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SNOBICI Essentials - Virginie Palermo
2022    

Name: Virginie Palermo
Age: 29
Location: Toronto, Canada
Profession: Special education teacher in the French Toronto school board / Sales at Blacksmith Cycles

Website: Instagram @virginie.palermo

 

Why cycling? I started cycling 3 years ago when I had moved back into the city of Toronto. I always had a commuter bike and used to ride around in Ottawa for fun. My mom and partner had gotten into road cycling around that time and I decided to go out with them. I quickly fell in love with the adrenaline of going fast on a bike. Coming from a snowboard and skateboard background, cycling showed me a similar community. It was something I could do alone or with friends. I could push myself to achieve things that I thought I couldn’t. It wasn't long until I fully immersed myself into the sport and community. 

I think cycling for me is about inspiration, creativity and adventure. I suffer from a lot of anxiety and cycling has helped me with it. Every year I meet so many new people from all over the place, and sometimes it's simply meeting them and building a connection via social media. I love getting people excited to ride their bike and building the community not only in my city, but all over the world. I ride my bike because it's what makes me happy, it’s as simple as that. I guess it has to do with the fact that no matter what kind of day i’m having or how i’m feeling, I always know that once I get on my bike I can relax and shut my brain off. I guess cycling has really become therapy for me.


What is your favorite cycling destination and why?
My favorite place to ride is Mallorca. Before the pandemic I was out there with the Pas Normal Studios team for the ambassador Brand summit and fell in love with the climbing we did. Being from Ontario I never really get the chance to climb, especially long climbs. This trip made me see cycling in a completely different way. Zoning out on climbs and listening to my breathing was so calming and relaxing. Mallorca is paradise for any cyclist. Most vehicles were so respectful of riders, especially on climbs and descents, amazing coffee and sandwiches at almost every little town we stopped in. The culture and the people there made us feel so welcomed and at home. It is for sure a place I would go back too in a heartbeat.







What is your favorite essential and why?

My moleskine agenda is something I truly can not live without. I am someone who needs to write everything down. I don't like forgetting things and love being able to see what my week looks like. Even though I have a phone, there's something about writing on a piece of paper that I can't give up. My Off-Race Fleece jacket from Pas Normal Studios is another item that is with me almost everyday. Being part of the brand has motivated me, inspired me and introduced me to so many friends all around the world. I am so proud to be a part of the international ambassador program and you'll rarely find me off my bike without wearing anything from Pas Normal Studios.


What is your favorite race and why?
I am not big into racing myself but there are a few races I do really enjoy watching. One of them is the Paris Roubaix Women’s they had for the very first time in 2021. I felt so proud to be a woman in cycling that day and even though racing isn't why I cycle it definitely inspired me!


What is your favorite mid ride (coffee) stop or hotspot?
Coffee stops always depend on the season and weather for me. Currently we are in our winter season and coffee stops happen at home before and after every ride. Nothing better than riding in the cold for a few hours to come home and lay on the couch with coffee. We have an Espresso coffee machine at home and have been getting pretty good with our latte art. In the warmer seasons we tend to stop at gas stations, grabbing a quick coke or chocolate bar while we ride out in the countryside outside of the city. I usually tend to wait until the end of the ride to head over to Ethica Coffee Roasters. The place is so pretty and makes some of the best tasting coffee. They roast some of the beast beans in town and the pastries are always too good to pass up.





  1. Cannondale SuperSix Evo HiMod, Shimano Ultegra Di2 Disc Groupset, Power2Max Power Meter. Panaracer GravelKing 32mm for current snowy wintery Canadian roads

  2. Sweet Protection Falconer (Pas Normal Studios) helmet

  3. Wahoo Element Roam bike computer

  4. Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor

  5. Alba Optics Stratos and Delta

  6. VeloColour Rocket Pocket saddle bag

  7. Tubalito S-Road tube. Smallest tube around, only use it as a spare when in need.

  8. Oskar Oatbar 390 energy bar. My new fav snack

  9. Specialized S-Works 7  cycling shoe

  10. Fingerscrossed Design Off-road socks

  11. Pas Normal Studios T.K.O. Knit Jersey & Mechanism Bib - some of my favorite colors and releases.

  12. Pas Normal Studios Chamoi cream - must need for any long ride

  13. Ricoh Gr II. My boyfriends a photographer and I’m always taking one of his cameras when I go cycling

  14. Pas Normal Studio Cappuccino Cup. Always gotta start and finish a ride with a coffee at home.

  15. Apple Iphone and Today’s Plan. It’s my first season properly getting coached by Bruno Langlois (@bl.coaching/@velocartel). So I’m always on the app.

  16. Moleskine Agenda. With teaching, working at the bike shop and following a training plan, I can’t live without this thing.

  17. Hyperice Hypervolt Massage Device

  18. Frankincense Argan hand lotion, Burt’s Bee’s lip balm and a hair tie. Because I can’t ride without them.

  19. Simple Clogs - the best for pre and post rides. You can always find me in any sort of clogs or sandals.

  20. Pas Normal Studio Mallorca Musette. From my first cycling trip to Mallorca for a brand summit right before covid hit.

  21. Pas Normal Studio Off-Race Fleece Jacket and Off-Race Cap. Even off the bike I am proud to be a part of this family.