ladies Cycling Blog – and The Development of Ladies Cycling

Nadezhda
Pavlova

The Growth & Development of Women’s Cycling

Let’s cut to the chase and accept that cycling has been unbalanced for far too long; and yes, that’s a polite way of saying that cycling has been sexist in too many areas, and that women in cycling deserve more acceptance for who they are – women. All of us have been into cycling shops around the world, and too frequently seen a limited selection of women’s cycling clothing, or indeed, far too few women’s cycles to choose from, compared to the number of men’s bikes on display. It’s only in recent years that women’s bikes had their own place within many many world-leading brands.

We want to continue our drive to truly recognise the position that women ought to be given within cycling and cycle sport generally – equal status in all areas, and an acceptance of the differences. For example, we are built differently… in case you hadn’t noticed;) ! Shrinking a men’s cycling jersey just won’t do, I’m afraid. We need to be properly fitted to form, and with our own feminine style too. Ladies, or women’s, cycling clubs are one of the fastest developing areas within the cycle industry. Failing to recognise the growth and potential of women’s cycling development is a failure to place your own cycling brand in the best position to maximise growth in the changing global cycling community. Yes, women are finally a central part of the global cycling scene, and women’s cycling blogs are taking hold, as online portals for the very best information for women in cycling.

As a website that has consistently championed and promoted women’s cycling blogs, and led the way in bringing women’s cycle clothing to the fore, the team here at Pedalnorth wanted to create a specific arena within our website, where we could showcase some of the best women’s cycling blogs in the world, and bring you some of the best women’s cycling lifestyle tips and blogs too.

Nadezhda

Diane

Maria Wilke

Fiona-May


Leading the way to a feminine future

Women’s cycling requires a different approach in so many ways. It’s not simply that our women’s cycling jerseys and bib shorts need to be designed and cut differently; or that our cycling shoes need to be designed for women’s feet, taking account for our different build and physiology. It’s not simply that we want and yes need bikes that are designed and built for us. What is is, is the simple fact that women have fought hard for recognition within society; at work, at leisure, within families, and within sport generally. Women in cycling simply want a feminine future that is on a a par with the attention given to men’s cycling.

Looking across the women’s cycling world, there are some amazing people currently – and not just within the ladies cycling peloton. Riders such as Maeve Plouffe – who we’ve interviewed several times – or Marianne Vos, who has changed history for women’s cycling. Coaches such as Cherie Pridham, the first ever female coach within the men’s world tour, are smashing away at the glass ceiling. And, here at Pedalnorth, we have Nadezhda Pavlova – probably one of the best women’s cycling bloggers and writers in the world – leading the way in creating women’s cycling blogs and content for several years.

Strictly female cycling information

Yes, this new area of the Pedalnorth website will expand on our current coverage of women’s cycling information, to create probably one of the world’s best selections of women’s cycling blogs, filled with information written and targeted for women on 2-wheels. We’ll bring the best  cycling lifestyle blogs for women, tips on feminine cycling fashions for women , and places to visit for cycling trips – including information on ladies cycling events, such as La Reine  – the strictly female cycling festival, held in Switzerland.

Ladies, or women’s cycling, whichever way you refer t it, is still the fastest growth area within the global cycling community. It’s an area of cycling where  performance, style and quality ride in perfect harmony; and yet where true recognition is still in waiting. This new area of Pedalnorth will allow us to showcase the uniqueness and the lifestyle within women’s cycling, and to bring you the very best women’s cycling blogs in the world – all in one place.

Women’s cycling – where style is never optional

We’re supported in this new area of our website by the leading women’s high-performance cycle clothing brand, DS Pro. They have probably one of the best selections of women specific, high-quality, feminine cycling clothing in the world. Take a look at the DS Pro website today – and join the style revolution!

How to increase your FTP on the bike

I want to talk with you about performance - how to increase power and performance. Cycling performance depends on increasing the Functional Threshold Power, also known as FTP. If you are wondering what is FTP and how to increase it, read on to learn more. Nadezhda 🙂
January 21, 2025/by Pedalnorth Website

Col de Turini from Nice

The Col de Turini is a classic route in the hills close to Nice. It's featured on the Tour de France and is a favourite formany locals riders. Read Diane's account,as she chooses this as her first ever mountain col cycle route.
January 11, 2025/by Pedalnorth Website

Choosing the best road and offroad cycling shoes

Finding the best cycling shoes in the world is a challenge. Ultimately, we're all built differently, and that includes the uniqueness of our feet and how we use them. Add to this, that brands can't easily shout out that they probably make the best cycling shoes, then we've got an additional barrier. Time then to look at what does make a great cycling shoe even greater.
January 6, 2025/by Pedalnorth Website

