Help me argue with myself

[dplasters]

I’ll have you all know this problem is now burning in my mind because of BAFS and the various scoreboards. My bike is like 90% for commuting and 10% for errands and riding about (I leave open the idea this may increase in the future).

When I ride, I do it for exercise (and getting where I need to go). I’m not frequently cruising along at 10mph and frolicking. I have a competitive problem. Plus the leg workout is awesome, I’ve added almost 5 mph to my swing speed (golf problems).

I currently do this in all baggies and on platform pedals. I know that given my average speed, the baggies are killing me and I know when the weather warms up I’ll be back in shorts aka small parachutes on the sides of each of my thigh. This then tempts me to get some proper lycra. But then I would be wearing lycra and riding on platforms, which I can’t say I’ve ever witnessed before.

But I need to walk around, so that puts me in SPDs, which means new pedals and shoes. All because I want to go faster.

What I need is the forum to smack me. Tell me rule 5. That the extra wind resistance is just making me stronger. That I’m not climbing 10% grades and racing. That clipless with all my street riding, stop lights and stop signs isn’t going to really make me any faster and that I’m crazy.

Also, has anyone seen the lycra + platform combo? In the winter some tights really would be nice for the better ankle warmth vs pants. I should just stop worrying about what other people think shouldn’t I?

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[hozn]

Well, not all (Gore) Windstopper is the same. My softshell Windstopper is very warm, and despite pit zips I can’t wear it above mid 30s without over heating. I think there are lighter options. I used to have a Windstopper shell that I somehow thought was a rain jacket. That was an uncomfortable and cold mistake; Windstopper is not waterproof. I am sure everyone knows that, but it might bear mention.

Honestly, I don’t feel that Windstopper is far superior to other wind-proof fabrics, but it isn’t bad. My Endura Convert softshell seems just as good and is the jacket I prefer to wear (since it fits slimly while having long enough arms) until temps are single digits.

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