The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

From Couch to Century (and a ZOIC Giveaway)

by

couch to century venus de miles colorado
My couch. And the last long ride I did. The 2010 MS 150.

braveskimom logoSometimes, you just need a goal.

In late May, I got a summer-changing email. It came from the PR team for the Venus de Miles Century in Boulder County, Colorado. The email asked me if I would be a “connector” for Colorado’s only all-women century. It took me about half a second to reply, “I’m in. I’m so in.”

Interested in joining me and lots of other women on September 29th? Even if you don’t want to ride 100 miles, you can choose a 67 mile or a 33 mile course.

Visit Venus de Miles for more information and use this code, bccokristen, for $5 off the registration.

Venus de Miles – Colorado

In all fairness, I’m not coming quite off the couch. After a long ski season, and year-round running, my legs are in pretty good shape. But when it comes to my athletic pursuits, cycling is not number one.

It wasn’t always this way. When I was a teenager, the Coors Classic bike race, featuring the best male AND female riders in the world came through our town. Everyone caught cycling fever. A local race series was established to cash in on the enthusiasm, and all summer long, we’d race in time trials. I continued cycling through college, occasionally competing in a road race or criterium.

And then I burnt out. My much-loved aluminum TREK road bike gathered dust and before I knew it, I was pushing four-wheeled strollers and tooling around with a baby trailer hitched to my mountain bike.

venus de miles buttonThis makes training for the Venus de Miles ride doubly sweet. With a big goal in mind, my enthusiasm for road biking is rekindled and wouldn’t you know, my bike crazy husband is thrilled every time I say, “Hey, wanna ride?”

So are my bike crazy girlfriends. After years of solitary trail running, I am off the couch and loving the social aspects of cycling.

ZOIC Jersey Giveaway

collins plaid jersey ZOIC
The ZOIC Collins Plaid Jersey in Blue.

I recently picked up this ZOIC jersey at a silent auction. After one ride, I wanted to give one away to a BSM reader. Luckily, so does ZOIC!

Made of a crisp, breathable weave of nylon and polyester, the snap front Collins Plaid Jersey distinguishes itself by not looking like your average lycra half-zip bike shirt. Yet it performs just as well.

With a generous cut through the shoulders, bending over the handlebars is easy and the shirt never binds. A hidden back pocket holds keys, chapstick and a phone, and two airflow vents at the shoulders cool efficiently as you ride. 

zoic collins plaid jersey
Collins Plaid Jersey in Red. Back view.

Best of all, when you get off your bike to grab a coffee, a beer or a slice of pizza with friends, you don’t look (or smell) like you’ve just hammered out 50 miles on the road or two hours on the dirt. Pair it with one of ZOIC’s cute cycling skirts and look chic on the fly.

If you’d like to own this awesome bike shirt, in your choice of color and size, please leave a comment below.

One winner will be chosen randomly on Friday, June 28th from all entries.

For a second entry, enter the Venus de Miles Century using this code: bccokristen.

Good luck!

Thank you to ZOIC for donating a Collins Plaid Jersey. Having purchased my shirt myself, I received nothing in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends. 

Related Posts: 

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Heather! 

 

© 2013 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. After years of tooling around on my mountain bike (also with a bike trailer), I’ve gotten a road bike this year! I love it and look forward to doing more long rides. First up next week–a sprint triathlon. Good luck on your ride 🙂 Julie

  4. Venus de Miles sounds like a wonderful century…mojitos and cosmos apres ride! I use to ride those roads all the time…they are superb!

  5. Its been a long time since i’ve participated in an organized ride. I decided to train for a century this year too! The Tour de Steamboat. It’s kinda fun getting back on the bike and having some special mommy training time with my other mommy bike riding friends.

    • I didn’t know about the Tour de Steamboat, but I bet it’s a fun and ends with an optional soak in the hot springs! LOVELY! Enjoy the training and good luck!

  6. Sounds like a fun ride. I have started riding again, trying to catch up to my girls! The Zoic shirt looks cute and fun to wear.

  7. I’m trying a few mountain bike and cyclocross races this year, too. Hope the training is going well!

  9. Good luck for your next athletic pursuits..Well, I know you will be doing great on that. You had been many struggles from hiking, running, skiing, etc. It’s been too far and cycling will be just another challenging one. Ops, I like the blue jersey too : )..Good luck!

  11. I, too, am striving to do the Venus de Miles century ride. It’s a big challenge for me, so I am VERY nervous!!

    • I’m nervous too, but from everything I hear, it’s such an exciting atmosphere, the support is amazing and it’s tons of fun! I’ll look for you! Enjoy.

  13. I hope you like the Venus as much as I did. The organizers and charity it supports are all rad. I was thinking of bumping up to 67 miles this year, but you may have encouraged me to aim for 100… I’d love a cute jersey – blue Med.

  14. I know I’m more Mars than Venus, but this would make a fantastic gift for my mom, so she can look stylish on the thousands of mile she logs biking every year.

  16. Those jerseys look super cute! I’m a small.
    I rode my first century at age 48 at last year’s VDM and it was great.
    I’m not riding as much this summer (yet), but it’s getting to be that time to start training. See you there!

  17. Inspiring. 100 is my goal for next year. This is my first season on the road. It’s been quite addictive and what I look forward to after work and on the weekends. My journey has helped me to lose 67 pounds so far. There’s joy and freedom being on my bike! I’ll be driving from Colorado to join the super awesome women of Chicago and am shooting for the 61 miles this year.

  18. Venus is awesome! I’ve ridden 67 for the past two years, but THIS year I’m going for 100 in that cute jersey!!