balaclava questions

"Michael" wrote...

Quoted message said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?

Yes, a little, IME.

Quoted message said:

* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?

I do it with my P-I balaclava and others all the time

Quoted message said:

* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).

Not that I know of. If you think of something, let me know.

Quoted message said:

* What brands and/or styles are recommended?

I like the P-I, Turtle Fur offers a fleecier version that is good for 0 deg F riding.

Quoted message said:

* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

If you wear glasses, there's a tendency for the balaclava to deflect exhaled air straight up over
your glasses, fogging them up. Stretching the balaclava so it doesn't cover your mouth usually takes
care of this. HTH,
--
mark

"Michael" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?

Yes, especially if you're breathing hard. Worse yet if it's below freezing.

Quoted message said:

* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?

This isn't stretching. You can also put it under your chin or drop the whole thing down to be a
neck warmer.

Quoted message said:

* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).

See above.

Quoted message said:

* What brands and/or styles are recommended?
* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

Variety is the key to addressing winter cycling issues.

Quoted message said:

I'll probably get the Pearl Izumi version; I've never been let down by a Pearl Izumi product.

Robin Hubert

"Michael" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?
* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?
* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).
* What brands and/or styles are recommended?
* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

I'll probably get the Pearl Izumi version; I've never been let down by a Pearl Izumi product.

I have a thin (about t-shirt material thickness) polypro, which is all I ever wear. I've tried
thicker fleece ones, but they're too hot for me, even at 0F. It's really a matter of individual
preference. I'd recommend starting with a thin one, then seeing how low you can go with it, add a
thicker one to your wardrobe if you need it. I've heard good things about the PI one, but the guy
who was praising it has much less hair than I.

You can cover your mouth & breathe through a thin one, synthetics help by not getting too sodden.
That said, I prefer a synthetic (CoolMax) bandanna that I tie around my neck & pull over my mouth
when it's really cold. I tend to get more cold discomfort around my cheeks & forehead, even a thin
balaclava makes a world of difference.

I have a thin balaclava, maybe it's silk... Bought it for snowboarding, used it occasionally and now
use it occasionally for cycling.

Michael <[email hidden]> wrote:
: * Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?

Mine doesn't - not that I'd notice it when doing light winter riding, at least. A moist garment
against your face in cold might not feel comfortable at all times, though.

: * Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?

Yes.

: * If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
: off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).

It's very light and I only wear it in cold weather so I don't think my head or neck will ever
get hot...

: * What brands and/or styles are recommended?

Depends on your typical moisture/wind/temperature conditions. We only go down to -15 C or so, so the
light one is all I need, though once when there was virtually no wind I used it in -22 C and it's
done the job while snowboarding in -30 C, similar conditions.

Of course I wear also a winter cap and I could reinforce the system with a scarf around my chin/neck
as well as the skull cap.

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

Michael said:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?

Depends on the brand. Some are better than others. IMO, the "vented" ones with a mesh of holes in
front of the mouth/nose are worse than useless, since moisture from your breath condenses on them,
keeping them wet, cold, and in the way.

Quoted message said:

* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?

A good one can.

* If your head or neck

Quoted message said:

is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing off (first taking off
your helmet and sunglasses...).

Yes. Pull it down around your neck, or pull the neck part up, as you prefer.

Quoted message said:

* What brands and/or styles are recommended?

I really, really like the Col'd Lizard (formerly Gecko Gear) cold-weather gear. I have two of their
balaclavas (thin and thick) as well as two of their tights (again, one heavyweight, one
lightweight). Wears like iron, fits well, keeps me warm.

I also have a (brand unknown) very thin balaclava for not so cold weather, but if it's cold enough
to bother, it's too cold for it.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can _`\(,_ | assure you that mine
are all greater. -- A. Einstein (_)/ (_) |

[email hidden] (Michael) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

i prefer your current setup over a balaclava, more flexibility. consider getting a "Turtle's Neck"
or "HeadGator" (or even the wild "Neckgator Plus"!!!).

Michael said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?
* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?
* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).
* What brands and/or styles are recommended?
* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

I'll probably get the Pearl Izumi version; I've never been let down by a Pearl Izumi product.

Thanks, Michael

My wife and I just started using wool ones from Smartwool. These are merino wool. They are not
entirely itch free, but I have been quite comfortable in it. I generally can not wear wool against
my skin except for Smartwool stuff. They can definitely be pulled under the chin. If you want to get
it off of your head you have to take off your helmet. You could pull it down around your neck like a
neck gaitor, once you take off your helmet. I would expect that, like a neck gator, it will get kind
of damp or iced up if you breath through it in really cold weather. It hasn't gotten that cold here
yet but the physics of it will be the same.

--
[censored] Schoeller schoeller at comcast dot net schoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comschoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comOpen ↗
781.449.5476

Michael Press said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

Quoted message said:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?
* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?
* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).
* What brands and/or styles are recommended?
* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

Quoted message said:

I'll probably get the Pearl Izumi version; I've never been let down by a Pearl Izumi product.

