Tag: cycling kit

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…)

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…)

OCG chats with…Le Col founder and professional cyclist, Yanto Barker

Yanto Barker
All round talented guy – professional cyclist, business man and designer, Yanto Barker.

Today, OCG is chatting to Yanto Barker all about his life as a professional cyclist, business man and designer and why it’s important to look good whilst cycling.

Yanto was the highest ranking Briton in the Tour of Briton in 2005. In 2006, he represented Wales in Melbourne at the Commonwealth Games and then, during a retirement period, Yanto developed the Le Col clothing range, kit intended for the ‘discerning rider’. He returned to professional cycling in 2010 to ride for the Pendragon /Le Col/Colnago team and went on to join Team Raleigh in 2014. Then at end of last year, in December, it was announced that Yanto will captain the new ONE Pro Cycling team for 2015! (more…)

Powered up for Autumn cycling

Autumn cycling
Image via Flickr

Brrrr, it’s been a cold week in Nottingham this week. Give me summer over winter any day of the week. Warm sunshine, blue skies and green trees…just lovely. But this is the UK and Autumn has arrived, so, if I want to carrying on cycling all year round I either need to toughen up or wrap up. (more…)