Pretty in Pink! When we spotted these “new for 2008″ women’s luxury shoes at the cycling trade show last fall, we didn’t look any further. Of course, Sidi has a reputation for top-of-the-line Italian cycling shoes and their women’s line has grown way beyond the basic black models, but sparkly bike shoes? Wow!

Not one to be swayed by a gorgeous exterior, I wanted to know if the Genius 5.5s had what it took to build a lasting relationship. Lorica upper, caliper buckle, padded tongue, and Sidi’s new carbon composite sole for a light, stiff, but still flexible shoe - yes the Genius 5.5 has it all. Out on the road, those features make for plenty of comfort and efficient pedaling, because you don’t waste energy through the over-flexing of the sole.

The Genius 5.5 is definitely one of those love it - hate it sort of shoes. If you can’t abide pink and shimmery, check out the Genius 6.6 full carbon soled shoe in white or the Genius 5 in black. You can’t go wrong with Sidi on your feet!

Sidi Genius 5.5: msrp $330 www.sidiusa.com

If you like getting your carbs and calories from food rather than ultra-sweet sports drinks when you’re working out or playing hard, here’s a totally new product idea for you….Enlyten’s SportStrips. With no calories, no carbs, and no sugars, they are strictly for electrolyte replacement.

SportStrips work by absorption through your buccal mucosa (your mouth and inner cheek lining). You just slip one of the strips, which look a lot like those breath freshener strips, between your cheek and gum and let it dissolve. The advantage is that the electrolytes get absorbed into your bloodstream much quicker this way and bypass the digestive system completely. If you’ve ever gotten the belly ache on a long run or ride from drinking lots of hydration beverage, you’ll appreciate the advantage.

Aside from the science, I enoyed being able to drink plain, cold water when I was thirsty rather than forcing down a sports mix. The SportStrips take practically no room in a jersey pocket, so you can reduce the bulk of carrying dry powder along with you.

Enlyten SportStrips come in three flavors, orange, grape, and vanilla-berry. Enlyten recommends a pre-load of three to six strips, the same number while your active, and recovering with another three to six strips. That was too many for me and I like to recover with a yogurt-fruit smoothie (or a bucket of movie popcorn), but it was extremely convenient during my ride. It took a little getting used to the way the little plastic case opens and slipping out one or two of the strips, but I sure did like carrying that little tiny case! My only criticism was with the packaging - there were no instructions printed on there. Since someone shared a case with me, I had no idea how many strips to use until I visited the Enlyten website.

Enlyten SportStrips are available from the Enlyten website as well as major sporting goods and nutrition stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and GNC. Three packets of 18 strips each are $9.99.

I have to say, when I decided to test out some women’s specific cycling clothes, I got nervous. I was hoping that they didn’t send me something with that damn hibiscus print or even worse ANYthing in pink. The cutesy, stylistic designs on many products these days for us drives me nuts. Granted, we all have our own tastes and opinions….and those are mine.

When the Floyd Cylces clothing box arrived, I was more than happy with the contents. At quick glance, great fabrication with subtle design features. Slick contrast stitching on the Racer shorts(msrp $94) gives them a nice flare. The Shauna tank top(msrp $72) included a shelf bra and a handful of buttons down the front, in a mellow blue…not pink! I was even more impressed, when I put the top and shorts on, with the fit and feel. The shorts were definitely designed with our body shape in mind and that contrast stitching turned out to be really flattering. No chaffing on many long rides and the chamois wasn’t too big. The top breathes well and looks great on…and yes the buttons add a bit of sexiness to the look. Well done. Finally, cycling clothes that look like none other…and that’s a good thing!
www.floydcycles.com

Women’s specific and all business

We were able to test several road bikes this past fall and winter for our March 08 cycling issue. The Felt FW15 test bike was the last to arrive at headquarters and has hung around the longest, so I’ve had it out on spring training rides this month. It’s an amazing bike.

The first thing you notice about the Felt FW15 is a feeling of eagerness to accelerate. Every ounce of effort you put into your pedaling translates into forward motion courtesy of the Superlite aluminum/carbon frame. It made me think of a British sports car I used to own - even a trip to the quickie mart made you want to race. The FW15 makes mincemeat of hills, too.

My first ride had me admiring all these racy qualities, but wondering how I’d feel after a longer ride. Would all this stiffness and speed mean I’d be miserable after 25 or 30 miles? No way! It’s a perfect balance of comfort and acceleration, the comfort being aided by carbon forks and seat stays, and a very plush Felt FIT Woman saddle on top of a carbon seatpost.

The components will have you drooling: Dura-Ace front and rear derailleurs, a Shimano compact crank with a fantastic range of gearing, stop-on-a-dime Shimano SLR brakes, and an Easton Vista SL wheelset. If that’s all tech-talk to you, how about a very sexy matte black paint job with fuchsia accents here and there? It was definitely turning heads the most recent club ride.

All the right notes get hit on the women’s specific sizing, from the frame geometry to the short reach brake levers and compact drop on the handlebars. The only sad note is the size range topping out at 50cm. I’m 5′8″ and 50cm was perfect - my 5′10″ colleague felt a little cramped. This model is last year’s FW2 renamed, with a few tweaks, and the FW2 name now goes to Felt’s new full-carbon women’s specific bike.

The Felt FW15 has got you covered whether you’re riding an MS150 charity ride or you just want to be at the head of the pack on your next group ride. Get out there and test ride one. You’ll be amazed, too.

Felt FW15, $2199. Sizes: 650c x 43, 700c x 45, 47, 50cm (tested) www.feltracing.com

Got Skype?

After pressure from friends who live abroad and a co-worker who has dreams of living in a Skype-nation, I finally broke down and signed up. A painless procedure really. It hurt more to THINK about jumping on the tech train of communication. Why was I so hesitant? Was it because my pre-conceived notions of “those” people who do Skype are of hipsters and teens who have extensive profiles on Facebook and Myspace and entirely too much time on their hands? Was it that I don’t REALLY need to sit in front of my computer more than I already do? Why is it free? Am I going to be getting even more random porn spam in my inbox? It probably was the optional headset that was freaking me out. I never aspired to be a person with a headset on talking at my computer. Either way, I tossed my reservations aside and dove in to see what this world looks like.

I had one video chat and was sold. I quickly called my dad and forced him and my mom to sign up. After gingerly walking him through the process (he lacks any tech savvy) for the first time, we could talk and see each other in real time. We hung up. I immediately called my brothers to get them signed up. I pleaded my case that, as a family who is scattered around the west, this will be a beautiful way to be in each others lives a little deeper. I can’t wait to see everyone in my family with an account. I will get to see my 5 year old nephew and he will get to “hang out with his grandparents”. I am excited about this new world. It isn’t my first choice in mode of spending time with my family, but if it fills the space between visits then I am more than willing to jump on the train!