Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Cold weather cycling gear

As the weather locally here on the east coast starts to become more "seasonably" cooler it's time to re-focus. Hanging up the bike before the season really gets going in my book is not the answer. What is the answer??? Simple offer up a few "smart buys" as I call them to weather proof your riding. Here are some examples of what I like to call riding "necessaries" Hope these help you to keep on riding !!!

Arm Skins / Coolers

 Well what ever you call them recently hooked up with a pair of these. Not so durable from a thrash test perspective. What I can tell you is that these things have worked pretty well in those hard to layer warm to cool am  & evening ride temps (48 - 50degrees etc) Now you most certainly can wear these in warmer temps as a sunscreen barrier as well. I really like this particular prduct as it offers super light wieght packability. Fits nicely in a jersey pocket, stores well in you seat bag, or camel back etc.
www.cooltacinc.com

 Cycling Caps -

It's all about the look the feel the image or the "steez" as I like to call it. You loose a fair amount of heat via your head...go figure. At any rate I regularly rock a cycling cap through out the year. Nice fashion add-on for those of you going for style points. But seriously though...from a warm perspect cycling caps make a difference. One quick story I will share...first time riding this season with out a cycling cap and would'nt you know it a bee lfies into my helmet and stings me!!! #toughluck right? Oh well...
 
Gloves -
 
Let's face it cool hands suck, nothing worse that wishing that those short finger trail glove fingers were "longer". Of for that matter your glove had some insulation / wind blocking capabilites. This particular pair shown below I have spent a season riding and love them. They ar ethe Giro / Ambient glove!! Big fan this glove can take you down to some suprisingly cold temps (if your really keeping active that is). Take it from me course everyone wants to be a tough guy, but wearing the wrong gloves on a cold weather ride pretty much makes you a jackass. The only person that's hating the ride is YOU !!! So with that said do yourself and you hands a favor..invest in a pair of cold weather riding gloves.
 
 
Shoes -
 
Again right up there with cold feet...no question the next ride killer is frozen feet. Quite a while back when I got the riding bug....kept riding into the fall. The one day the temps really dropped like below 40. WOW was suprise to find out that my vented summer mtn shoe had NO warmth to them at all !!! I tried rocking toe covers which kinda did ok...but still was having major issues on longer rides. Finally discovered the Lake brand winter shoes....Yeah warm feet !!! What a difference, these are meant for COLD weather riding period! Nice, beefy sole & leather uppers, 3M insulate boot, yep Game On!!! When the temps really dip down...all I need to do id throw a heavey weight cycling shoe cover over it and I'm good to go!!!
 
Hope these help, in the mean time, happy trails & don't forget to take time to stop and enjoy the ride !!! Any other question, comment's, ideas or suggest please feel free to drop me a line dipasquale.jonah@gmail.com I would love to hear from you !!!
 
Bike Guy !!!