Garth -- thanks for the further information on the gaiter and vest -- I'll have to look for them so I can examine them in person.
I like vests a lot myself, and in fact have at latest count four for cycling (Canondale and -- IIRC -- Performance shells, Cannondale fleece, and Ibex wool + lycra; and three for street wear -- Cahart padded and two thick woven wool ones, on a Filson, the other odd and rare French. Oh, and another dressy cotton one -- oh, and another thicker nylon one that, alas, is too short in the rear -- I am Medium in width but Large in torso length. My problem with "too short in back" -- and that goes in spades for pants: very rare are the cycling pants that come up high enough. It's not that skin is exposed, it's that I don't like the feeling of a waistband too low in back. I don't wear cycling shorts, so this is more of an issue for me. I heat up pretty well in the cold -- rode to church this am at about 25*F in ss wool jersey with wool arm warmers under Riv heavy sweater jersey, with the new home made wool dicky; thin tights under Nashbar knickers and knicker socks; and light booties over my Euxstars, and Thinsulate-lined gloves. Oh, and Peruvian hat, which I heartily recommend as the best thing in winter cycling for earx (I don't like balaclavas unless it is really cold). I was ready to put on my Lake winter boots but with the neoprene lining it looked like such a hassle that I just went with booties. I'll save the Lakes for extended rides and colder weather. I can't wear house clothes to bike in at least in winter, as they usualy involve jeans or shorts. Jeans just don't work with my cycling setups -- and I do not at all want to ride 12 or 17 or 22 miles (typical weekday rides) in a sit up and beg position: I've tried it and hate it hugely -- it would make me give up cycling -- and, as always, YMMV. So I happily get kitted up. Odd, I find that if my torso is warm, I can cut my extremities some slack. 36F on the way home with the two wool layers minus the dicky and my feet were fine without the booties. I do agree that it is wise to start out a little bit cold -- it has always worked for me. Better than starting out warm end arriving soaked in sweat. One last thing about riding in cold weather: man, I often feel sluggish! As if all the bearings were packed with glue and overtightened, with the brake rubbing too boot. I just take it easy and that seems to work. Oddly, I suffer more on the flats (72" gear) than on the inclines where I often stand. (FWIW: often I feel as if I am bogging down when seated, so I use the "pull the pedal round and up" technique to get a little extra torque, and it seems to work enough to get over a small rise or meet a momentary headwind.) I think I may have to swap out the 16 t for a 17 -- we'll see. -- 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-bunch@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.
