Ready to dip your toe into gravel riding? The Polygon Tambora is a good entry-level gravel bike that will get you out on the open dirt roads without demanding a steep investment. A lot of the folks I talk to who are interested in a gravel bike already have a road bike or mountain bike, but are looking to add another discipline to their stable. The Tambora facilitates this expansion, offering an attractive price point without significant compromises in performance compared to its pricier counterparts. This accessibility and versatility are why we’ve included the Tambora in our list of the best ..read more

Are you new to mountain biking? Are the trails in your area fairly smooth? If so, the Polygon Xtrada might be a good option for you. This entry level mountain bike will get you rolling without breaking the bank. It’s a capable climber, and the parts are durable enough that you’ll get plenty of use out of the bike until you decide you love mountain biking enough to upgrade. In fact, I was pleased enough with the bike to include it on our list of the best entry-level mountain bikes. Review In A Nutshell Pros: Climbs well given its weight Feels fast on smooth trails Durable components Hydraulic ..read more

When it comes to fitness watches, there are SO many options on the market. Not only that, even within a single company like Garmin there are a LOT of choices! As a result, it can feel pretty overwhelming when you are in the market for a new fitness watch. It seems like every time I turn around there is someone asking for recommendations…in person, on social media…everywhere! Whenever I see someone asking what watch they should get? I always recommend the Garmin Venu 3S. You see, I have had mine for about six months, and I am absolutely in LOVE. I will always take the time to answer the qu ..read more

Did you watch the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift last summer? If so, you have Kate Veronneau to thank. Kate is the Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift (the popular indoor cycling platform you probably already use). She has done an amazing job not only of elevating the company, but also the sport of professional women’s cycling. In this interview, we chat about parity in women’s cycling, the barriers to getting more sponsorship for women, and how Zwift has acted as an entry way for women getting into cycling. Even if you aren’t into professional cycling or biking indoors, you’ll love the fe ..read more

What sounds like more fun that getting paid to go on bike adventures, to create new routes, and to organize events for other cyclists? Sounds too good to be true, right? Yet, that’s exactly what Sarah Swallow is doing. Sarah manages to blend adventure cycling, community organizing, and advocacy work into one creative and inspiring package. Whether you’re interested in joining her in Southern Arizona for a ride, learning how to organize your own event, or create cycling routes, you’ll want to listen to this episode. Photo by Hubert d’AutremontListen To The Interview Or Watch On YouTube Stuff ..read more

Terry is well-known in the cycling industry for being women owned and operated and making cycling clothes and saddles specifically for the female body. They lived up to their reputation when they made the Mixie Bike Liner. It’s a fun, comfortable chamois that pairs perfectly with a cycling skirt or dress. The padding in the chamois is supple enough to last you up to two hours of riding but thin enough for quick commutes without feeling like you’re wearing your grandma’s pad. It is the perfect addition to your cycling wardrobe and is extremely affordable. In fact, we liked the Mixie so much tha ..read more

POC is well known in the cycling industry for a reason. They make high quality products while being mindful of the environment which extends not only from the materials used to make helmets, but also to their clothing. The Re-cycle Boxer Chamois is the perfect example of them using sustainable products without compromising quality. The chamois has sufficient padding to ride all day, they are breathable, and the waistband doesn’t dig into your stomach. (Even if you’re a post-baby mom like me). The legs do have a tendency to roll up, and the pricetag is a bit on the high side, but despite these ..read more

Lael Wilcox is one of the best known names in women’s cycling. She has won or set records on countless ultra endurance routes over the last ten years. I was so honored to get to sit down with Lael to chat about her plans for a 2024 Around The World record attempt, her women’s rallies, what it’s like being the recipient of so much criticism online, and much more. Listen To The Interview Or Watch On YouTube Stuff We Discuss In This Episode Lael’s plan for attempting a cycling record around the world, including route planning and challenges. Her experiences with online criticism and its effect ..read more

If you’re anything like me, you LOVE getting out on the bike but maybe you don’t like strength training quite as much. But the unfortunate truth is that we NEED to be doing strength training in addition to riding our bikes. In this podcast interview, I chat with Bekah Rottenberg about why strength training needs to be a non-negotiable part of our routine. Bekah, who is a mountain bike skills coach and strength training coach, likes to say “you can’t be strong on the bike until you get strong off the bike.” She shares the different types of movements we should be doing, common myths around stre ..read more

Whether you’re new to mountain biking or just haven’t progressed as far as you would like, it’s likely one of two things (maybe both) that are holding you back: your skills or your confidence. In this episode, I chat with Joanna Yates about how to develop both. Joanna is a mountain bike skills coach and guide in Sedona, Arizona. She’s also a mountain bike instructor mentor, helping new mountain bike coaches get started. We touch on a bunch of topics in this interview including how to choose a mountain bike coach, the importance of regular skills practice, and changing the stories we tell ourse ..read more