You see, today I believe the complacency of society tells us that we are stuck in our situations. “We have no choice in global warming”, “obesity just happens to us”, “there is no time to do things differently”. I say this is not so. If women 100 years ago could stand together for what is right and good through the hardships of their time, then why can’t we join together to inspire change today? Throughout history women have been empowered by the bicycle as it’s accessibility, affordability, and ease of use allowed women the freedom to connect when other means of transportation left them dependent on men. I believe today our freedom to drive cars and be everywhere at once has created a new kind of suffrage for American Women. One where our obligations to keep up with the Jones’ leave us empty under a shell of materialism and no time to reflect on the simplicity of our human nature to simply Nurture. Our maternal instincts drive us to Go Go Go for our kids, for our partners, for our careers, but only lastly for ourselves. We become trapped in a cycle of busy-ness that prevents us from truly connecting with the hearts of those around us or the fertile soil beneath our feet.

When I pedal my bike all the commotion stops. My mind connects with my soul and my heart and I am able to clearly set my intentions. I am not saying that I have all the answers to make the world a better place but because I ride my bike I believe it is possible and I am inspired to try. Everyday I connect to more and more women that also have this experience on a bike. It is a freedom of independence that stops the clock. The work is in setting the intention and planning accordingly to get on a bike, once you begin to pedal you become connected to the moment and are free to be in it. I wish that every woman in the world could feel this experience. I have dedicated my life’s work to making it easier for more women to integrate the bike into their lifestyle. I am not designing clothes because I am a fashionista but rather I see a need for highly functional, practical, essentials that are durable, comfortable, and support women feeling confident to ride a bike anywhere then go on with their day once they arrive. I don’t believe you have to have My Alibi Clothing to do this, but I refuse to sacrifice any of the values so that these clothes just may make it easier integrate the bike into today’s busy lifestyle.

In today’s fast paced society it is easy to get lost in the busy hubbub.  With errands to run from one end of town to the other, we get stuck behind the wheel of our automobiles covering the same 2-5 miles territory over and over and over again.  We get pushed to run on auto-pilot from one monotonous activity to another.  Trying to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families becomes less about listening to the true needs and more about keeping up with the Jones’s.   Of course, we all know deep down inside that this is not fulfilling and to be individual is being human, but it is easy to say we don’t have time to lead life differently.  We don’t have the resources to follow our passion.  “I am just one person, I don’t make a difference.”  This is today’s suppression.

Butterfly Ride

This is the mindset that we must overcome as we enter the age of wisdom.  To find the calm in the middle of the storm.  To make the time in our lives to really be alive.

In America we are facing an epidemic of obesity that is matched only by a level of desensitization from an overstimulated abundance of information and technology.  Young women today are faced with an unrealistic expectation of beauty created by a digitally enhanced image of the female body that has become accepted as normal.  While mothers are trapped in their routines feeling hopeless in their bodies, either starving themselves to maintain their figure or buried under a layer of fat, daughters are driven to extremes seeking unhealthy avenues to boost their self-worth.  Today’s eating disorder is driven by the extremes, commercialized misinformation on nutrition leaves women either trying everything without success or giving up entirely.  The answer lies not in the tagline, but intuition.  It is a centered balanced mental awakening that leads to a healthy body.

This brings me to the bike.  One of the greatest gifts the bicycle has to offer us is the connection to the present moment.  In order to ride a bike, we must set an intention to do so.  Whether it’s to get some fresh air or exercise, or drive a little less, we must plan accordingly.  This first step, of setting an intention then acting on it, is empowering.  Once on the bike, we are forced to remain in the moment, connecting with the world around us.  Every instance offers a different awareness, some moments create bliss while others inspire us to take action to make change.  While riding a bike may not inspire you to give up your car, it may awaken you to how you drive your car.  You may not instantly become fit, but it may inspire you to seek out healthy choices.  By stepping out of the assumed efficiencies of our consumer driven society we are awakened to the simplicities that bring inner fulfillment.  In setting these intentions we can challenge ourselves to make choices that enrich our lives and effect those around us in a positive way.