Race 24 Kelheim – Fight against mind and fatigue

I've trained long und hard for this day, now it has come: The 24 hours in Kelheim were on my agenda and I was already really excited and motivated for this event since a few weeks and I was ready to give everything my mind and body were able to. Time to test myself on 2-wheels!
December 24, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Lap after lap at the 24 hours of Zolder with Maria Wilke

At some point in our lives, we all seek a challenge. Maria Wilke seeks them constantly; and so we wanted to share one of her first and most epic cycling challenges - the 24 hours of Zolder! As we enter 2025, the 700 km+ cycled by this inspiring woman, is worth revisiting, as an inspiring endurance cycling achievement.
December 23, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Road Cycling In Ticino, Switzerland

Here's two absolutely amazing routes from Mary Wilke, taking in this beautiful area of the Alps, close to the border between Italy and Switzerland,and with epic views of lakes and mountains. If you're looking for a great weekend riding in the Alps, then this excursion could be the ideal mini vacation for epic bikes rides.

 
December 17, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Yoga for Cyclists – the Cat-Cow Pose with Diane Vilarem

Riding all day and being bent over the handlebars can cause back pain in cyclists. The Cat-Cow Pose, or Chakravakasana, is a yoga pose that will help to improve your general posture and balance, whilst also helping to stretch out those back muscles. In her latest blog, Diane shows you how to free up those back muscles with Yoga
December 15, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Yoga for Cyclists – The Bow Pose with Diane Vilarem

Hip Flexors can cause cyclists all manner of pain issues. Thankfully, our flexible French Yoga Teacher, Diane Vilarem knows the perfect pose for this - the Archer inspired Bow Pose. It's time to get flexible for riding, with Diane
December 5, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Cycling and Yoga – The Benefits for Biomectrics

The Cobra Pose in Yoga is a superb exercise for cyclists looking to increase flexibility and to reduce pain in the shoulders. Our own Yoga teacher, Diane talks you through the pose in this blog
November 25, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Team DS Pro Angels Triathlon

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of triathlon competition, and the camaraderie of teamwork; especially when shared in a breath-taking location. This was the essence of our experience at Ironman Turkey 70.3 in Belek, where we came together as a relay team to face the challenges of the race.
November 20, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

The joy of running – finding freedom in every step

Have you ever felt so free, clear-minded, strong in body, and happy that it seems like you're in a state of Nirvana? For many people, this feeling comes from running. It’s an amazing sport that makes you stronger, faster, and brings a big smile to your face.
October 31, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Camelbak Podium Water Bottle Range

It's hotting up outside and it's definitely time to start looking at water bottles. Robert and Nadezhda take a look at the latest bottles from world leaders in hydration, Camelbak 🙂
October 1, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Designing Cycle Shoes for Women

In case you haven’t noticed it, women are built differently from men – it’s a fact. All too often, historically, brands have simply produced downsized products for women, and have failed either deliberately or otherwise, to recognise the physiological differences. Yes, the cycling world simply used a ‘Pink it & Shrink it’ mentally, failing to understand the specific needs of women as athletes.
September 19, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Ladies Cycling Kits

Women’s cycling kit matters, because having uncomfortable clothing, or a women’s cycling jersey that causes chaffing or doesn’t offer support, can turn an enjoyable ride into an ordeal. Time to give you some tips on choosing the best ladies cycling kit
July 22, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort

SQ Lab are a group of very clever scientists, based in the heart of Bavaria, who are passionate about helping you and all cyclists to find the perfect fit for your bike. Using their well-researched and detailed software and measuring tools, they'll not only tell you what's required; they also design and create innovative solutions to optimise your ride.
July 18, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

High Performance Cycling Clothing

The cycle clothing market is awash with so many brands, that it's often difficult to determine which clothing to choose for true quality and performance. WE thought that it was about time we started to examine this for you. Let's focus of real quality and performance brands, and create a cycling revolution
June 27, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

La Montée du Géant and riding the Tourmalet

La Montée du Géant is an exciting cycling event organized by the Tour de France and Chez Octave Tourmalet shop. It takes place on the first Saturday of summer each year and attracts cycling of all levels and all kinds of bikes, from road to electric, from around the globe. This event is a dream come true for many cyclists, and I was excited to be invited, and to have the opportunity to ride up such an iconic mountain!
June 9, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Designed for Cycling

