Cycling + Style = Vanderkitten

I'm so in love with my new VIP cycling gear from Vanderkitten. I'd been stalking the mailman for the last few days, meeting him at the door as he delivered our mail. I think he knew I was waiting for something special, because he smiled when he handed me two packages from Vanderkitten headquarters and chuckled when I just squealed with delight. (I love our mailman.) I tore open the packages and burst with excitement. Everything is fab-u-lous. The design, the colors, the fluoro yellow, the fabric, the style... ohmigosh, WOW.

Of course I tried everything on and it fit and felt amazing. I felt amazing. I wore that kit all morning long, until the moment I realized I had to change my clothes and pick up the boys from school. (It was 20 degrees out, and throwing on a long coat over my bare legs would look kinda streaker-ish.) I slipped into jeans and a sweater, feeling slightly depleted of my superpowers, but still soaring high. I love it all. Vanderkitten rocks.

Totally Kickass Clothing... On it's way...

My new SpiderOne Racing gear arrived last weekend, and I love the new running jersey and pants Mike ordered for me at Christmas. (Thanks honey!) I also learned today my Vanderkitten VIP kit will be arriving any day now. I'm sooo excited! All of the girls have been bubbling over with enthusiasm since earlier today, when Vanderkitten founder Dave Verrecchia announced that our new VIP kits have arrived -- adding that it looks a-ma-zing. (What a tease!) I'm totally envious of all the California kittens who will be sporting their hot new cycling kits this upcoming weekend. It might be a while before I'll be sporting the new kit myself -- Temps here today never got higher than 15 degrees. Brrrrrrr. However, I sure will be wearing my new Vanderkitten jacket everywhere I can. I can't wait!

First Frostbite Ride of 2013

We had a sunny 32 degrees this morning as Ethan and I headed out to Beverly Farms for our first ride of the new year! Ethan arrived dressed in safety orange riding his orange fixie. (So much orange! I always wonder where the cyclo-guys get their fashion sense. Sam's electric blue spandex pants come to mind.)

I wore my new Pactimo Cascade jacket that Mike gave me for Christmas. It's a race cut jacket -- fits snug -- and doesn't leave much room for layering. I wore a Pactimo baselayer and Athleta running jersey beneath it and have to say I wasn't as warm as I am in the Gavia with an UnderArmour. (I was warm in the Cascade, but I'm toasty in the Gavia.) It could have been the windchill factor today... but right now the jury is still out on the Cascade. I'm a little disappointed, though it does look and feel fantastic.

Ethan and I looped out to Beverly Farms (which he pronounces without the 'r'), and stopped for tea and coffee at the DDs. Returning to ride the back roads at Prides Crossing after our coffee stop, we ran into a deer that was likely the cousin to the behemoth I saw at Thanksgiving. The wind was brisk, keeping the temperatures low, but the streets were relatively clear after last weekend's snow. A great ride!

Cold Weather Chic

I'm still a newbie when it comes to winter riding, but last winter's snowless months had me out on the bike early, in February. (Yes, it was cold, but by the time December and January passed, anything over 40 degrees felt balmy.)

I usually stop riding in October, but this year I was challenged to keep riding through the winter. The argument was, "If you snowboard when it's cold, why wouldn't you ride if the streets were clear and you're dressed for it?" Ahhhh, true... what it really comes down to is finding the right mindset... and clothing.

For our first few frostbite rides, I was waaay overdressed. I've since been tweaking my layers with each ride. (32 degrees is the lowest I've headed out in.) I'm finding that a silk layer under polypropylene cycling tights keeps my legs sufficiently warm. (The tights are on the big side, so I have lots of breathing room.) Wool socks partnered with Garneau booties over my cycling shoes keep my feet warm; A Hincapie Arenberg headband (with a ponytail port!) covers my ears; and I have those awesome Planet Bike lobster claw gloves that look pretty funky. I wear an UnderArmour jersey as a base layer under a very stylish Pearl Izumi Gavia jacket that Ellen handed down to me, (along with the tights. Thank you, Elle). It doesn't seem like much, and I sometimes start off feeling chilly, but once I start riding, those layers heat up and I'm warm and toasty.

Mike got me a new Pactimo Cascade jacket for Christmas... though he hasn't given it to me yet! He's making me wait until December 25th. It's Chili Pepper Red, which is all kinds of awesome.