Their Story
Garry and Sharon Snook began Performance Bicycle in the basement of their Chapel Hill, NC home in 1982. The fledgling young company’s commitment to giving cyclists the best selection of products, the best value and the best service in the industry fueled the growth of Performance Bicycle for the next three decades. Now, as they celebrate our 30th year of successfully serving cyclists’ needs, they are honored to have become America’s leading multi-channel bicycle retailer. With more than 100 Performance Bicycle stores located in 19 states See more here.
I was sent over their Americano One Women’s Single-Speed City Bike with some articles of clothing to try out. The bike did not take us that long to put together and was very easy to do not like other bikes we have got before. The city bike is ideal for riding everywhere, from the coffee shop, to class, or getting to work. Its durable steel frame can deal with anything the elements or the city throw at it, while the simple and easy single speed drivetrain keeps maintenance to a minimum. Where I live we can not do that so we did take the bike with us on a vacation to the beach. We rode the bike to the pier and to get ice coffee and had lots of people ask us where we have got it and if they have other colors. My mom told me the bike made her think back to being a little girl and riding their bikes like this to the movies and so on. I love how this bike looks like it’s something from the old day’s but with a hip new twist.
Other then the bike Performance Bike also carry good quality comfortable clothes. We had some sent over to try out and I must say they fit just right in size and are perfect for riding bike or doing any sport or if you just want to lay around the house.
Summer Tips 1. Acclimate Today most of us spend all day in air conditioned homes and offices, which makes getting used to the heat more difficult. When the weather gets hotter, start off with shorter rides, and gradually increase the length to give your body time to adapt to the heat. Additionally, doing things like yard work, or even just sitting outside on the porch on hot days can help you get used to the heat. 2. Wear sunscreen. It’s not just skin cancer you need to worry about. Sunburns and heat exposure raise the surface temperature of your skin, and dehydrate your body, so wearing sunscreen will help keep you cooler. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen under your jersey as well. 3. Dress light. Choose lightweight wicking fabrics that protect from the sun. Lighter colors or garments treated with coldblack technology can help lower the surface temperature of clothing. Also make sure to choose a jersey with a full zip, so you can open up the jersey as needed for more ventilation. 4. Ease Up. Pace yourself on hot days, and avoid overheating. As we all know, exercise raises your body temperature, so moderating your effort will help keep you cooler. A power meter or heart rate monitor can be useful, since they measure how hard you’re pushing yourself, regardless of wind or terrain. 5. Drink before, during and after your bike ride Dehydration is the fastest way to ruin a ride, and potentially land yourself in trouble. Proper hydration starts before the ride does. If the weather is going to be very hot, it’s a good idea to start hydrating the night before, and make sure to drink at least one bottle of fluids per hour while riding, depending on conditions. Another good idea is to weigh yourself before you leave, and again when you return home. Most of the weight difference will be lost fluids, which should give you an idea of how much you need to rehydrate. 6. Replace lost electrolytes. Electrolytes are the salts you lose while sweating, and they are vital for your body since they regulate things like your heart beat and other vital functions. In fact, overhydrating with water without replacing electrolytes can be more dangerous, and harder to treat, than dehydration (the symptoms of overhydration are roughly similar to heat exhaustion, see #9 below).
Ensure that on hot days you are drinking one bottle of a sports hydration solution every other hour, or try filling both of your bottles with a half-strength solution. 7. Plan your route for shade Give yourself a break from the heat, avoid the worst of the glaring sun, and plan your ride to take advantage of shady routes. Think about roads or trails with plenty of shade, or thick woods that can help block direct sunlightt. 8. Plan your ride time to avoid hottest time of dayTo avoid the hottest parts of the day, try riding early or late. Not only will the temperatures and humiditybe lower, but you’ll also be treated to emptier roads and maybe even a spectacular sunrise or sunset. 9. Know the signs of Heat Exhaustion. If you or a ride buddy get into trouble with the heat, would you know what signs to look for? The classic symptoms of heat exhaustion are dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, unsteadiness, or muscle cramps. If you or your ride partner experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to get out of the heat as soon as possible, rest, allow your body temperature to cool, and rehydrate with an electrolyte drink. 10. Take regular breaksTo avoid having problems with heat exhaustion in the first place, take regular breaks. Make sure you planyour route so you’ll have somewhere to stop roughly every hour to top up on fluids. If possible, try to avoid spending too long in air conditioned cafes or stores, since this can make the heat seem worse when you start riding again. Instead, find a cool, comfortable place outside to rest, relax, and enjoy a cool drink. It can also be a good idea to do some gentle stretching to avoid cramping in the heat.
**Disclosure: I received product(s) for free in exchange for an honest review, which may differ from yours. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I used personally, and believe will be good for my readers**