Look good in lycra with DS Pro, as we examine the style, design and fabric technicity of this exciting and developing brand
May 27, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

SIGR Team Descent Jersey

“Beautiful, comfortable cycling jerseys for going fast in. But that also look great at the coffee stop”  🙂

Stylish Viking brand Sigr was born in Umeå, in the cold and dark parts of northern Sweden. As the focus of this brand is to manage wet and cold days, they wanted to see how it performs on the hot French Riviera. The first impression of this model is really “wow, I love the design”!
May 3, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Alé Cycling Sauvage Jersey and Bib Shorts

Italian brand Alé make some of the finest and most stylish, high-performance cycling clothing for ladies in the world. We thought that it was time that Nadezhda gave it her expert rider opinion - and she loved it. Find out why in our latest review
May 2, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Manuela Muresan Interview – Romania Cycling Champion

Earlier this summer, we visited Transylvania in Romania, where Nadia happened to ride and win her category in 2 races - and bump into multi-disciplined Romanian National Champion Ela Muresan, who'd won the pro categories. This amazing woman has won several national titles in a wide variety of cycling genres, including road and mountain bike. She's an inspiration to women across Romania, who are still fighting for better representation and support in cycling.
July 31, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

The Benefits of a Custom Built Bike

Approximately one year ago, I got the RedChilli WR1 Bike! What a delightful memory! I have to say that I am very content and extremely grateful for the bike. What I noticed in this period of using the RedChilli, is the importance of the correct bike fitting in long term period which assures comfort and safety.
April 23, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Red Chilli WR1 – Sitting Comfortably

Ok, now that I got your attention, we can continue with some technical aspects about my bike:

There are two really important parts to my RedChilli WR1 bike; firstly, the carbon pedals by Shimano, as they fasten to my feet and prove superb power transfer and stability when riding. Then, it’s obviously my saddle...
July 21, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface Triathlon Chamois Pad

Triathlon cycling element is an aggressive position, where the rider is usually at their limit and trying to create as much performance as is possible. Add to this that the suit worn by the triathlete has two other elements to content with, then it’s a difficult decision to make in terms of what the chamois pad should be like and how technical it needs to be.
March 1, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

How to do Triathlon and be a Woman

Enjoy the strength and beauty of your youth. As long as life is not pleasant to us, it passes. In 20 years, you will look at your photos with a feeling that you do not understand now. How many possibilities were open to you and how amazing you really looked.
November 24, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

ALÉ PRR Green Race Ladies Bib Tights

Winter is a time when we want to be warm and comfortable, but we also want to look good. These eco-friendly bib tights from ALÉ allow me to ride well and show my style and athleticism too - after all, I'm a woman 🙂
November 18, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Alé Ladies Colour block winter jersey

Alé from the Italian city of Verona understand simplicity; it’s in their dna and their new winter Colour Block thermal jersey is testament to their style
October 29, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Choosing The Right Skinsuit

Whether you ride a road bike, time trial, triathlon or MTB, you've probably landed on this website looking for the best skinsuit for your needs. For those who are unfamiliar, a skinsuit is an aero short-sleeved or long-sleeves onesie made of lightweight cloth that is particularly developed for cycling.
September 10, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Skincare for Triathletes

Triathletes are considered some of the healthiest individuals on the planet. Apart from the constant exercise, most of them are often incredibly conscious about what they eat and their health.

However, because of constant exposure to the sun and other chemicals, these triathletes are also in danger of having their skin damaged or, worse, having skin issues. With that being said, here are some skin care tips for triathletes.
August 3, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Triathlon Training – Brick Workouts

Training for 2 disciplines back to back - brick training. It'stough but worthwhile, and triathlon coach Nadezhda guides you through the process with this great article.
July 5, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

DS Pro Floral Bliss Skinsuit

It's time to look at skinsuits, with the new Floral Bliss design by ladies only brand, DS Pro. This high end performance brand from Florida design kit that makes you look as good as you feel. Read Nadezhda's thoughts on this body hugging cycling suit.
May 25, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Achieving Your Best Time Trail Race

A time trial is racing at its most basic level, with just you, your bike, and the time to contend with. It tests the cyclist’s and machine’s ability against the clock.

