A few mountain bike items to take a look at today:

Mountain biking 101: How to get women into the sport. Diane Ursu posted a good article over on Examiner.com with tips for introducing women to the sport of mountain biking. Aside from the obvious stuff (get a comfortable bike, the right clothes, etc.) Ursu also says “don’t give her pointers unless she asks, at least for the first ride” and “let her lead.” Most articles I read about getting women into mountain biking are written by men so they usually skip these points Give the article a skim if you’re thinking of introducing your significant other to mountain biking this fall.

3 cool MTB events in Atlanta this weekend. I already posted about this in the forums but here’s a quick recap: SORBA Atlanta ride @ Panola Mtn. State Park Saturday; GA Tech sponsored collegiate MTB race at GA Int’l Horse Park Saturday & Sunday; and ribbon cutting / grand opening for new bike trails at Burruss Park in Marietta on Sunday. I’ll definitely attend at least one of these events - that is, if it doesn’t rain!

Mountain Hardwear giving away a pack-a-day through September 17. Man, August and September must be the months of free outdoor gear! Not only can you score a VHoldR HD helmet cam or Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, you can also register to win a sweet pack from Mountain Hardwear (giveaway pack changes every day). The cool thing about this promo is that you’ll find out if you’re today’s winner as soon as you submit the entry form and you can enter every day the contest runs (I didn’t win today so that means you still have a chance!). Most of the giveaway packs are hydration bladder compatible and should be great choices for epic slogs through remote terrain.

I’ve always been proud to show off my wounds and scars from mountain bike crashes, but there is actually a much easier way to show off my love for the sport. Bike part jewelry is a really unique way to take a little bit of your mountain bike with you (literally) anywhere you choose to wear it and it makes for a great gift too.

I was super excited to see the wide variety of handcrafted jewelry designs that Designs by Jodey has created from bike parts.  Jodey, a mountain biker herself,  makes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, bookmarks, and keychains out of new and used bike parts.  It was hard to decide on just one piece but I finally chose a custom sized Double Row Chain Link Bracelet.  The chain link is such a classic and obvious representation of a bicycle part - I didn’t want anyone to mistake this as just another ordinary bracelet.

When I read that Jodey used worn bicycle parts for her jewelry, I was a little skeptical.  I wondered if I was going to end up with dirt and grease rubbing off on my wrists or clothes.  On the contrary, the silver chain link plates in my bracelet are clean and shiny! The cool thing is I can tell they aren’t new due to the characteristic scratches and friction marks. Sometimes I like to imagine the killer trails this chain saw in its former life - if only chain link plates could talk.

The bracelet also uses black bike chain rollers in between the chain link plates.  I really like the contrast of the black and silver which makes each part stand out and together, well, it just works.  The toggle clasp is a complementary gunmetal color and makes getting the bracelet on and off easy with your single opposing hand.

The fact that this bracelet has a really simple and unique design using recycled bike chains make this one of my favorite everyday pieces to wear.  I got complements the first time I wore this bracelet to work and I’m proud to wear it most casual Fridays. It also goes great with the little black dress

Just like the little black dress, every girl that rides mountain bikes needs bike part jewelry.  You can order the jewelry on Jodey’s website, www.designsbyjodey.com.  And guys, when you’re buying bike jewelry for your lady friends you can also check out men’s bike part necklaces and bracelets for yourself too!

We hear about womens mountain bike skills clinics all the time but the Dirt Series program (put on by Rocky Mountain Bikes) sounds a little different. While most clinics focus on getting women comfortable riding off road, the Dirt Series wheelie drops, log jumps, and techniques for climbing super steep pitches.

The Dirt Series is held in different spots around the US and Canada from Whistler to Santa Cruz to Park City, UT. Since the program stared in 2001 more than 5,000 riders have completed the clinic and most of them are probably kicking mens’ butts as we speak.

