Coming Soon 2009

New from Polaris - Ladies check out this season’s range from Polaris - long awaited Lexa ¾ pant has now arrived!

www.fivemilestofabulous.com - new site dedicated to giving everyday women an everyday way of getting fit & feeling younger

Cycle-hire schemes - "Achievable".
"When Londoners elected me they knew they were getting a Champion of cycling" said Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. Transport for London is planning a cycle hire scheme at 400 locations in the capital ready May 2010. South-west trains are considering a pioneering folding bike scheme at Waterloo Station in Spring 2009

2008 News

New from Polaris - Zhora & Leia lightweight cycle shirts in great colours perfect for sunny days. Re-visit the updated Diva shirt & check out the Crystal windproof jacket with zip off sleeves. Something to wait for - the new Angel short & Lexa ¾ pants due to be launched in August 2008 & there's something new for the kids too!

Cycling Magazines are taking their content online check out the world's smallest bicycle magazine at www.shredmagazine.com

With city congestion charges set to rise & car taxes to be based on C02 emissions, many commuters are looking for alternatives. The folding bikes have come on a long way & several manufacturers have introduced them as an ideal solution to green mobility.

www.tourofbritain.com - September 7th - 14th. Visit the site & check out the tour detail. This year will end in Liverpool as part of Liverpool08 capital of culture celebrations.

www.cycleshow.co.uk - October 10th - 12th at Earls Court, London - the venue not to be missed. You'll find experts willing to share their knowledge & you get to test the latest bikes. Whether you are a city or a dirt track rider or just a weekend rider, The Cycle Show has something for you.

2007 News

New Product - Ideal for Adults & Kids
Check out the New Exelite Lumistrip Activ Belt - a must for all active persons. Anywhere you need to be seen feel safe with the New Lumistrip Belt.

New from Polaris - Psylla stylish crop sleeved female cycle shirt in black/pink & grey/lime. Perfect for long summer rides. The award winning female FLYTE jacket and for those early morning/evening commutes the unisex RBS Hi-visibility vest

Cycleguard Insurance  - Each year over 150,000 bikes are stolen & 26,000 cyclists are involved in accidents. Cycleguard has policies for urban & leisure cyclists, active competition cyclists & electric bikes - UK, EU & world wide cover. Click on the image to find out more

Tour de France 2007 - Grand depart - London 7th July - check out
www.letour.com
www.tourdefrancelondon.com

Just announced the 95th Tour de France opens in Brittany on the 5th July 2008 with the first 3 stages traversing the 4 departments of Finistere, Morbihan, Cotes d'Armor, Ille et Vilaine. - perfect opportunity to view this spectacle & plan your very own tour of this French region just across the channel 2006

Bike clothing is getting even more technical & this year we bring you a wider range - so you’ll not only look great but feel good too!  We have introduced a new range of Polaris cycle gear for Mums & Kids…so check it out, keep an eye on Endura too!!

Interested in running a bike event?

2006 Bike week celebrates cycling 17th-25th June. Visit www.bikeweek.org.uk or call 0845 612 0661 for a free event organisers guide.

Fitness  - Spinning burns serious calories, works your heart & tones thigh muscles. Its an all year round exercise so why not check out your local gym for details.

Tour de France -  dates for your diary, the 2006 “Tour” starts in Strasbourg on the 1st July & in 2007 London will host the opening stage of the “Tour” for the first time ever! 

2005

Prices held for summer 2005!! So treat yourself to some new kit and get out there!

New season colour…check out the new Polaris Active Ladies shirt available in Dark Lilac

New product…face the unpredictable British weather wearing the Ladies Velle-ocity jacket

We are considering over trousers…Ladies tell us if you want them…just “e” us.

LIFESTYLE

Are we dreaming or has cycling become the new lifestyle?
A recent tour of our local newsagents magazine covers read like chapters from Josie Dew & Anne Mustoe “Cycling Cigars & Cuba”, “Women on Wheels”, “Cycle for Results”, “Get Active - Sailing, Cycling & Kayaking”.

Bike It - is a ground breaking project promoting cycling at schools around the UK. Funded by the bicycle industry, managed by Sustrans & supported by the Government it is proving a success. 70% of Bike It schools have seen an increase in cycling. By taking part our children are; learning to be independent, taking regular exercise, developing better road safety skills, learning about their environment - & most of all having fun!

Did you know that the bicycle is the best invention according to a recent Radio 4 poll celebrating engineering?

Links - Focusing on outdoor activities

Check out our updated links page for a selection of lifestyle sites designed for active women

2004 Challenges

Will this be your year to take up a challenge for charity? With walks & rides in the UK & exotic locations such as Cuba & Borneo you are spoilt for choice.

Why not check out National Deaf Children’s Society, www.ndcs.org.uk and join them in their Diamond Anniversary, trek across the Sahara or Iceland or cycle across Mongolia or South Africa.

Women’s weekly have organised a trek Tuscany challenge to raise funds for NDCS in May 2004.

Focusing on women – Professor Robert Winston is raising funds to train women Scientists & Clinicians through his Women for Women appeal with the fourth women-only cycle ride along the Nile in October 2004. More info e-mail events@actionforcharity.co.uk.

