-out (although this is not for everyone)and one that is not too wide....I laugh to myself when I write this as its a common misconception (mainly by men!) that if you have a wide butt you need a wide seat to go with it! This is far from true.
If you put a wide seat on and you pull yourself into a lower position to get a bit of speed cranking you may notice that the rather wide seat ends up digging into the back of your leg and restricts your pedal rotation. I tried one "women's" race seat which was pink and wide (hence a women's seat!) and found after 30min both my legs and butt had gone numb because my pedaling was restricted....never again.
As a guide go for a normal looking width saddle (not the arm chair sized one!) like the guy's one or maybe a weeny bit wider. And if you get a cut-out seat check the hole looks like it will be relieving pressure in the right spot (if you know what I mean!)
A couple of key things that are not related to the seat but recruial for butt comfort is your bike set up and your shorts. If you are too high, too far forward, too far back in your seat position any seat is going to feel awful. Get yourself a bike fit (especially if you are buying a new saddle at the same time) from someone that has experience in road/MTB cycling.... it's always good to get advice off someone who actually knows what your talking about!
For shorts or bib shorts, spend as much money as you can afford on them! You're better off buying one nice pair and having to wash them all the time then having two average pairs that still give you grief.
My fav's and the fav's of all the women that have purchased them from Kiwivelo... are the Sugoi RS Women's Shorts (and 3/4's).
They are heaven!
I hope this has given you a bit of insight into getting a more comfortable butt!
To help the GOT club out, if you come into Kiwivelo I will organise a FREE bike fit for you and give you a 10% discount off any seat, shorts or accessories you purchase. (Just print off this page) We have capable staff in-store - all with years of riding experience. However, if you are having some issues with your seats, give the shop a call to organise a time when I can have a chat with you (sometimes boys just don't understand!)
Speed lever - the ultimate tire changing tool
Oh my god, i have just found the most amazing little tool that a biking women could ever want! - the "speed lever". This cool little tool goes under the rim of your flat tire, the other end clips on to the axle of the wheel, then you simply slide your tool around the outside of the tire and the rim pops off!... then you take the tube out and reverse the direction and the rim pops back on!.
Its awesome, no need to get grease on your hands or break a nail - this is the shizzle!. I got mine from Hedgehog bikes, barrys point rd, takapuna. They cost less than $20, weigh a measly 31 grams ( about the same as a lippy), is slightly bigger than a pen. You got to get one of these! Check your local bike shop!
Techy: speed lever - made by crank brothers, single telescoping tire lever that removes and installs cycling tires.
Clothing picks for winter by Debbie Chambers
Something I have discovered after years of training through the winter months is that, it is sooooo much easier and more enjoyable if you have the right gear. This year I have discovered three awesome products, which have made my 2005 winter training more than bearable and actually quite enjoyable. I have also looked incredibly stylish too, and as we all know it is not what you do, but how you look while doing it!
The first is the Marmot Essence jacket. This jacket is awesome for walking, running, or cycling. It is extremely lightweight, breathable, wind and waterproof. It is designed with chicks in mind and fits snugly so you don’t have all that flapping in the wind going on as you scream downhill on your bike. I have worn it every training session since getting it and never leave the house without it. It also has reflective tape on it which is awesome in the winter months when cycling or running on the roads at night.
Check it out on www.allsportsgear.co.nz
The second item is a pair of fleece lined Pearl Izumi tights. I always used to think tights would get too hot and would be uncomfortable over cycling shorts etc. These have been my saviour this winter. They are so comfortable you hardly know you have them on. They stretch and grow in all directions to accommodate any bulges that may appear on your body. They breathe and seem to regulate your temperature keeping you toastie warm at all times but never getting too hot. And they hide your hairy legs if you have forgotten to wax or shave. They also have reflective dots and tape on them which are perfect for night cycling or running. These are well worth getting and will keep you snug as a bug in a rug. Check them out on www.allsportsgear.co.nz
Add H20 Merino top.... Debbie Chambers
Of course we have all got our favorite polyprop top, you know the one, it's the same as all the others in your drawer but warmer, better fitting, more comfortable, less smelly etc. Well until Easter weekend I had one of those and I am happy to say (so are my teammates) that I have found a new improved replacement.
The addh20 merino wool top is it. It is the bomb!
