T-Blog

I just returned from a visit to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What a great trip! The purpose was two-fold: put some miles on the new 2006 Isis and enjoy fall migration. Birding seems to have become the second 'B' in my life. Anytime I can combine the two, all the better. Here in upstate New York, 'warm' and 'November' aren't usually used together in the same sentence, so riding in shorts while there was icing on the cake.

We're offering a Terry Tour of Blackwater in May for good reason. There are a myriad of quiet, flat roads with beautiful scenery in and around the Refuge. It's the perfect terrain for every cyclist: from beginners just turning their legs to old pros looking for some gentle warm-up rides after a long winter. Words can't describe the beauty of this area. Some call it the "Everglades of Maryland". If you like to ride and harmonize with nature at the same time, come to Blackwater. Like every successful NWR, Blackwater relies on the generosity of its Friends. Accordingly, we donate part of the proceeds of this tour back to them. More information about this tour is on our website.

Aside from binoculars and camera, Isis was my constant companion in and around the Refuge. The frame is made of scandium (aluminum alloy with the element scandium added) with a white carbon fork and seatstays. How to describe the ride? Energetic. The image that comes to mind is that of a filly scampering around a field, waiting for a rider. It did seem as though I was feeling a kind of energy coming from the bike that only seemed satisfied when I pushed her just a little more. Comfortable, yes; responsive, yes. But never nervous. She held her line despite my constant wiggling around to follow the arc of a soaring bald eagle or just gazing upwards at the loblolly pines that dominate the landscape. We definitely bonded.

It was a great trip. Isis and I are looking forward to going back. The tundra swan are due any day from Canada, so I think it will be sooner rather than later!

Tailwinds,
Georgena
talktous@terrybicycles.com

Posted by Georgena Terry at 04:36 PM | Permalink

Graeme Street is the creator of Cyclo-Core, Cyclo-Zen and Cyclo-Speed: three cyclist-specific programs created to help riders go faster, gain strength or just feel more comfortable on their bikes. With consistent use of his products, you can make real progress in your riding. To Graeme, it's all about the progress.

When I started using Cyclo-Zen, I felt immediate improvement in my comfort on the bike and ultimately in my strength. Pretty amazing, since I was using only a portion of the program and for a such short period of time. So I called Graeme to find out more about him and his philosophy. Turns out he just turned 30, has a degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition and has been working in the fitness industry for about ten years. He's been an ardent cyclist since he was a child. He wanted to turn his enjoyment of cycling and his understanding of functional and core training into a career. Less than a year ago, he taped Cyclo-Core and launched a Google AdWords campaign to get the word out. Once the ad found its way onto a VeloNews web page the rocket took off.

Good thing, because he was down to his last pennies and betting them all on Cyclo-Core.

I asked him why flexibility is so important. He asked me how many cyclists I knew who have a "fear of getting off the bike". You know, you go out for a ride, you don't ride as well as you want to, so the next day you ride harder. The "more is better" routine. Time to stop thinking like that and introduce a little balance into your program. Enter flexibility, the key to recovery. Most cyclists know they're not flexible. Cycling is a very fore and aft activity. Flexibility routines help muscle tissue open, elongate and oxygenate; all of which helps raise your energy level.

Of course, a stronger core is key to better cycling since it's the "glue", so to speak, that holds everything together. Graeme's strength programs tend to hit the body hard with focused, intense sessions. Then flexibility comes in and helps the body recover and improve.

After noodling over Grame's philosphy of fitness, I thought about our Terry women specific bicycles which were created to address the common complaints I hear from women. You know, "I feel stretched out; my neck and shoulders hurt....". I asked Graeme if he thought this was due to a lack of core strength and flexibility. He said women have a wider hip girdle, less core strength than men and a more extreme angle than men with respect to the alignment of the femur and spine. Put those all together and mid and upper back discomfort is common. Proper bike fit is essential, but so is building the core and elongating the hamstrings. Good body plus good bike fit equals good ride.

There are lots of different programs within the Cyclo series. Enough to make you wonder which you should use and when. Graeme does a great job of emailing his customers weekly (at least!) with different exercise regimes. What are you trying to achieve, where are you in your season, what are you capable of? Put them all together and you believe him when he says he is a "cheerleader, pillar of support and base of knowledge".

He cautions, though, that there is no trump card. Once you've achieved your fitness goal, you have to continue to work to maintain it. It has to become part of your lifestyle.

Sum it up, Graeme: "Use my programs along with what you love most, riding your bike, and you'll be a better rider."

On that note, I left him to work his way through the 2500 emails from customers and would-be customers who think of him as their personal coach. Ah, the price of success!

Tailwinds,
Georgena
talktous@terrybicycles.com
www.terrybicycles.com

Posted by Georgena Terry at 01:04 PM | Permalink