PS:  The Bloomers are temporarily only available at Amazon and REI to contact me directly email info@myalibiclothing.com.  Thanks for your support!

This project ends at 8pm on Sunday January 22nd, 2012 so please check it out today at

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1771574263/my-alibi-clothing-active-apparel-for-women-riding

The Reversible Skirt, simple skirt, Pedal Pusher Capri and Bermuda shorts are all made of a highly technical woven fabric that only stretches one way to allow it to fit comfortable and move with you, without stretching out and sagging like most knits.  Since we have removed the chamois, and all these bottoms can be worn with or without the Bloomers.  They are more then just bike clothes, but they fit comfortable and work well on the bike then on to the rest of your day.  Since the fabric does not snag or pill (or shrink in the dryer!) they will withstand the vigors of a MTB ride, while looking good enough to wear to the office, or dinner date.

The Original My Alibi Bloomers are intended to bring the comfort of the best quality padded bike short, to every woman’s lifestyle, by creating an under garment that is feminine, comfortable, sexy, and leaves no panty lines.  One customer wrote, “I love my Bloomers and the diversity they give me for looking cute on my bike! I never thought I would be able to wear skirts so freely as I cruise through town and bike trails. Now I feel great on my bike for more reasons than just the exercise!  To Abbie, this is the point: you should be able to wear what you want and go where you need to, feeling confident and beautiful, on a bike.

The Kickstarter fundraising campaign is designed to allow the public to help fund the production by pre-ordering the new products.  This crowd-funding platform is an exciting new way for people to put their money to work bringing new ideas to life.  Since the products are being offered as rewards for the pledges it becomes a win-win situation for everyone involved.  Since supporters only pay out after the goal of the project is met, the risk involved is eliminated for both the supporters and the creators.   With just 10 days left to raise $50k, we hope you will get excited to help make it happen!

” I recently bought a pair of your Bloomer shorts and I LOVE them! I have been looking all over for a pair of shorts to wear under my workout pants and these are perfect! They are super comfortable and the padding is great! Thank You!!!!”
Angel (Sea Otter Customer)

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Hey there
I had to tell you, I rode my bike to work this morning and wore the bloomers under my jeans, and I swear that the ride felt easier than usual. And they don’t look bulky under the jeans. Before I had just worn them under workout pants or once under a sundress (which was super cute).  Anyway, I really do like them.
Beth Gibson – Huntington Beach, CA

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“The bike panties are my new favorite thing in the world.
I rode in them across the mountains of Spain…..the best comfort ever!”
I tell everyone about the Bloomers I have also shamelessly modeled them for friends!

Yes, anytime I am in the Bloomers whenever I am in the knickers. Use any photo you want! I’ll send a few more?

It’s the most comfortable ride I have ever had…..and I was really nervous about the $$$…. but they turned out to be the
best investment ever. I wish my bike shop could stock them
Heather Sellers- Grand Rapids, MI

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I use my Bloomers whenever I’ve got a long cycle to or from work.
They are supper easy, supper comfortable and I especially love using them if I am wearing a skirt because I can just pop to the loo and slip them off when I get to my destination.

Kathryn Ruch – London, UK

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It’s great (the reversible skirt). And, I showed off your bloomers online to a friend of mine who thought they were the perfect solution for women to feel great on a bike.  So, you are on the right track my friend. Well done!
Kristen- Seattle, WA

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I must thank you and your stylish riding clothes; it’s hard to find
feminine riding sports wear out there!… I hope you come out with more stuff.
THANK YOU!

Kim-

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“… I will continue to spread the word (about My Alibi). What I love most about your bloomers is the low waist, and the chamois is incredibly soft and comfortable. I just love them!”

Laurie Swetalla

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Just got ‘em today and they fit great. I also wanted to say that I
appreciate the minimalist packaging you use to ship your products.
Over-packaging drives me crazy.
Madelaine

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Hello –

I was your first purchase at the Gran Fondo this weekend … and I just used my bloomers on my mountain bike this morning!

WOW … they are AMAZING!