I think baklava is too flaky a pastry to eat while riding. You could inhale a flake and choke. Take
Cliff Bars instead. They taste good enough to not have to wash them down with something as do ugh
Power Bars. When I hear Power Bar I think of an oddly shaped handlebar.

That is what you wanted to know isn't it?

Jobst Brandt [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many

<snip>

Quoted message said:

I think baklava is too flaky a pastry to eat while riding. You could inhale a flake and choke. Take
Cliff Bars instead. They taste good enough to not have to wash them down with something as do ugh
Power Bars. When I hear Power Bar I think of an oddly shaped handlebar.

I think Jobst has finally succumbed to the stress. We all know that flaky pastries are much better
cycling food than Cliff Bars! Especially so in the winter, when Cliff Bars reach an extremely high
viscosity.

I will attempt to fashion my remaining power bars into an oddly shaped handlebar. What should I do
with my Balance Bars, though?

I should obviously plant the Power Bar Harvest Bars, and melt into bricks the Balance Gold Bars.
Should I use Gu to lubricate my bottom bracket?

Quoted message said:

That is what you wanted to know isn't it?

But what I really wanna know is...

Quoted message said:

Jobst Brandt [email hidden]

--
Rick "...Is Lenny Kravitz gonna go my way?" Onanian

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I think Jobst has finally succumbed to the stress. We all know that flaky pastries are much better
: cycling food than Cliff Bars!

personally i think jobst is full of [censored]. i bet he hasn't tried eating baklava even once while
cycling. he's spreading myth and lore about topics of which he clearly knows very little.

back in the day on our weekly rides into the rural minnesota countryside baklava made by the
bulgarian wife of one of our fellow riders had on more than one occassion saved the entire outing by
way of its densely caloric and highly portable nature. licking the sticky residual off my fingers
has to be one of my fonder memories of those times. cliff bars indeed. ffs jobst buy yourself a clue
-- you clearly make enuf money -- gallivanting about europe as you do. perhaps next time you should
try eastern europe. the carpathians are nice.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

In article said:

Michael Press said:

I think I'm going to buy a balaclava for winter riding, after many years of using a skullcap and
homemade neck gaiter. A few questions:

Quoted message said:

* Does a blaclava restrict breathing when it's covering your mouth?
* Can they be stretched so they don't cover your mouth?
* If your head or neck is getting hot, do you have any options other than taking the whole thing
off (first taking off your helmet and sunglasses...).
* What brands and/or styles are recommended?
* Any other advantages/disadvantages?

Quoted message said:

I'll probably get the Pearl Izumi version; I've never been let down by a Pearl Izumi product.

I think baklava is too flaky a pastry to eat while riding. You could inhale a flake and choke.
Take Cliff Bars instead. They taste good enough to not have to wash them down with something as do
ugh Power Bars. When I hear Power Bar I think of an oddly shaped handlebar.

That is what you wanted to know isn't it?

I don't know who is giving you these wretched, inauthentic, flaky baklavas. Every decently Greek
baklava I have ever had was so profoundly soaked in honey that any flakes that came off the baklava
had the decency to stick to the rest of the pastry anyways.

But my recent riding has been fueled by this Polish candy that consists of a thin chocolate shell
over a thick nougat shell over a sweet dried plum. Actual quote from one taster: "it's like there's
a party in my mouth!"

--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think baklava is too flaky a pastry to eat while riding. You could inhale a flake and choke.
Take Cliff Bars instead. They taste good enough to not have to wash them down with something as do
ugh Power Bars.

I recall a cycling trip in Russia where I gave some Power Bars to some Russian girls who rode a ways
with us. I had visions of these girls bringing the Power Bars home to their families and their
parents declaring that while life in Russia was not easy, at least the food was better.

Ryan Cousineau <[email hidden]> wrote:
: But my recent riding has been fueled by this Polish candy that consists of a thin chocolate shell
: over a thick nougat shell over a sweet dried plum. Actual quote from one taster: "it's like
: there's a party in my mouth!"

Monty Burns:

Instead of beer, from now on you'll all be drinking this. It's a brain and nerve tonic, rich in
proteins and electromagnetic juices. It promotes robust health. Of course, it has been known to
cause gigantism, but only in rare cases. Try some!

Ken Griffey Jr.:

Wow, it's like there's a party in my mouth, and everyone's invited.

well, while we're quoting the simpson's so much:

Homer:

I'm feeling kind of low, Apu. Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know,
Skittlebrau.

Apu:

Such a product does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it.