Boston.com published a good run down on womens MTB skills camps and clinics and points out that many programs teach trailside repair, nutrition tips, and fitness instruction in addition to skills and technique. Some programs also offer decidedly feminine touches like post-ride massages and catered luncheons but I guess that’s ok

Ladies, start doing your research now for a summer skills clinic tailored to your MTB skill level and interests - there seem to be plenty of choices out there!

A girl can never have enough mountain bike clothing.  We need cycling tops in a myriad of colors and materials and we want variety in our MTB shorts, too.  Fortunately, Loeka’s line of tech shorts offers an alternative to your basic black or brown baggy short.  Although the tech shorts do come in black or brown, I really like the pinstripe and plaid options.

Last month I got myself a pair of brown plaid (Loeka calls this print “Harmony”) capri length tech shorts and a matching Mint Chocolate Chip half sleeve jersey.  This jersey and shorts combo takes the guess work out of trying to match plaid with anything in my current mountain biking wardrobe which is pretty awesome.  However, I’m not sure what else I could wear the plaid shorts with–maybe a green Singletracks t-shirt if I’m not riding my bike; otherwise, I guess I’ll have to invest in a few additional Loeka tops.

Not that I would mind having more than one Loeka jersey.  The colors are great and I could definitely see myself wearing the half sleeve jersey for running or even casual Fridays at work.  The fit is close to the body and feminine, but not tight.  I usually wear an XS and this jersey was true to size.  This jersey is made of a light wicking polyester material, and because it is more fitted than most jerseys, getting adequate ventilation was challenging.  This jersey is even designed to accommodate body armor–that is, if I ever was daring enough to have the need for body armor!

As I mentioned earlier, the Mint Chocolate Chip Loeka jersey was a perfect match with the Harmony tech shorts.  These stylish shorts have a cute plaid print and fun capri length.  They are big and baggy, much looser fitting than the top.

Obviously style is important to me in choosing mountain bike clothing, but function is just as important on the trail, if not more so.  My first functional criteria with mountain bike shorts is having a removable chamois or room for your own chamois.  Since I’m particular about my chamois, I love the fact that the tech short offers plenty of room to wear whatever you want underneath the shorts.  Without a bulky sewn-in chamois, I can wear these shorts comfortably off the trails too.

The Harmony tech shorts are made of a thick micro suede polyester, similar to that of board shorts.  This material makes some noise with leg movements which seems like a fair trade-off since it keeps the shorts water resistant (against spring showers or dewy morning rides).  Thanks to the soft inner mesh liner and water resistant coating, I can stay cool and dry under any conditions.

Last on my functional requirements list are ample pockets and there are pockets galore on the Loeka tech shorts!  With two side, two front, AND two rear pockets, I can take extra goodies like snacks, my cell phone, a mini camera, and chapstick, with me on a ride.  I appreciate all the pockets even more when wearing these shorts off the bike since there’s plenty of room for my keys, ID cards, money and other junk.

If you’re looking for functional and feminine on the MTB trail, check out Loeka’s Spring and Summer lines for some great mix-and-match options!

Babes in the Backcountry is hosting a womens only mountain biking weekend in Breckenridge this summer and it includes some unique activities beyond mountain biking like yoga and spa treatments. Sorry, no men allowed BUT it could be a good way to trick (err, introduce) your wife or girlfriend into mountain biking. Price is a bit steep for a weekend (500 bones not including lodging or bike rentals) but may be a good option for some. Press release with more details is quoted below.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.— An action packed weekend full of volunteer trail maintenance, good fun, and spirited riding partners is being offered to women mountain bikers July 31 - August 2, 2009 in Breckenridge, Colorado. The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway, hosted by Babes in the Backcountry, offers trail building, skills and bike maintenance clinics, instructional guided daily tours, training, yoga, nutrition and a little pampering at the end of the day. The women’s mountain bike weekend is geared toward amateurs wanting to get a taste of the sport to advanced fat-tire enthusiasts looking for a challenge with fellow lady riders.

