"Steve Sanfratello" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> The temperature is dropping around here and we've had some rainy days too. What do you suggest
> that I wear on commutes and entertainment rides?
>
> Is Gor-tex unbeatable, or can an simple fabric like nylon compete?
>
> This Proproe suit looks interesting and cheap :
http://www.rainshield.com/
>
> I've never commuted by cycle, in the winter, before so I'm looking for people with advice and
> experience with the variety of fabrics out there.
>
Having read the other posts, I've a few things to add.
Wear a hat, either instead of, or under, your helmet. Pile works really well for under the helmet,
but so does a gore-tex hat. I've used both and like both (Outdoor Research made a gore-tex hat that
I've had, and used, every winter for the past 10 years, but I don't know if it is still available.
It is the same hat that Bill Nye wore on his show, the copycat). The advantage of the hat is the
brim, which is quite functional worn this way.
Gloves provide both additional warmth and better grip on the bars when wet. When really cold, I've
even used ski gloves, though they need to be rinsed often and dried.
I have tried a variety of stuff on the body core. My preference is to simply go with standard
cycling pants and jersey. If it is cold, I will add a windbreaker over the shirt, but the hat is the
most important item. If it is raining, I will wear the white, long sleeve, poly shirt I have. It is
amazing in the wet and sufficies by itself in even the worst conditions we have here in N. Calif.
(which isn't too bad, considering what it is like in most other parts of the world). I tried the
waterproof stuff and discarded
it. I was miserable in it and, often, had to take it off during the ride. The poly shirt gets wet
and saturated, but it doesn't allow the water to penetrate. It does not allow the air to
penetrate when wet and seems to function much like a wetsuit.
Layers work, but, again, it is difficult to get the proper balance between warmth, comfort, and
moisture control (either external or internal). Note that as you cycle, you will warm. It is okay to
be a bit cold for the first 5 minutes. This will quickly pass and it is easier to be a little cold
at first than it is to shed layers as you travel.
Rick