Homer:

Oh ... well, then just give me a six-pack and a couple of bags of Skittles.

skittlebrau!
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

"David Reuteler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I think Jobst has finally succumbed to the stress. We all know that flaky pastries are much
: better cycling food than Cliff Bars!

personally i think jobst is full of [censored]. i bet he hasn't tried eating baklava even once while
cycling. he's spreading myth and lore about topics of which he clearly knows very little.

back in the day on our weekly rides into the rural minnesota countryside baklava made by the
bulgarian wife of one of our fellow riders had on more than one occassion saved the entire outing
by way of its densely caloric and highly portable nature. licking the sticky residual off my
fingers has to be one of my fonder memories of those times. cliff bars indeed. ffs jobst buy
yourself a clue -- you clearly make enuf money -- gallivanting about europe as you do. perhaps
next time you should try eastern europe. the carpathians are nice.

Yeah, Jobst doesn't know what he's talking about. Baklava has enough sticky stuff to keep errant
flakes well under control -- there's no way one could fly off and clog your windpipe. If you can
find me proof this has ever happened, I'll eat my hat (or balaclava).

Matt O.

Matt O'Toole said:

"David Reuteler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I think Jobst has finally succumbed to the stress. We all know that flaky pastries are much
: better cycling food than Cliff Bars!

personally i think jobst is full of [censored]. i bet he hasn't tried eating baklava even once while
cycling. he's spreading myth and lore about topics of which he clearly knows very little.

back in the day on our weekly rides into the rural minnesota countryside baklava made by the
bulgarian wife of one of our fellow riders had on more than one occassion saved the entire
outing by way of its densely caloric and highly portable nature. licking the sticky residual off
my fingers has to be one of my fonder memories of those times. cliff bars indeed. ffs jobst buy
yourself a clue -- you clearly make enuf money -- gallivanting about europe as you do. perhaps
next time you should try eastern europe. the carpathians are nice.

Yeah, Jobst doesn't know what he's talking about....

Agree. Mr. Brandt should be aware that the name is "Clif Bar" and not "Cliff Bar".
<http://www.clifbar.com/>

Tom Sherman - Planet Earth

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think baklava is too flaky a pastry to eat while riding. You could inhale a flake and choke.

Since I'm allergic to wrinkled nuts, I generally avoid all baklava, unless it is made with
pistachios or almonds (which are smooth nuts). However, contrary to Jobst's assertion, I think
baklava makes a fine snack for cycling. You have the simple carbs, represented by the flaky pastry
and the honey -- but since it is honey, not refined sugar, the body will gradually change it into
glucose, giving less of a sugar spike. The nuts contain protein and fat, that will break down even
more slowly, sustaining the body throughout the ride.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com

Home of the meditative cyclist: home.earthlink.netWelcome.htmOpen ↗

Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at: bookcrossing.comCpeterskyOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, David Reuteler

Quoted message said:

Ryan Cousineau <[email hidden]> wrote:
: But my recent riding has been fueled by this Polish candy that consists of a thin chocolate
: shell over a thick nougat shell over a sweet dried plum. Actual quote from one taster: "it's
: like there's a party in my mouth!"

Monty Burns:

Instead of beer, from now on you'll all be drinking this. It's a brain and nerve tonic, rich in
proteins and electromagnetic juices. It promotes robust health. Of course, it has been known to
cause gigantism, but only in rare cases. Try some!

Ken Griffey Jr.:

Wow, it's like there's a party in my mouth, and everyone's invited.

well, while we're quoting the simpson's so much:

Homer:

I'm feeling kind of low, Apu. Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know,
Skittlebrau.

Apu:

Such a product does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it.

Homer:

Oh ... well, then just give me a six-pack and a couple of bags of Skittles.

skittlebrau!

Wow, Homer, it's like there's a party in my mouth and everybody's invited! -- Moe tastes a Flaming
Homer, ``Flaming Moe's''

--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

David Reuteler said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I think Jobst has finally succumbed to the stress. We all know that flaky pastries are much
: better cycling food than Cliff Bars!

personally i think jobst is full of [censored]. i bet he hasn't tried eating baklava even once while
cycling. he's spreading myth and lore about topics of which he clearly knows very little.

I doubt it. Every time I've thought that, somebody has posted a photograph of Jobst doing whatever
it is I thought he may have lacked experience in. I'll bet somebody here has a picture of him eating
baklava while pulling ten Gs at 96mph riding down a cliff face with hairpins and switchbacks...
--
Rick Onanian

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I doubt it. Every time I've thought that, somebody has posted a photograph of Jobst doing whatever
: it is I thought he may have lacked experience in.

not this time, rick. he's messing with the wrong pastry. i really do have a friend with a bulgarian
wife (also a friend) who regularly makes baklava that i have in fact used on bike rides.

i have never even come close to choking on baklava while riding. i don't believe the potential is
even there.

it is damn sticky, tho. i wrapped it in wax paper and stuffed it in a jersey pocket. you really do
have to lick your hands clean and it doesn't mesh so well with wool.

i smell blood. i believe we've caught jobst making a completely baseless statement. this is not the
time to get soft, rick.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]