On Dec 6, 2009, at 10:18 PM, kent wrote: > The standard cold weather equation is a warm, wicking base layer, an > insulating layer and then a wind/waterproof shell. Even hardcore > synthetics fans would agree that wool makes a good base or mid layer, > but most would swear by GoreTex and its descendants for the outer > layer. What do you wear on top in the cold and/or wet?
In the cold I find that no waterproof or windproof layer breathes well enough. Even a one-layer nylon jacket is enough for me to end up drenched in sweat even with only a single wool layer. GoreTex is worse. I had a showerproofed fine yarn cotton windbreaker that was better than any nylon I have ever used although not being remotely cycling-cut it was like riding with a parachute. So I generally just layer up wool. Wool T, longsleeve wool layer, various wool jerseys and sweaters. I carry a windbreaker in case I have to stop and start getting chilly. If it's cold and wet, I find some other pastime because I find riding in the cold and wet miserable. I find riding in the wet miserable, period. I hate riding in the rain. But there are strange people who tolerate and even like it, which accounts for why there are bicyclists on much of the West Coast of the US or anywhere on the British Isles. I should live in a desert, I'd be much happier. If I do have to ride in the rain, I find that if there's little wind I prefer a Carradice rain cape (poncho). This almost makes riding in the rain semi-pleasant. If it's breezier I have a Showers Pass Elite jacket from a few years ago that has lots of ventilation options and manages to keep me somewhat less parboiled (the best I have found, anyway). I've used this on cold dry days, too. For really cold dry days when I feel like riding, I have a windfront jacket with no windblocking on the back. The arms are still too sweaty but the torso is not too bad. I usually wear this with a single layer of wool underneath. Mine is the REI house brand which may be made by Sugoi. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
