ABOUT LIV Liv is the first cycling brand completely dedicated to women. We offer the only comprehensive product collection designed specifically for female cyclists, ranging from stylish and functional apparel to premium bicycles. No matter the rider’s level or style, Liv provides the best products to help women discover new possibilities through cycling. MEET LIV She is the most confident woman in the room because she supports those around her rather than tearing them do

South Africa’s most decorated female MTB cyclist. This home-grown talent began her cycling journey on the road and then moved over to the dirt to become a household name on the marathon circuit. Robyn de Groot needs little introduction and her roll of honor runs longer than any other South African female marathon mountain biker. From the ABSA Cape Epic, five time winner of the South African XCM Championship , to competing in World Championships, Robyn has achieved the best

AFTER 20 YEARS IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY, GINA FELT IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE. CYCLING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE PASSION OF HERS AND SHE HAS BEEN RIDING A BIKE FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER. "I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ABLE TO MARRY MY PASSION WITH MY JOB, SO WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE CYCLES DIRECT CAME ABOUT, I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE." Gina Wills is the owner operator of Cycles Direct in Cape Town South Africa. Gina is the only female Specialized Elite store owner and the shop i

Contracts penned with two new cyclists. Two of South Africa’s most gifted mountain bikers, Carmen Buchacher and Samantha Sanders, will in 2018 ride in the Team dormakaba SA jersey. They will join the current squad members, Nico Pfitzenmaier and Candice Lill, to form a formidable dormakaba team. Announcing the sponsorship, Shaun Frayne, Managing Director of dormakaba South Africa, said the contracts with Carmen and Samantha are of huge value to the team. “We are extremely exci

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I was a fortunate beginner mountain biker. I had a great teacher: he was patient and willing to explain everything to me. Everything. But maybe you don’t have someone right beside you to tell you some of these things… so I’ll be there for you. Here are 10 not-so-obvious tips that you, as a beginner biker, need to know: 1. You do not wear underwear under your lycra shorts. I thought I was the only person who had ever done this. It

During every ride, no matter the level of rider you are, there are 3 points of contact while on the bike. Your hands, your feet and your bum. Make sure you have the correct equipment and feel comfortable at these 3 points. HANDS You require properly sized handlebars and reach to make sure the bike fits on a very basic level. Make sure your brake angles, shifters and grips are adjusted correctly to ensure that you can not only reach the brake levers when you need to but also f

Women aren't small men. University of Waikato Research Fellow Dr Stacy Sims dispels some of the myths about female sports performance. University of Waikato Senior Research Fellow, Dr Stacy Sims, is changing attitudes in the sport science field. Her research addresses female physiology and how this influences athletic performance. Dr Sims’ research helps sport coaches to develop tailored training, nutrition and recovery programmes that enable women to achieve greater results.

My lady mountain-biking friends are some of the most intrepid women I know, but not all of us came by it naturally. Perhaps they were natural risk-takers as kids — but then again, I think most kids are open to taking risks (or none of us would have tried walking, right?). Too bad that the growing-up process often involves dimming or even snuffing out that bright, bold spark that moved us to try new, often risky things. Mountain biking women have managed to keep that spark goi

The yoga class I attended yesterday included a number of balance posts, from simple tree pose to a “floating” ardha chandrasana. I am not certain why, but I was struggling to find a steady balance on one side. I arrived late feeling flustered, and my mind was spinning and worrying as we worked our way into the flow. I had to struggle to make my gaze steady, and I was starting to beat myself up for the wobbling on my left leg. Then I had a realization: This is really the whole

Female driven businesses are staking their claim and becoming a force to be reckoned with ; not only in the mountain biking arena, but also the wider sports events scene. DirtyHeart wanted to learn more about what makes them successful and current in a male dominated industry . We recently got to chat to two energetic entrepreneurs who are shaking up the ladies sporting arena and giving women a safe and comfortable place to grow and enjoy the sport they love. Charnelle and