The Girls' Bicycle Handbook
The Girl’s Bicycle Handbook is a cycling book for women that is both useful to read and pretty to look at! When you start cycling as an adult, it’s not quite as simple as just getting back on your bike, there are certain things you need to know to ensure you successfully integrate cycling into your daily life. From cycle safety, to tips on what to wear to ‘how to’ maintenance guides and advice on cycling to work, The Girls Bicycle Handbook is a women-specific guide to cycling to help women enjoy it and look wonderful doing it.
How can the book cater for cycling experts as well as novices? As well as advice for women just getting started, the book also has a fitness chapter about how to take cycling to the next step, get involved in longer rides and features Yoga stretches that are ideal for cyclists. There is also advice on getting babies on board the bike and lots of ways to get involved with the wider cycling community. A feature I particularly love is the profiles on various women from the vibrant cycling community from cycle fashion bloggers to cycle clothing designers to explorers. I think whatever your cycle experience, all women who cycle will find these stories and journeys both interesting and inspirational.
Why should you make cycling part of your lifestyle?
Because it good for your body and your brain, because it saves you money and burns calories. Because it sociable, practical and most importantly fun!
Please tell us about your blog.
I have been writing the blog for seven years now and am pleased to say I never run out of material which I think just proves how much is going on with cycling. I started the blog because I was so fed up with the boring, geeky and often unhelpful advice that was out there for women about cycling. I wanted to come at it from a different angle. To show women beautiful images and back it up with relevant advice for modern women. I was surprised and chuffed when the blog was featured in Vogue, The Observer magazine and The Times style in its first year.
Please tell us about founding and owning Cyclechic.co.uk.
Cyclechic.co.uk was an extension of the blog. After a fruitless search for a stylish bike helmet I realised the cycling accessories available to women were generally boring and unappealing and as young fashion-conscious woman who liked cycling, this bothered me. I finally found a helmet I liked, The Bern Lenox and bought 12 wholesale (with a pay check I had just received from a temp job) I started selling them from my flat. After a few months my weekends were getting busier and busier with women coming over to buy helmets and I knew it was time to expand and Cyclechic.co.uk was born.
Why is cycling an active and accessible lifestyle choice?
Cycling is one of the most accessible types of exercise you can do. You don’t need to be super-fit, your body weight is supported by the bike so it doesn’t put strain on your knees and joints as running can do. Cycling, even at a leisurely pace is great for your heart and will have you feeling and looking healthier in no time. Cycling is also perfect for those who don’t have time to fit exercise into their day to day routine – by cycling you are getting exercise whilst getting to work or doing the shopping. It ideal for the busy working woman.
What is next for you?
We want to continue to broaden our range of products at Cyclechic and continue spread the Cycle Chic word and ultimately get more women on two wheels.
cyclechic.co.uk