Layers 101

[Dirt]

Found a great riding product for cool winter rides. Doesn’t work so well when it is really cold, but it worked great for my ride today in temps ranging between 40 and 55 degrees.

http://youtu.be/XbRSRL8V31s

[eminva]

@Dirt 12474 wrote:

Found a great riding product for cool winter rides. Doesn’t work so well when it is really cold, but it worked great for my ride today in temps ranging between 40 and 55 degrees.

http://youtu.be/XbRSRL8V31s

I dare you to wear it on your commute!

Liz

[dbb]

We have a great performance artist in our midst in the form of Dirt. Bravo, sir, bravo!

[Greenbelt]

I have a leopard print Snuggie that my staff at work got me because they were tired of my complaining about being cold all the time in our office. I’d gladly donate it to Pete if he needs more mountain biking (or commuting) gear. It’s completely open at the back, though…

[mstone]

@Greenbelt 12484 wrote:

It’s completely open at the back, though…

If you call it “venting” you can charge more for it…

[americancyclo]

@GuyContinental 12237 wrote:

I still suffer in the “man-bits” and belly region

I just got a pair of the 2011 Elite Thermal Cycling Tights, and they held up much better than my older PI thermal cycling tights. The wind proofing does wonders in the front.

[Dirt]

@Greenbelt 12484 wrote:

It’s completely open at the back, though…

Thanks for the offer. The part that I didn’t mention in my review was stopping to get gas and use the rest room at a truck stop in rural Maryland. I walked into the gas station to ask where the rest room was and get a key if needed and was greeted by a man my height, but built so that he would likely stretch a Forever Lazy to its limit, with the words, “What the *#*& are you?” I simply asked if there was a restroom. His female co-worker said it was out back and that I didn’t need a key. The best part was her roar of laughter when I turned around to walk out and she noticed that I had the butt flap already open. Mr. Man wasn’t amused.

@eminva 12478 wrote:

I dare you to wear it on your commute!

The commuting portion of the review is already in the works. I’m waiting for just the right weather conditions for it though. Today would have been good, but I had an early morning meeting that precluded me from taking time to shoot video.

Happy New Year, y’all.

[KLizotte]

@Dirt 12509 wrote:

Thanks for the offer. The part that I didn’t mention in my review was stopping to get gas and use the rest room at a truck stop in rural Maryland. I walked into the gas station to ask where the rest room was and get a key if needed and was greeted by a man my height, but built so that he would likely stretch a Forever Lazy to its limit, with the words, “What the *#*& are you?” I simply asked if there was a restroom. His female co-worker said it was out back and that I didn’t need a key. The best part was her roar of laughter when I turned around to walk out and she noticed that I had the butt flap already open. Mr. Man wasn’t amused.

This had me laughing out loud at work so much that I was getting strange looks from my coworkers.

Didn’t your mama tell you never to wear dirty underwear because you never know if you’re gonna get hit by a truck? Good thing you didn’t hurt yourself on your bike; would have been a strange scene at the ER: “Big man in a snuggie coming in with a broken leg….”

[Arlingtonrider]

Does anyone ride in a ski/snowboard helmet in this kind of weather? I thought it might be too warm, but I’m considering it for tomorrow.

I have to admit that I wimped out today after seeing the afternoon wind forecast.

[5555624]

Although it probably only applies to a handful of people here — if that many — remember that your commute might add special requirements that would not apply on a weekend ride. (I know, that’s an awkward sentence.) For example, if your commute involves riding onto/into a secure facility (military base, parking garage, etc.) where you have to show an ID, you may not be able to wear a balaclava or anything else covering your face. A face shield or scarf, that you can pull down is probably easier than taking off your helmet and balaclava. (Getting an ID out while wearing lobster gloves is a pain in the butt, too.)

[americancyclo]

If you’re a regular bike commuter, as I know a good handful of us are, the folks at the security gate get to know you, particularly when they see you consistently on the hottest and coldest days of the year on your bike. I only had my eyes peeking out today, and the folks recognize my bike and my bike gear. I’ve also taken to the habit of clipping my ID badge to my shoulderstrap, so I don’t have to fish around for it. I may seem a little dorky on the trails wearing my ID badge, but then again, I’m bundled up, on a bike trail when it’s 16 degrees outside, nevermind.

[5555624]

@americancyclo 12565 wrote:

If you’re a regular bike commuter, as I know a good handful of us are, the folks at the security gate get to know you, particularly when they see you consistently on the hottest and coldest days of the year on your bike.

As long as it’s the same guards. I had a new one a few weeks ago, who wanted to inspect my ID, front and back — the first time that’s happened in more than ten years.

It also depends on how lax they are, too. One guard I see every week is my neighbor — two doors down, on the same floor of my building — so he knows me and my bikes, but he always checks my ID.

[dasgeh]

@5555624 12564 wrote:

A face shield or scarf, that you can pull down is probably easier than taking off your helmet and balaclava. (Getting an ID out while wearing lobster gloves is a pain in the butt, too.)

I’m confused. I can pull my balaclava down far enough that the guards can see my face (well eyes-mouth). Even though there’s a constant rotation of mostly-unfriendly (to bikes) guards at Fort Myer, I’ve never had a problem while bundled.

Getting the ID out and especially back in again is a pain in the butt, but I’m clumsy-fingered without gloves, so that doesn’t change with the weather.

[Dirt]

I haven’t looked like my ID photo for a while, so I always get the third degree from guards that I don’t know well.

[culimerc]

Any thoughts on Moosemitts vs Barmitts??

[Author]

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