The town of Breckenridge is continually expanding and improving its recreational territory, opening up miles of dirt roads and trails to mountain bikers and hikers, connecting the mountain town with seemingly endless Rocky Mountain wilderness. Breckenridge and the surrounding area have been praised as an up-and-coming fat-tire destination. For more information on Breckenridge, visit gobreck.com or call 877-593-5260.

The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway includes an optional day of trail building and conservation, an evening bike maintenance class, two days of skills and guided rides, two morning yoga sessions, two organic lunches, Saturday night dinner and wine tasting, a spa treatment and a Babes in the Backcountry gift bag. The cost of the trip is $500, and lodging and bike rentals are not included. To register or for more information, visit babesinthebackcountry.com.

Various other bike clinics are offered by Colorado Bike and Ski Tours throughout the summer in Breckenridge as well.

Mountain biking shorts have certainly come a long way in the last few years. It seems like just yesterday all my shorts were black, skin tight, and uncomfortable. These days there are dozens of different styles of mountain bike shorts to choose from but if you ask me few can match the Sugoi Greta MTB shorts.

Like the Crossroads henley I reviewed last week, the fabric in the Greta also contains carbonized bamboo.  Spring and summer rides can be hot and sweaty here in the dirty south so I can really appreciate the anti-bacterial properties of these shorts. The Greata shorts also sport UV protection which means they’ll last forever and won’t fade as quickly as unprotected shorts (remind me to let you know how they’re holding up in a year ). Some mountain bike shorts are made of stiff, thick fabrics but not the Gretas.  A little bit of spandex in the poly/bamboo blend makes these shorts soft and stretchy allowing me to pedal freely in these roomy shorts.

The best part about these shorts is the removable mesh liner.  The RC Pro women’s specific padding is ultra comfortable with molded panels providing a little extra cushioning where you want it most.  The chamois has ample coverage from front to back and fit snugly against the body and after a 3-hour ride at Raccoon Mountain my butt was ready for another loop!  Also, the sticky rubber leg grippers keep the extra-short liners from slipping; these liners would also work well under a skort if you want to show off your hill-climbing quads.

The neutral brown color looks good with almost any jersey, so I plan on getting a lot of use out of these shorts.  I found the Greta sizing was slightly larger than expected, particularly in the waist.  I didn’t mind the loose fit though, comfort is the most important element of mountain bike clothing and these shorts were extremely comfortable on and off the trails.

Photo by John Ussenko

Anyone else out there ready for winter to be over?  I’m looking outside this morning at the five inches of snow we got yesterday and can’t help but think I’d rather be somewhere warm and tropical.  Then out of nowhere, I receive an email from Marla Streb who is in Costa Rica getting ready to put on her mountain bike skills camps there this summer.

The camps sound like much more than just practicing drills and getting a guided tour.  Here’s what Marla herself has to say about it:

The 3 day, 4 night camp is all-inclusive, so you get personalized skills clinics, lodging, meals, zip-lines, surfing, yoga, wild animal parks, jungle epics to waterfalls… and you’ll be riding a sweet Orbea Occam freeride rig. There are women’s only camps on the schedule as well.  Just bring your helmet, sunblock, and sense of adventure!

Not only do you get to ride in a tropical paradise, you’ll be mastering mountain bike skills like doing manuals over obstacles, braking techniques, and climbing effectively all while being led by a world cup champion!  I think meeting and riding with Marla in a more personal setting would be a real treat, I have always been inspired by her passion for mountain biking after reading her biography.  I am sure that passion will be evident in how she runs the skills camp.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my summer vacation.  Check out Marla Streb’s website for camp dates and reserve your spot soon!  Until then, keep thinking warm and tropical thoughts.