I would like to purchase some more …

GREAT PRODUCT … I will tell all my girlfriends for certain.

Thanks,

Louise

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My friend Liza, from San Juan Island, showed me her skirt and said “Lyd, this skirt is perfect you need one so I bought one.” Oh My God, Women come up to me all the time and ask me about it and if they don’t I go up to them and tell them they need one.
Abbey, I have to be your biggest fan. Perhaps you should think about taking a trip to Portland. I would be glad to host you and I think you could sell A LOT of skirts (not to mention those cutie bug shorts). When I talk about your skirt I refer to it as “the one thing I’d grab if my house was on fire.” Keep up the good work.

Lydia Rich -Portland, OR

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I LOVE MY STUFF, WEARING IT ALL THE TIME.

Michelle Veniziano – SanRafael, CA

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“I was a little apprehensive to spend so much on the Bloomers at first but they were so cute I went for it. After wearing them a few times I love them so much I am buying 3 more pairs!”

Sara Longworth

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“I love my Bloomers and the diversity they give me for looking cute on my bike! I never thought I would be able to wear skirts so freely as I cruise through town and bike trails. Now I feel great on my bike for more reasons than just the exercise!”

Susie Plettner – Oakland, CA

Many of you have probably heard about some of the “extreme” product testing I have been doing on them. So, it seems appropriate to celebrate 3 years with a bit of clarification of the cool facts (we all know how the stories get bigger as they go around… but really there have been some amazing observations).

Though the Bloomers were in development for over a year before I was pregnant, I was 6 months along when the finished product arrived.  At first, I was sure it would be another 5 months before I would get to wear them as I was doomed for the extra big/extra stretchy version that goes up over the baby bump.  To my surprise they worked perfect even with the belly!  It was just in time too as the regular black spandex was no longer doing the trick.   Little did I realize at the time just how helpful growing little Dustin was going to be to Product Testing.  As a result of such a comfortable chamois, I road my MTB on Marin singletrack until I was 8.5 months booming.  (Ok, those last couple of weeks I was stuck on the flats except for a few downhill runs facilitated by my sweet husband who drove me to the top of Mt Vision).  I did everything I could to stretch them out but they hold their integrity to this day!

That same pair of Bloomers (pictured above on the first day they arrived from Italy) has been through the ringer.  All cyclists know it is a faux paux to dry your spandex, ESPECIALLY ON HOT!  But I did it.  Over and over and over again.  It didn’t seem to phase them, thanks to the highest quality Italian Lycra and Pro Quality Gel Chamois.  The Pink version did get a little muted by washing with dark blue jeans (oops) but its funny, I actually like the color better (don’t tell anyone!!)

Of course the next phase of product testing was on the bike.  As many will attest to, just running to town suddenly got a whole lot easier with the Bloomers in the wardrobe.  Skirts, yoga pants, capri’s, even jeans become an easy option:  paired with the Bloomers.  No more lumpy, frumpy feeling.  No strange binding elastic lines.  No suffocation of vital body parts.  Just booty protection, and a sheepish smile knowing that no one around you needs to know your wearing them. (Except when you run into your girlfriend and you just can’t help but tell her as she is fidgeting in her Spandex gear.)

Then of course, there is the mountain bike side of the Bloomers.  Let me tell you! I put some miles on this pair in the dirt.  In fact, I have scoured Northern Cali and beyond to find they are perfect for the hour spin or the epic Downieville downhill –where I actually crashed in a gnarly rock garden in these particular Bloomers with the above pictured Pedal Pushers BEFORE that photo was taken, see any holes or snags? Not a mark made… but we are talking about the Bloomers.

So we covered, stretching them out, insane laundry practices, Urban riding, MTBing, skirts and the new function they give the rest of our wardrobes.  Touring is a no brainer.  I get the best stories of women traveling around the world on bike in the Bloomers.  Unfortunately, you can’t tell that they are wearing them in any of the pictures, but that is the point, right?  The only angle that the Bloomers didn’t shine in was for long road rides.  It’s not that the chamois isn’t sufficient, but it’s kind of difficult to wear anything over them, so if you live in Florida, San Diego, or Kona, you might try them on a blistering hot day and let me know what you think!  As for wearing them alone?  Not everyone’s cup of tea but I have to say when it was 102 degrees in Fruita, I was stoked to work on my tan lines on the singletrack.

