Contests

Helium Lazer Helmet Review

January 25, 2012
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Helium Lazer Helmet Review

Not only do I have my review of the Helium Lazer helmet today, I also have details on how you can win one of your own.  Be sure to check out my thoughts and opinions as well as the video about what I think of this cycling helmet. I have been in serious need...
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Posted in Contests, Real Product Reviews, Video Blog | 73 Comments »

#bikeschool: Ryders Caliber Photochromic Review and Giveaway

December 27, 2011
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#bikeschool: Ryders Caliber Photochromic Review and Giveaway

We’ve got Professor @egggman in today with a review of the Caliber Photochromic sunglasses from Ryders Eyewear.  Mike is a year round cyclist and experiences all seasons and conditions over there in Ontario, so he’s sure to provide a full review on their performance. Enter to WIN: Oh, and we’re giving away a pair of...
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Posted in #bikeschool, Contests, Guest Post, Real Product Reviews | 48 Comments »

#bikeschool: Fat Cyclist

December 13, 2011
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#bikeschool: Fat Cyclist

Many of you will have read the trials and tribulations of Elden Nelson, more commonly known as ‘Fat Cyclist‘, on his fantastic blog. The longstanding blog, cited by many as being the finest collection online, has charted the news, satire and heart-felt peaks and troughs of life for many years now. Fat Cyclist will...
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Posted in #bikeschool, Contests, Real Product Reviews, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Make it Happen Monday: The Holstee Manifesto

December 12, 2011
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Make it Happen Monday: The Holstee Manifesto

I’m going to let a great video and manifesto image from a company called Holstee do the talking today. This company believes in the same things we do over here at Loving the Bike, and they have a great way of expressing it.  Check out their manifesto and then watch their inspiring bikey video...
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Posted in Contests, Make it Happen Mondays, Motivation | 28 Comments »

#bikeschool: Win a Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Jacket

December 1, 2011
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#bikeschool: Win a Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Jacket

Hey #bikeschool classmates, here’s your chance to pick up an incredible Elite Barrier cycling jacket from Pearl Izumi.  It’s available in both Men’s and Women’s sizes, comes in seven different color options, and is described as: Wind-proof and water resistant, this comfortable and breathable Barrier Jacket provides lightweight, packable protection from a wide range of...
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Posted in #bikeschool, Contests | 47 Comments »

Win a Loving the Bike Jersey

November 15, 2011
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Win a Loving the Bike Jersey

The contest is now closed.  Thanks for all your great merchandise suggestions and for entering yourself in our Loving the Bike Jersey giveaway. Congratulations to @ozarksbiketrail who was randomly selected through random.org. For those who didn’t win and would like any of our Loving the Bike or #bikeschool merchandise, it is on right now at 30%...
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Posted in Contests | 123 Comments »

Cold Weather Cycling with the Twin Six Fall Collection

November 9, 2011
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Cold Weather Cycling with the Twin Six Fall Collection

Yes, cold weather cycling clothing is necessary even in Texas…especially if you dislike being chilly as much as I do. You’d think that a guy like me who’s from Canada would find even the coldest temperatures in Austin to be balmy sun tanning weather, but that’s exactly why I’m here and not there.  I am the biggest...
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Posted in Contests, Real Product Reviews | 89 Comments »

Win a Pair of Cycling Sunglasses

September 30, 2011
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Win a Pair of Cycling Sunglasses

As I’ve been known to say in the past….“My Momma tells me I was born with a pair of sunglasses on my face”.  Yep, I honestly can’t remember too many days in my life when I wasn’t sporting a pair while cycling or doing anything else outside. So you just have to know that...
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Posted in Contests, Real Product Reviews | 42 Comments »

Beanitos: Should You Become a BeanHead?

September 14, 2011
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Beanitos: Should You Become a BeanHead?