Photo by Sven Martin, Velonews

Rachel Atherton, was hit by a car while riding her road bike in Santa Cruz last week. Atherton dislocated her shoulder in the accident, Velonews reports:

World downhill champion Rachel Atherton of Great Britain dislocated her shoulder after colliding with a car in Santa Cruz, California, on Sunday. Atherton, who rides for Animal-Commençal, was training on her road bike with her brothers Dan and George when the accident took place.

The three had been in Santa Cruz on a training trip since January 9.

Atherton reportedly hit the car head-on, with her Cervelo road bike taking the lion’s share of the damage. The 21-year-old Atherton also suffered cuts and bruises to her face.

I always used to think a dislocated shoulder was the most glorious of bike related injuries.  I was riding with my friend, Esther, at Skeggs once where she took a nasty tumble and dislocated her shoulder.  We had to hike out about 2 miles and though I tried to keep Esther’s mind of the pain by trying to be funny, I knew it was a long and agonizing walk for her.

We made it to the closest fire station and Esther was feeling better thanks to a couple hunky firemen and a little morphine.  Must have been a good dose because she was feeling well enough for me to take a picture of her grotesque bulging arm socket (man, I wish I had a picture to insert here!).  After a few hours in and out of consciousness at the emergency room, Esther was all better and had proven she was one tough cookie!

So here’s to the tough cookies like Esther and Rachel Atherton, who can bounce back on their feet bike after a serious injury and giving us all a sense of mental and physical toughness to admire!

“Shrink it and pink it” used to be the standard in women’s specific mountain bike products. But the Camelbak L.U.X.E. is hardly a shrunken version of the popular M.U.L.E. hydration pack: with the same 100 oz bladder and same 600 cubic inch capacity this is a pack for the woman that rides IN FRONT of the big boys. As for the pink, well, my L.U.X.E. is crushed violet, or purple, which happens to be my favorite color!

I’m typically a minimalist when it comes to riding–risking walking out of a trail because I’ve left behind tubes and mini pumps for fear of being weighed down by extra stuff. The L.U.X.E. can carry a lot in its five compartments (not including the separate bladder compartment) so now I can easily take along a pump, extra tube, a few tools, food and much more. There’s a nice organizer pocket with a key holder that is perfect for small items like gu, energy bars, or your cell phone. The small lined pocket is great for keeping scratches off your camera or ipod.

The Camelbak L.U.X.E. has waaay more capacity than my previous pack (a Camelbak Classic) and even with the 100 oz bladder completely full of water, the L.U.X.E. did not feel any heavier while riding. The handy adjustable waist and sternum straps helped keep the pack stay put without even the slightest jostling over technical rocky sections. The back of the pack has six strategically positioned pads for a comfy fit and to provide areas of ventiliation. On short or long mountain bike rides, you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Overall, I felt really confident and comfortable riding with the L.U.X.E strapped on my back. This women’s pack is not too bulky despite its huge capacity. There is more than enough room for storing bike accessories or stuffing in clothing. Plus, the 100 oz of water will definitely be useful on hot, humid summer rides here in the south. The only problem I have encountered so far is that one of the zipper pulls broke off, but luckily there are two zippers so I can still access that compartment. I plan to take my L.U.X.E. on all my mountain biking adventures - who says it’s just the boy scouts who need to always be prepared?

I know what you’re thinking, a jersey is a jersey, right? Well, not all of us want a slim aerodynamic fitting road-style jersey on the trails. For mountain biking, I usually look for a looser fitting jersey that’s comfortable and I want to look like a girl without being covered in pink from head to toe. Zoic’s Cheeky jersey is perfect and it’s the details that makes this jersey special. The Cheeky jersey comes in feminine colors like lavender, coral, and reef with white piping around the collar. Short cap sleeves and an accent of argyle print add some style. A zippered side key pocket is a hidden bonus and with three rear pockets for stashing your mini tool, snacks, and your phone during your ride.

