Category: Kit

Active Clothing Essentials for Summer 2016

 

Active Clothing essentials for Summer Musto, Offgrid Clothing, Mons RoyaleWhilst Mother Nature may not yet feel like shouting about it, the calendar does now read July and says it’s officially summer in the UK! Not sure what to wear? Well, we’ve discovered some great performing active clothing for Summer 2016 and some amazing new brands, which will have you covered whatever the weather.   (more…)

Review: Skins DNAmic Compression Tights

Skins DNAmic Compression tightsThose who read Ordinary Cycling Girl regularly will be aware that I have some back issues which can give me some referred leg pain. Annoying when you’re a lover of sport and fitness, but you know, you ride with it and you find ways of making it work. I’d read that compression tights can help to regulate blood circulation and assist and speed up recovery time from exercise, so, when Skins contacted me to ask if I’d be interested in trying out a pair of their DNAmic compression tights, I was super keen.

I like to try and mix up my fitness and keep things interesting so I’m not always on the bike. As someone with a bad back, it’s kind of crucial for me, as cycling, whilst it’s low impact for joints, can cause really tight hamstrings which can have a knock-on effect on my lower spine. So, whilst running is out for me, the gym and certain gym classes are not. I like yoga and pilates and lately, I’ve discovered stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and SUP yoga! So I’d say I’ve put these tights through their paces over the last month or so. (more…)

Essential Cycling Kit for Year Round Cycling

black and white bikeFirst things first! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was kind to you! Hopefully he brought you some great additions to your cycling wardrobe and kit bag. The festive period at OCG HQ has been a really relaxing one with some much needed family time and lots and lots of laughs. *cue happy face*. Needless to say, I’ve consumed my body weight in good food and all things chocolatey and I’m feeling the need to get back to some regular exercise!

I can hardly believe it’s about to happen, but as 2015 draws to a close (was this the quickest twelve months ever for you too!?), I’m thinking about what kind of cycling challenges I’d like to undertake during 2016. Traditionally I’m a roadie. I love cycling on the open road, but my head is being turned by off-road cycling and getting closer to nature. Getting to grips with a different kind of cycling and the challenge of learning a whole new set of skills is really appealing. And of course the big pulling factor, is that we have our summer holiday booked! We are planning a couple of weeks in the French Alps with some down hill mountain biking! *cue very excited face!*

Ordinary Cycling Guy (Mr OCG) participated in the Pass’Portes du Soleil this last summer so he has some first hand experience, but me? Nope, Nada! Not a bit of proper mountain biking experience! *cue research* (more…)

Review: The Heritage Jersey from Svelte

Svelte Heritage Jersey
The Heritage Jersey from Svelte

Please welcome my better half to the Ordinary Cycling Girl review panel! Let’s call him Ordinary Cycling Guy for ease; it fits with the blog initials! Here he is with his review of the Heritage Jersey from new British brand, Svelte.

Thanks to Ordinary Cycling Girl (my wife!) for asking me to review the Heritage Jersey from Svelte.

Now, unlike my slender other half, I am a robust MAMIL who fell in love with cycling once rugby became too painful. The flash, heavily emblazoned offerings of many manufacturers are not a ‘good look’ for me. I like to go for understated but hopefully still good-looking kit which, if you care about quality, means expensive! Svelte’s stated aim is to offer ‘stylish, high-quality bike clothing at competitive prices’. This sounds like good news…. (more…)

Women’s Cycling Kit: Fierlan Three-Quarter Length Bib Cycling Tights

Fierlan three-quarter length bib cycling tights

When I first discovered my love for cycling there was little out there in the form of women’s specific kit, particularly shorts and tights that were cut for a woman’s shape. As a five foot nine tall woman, with a 33 inch inside leg, I would opt for men’s tights so that I could be sure to get the leg length I needed, but take it from me, there is nothing more uncomfortable than cycling in something where the chamois is bulky and chaffing in the groin area. Ouch!

Who are Fierlan?

That was my experience until I discovered Fierlan. Fierlan is a British women’s cycling apparel brand based in Bristol. They’re quite new to the scene and with lovely flattering designs, that are cool rather than girly and great Italian made quality, they’re really making a name for themselves. (more…)

Review: Showers Pass Rogue Hoodie

Showers Pass Rogue HoodieAsk anyone who sees me out at the moment and they’ll tell you just how often I’m wearing this red Showers Pass Rogue Hoodie, a soft shell jacket which is packed with great little features.

Before I start, you can probably already tell this is going to be a positive review; and then you may well ask why you don’t see many negative reviews on OCG. In case it’s not obvious, the items reviewed on Ordinary Cycling Girl are sent to me by the manufacturer, distributor or PR. I don’t receive payment for writing reviews. The truth is, there’s not a lot of fun in writing negative reviews about products that are far from impressive. I receive quite a lot of clothing for review purposes and in the main, I like much of it. If I do, you’ll find a write up on here telling you exactly why it’s worth spending your hard earned cash on it. It’ll be an honest and unbiased review. If there are any bad points I’ve found I’ll certainly tell you, but if it’s featured on Ordinary Cycling Girl you can be sure that overall I’ve liked it.

So, what’s great about the Showers Pass Rogue Hoodie?

I’ve been wearing this windproof, waterproof jacket for a couple of months now and since Autumn has arrived it’s really come into its own. It’s a multi purpose jacket so it’s rarely been off my back and I’ve been wearing it to anything and everything, not just for cycling. (more…)

Great Value Winter Cycling Kit from Aldi

Aldi cycling kitGood quality kit is hard to find at low prices, but Aldi seem to hit the nail on the head every time. Their latest Specialbuys value range hits the stores today, so make sure you pop along to your nearest Aldi store to grab some great value winter cycling kit while their stocks last.

I’ve been lucky enough to have a sneak peak at what’s on offer thanks to Aldi sending some items through and I can assure you, there’s some great stuff! (more…)

Review: Be Seen this Autumn in this Trespass Hybrid Hi-Vis Cycling Jacket

Trespass HYBRID HI-VIS CYCLING JACKETThe school summer holidays have absolutely flown and at OCG HQ we’re preparing for the Little Man to start school later this week. It’s all go! With the children heading back to school and 2 September marking the second day of Autumn (yep, that’s officially Summer done for another year), it has got me thinking about the nights drawing in and, I hate to say it, the approach of winter weather when, inevitably, the roads are less safe for cyclists with unpredictable conditions and poor visibility.

I’ve always been an advocate of keeping yourself safe on the roads and I ALWAYS wear a helmet, even when I’m going at a snail’s pace when out with the Little Man who’s four. I think it’s important to practice what you preach…and I do preach to the kids about the importance of wearing a helmet and being seen. But a hi-vis cycling jacket is something I haven’t owned until now. I know – shock, horror and shame on me! (more…)

A Beginner’s Guide to Clip-In Pedals

Beginner's Guide to Clip In Pedals
If you’ve recently bought your first road bike you’re perhaps considering trying clip-in pedals. For many cyclists, making the switch from regular pedals to clip-in pedals is a move that’s laced with trepidation and fear. And because clip-in pedals require the shoe to be held in place with a spring ski binding-like mechanism, it’s no surprise that many can find it a difficult transition to go through. I know that it was for me. I was terrified of falling off and took some persuasion to give them a go, but after buying my first pedals a few weeks after getting my road bike, I can honestly say that once you’ve tried them, you won’t go back to riding without them.

If you’re wondering whether to go for it and make the switch, I’ve compiled the following beginner’s guide to clip-in pedals. Let’s start with a few good reasons to consider using clip-in pedals over ‘standard’ ones… (more…)