I came across Beanitos due to the fact that my friend @BeanitosApril works over there.  She gave my family some samples and we felt they were one super awesome healthy (ish) snack.  So to find out exactly how good and healthy they actually were, I had April send some to our Loving the Bike...
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Posted in Contests, Cycling Nutrition, Real Product Reviews | 29 Comments »

#bikeschool: Ride the Divide Movie Review

August 30, 2011
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#bikeschool: Ride the Divide Movie Review

My cycling librarian friend, Krissy is here today to talk about a cycling movie called Ride the Divide.  This is the first one she’s reviewing for us and Krissy will be back again in the future to let us know her opinion on other cycling movies as well.  Krissy is a Library Director who...
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Posted in #bikeschool, Contests, Guest Post, Real Product Reviews | 32 Comments »

Two Great Cycling Cities and Where to Stay

August 17, 2011
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Two Great Cycling Cities and Where to Stay

I’d like to welcome the good folks from Hostel Bookers who are supplying today’s post and providing details for a great contest.  Have a look at what they have to say about cycling in the cities of Miami and San Francisco, and check out the information they provide for accommodation options while in these cities....
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Posted in Contests, Guest Post | 21 Comments »

Three Big Dudes and the Bike

August 12, 2011
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Three Big Dudes and the Bike

As we all know, the bike is a beautiful and amazing thing…but the importance it holds and the personal meaning it possesses differs for each and every one of us. For three web friends of mine, the bike is the answer to achieving their weight loss goals, obtaining better health, and improving their overall...
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Posted in Contests, Cycling Nutrition | 20 Comments »

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Which individual supplements should I take?

I generally eat pretty healthily and stay relatively fit but I wonder if I’m getting enough vitamins and minerals. Is there a product (available in the UK) that contains the right mixes of daily vitamins and minerals and if not, which individual supplements should I take to compliment a healthy lifestyle. (ps… I don’t want to take so many pills that I rattle!)

Kelli’s Answer:

Thanks for the question!  First a disclaimer: It’s always important to talk to your personal health care provider about supplements -some should not be taken due to medication interactions and individual conditions.

Now, my general recommendations:

Although a healthy and balanced diet is most important, I do believe that most people, and athletes especially, need a good multivitamin/multimineral, extra vitamin D, and fish oil (or another source of DHA/EPA omega-3s) in addition to healthy foods.  Mostly, I recommend this because our soils have been over-farmed (which decreases the amount of nutrients in our foods), our waters are polluted (which is one reason we can’t eat as much seafood as we’d like), and our ability to get outside and get sunlight year round has decreased with more time spent inside and at a desk.  And, there’s a lot of exciting research that supports higher levels of vitamin D supplementation than previous recommendations.

Generally, I recommend these daily supplements:

  1. Rainbow Light multivitamin (see http://bit.ly/AwnPQ1 - they have a separate multivitamin for men and women).  This is one of my favorite brands as it contains a good mix of vitamins/minerals, probiotics, enzymes and “green” nutrients.  And, it looks like you can get it online in the UK, at least, according to what turned up in my trusty google search.
  2. 1000-2000 IU additional vitamin D (in addition to the amount in the multivitamin and in addition to what you get from sunlight)
  3. 1000-2000 mg DHA/EPA (in combo, and in addition to ~12 oz. fatty fish per week).  Nordic Naturals is a really good brand – you want the source to be small, low-mercury fish such as anchovies, shrimp, sardines, etc.

Additionally, individual athletes may need extra iron, probiotics, calcium, etc.  But, these 3 pills are a good place to start for most healthy athletes.

As you look for supplements, the keys are to find ones that 1) have what they claim they have (no exaggerated claims) and 2) don’t have anything that’s harmful.  You don’t want lead or other dangerous heavy metals, and I try to stay away from colorings, flavorings, and unnecessary additives.  Since this industry is not really regulated, it can be hard to find good brands that have support from a 3rd party expert.  I often www.consumerlab.com, a completely impartial 3rd party site that tests supplements and reports on their ingredients.  They don’t have every brand, but it can be a good starting point.  I hope this helps!

Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.

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