J
Ryan Cousineau writes:
>> I'm with you on that except that I use my parka on my summer tour
>> in the Alps where it can snow any day of the year and often does as
>> you can see from the pictures at:
>> For that reason I have a more stringent rule on what works.
>> 1. It must be water proof.
>> 2. It must have a hood that can be cinched down so that only eyes
>> and nose are exposed.
>> 3. It should be double layered, the inner layer can be mesh but
>> must insulate the outer skin from the rider's arms to prevent
>> freezing hands.
>> 4. Velcro closure on sleeves and over the zipper down the front.
>> 5. No vents or slots. Climbing can be done with the front
>> partially open even in rain.
>> 6. No Gore-Tex, the outer layer of which gets wet and doesn't dry
>> readily, and the same goes for condensation on the inside.
>> Breathing is illusory for someone climbing hills on a bicycle.
>> 7. Bonus: Stiff and tight fitting enough so it does not flap in the
>> wind when descending.
>> Flapping sleeves and body is the greatest loss of warmth from
>> forced convection. Next time when descending, hold the arms so the
>> jacket remains still and notice how much warmer it is.
>> Unfortunately, the people who make bicycle jackets haven't tried
>> descending a 20km alpine pass when it's snowing... or at least not
>> with an understanding of why it is as cold as it is. Most jackets
>> have no adequate neck and head covering and have a body to hold
>> Santa Clause with many layers of clothing.
> I have been very happy with my "racing" jacket (a Louis Garneau
> Windtex), which is a form-fitting jacket with no vents, elastic
> cuffs, and a collar (but no hood). On its own, it is remarkably
> warm, rain-resistant, and combined with a jersey, is warm down to at
> least zero.
http://louisgarneau.com/eng/ctm_catalog.asp?catalogue=C7
The main page of this web site is a compendium of grimacing posing
racers as is common in today's bicycling press. That's too bad,
because there are many imitators out there emulating that appearance,
even looking over their shoulder to see if an imagined chase group is
catching up. Can't we just ride bike instead of so much posturing?
> I like this jacket so much (and note that mine is in my club's
> colours) that I occasionally wear it on non-cycling occasions. My
> wife thinks this is weird.
Well I didn't find your team colors on that web site, but if the
jacket is as garish as most, I would agree with your wife. There is
more to life than bicycle racing and hanging it out in other venues.
> Full disclosure: Garneau is a major sponsor of my club. I really do
> like this jacket, though.
Well, that may well be, but I qualified my description for touring in
high country, be that Mt. Evans CO or the Alps. Without a hood, the
jacket is not good enough and from your description I cannot tell
whether it flaps on descents, another major failing of most jackets
for the reason I mentioned.
Jobst Brandt
>> I'm with you on that except that I use my parka on my summer tour
>> in the Alps where it can snow any day of the year and often does as
>> you can see from the pictures at:
>> For that reason I have a more stringent rule on what works.
>> 1. It must be water proof.
>> 2. It must have a hood that can be cinched down so that only eyes
>> and nose are exposed.
>> 3. It should be double layered, the inner layer can be mesh but
>> must insulate the outer skin from the rider's arms to prevent
>> freezing hands.
>> 4. Velcro closure on sleeves and over the zipper down the front.
>> 5. No vents or slots. Climbing can be done with the front
>> partially open even in rain.
>> 6. No Gore-Tex, the outer layer of which gets wet and doesn't dry
>> readily, and the same goes for condensation on the inside.
>> Breathing is illusory for someone climbing hills on a bicycle.
>> 7. Bonus: Stiff and tight fitting enough so it does not flap in the
>> wind when descending.
>> Flapping sleeves and body is the greatest loss of warmth from
>> forced convection. Next time when descending, hold the arms so the
>> jacket remains still and notice how much warmer it is.
>> Unfortunately, the people who make bicycle jackets haven't tried
>> descending a 20km alpine pass when it's snowing... or at least not
>> with an understanding of why it is as cold as it is. Most jackets
>> have no adequate neck and head covering and have a body to hold
>> Santa Clause with many layers of clothing.
> I have been very happy with my "racing" jacket (a Louis Garneau
> Windtex), which is a form-fitting jacket with no vents, elastic
> cuffs, and a collar (but no hood). On its own, it is remarkably
> warm, rain-resistant, and combined with a jersey, is warm down to at
> least zero.
http://louisgarneau.com/eng/ctm_catalog.asp?catalogue=C7
The main page of this web site is a compendium of grimacing posing
racers as is common in today's bicycling press. That's too bad,
because there are many imitators out there emulating that appearance,
even looking over their shoulder to see if an imagined chase group is
catching up. Can't we just ride bike instead of so much posturing?
> I like this jacket so much (and note that mine is in my club's
> colours) that I occasionally wear it on non-cycling occasions. My
> wife thinks this is weird.
Well I didn't find your team colors on that web site, but if the
jacket is as garish as most, I would agree with your wife. There is
more to life than bicycle racing and hanging it out in other venues.
> Full disclosure: Garneau is a major sponsor of my club. I really do
> like this jacket, though.
Well, that may well be, but I qualified my description for touring in
high country, be that Mt. Evans CO or the Alps. Without a hood, the
jacket is not good enough and from your description I cannot tell
whether it flaps on descents, another major failing of most jackets
for the reason I mentioned.
Jobst Brandt
