Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Rather Nippy Out!

Rode to work this morning and it was a little on the chilly side! Very dry but with a cold northerly wind which was in my face all the way through Preston. I stuck to the main roads today rather than ride through the tramway, it can get quite icy in there at this time of year due to all the leaf fall and the fact it just hangs on to cold air.

There were only a few suspect black patches at the side of the road in Preston but they were easily avoidable. I was actually making good progress today, particularly along the Marsh Road where I was happily cruising at 18mph which is a bit more like it. The pannier is pretty light today as I don't have to carry the laptop. I decided against the road bike as they were gritting St Annes for fun last night as I was leaving, the Spesh is better for potentially slippy conditions and road salt.

It was a really beautiful morning once the sun came up. I had a headwind from Warton pretty much all the way to work which slowed me down but hopefully it should be behind me on the way home. I was actually pretty warm when I got too work but my jacket is as breathable as a bin bag! It never used to be such a problem when I had a short commute but I get pretty warm after cycling for an hour now. My baselayer worked very well but the condensation seemed to collect in the jacket and it was that which started to chill, not good.

Its an old flouro yellow Altura Nevis jacket (about 6 years old I think) and I paid about 50 pounds for it so I don't think it owes me anything. Need to do some investigating into waterproof commuting jackets.

10 comments:

  1. eVent is meant to be the most breathable fabric going, but I really rate my Gore Paclite bike jacket.

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  2. I think I'm resigned to paying some proper money for it. I paid about 250 for a Gore Tex walking jacket a few years ago that is brilliant but it gets very little real use. I've always resisted spending load on bike jackets for some reason in case I fall off!

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  3. I love commuting in this sort of weather, its when people can't believe anyone would choose to cycle! I have the atura nightvision jacket for commuting and it isn't massively breathable, I have a Gore packlight as well that is fab, but it is bright yellow and covered in reflective stuff which is great for commuting. I'm not sure any of the more expensive and hence breathable ones are as bright and as reflective!

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  4. I've ordered a Gore Alpine PacLite, Its light blue (yet another garmet in my light blue wardrobe - I hate light blue you know!) so reasonably visible. Evans had it at 99 pounds so ok price. I love cycling on crisp winter days, I saw hardly anyone out on bikes today surprisingly.

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  5. Good choice! I got mine in an evans sale as well, they are so expensive full price. But it is pretty breathable, I can wear it all day fine, and it folds small enough for a back pocket when you are on your roadie.

    Just think of all the money you save everytime you commute to work!

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  6. You won't regret the paclite jacket. I've got a mesh running vest thing with reflective strips, I stick that over my black bike jacket for the road in the dark.

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  7. I'm sticking my mesh running vest over my jacket atm too, can never have too many reflectives

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  8. My winter roadie has reflective tape all over it! As you say lots of reflective stuff is good. Just think about how your position is different on a bike so reflectives on a top have to be low down as you are bent over.

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  9. I only wear the vest thingy when I ride the Spesh and I'm more upright then. On the road bike I'll have a rucksack on which renders reflectives on my back useless so I haveh one of those respro Hump things, people tell me its really visible!

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  10. Yes they are great those rucksac covers! Time I hate with commuting is if it is getting dark, or getting light as its that inbetween light when the reflectives aren't as useful and drivers appear to be blind!

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