Over Easter, team Girls on Top competed in the ARC 24 hour Adventure race. Part of the race involved walking, swimming, crawling up a river valley which meant the team were in and out of the water at regular intervals, this top was awesome. It was in these conditions that it really showed its worth. It dried extremely quickly, kept us toasty the whole time, and wasn't smelly after 24 hours plus on the go, my team mate even wore hers to the pub that night!. These tops are light-weight and extremely snug and comfortable. Perfect for your compulsory gear. They kept us warm when we were cold and cool when we were hot. We also got comments from several of the other teams as to how flash we looked, which is always a bonus, and helps when your trying to get clues of the boys teams! You certainly would not hesitate to wear these tops to the local cafe for a sunlatte.
Try these out, in my opinion they are the ultimate next to the skin layer for Adventure racers, especially as we are approaching the winter months. Check out the addh2o web site www.perceptionkayaking.co.nz
or email ricky@perceptionkayaking.co.nz for where you can get them!.
Polar Weight Management Heart Rate Monitor WM41 By Linda Gibbens
I've been lucky enough recently to test drive the latest Polar Weight Management product. I can't say I'm any lighter since strapping the unit on my wrist...but I'm not any heavier either, undoubtedly due (thanks to the this excellent tool) to knowing exactly how many calories of chocolate I could consume in order to maintain my weight!
This sophisticated little unit not only performs the usual tricks of a standard heart rate monitor, for example recording and displaying your heart rate during exercise and letting you know what 'zone' you're in and for how long, it also
monitors and records the number of calories you're burning up during a session. And, using data previously entered by you, the unit keeps a 'diary', calculating over a period of weeks whether you're on track to reach your target weight.
For anyone who is interested in weight management this product is a must. It takes guesswork out of the equation and comes with an easy-to-follow manual containing full step by step instructions on using the unit to achieve your weight loss target. This is done by monitoring calories in and calories out, regularly entering your current weight, and weekly updates in your diary of how you're going. It also tells you straight away if you're not going to achieve your target and it's time to go back to the drawing board!
Even if your goal isn't weight loss this is a fantastic and informative way to get to know your body and to assess your nutritional needs accurately. Personally I found it fascinating to know how many calories I was using up on a slow Sunday morning road ride or an epic 2 hour off-road run. (Over 1800 calories for the latter - no wonder I was ravenous afterwards!) I was able to
fuel up before sessions and eat for recovery afterwards knowing that I was replacing what I'd used rather than adding to my reserves!
For more information and online support on what this amazing Polar product can do visit www.polarheart.co.nz and click on 'Weight Management' or contact milinag@britwyn.co.nz for your nearest stockist.
Pearl Izumi Cycle Shorts - 3D microsensor & Tri short
Just tried out the best shorts I've ever ridden in! Having experienced some rather "unpleasant" rides in running shorts,
baggies and then finally getting the courage to put on lycra I can honestly say "once you go Pearl, you'll never go back!".
These shorts are awesome!. I tried them out on my first multisport race - the Moehau Man which involved around 125kms of kayaking mountian biking, running and then more mountain biking. Now I know you aren't supposed to use new gear the day of a race but I was sick of my thighs chaffing from shorts riding up and also the "camel" look wasn't the most attractive when you are trying to smile as someone sticks a camera in your face!
The Pearl Izumi 3Dmicro sensor shorts have a really nicely tapered shammy - which allows plenty of padding around your butt without the sanitary pad feeling!. Both shorts are cut really nicely and have mutiple panels - allowing a much nicer fit and giving the short enhanced movement when you are riding. Both of the shorts have elastic leg tape which grips to you and stops the short riding up but doesn't give you the too tight feeling that your legs are too big in the thighs and the circulation will soon stop not long after your gasping for breath up the hills.
The Pearl Izumi tri short has a much smaller chamois that is purpose built for running and biking in - the leg length is also shorter which i found was the most comfy to run in - never once did i have to "pluck the camel" which was much more astethically pleasing!. I also liked the fact that the tri short was cut lower in the front - alot more comfy when youre leaning over on the bike for sure. All the stiching on the pants is really nicely finished - creating flat seams so there is no "bumpy edges" so create saddle sores from.
I have run in the tri-shorts since and found them great with water - they dry really quickly and seem to be washing up really well.
Definately worth the investment of a decent pair of cycle shorts and are nicely flattering as well!.
 
3D Microsensor Short Tri short
for your nearest stockist contact Sally - marketing@allsportsgear.co.nz
Coming soon! If you have something you want reviewed let me know.. we have a pool of ladies keen to help you!
contact ally@girlsontop.co.nz
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