National Bike Week

National Bike week 2004 runs from June 12th – 20th with 1500 events organised nation wide, find out what’s happening in your area at www.bikeweek.org.uk.

Bike Shows

With Trade Cycle & Leisure shows at both ends of the country and spread across the year, 2004 should prove to be an interesting year as cycle clothing manufacturers respond to their customer’s needs.

"Safety Zone"

Be seen; be safe with products from the "Safety Zone". Innovative, hi-visibility, gadgets make everyone aware of your personal space. Check out the "Safety Zone" to preview safety products from just £1.20e. We are even supplying cyclists in New York with this range!

The National Cycle & Leisure Show is the industries Trade Show and this year had venues in the North & South

• Prominently featuring were folding & electric cycles. Many of these manufacturers were reporting increased sales & demands for bike maintenance. Could this be in response to the Capitals congestion charging and is this the pilot scheme for a National strategy?
• Women’s cycling clothing was well represented. Endura showcased their new colour ranges and Polaris Elle range caught our eye

New and revised books for 2003 with a definite accent on the female cyclist are:

• Velopress ISBN1884737587 “The female cyclist- gearing up a level” by Gale Bernhardt is packed with information on training needs specifically for women. Priced at £9.75 approx.
• Rodale Books ISBN1579541690 “Cycling for women” edited by Ed Pavelka the cycling guide written by women for women covers clothing & gear, repairs, touring tips and the cycling route to weight loss. Price £6.50 approx.

Check out www.amazon.co.uk for these and other cycle related books.

• Ample Bosom has launched a new Sports Bra on their site www.amplebosom.com. The Goddess soft cup sports bra is available in cup sizes 34-48 and retails at £32.00

La Voie Verte

Tired but refreshed girlgear have returned from their cycle tour of Brittany in France. For all you cycle tour enthusiasts we have discovered a new cycle route "La voie verte" which was opened at the end of June. The route is a converted railway track taking you from Mauron to Questembert, covering some 53 kilometres (approx. 32 miles). We tried it out for about 5 miles and found the surface to be excellent. There are bigger plans to convert further routes using disused rail tracks throughout France. On our return back to the port of St. Malo we joined the well used cycle route on the outskirts of Rennes straight through to St. Malo, which was clearly sign posted and cycle friendly. If any of you keen cyclists fancy carrying a "baguette" through your panniers and need any info on touring in France or advise on accommodation please e-mail us at info@girlgear.co.uk, where we will be happy to share our experiences.

Coming Soon/New Stuff

We checked out the following stands at NEC Cycle & Leisure Show 2002 and here is a preview of what we saw.

• The answer to your Cycle Parking Problems at home or at work we found at Bikeaway , a free-standing, upright cycle park which simply bolts to the ground; ideal for a balcony, garage, garden or work premises. There is no metal to metal contact so its very bike friendly. In 10 seconds all you have to do is stand your bike on its back wheel; roll it on the ramp into the stand, slide the red hoop over the front wheel to hold your bike in place. It comes with the following accessories; a waterproof zip up cover, thief-proof chains and padlocks.
  
  
• For you Mums who like to take your toddler for a cycle ride a Centric-Safe Haven child carrier has been launched by Goude Design . The Centric-Safe Haven puts the child upfront-behind the handlebars but in front of the rider-so rider and child share the same view. Made from very sturdy moulded plastic the seat also allays many of the safety fears previously associated with front seats i.e. it is not fixed to the handlebars, has protective foot wells to stop feet dangling and has a strong three point harness; BSI tested, it even has a special nap board with hand holds so the child can nod off without falling over to one side…well how about that for a cycling lullaby!
  
  
• Staying with Goude Design …. an award winning lightweight and clearly visible Indicator Glove has been launched for 2002. They have also launched the "Fireflute" indicator, which is probably the brightest multi-functional LED light system on the market; designed to improve safety for cyclists and a host of outdoor pursuits. The flute is provided with a simple clip on/off cycle mounting bracket, a shoulder strap and a Velcro kit as standard so it can be worn or attached to bags, backpacks etc. Made from clear acrylic so that all the internal components are visible the "Fireflute" measures 280mm in length and only 25mm in diameter. Their Magnet Safety Clip is also a must: an ingenious multi-purpose magnetic clip for day and night visibility. At night the 3M Scotchlite "High Viz" side is shown whilst the other fluorescent side is used for the day. This product is so versatile it clips onto clothing, bags, sports equipment etc. There is also an inflatable case useful for your mobile phone/sunglasses etc… real natty accessories.
  
  
• Girlgear is pleased to announce that manufacturers are at long last recognising the needs of female cyclists. We have seen some exciting colours and fabrics designed for cycling and spinning…So Ladies keep an eye on our catalogue for new designs coming shortly!  Ranges modelled at The Fashion Show featured such names as Fila, Vaude, Odlo, Karrimor, Gill International, Endura, Pearl Izumi & Buffera so we have our work cut out sifting through the many catalogues we brought home from the NEC.
  

Ladies, contact us if you need any more information at info@girlgear.co.uk