So after 3 years of great rides I decided to take that first pair apart and see how well that chamois really held up.  After a tedious hour of taking out the stitches, I was shocked to find the gel insert had no sign of deteriorating!!  Now in my years of racing, I went through some chamois’!  Pretty much every single one I ever owned (especially if it was team specific) broke down in less then a season, some of them almost fell out, and in most of them the foam had compressed to nothing in the key spots. I am not talking about cheap bike shorts either.  I paid $100+ for at least 3 pair per year.  I couldn’t believe it, these 1000+ day old Bloomers, that had been through the wash at least 5 lifetimes (in the fabric world 80 washes is a lifetime), were almost as good as new!  The body shows no sign of wear (I am using it currently to test out some less expensive chamois for a cheaper version; more on that later), the Chamois top was as soft as ever with pretty even wear that didn’t effect it’s performance, and the gel insert was perfect!

My conclusion: (Now if you know me, you have heard me say this…)  My Alibi Bloomers are a wardrobe investment that will pay for itself in gas saved, calories burned, and the smile on your face.  But don’t just take my word for it.  Here is what a couple of customers had to say:

“What I love most about your bloomers is the low waist, and the chamois is incredibly soft and comfortable.  I just love them!”  ~Laurie

“WOW … they are AMAZING!   GREAT PRODUCT … I will tell all my girlfriends for certain. ”     ~Louise

“I was a little apprehensive to spend so much on the Bloomers at first but they were so cute I went for it.  After wearing them a few times I love them so much I am buying 3 more pairs!“        ~ Sara

Of course, that is just a sampling of the praise from My Alibi customers.  The Bloomers are the prized possession of those who have made the investment.  Are you ready to feel beautiful on your bike?

The Original My Alibi Bloomers

The Gearcaster Bloomer Review

ShePedal Bloomer Review

BikePortland Bloomer Review

Bicycling Magazine Bloomer Review

Milano Fixed Bloomer Review

Sportsister Bloomer Review

Get Fit and Yummy

Cyclelicio.us

Triathlon Goddess

Green By Design

Sofia & Victoria model prototypes at Bike Fashion Show

I am going to start off by telling you a little bit about these girls that I call “The Pretty Fast Girls”.  About two years ago, I was coaching some high school boys and at their races began noticing these super dedicated/talented girls  starting to really shine.  It was pretty well known that the top ranking guys were training together with Whole Athlete.  By the end of the season, I was inspired to find a way to offer these top ranking girls the same sort of comradery, and so that summer the Pretty Fast Girls came together under the Whole Athlete Junior Development Team.  Immediately, I was blown away by the passion for riding that these girls possessed at such a young age.  When many of their peers are fretting in the mirror and dieting, these girls are out ripping single-track, and hungry for more.

First Norcal Race 2011

It didn’t take long before these elite ladies from different High Schools began building a bond that allowed them to fully grasp the concept of competition being an opportunity to work together to take their sport to the next level.  The first season of these girls racing together yielded many victories that were on top of the podium and far beyond as they have begun to inspire many new girls to enjoy the ride.  Now as we begin the second year of racing, it is my hope that their journey will be full of life lessons that allow them to see the forest for the trees.  Follow their stories as the season rolls on: Pretty Fast Girls Blog.

The bike integrated lifestyle is a choice. We choose where we live, what we do, who we socialize with, don’t forget “How We Get There”. By living your life on your bike, you will see your world more closely. The buildings seem grander, the flowers are brighter, the people seem happier, the clouds take more form.

Now remember, I said you have somewhere to go. It may be school or work OR it may be the coffee shop, playground, grocery store, or pub. It is about integrating the bike into our lifestyle in a way that supports who we are as individuals. Connecting to Self, Community and Environment in a deeper way is the BIKE INTEGRATED LIFESTYLE.