tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post7819663965325232609..comments2023-10-22T08:30:46.934-05:00Comments on Redd Shift: Dang, It's Hot Outside! Am I Fibbing?Scott Reddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13769134824821490457noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-33196483924084008422008-10-28T14:26:00.000-05:002008-10-28T14:26:00.000-05:00I rode in this morning as well. As I'm still adjus...I rode in this morning as well. As I'm still adjusting from the tropical climes, I kinda went psycho on layering: booties, light weight running tights, leg warmers, cycling shorts, base layer, long sleeve jersey and woolie, liners and full fingered mtn bike gloves, full balaclava and skull cap beneath helmet.<BR/><BR/>Gosh, I'm embarrassed posting that exhaustive list. <BR/><BR/>But I wasn't cold. Thankfully, the ride was short as I was sweaty by the time I arrived. I'll adjust more appropriately next time.<BR/><BR/>Munson, I thought you bought local brick and mortar - thanks for the tip nonetheless.bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12422901243969548083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-75173757651045914562008-10-28T12:36:00.000-05:002008-10-28T12:36:00.000-05:00Scott, I completely agree with the face mask issue...Scott, I completely agree with the face mask issue of clouding up the glasses. I have one of <A HREF="http://gearx.com/product_info.php?products_id=2958?ref=base" REL="nofollow">these</A> and I usually end up breathing out of the nose section since I slip it down my face. Which works good anyway since the perforated mouth part really doesn't allow enough air movement when you're breathing hard.<BR/><BR/>Brady, doing a google search for "mens climbing knickers" should give you plenty of results. <A HREF="http://gearx.com/product_info.php?products_id=2958?ref=base" REL="nofollow">Amazon</A> seems to have a nice selection, most on sale, but with limited sizes.munsonedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00878330049549526023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-63578819160780504442008-10-28T08:30:00.000-05:002008-10-28T08:30:00.000-05:00This morning's ride was around 26 degrees, with no...This morning's ride was around 26 degrees, with no wind. I was comfortable with my AmFIB tights and Gavia gloves. I also tried Brady's trick of wearing a $3 balaclava just on the top of my head and over my ears, under my helmet.<BR/><BR/>My cheeks were a little cold at first, and my pinkies did chill a little, but by the end of my ride, I was toasty warm.<BR/><BR/>Through the tights, I could tell the cold was out there, but never did my legs or core feel chilled.<BR/><BR/>I could see that some sort of mask to cover the face may be necessary at the lower 20s and deeper, but my experience with balaclavas and ski masks in the past was always negative with moisture and snot gathering around the mouth and fogging up my spectacles.<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking I can handle the dry cold, at least down to the 20s, but I'll still have to wait and see how the wet cold works. So far, the plan is to <B>not</B> ride on any ice or snow.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for the comments.Scott Reddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13769134824821490457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-46651676874858338612008-10-27T15:09:00.000-05:002008-10-27T15:09:00.000-05:00Yet another gem from Munson. Mike: where can one f...Yet another gem from Munson. Mike: where can one find climbing gear like dem nifty knickers you've got?bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12422901243969548083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-8102387469894144712008-10-27T11:45:00.000-05:002008-10-27T11:45:00.000-05:00The main difference between cycling specific gear ...The main difference between cycling specific gear and other stuff available at dept stores or even Canfields, is that cycling specific stuff just fits better on the bike. "How can something fit better on the bike?" you ask. Well if you were to lay out on a table a PI glove and a regular glove, you'd see that the PI glove's fingers naturally curve in. Regular gloves are not expecting you to need to hold onto a bar for hours on end, so they don't design their grip for that.<BR/><BR/>Same thing for shorts or baselayers. If you hold up your cycling shorts, you'll see that they basically look like they are sitting on a bike seat already. They were tailored to be that way. If you wear regular long-johns under your bike stuff, you'll have a bunch of extra material bunched up around your crotcheral region. One sport that is cycling like is mountain climbing. I've found a few pairs of knickers (men's versions of capris) that fit very well while cycling. Knickers are nice since they give you an extra layer on the legs and go past your knees. So if I'm just commuting and don't want to show off my spandexed rear end, I'll wear regular cycling shorts, leg warmers(fleece lined), and knickers that are matched for the temp. I have real lightweight ones for warmer temps (40*-60*) and heavier ones for the cold stuff (30*s and below). Unfortunately, I don't have any knickers that are amfib like, so rainy weather always gets to me. I have a set of Amfib bibs and they are crazy warm. The bib part that covers some of your core is even fleece lined, so there's more warmth. On my commute the one morning last winter that got down to -9*, I wore my amfibs, heavy knickers, and a few very warm layers up top.<BR/><BR/>It takes a while, but the science of bike clothing becomes second nature after a while. There's always a learning curve each major temp change that catches you out in the cold, or warm, before you re-learn the way to go. On Saturday, I did a group ride that started in the mid 30s and I was SUFFERING since I wasn't dressed warm enough. So now I'll probably overdress for a while to make up for it.munsonedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00878330049549526023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7015779968336479872.post-38040732189426785022008-10-27T10:54:00.000-05:002008-10-27T10:54:00.000-05:00Dude, they were admiring you. In fact, it's been ...Dude, they were admiring you. In fact, it's been my experience that you'll get the most cat-calls by Hy-Vee's health food section.<BR/><BR/>I've had nearly those same thoughts about selecting quality gear vs department store stuff. So far, I've been satisfied with the cycling specific gear such as PI. In fact, last week, I was looking at purchasing a pair of tights but held off to read your review. I'm still undeciding among the Pearl Izumi MicroSensors, AmFIBs or the Slice ThermaFleece. On top of that, I don't know if I want normal tights or bibs. <BR/><BR/>Over the past year, I can say without a doubt that I've saved money by commuting by bike despite purchases to support the commute. I don't fret the higher quality products because they do last, and compared to a tank of gasoline (my monthly purchasing allowance), it's a much better investment.bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12422901243969548083noreply@blogger.com