The Zoic Cheeky jersey is made using “environmentally enlightened” materials like bamboo, a sustainable resource that grows organically and quickly without the need of intensive farming or chemicals. The polyester/bamboo charcoal blend wicks away moisture and breathes well and from what I’ve read it’s naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal making it hygienic and odor absorbing as well. Not only is the Cheeky jersey functional, but wearing it is a good reminder about minimizing my own environmental impact on the mountain bike trails.

Zoic doesn’t stop with mountain bike clothing. Their streetside clothing is made for the urban scene and looks great on and off the bike. The women’s All Night Long Tartan Shorts is proof that plaid is back! These low-rise, knee-length shorts are stylish enough that I think even Kanye West would approve. Kanye may be setting the urban trends with plaid shorts and argyle sweaters but Zoic is craftily modifying these hot styles for the mountain bike world. Don’t worry guys, you can get your plaid shorts from Zoic this spring!

The All Night Long short has a flattering yet functional fit. The plaid pattern is strategically cut and sewn to shape and cutify your backside and the nylon/spandex fabric blend and sassy knee darts allows you to pedal freely. Inside, the short can accommodate a padded liner secured with convenient built-in snaps or there’s even room for a pair of lycra shorts. This is a smart feature, in my opinion, since every rider has unique padding and chamois needs. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear these shorts when I ride to the farmer’s market. They’re also perfect for post-ride dining out - no more feeling uncomfortable in your spandex in public!

For me the best thing about Zoic clothing is that their tops and bottoms come in size extra-small - great news for my fellow petite mountain bikers out there! If you can’t find your size or selection of Zoic clothing at your local bike shop (a lot of them carry more road-style clothing), order directly from the Zoic website or one of several online outdoor retailers.

Dakine’s Cross X full finger mountain bike gloves are meant to do more than just keep your digits warm in cooler temps: these gloves were truly designed with protection and function in mind.  These gloves are unique because Dakine uses at least five different textured materials in construction with each having a unique purpose.  For maximum grippage the leather-like palm of the Cross X has an extra reinforced layer at the base of the fingers and strategically placed cushioning helps with impact absorption.  Coordinating silicone graphics on the index and middle fingertips prevent slipping when feathering the brakes.

Your fingers and hand get full coverage with nylon mesh connecting the essential pieces of the Cross X. The thumb is wrapped in terry cloth, handy for wiping off your brow or nose. The knuckles and backside of the hand have padded neoprene and rubber guards that hold up against rocks, branches, or other flying debris. The protective exoskeleton design of these mountain bike gloves were meant to take a beating.

Grip and protection are definitely essential features of mountain bike gloves, but they’re worthless if the gloves don’t fit. Get the wrong size gloves and you may end up with blisters and sloppy bike handling. For me, the girls small Cross X fit snugly throughout the fingers and palm, but leave any rings at home or they’ll just pinch your fingers. I especially like the wrist pull tab for getting these gloves on. You can do most hand movements off the bike with the gloves on, like getting in and out of your backpack and tearing open an energy bar. You could probably even change a flat tire with them on, if you’re the type that doesn’t want to get your hands dirty

The Cross X gloves have serious features for the aggressive mountain biker. Men’s and women’s styles are available in black, olive, and white. Get yours and hold on for the ride!

The MTB Vegan wrote about her experience racing in the 2008 Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Challenge on the Girl Goes Biking blog this weekend and it’s worth a read if you have a few minutes. For those who aren’t familiar, the Iceman is a 27 mile point-to-point mountain bike race held the first weekend in November each year. The course stretches from Kalkaska to Traverse City, Michigan and is made up of mostly double track and forest roads. Each year thousands of riders come out from all over the country for this classic fall mountain bike race.

MTB Vegan reports the weather for this year’s Iceman was “awesome” - misty and upper 30s! With major sponsors like Subaru and Gary Fisher Bikes the race offers big prizes totaling $25,000 in cash and another $10,000 in merch. Sounds like a good one to put on your race calendar wishlist for 2009!