A time trial bicycle (TT bike) has a shorter wheelbase, more aerodynamic, places the rider nearer towards the front of the bike in aero position. Besides, it can have solid disk wheels. It comes with some complexity and you need to know the tricks to ride a faster time trial.
May 25, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Top 5 Traits of Thriving Endurance Athletes

The success of endurance athletes is not measured by how fast they achieve something. It is about the commitment of doing something that they set their minds to do. This definition of their success is encapsulated in the say-do gap, which refers to the space between what athletes say they will do and its potential result.
April 28, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Mandy Marquardt Interview

As part of her series on inspiring women athletes, Nadezhda interviewed Mandy Marquardt,from the USA Track Team. Mandy Marquardt is a professional track sprint cyclist racing for Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team and for the USA Cycling National Team. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16.
April 27, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Alé Ladies Switch DWR Combi Jacket

New Year, new style and more fun!

The Ale´ Women’s winter jacket Switch DWR Combi looks lovely, like most of Ale’s wonderful collections, always full of bright and vivid colors, with unique designs. The one I have on test is a shade of light blue or celeste color, one of my favorites of course!
March 3, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Cherie Pridham Interview – Talking with friends

From being a pro cyclist to the first-ever female director in the men’s WorldTour with Israel Start-Up Nation (ISN), Cherie Pridham is here to make history.

It is only right to have female sports directors at Women's WorldTour, but this is the first time a woman leads a male-dominated peloton. Because of this, Cherie has been receiving lots of attention from the people in the cycling world.
February 18, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface Ladies Chamois Pad

Did you know that women have a greater spectrum of bottom shapes and structures than men, it’s true. Elastic Interface have researched this, partnering with the Department of Biomedical Science at the University of Padua, Italy. After developing their First Ladies specific pads, Elastic Interface listened to the feedback and wanted to improve things, and so looked towards the scientists in order to better understand female cyclists bottoms.
January 16, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Why should Cyclists do Yoga

So, why should cyclists do yoga?

Not only do we spend more and more time sitting (working on a computer, watching TV, driving, etc.) but, as cyclists, we tend to adopt a posture that pushes us to arch over our handlebars and move in a forward direction. This creates neck pain, shoulder and back strain and especially tight hip flexors. In addition, sitting for hours on a saddle leads to a shorter and underdeveloped psoas muscle (if you don’t know what or where your psoas muscle is located have a look at this).
December 25, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

DS Pro Blue Floral Cycling Jersey

Designed for greatness, both in performance and how you look and feel,this long sleeve cycling jersey is for women only and it’s a technical performance orientated garment that will give you everything you ever want and more from a cycling jersey.
December 1, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Vitamin D Deficiency In Sport

Vitamin D is vital for growth and maintenance of the bone and in regulation of electrolyte metabolism, protein synthesis, gene expression, and immune function - lots of important things for athletes. These vital functions are essential for all individuals, and they're especially so for the elite and recreational athlete.
July 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Girls Rule Cycling Kit

Designed For Cycling design and produce high technicity and high performance ladies cycling clothing. They also design the most chic and stylish cycling kit for ladies, and their Girls Rule range is typical of this high end ladies cycling kit brand
June 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Practical training tips for staying motivated during COVID19

Living through a pandemic is a stressful experience. With races being canceled all over the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, it can be tough to stay motivated with your training. Especially when no one knows when the races could be continued.
May 11, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Riding Alone

We didn't choose these times, but it is all we have, so we have to look at the positive aspects for our training. Riding alone can help us in our training plans and gives us time to focus too. Here's a few positive aspects that I have found to riding alone.
April 1, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Maeve Plouffe Interview 2020

We thought that it was time to catch up with this rising star of world cycling, Australian rider Maeve Plouffe. Time for a chat then...
March 22, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website
Ladies fitness training strength exercise

Fitness For Cyclists

It's time to get cycle fit, with our own Nadezhda. Here's some super training ideas from this exceptional triathlon coach and athlete, to help you get the most out of your cycling.
January 9, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

DS Pro Cold Weather Kit

Who says you can’t look stylish in cold weather and still perfom? With this Winter Cycling Jacket and Tights, you can still resume your workouts without feeling too cold nor too hot at all. Plus, the overall aesthetics and perfect color combination of the jacket and tights will make you look super chic
December 21, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Nadezhda Pavlova triathlete

Designed For Cycling Sweet Dreams Kit

Finding great cycling gear is always a challenge, especially for women. The industry seems to have decided that if you want performance clothing that helps keep you comfortable on the bike, you also want to appear as if you are a professional cyclist too.
November 17, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

My First Olympic Distance Triathlon

Triathlon training advice and information, as Luciana Prados writes about her first triathlon
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

What’s in the Bag

Hannah gives useful advice to racers on putting together the ideal kit bag for race days
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

My Triathlon Journey

Luciana Prados writes about her journey into triathlon and her training programme and lifestyle
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
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