If you've watched our new product videos, you may be curious about who that is in the videos. Well, that's Jenny! She's a city biker (and Citibike-r) and just trained for her first half marathon. She completed our Q&A here:
1. Tell us a bit about your hometown. Where do you insist on taking out of town guests?
I'm originally from Buffalo, New York and moved to Brooklyn just about two years ago. There are always a ton of places I like to bring guests, but my favorite spots are: the High Line, Brooklyn Bridge Park (and walking over the Brooklyn Bridge), Brooklyn Flea or any local craft show happening, Brouwerij Lane in Greenpoint for specialty beers, and I definitely try to fit in a meal at Champs Diner followed by a donut at Dun-Well (because I love donuts).
2. Where is your favorite place to take your Po Campo?
I have the Uptown Bike Trunk Bag and like to take it to and from work--it's a great commuter bag (fits perfectly on a Citibike rack as well as the rear rack of my bike) and is formal enough to bring to meetings.
I also purchased the Kinga Handlebar bag for my Mom for Mother’s Day and she loves it! She took it on an 18-mile trek recently for the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure.
3. A favorite tip (or two) about how you incorporate mindfulness and healthy habits into your daily life?
I try to be as active as possible because it really does have such an impact on energy levels during the daytime. This spring I trained for my first half marathon, which was a great challenge and really made me realize how much food and drinks impact performance and your well-being. I've also been more cognizant about what I put in my body and opt for more natural foods and hygiene products.
4. A suggestion for women who are interested in biking but have safety concerns?
I used to bike quite a bit in Buffalo, but was super nervous to after getting doored in my final months of living in Buffalo and was intimidated to start biking in NYC. It took me almost a year before I ventured out on a bike in the City, but when I finally did it felt great! Sometimes you just have to push yourself and get out there! I also like to plot out my route before I go out so I'm familiar with the surrounding streets and tricky intersections.
5. Secrets for managing helmet hair?
Still working on that...I think I pull hair out every time I remove my helmet.
6. Favorite biking memory?
My favorite biking memory is a tie between biking The SkyRide in Buffalo around the City and on a closed-off lane of the SkyWay bridge overlooking the waterfront...and my first time biking in Manhattan, where a cab driver that turned in front of me and totally cut me off swore at me after I shook my head at him.
7. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead) who would it be, and why?
Kathleen Hanna--she's truly a bad-ass woman and such an inspiration, not to mention the lead of a few of my favorite bands.
8. If you could wake up fluent in any language, which would it be?
Polish
9. What song do you always sing when you sing karaoke?
I'm a sucker for mid-90's Mariah Carey hits...and "Last Caress" by The Misfits. I even got to sing "Fantasy" with Andrew WK at an event last summer!