I think cycling is pretty groovy, actually

Stef writes:

A recent article in The Guardian proclaims that teenage girls prefer not to ride bikes for fears over their appearance. As I was once a teenage girl myself, I must admit that, sadly, this is true. My cycling days ended at the age of 13, with the inevitable onslaught of makeup and fashion prevailing for much of the years afterwards. Now in my mid-twenties, I am happy(?) to announce that I'd much rather an enjoyable bike ride over a day spent worrying about different shades of paint on my face, as this recent picture of my holiday in Guernsey shows;


So I've decided to offer something a little different to the world of teenage fashion. It's not all about looking like Kate Moss, and keeping healthy is very important. How many kids ride a bike to school these days over getting dropped off by their parents? It's time to make cycling as 'trendy' as possible (I'm sure they still use that word).

Starting with highly recommended cycling gear giant Montane, the Women's Velocity DT Jacket is perfect for bike riding in any weather. Designed for the high-energy cyclist (but can, of course, be worn by anyone), the Velocity DT is fully waterproof with an ultra low weight of 225grams - perfect for stowing away in a rucksack. The cut is female-specific, with a low drop tail (to cover more of your back) and pre-bent, extra-long arms for ease of movement. Both the main zip and pocket zip are water-resistant, perfect for keeping rain away from clothes and essential items - including the all-important MP3 player, which includes audio access from inside the jacket. For the parent's peace of mind, the 3 metres of reflective piping are visible through 360 degrees - perfect for road safety in time (though don't forget your bike lights!). While a little pricey at £107.99, this is perfect for all-round protection.

At 120grams, the Montane Featherlite Velo is lighter and a much, much cheaper price at £35.99. Perfect as an additional outer layer, the Featherlite Velo comes in a range of both subtle and bright colours for the introverted and extroverted alike. The best part? It is ultra-breathable, massively reducing the risk of turning up to any function, gathering or class covered in sweat after a three-mile bike ride.

From The North Face, the Women's Sentinel Thermal jacket is windproof, water resistant & comfortable, with Gore Windstopper maintaining wind resistance and breathability and a fleece backer for added insulation and comfort. The cuffs are elastic-bound for simplicity, with a hem cinchcord, keeping the jacket close to the body and eliminating heat loss. What is Gore Windstopper? - basically it's a lamited technology which is designed to repel wind and rain on the outside and wick away moisture from the inside, keeping you comfortable for longer. Pricey at £143.99, but will last you very, very long time.

For a good selection of jackets perfect for cycling, please take a look at the Montane and Windproof Shell sections of our website, or call us on 0208 123 5911 with any enquiries and we will do our best to answer them! Safety while cycling is also important, so head torches from brands such as Petzl are useful, as are, as always, cycle helmets.