Archive: Riding gear
Table of contents
- Performance Vector Multi-Lens Eyewear
- Under Armour for riding
- Forearm shiver
- Dog tags
- Nelson-Rigg Neran NR 360 rain suit
- HJC CL-15 Orbit helmet
- Widder electric vest and gloves
- LDComfort riding shorts
- Schampa neck gaiter
- Skullcap
- Tourmaster Flex jacket
- Alpinestars Ridge boots
- Camelbak Lobo
- Joe Rocket Sahara vest
- Hein Gericke HT Air Overpants
- Joe Rocket Blaster gloves
Performance Vector Multi-Lens Eyewear
It's not always easy to find good quality sun-glasses that fit comfortably under a full-face helmet. A few years ago, I stumbled on the Vector Multi-Lens Eyewear set at the local Performance Bike shop, and they quickly became my first choice for riding glasses. They come with three sets of interchangeable lenses - dark, clear, and amber - along with a sturdy case. They fit well under my helmet, and I've ridden 20-hour days with no distortion or eye-strain.
I like to always ride with glasses on, in case I need to raise my shield -- to clear fog on cold days, or cool down on hot days. When the sun's up, I use the dark lenses, and in the dark I wear the clear lenses.
I've had three or four pairs over the last few years. They hold up pretty well to the abuse I give them while riding, but over time the dark lenses become too scratched to be useful. My current set is on its last legs.
Last weekend, I got an ad for the sale going on through the end of the month at Performance, and saw the Vectors were on sale for $19.99 - a great bargain for quality glasses with interchangeable lenses. I was nearby today at the vet for a check-up on my son's cat Smidge, and stopped by to pick up a new pair.
Under Armour for riding
I'm going to try one or more of these for my next long ride. Normally I just wear a long-sleeve cotton t-shirt, but I'm thinking these will be better in really hot weather, and can be rinsed out in a motel sink and still be dry in the morning.
| Under Armour 1086 Team Longsleeve Tee - all PolyArmour |  |
| Under Armour 0407 Tech Longsleeve Mock - 95% 4.6oz PolyArmour/5% Elastane |  |
| Under Armour 0377 Tech Longsleeve Tee - 95% 6.0oz PolyArmour/5% Elastane |  |
Forearm shiver
I almost always wear short-sleeve shirts to work, and when I commute on the FJR I like to have something on my forearms to keep my skin away from the inside of the jacket. In the past I've worn sleeves cut off of long-sleeve t-shirts, but you have to remember to wash them, and it's sometimes a pain to keep them from bunching up.
About a month ago I was scanning and Under Armour web site for some referee gear, and saw their Forearm Shivers. I love using UA shorts when I go on overnighters - a quick rinse in the motel/campground sink and they dry overnight. The shivers are made from the same UA fabric.
I got a pair in the mail, and have been using them for a few weeks, with great results. In hotter weather their light weight works well. The recent cold spell here worried me at first, but they've held up just fine, providing a useful layer of insulation.
I got a black pair. I'm going to put a white pair and a red pair on my holiday wish list.
Dog tags
In addition to id cards I carry with me (in wallets, bags, jacket pockets), I also wear a dog tag with basic contact information.
Nelson-Rigg Neran NR 360 rain suit
An online dealer had an insane close-out on the Nelson-Rigg Neran NR-360 rain suit - $10 each, no tax, nominal shipping. (Non-closeout sites have it for around $60). I couldn't find sufficient details on sizing, so at that price I bought a 2XL and a 3XL. I tried on the 2XL when it arrived, and that's the right size.
They only had the all-black in my size(s). The grey would have been more visible, but there's reflective piping on the black jacket that should help.
HJC CL-15 Orbit helmet
Widder electric vest and gloves
I ditched work a little early for a ride out to Widder in Ojai to pick up an electric heated vest, and maybe some gloves.
The ride to Ojai was uneventful - a stretch of bad traffic on the 101 by the 23 slowed me down, but otherwise it was okay. Pat Widder picked out the right size for me straigtaway, and I went with the BMW-style thermostat harness, to go with my new Powerlet. I tried on a pair of medium-size gloves, and they fit just right - just a little snug.
Afterwards, I rode to the Chart House in Malibu for a nice sunset dinner with Carole. The full moon was rising as we left for the drive home.
LDComfort riding shorts
LDComfort - Motorcycle Riding Shorts, Tops and Tights for Bikers
Schampa neck gaiter
Skullcap
Tourmaster Flex jacket
My current riding jacket is a Tourmaster Flex.
When my Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket reached the end of its useful life, I looked around for a new jacket with good warm-weather abilities, but also better cold-weather capabilities. After looking at a bunch of different models, I settled on the Tourmaster Flex. In its standard setup, it's a full-shell textile jacket, which is ideal for most late fall, winter, and early spring rides. When rain hits, there's a zip-in rain/wind liner, which in turn has a zip-in quilted insert for extra warmth.
For hot days, the outer shell zips off, revealing a full-mesh interior, just like the regular Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket.
One thing about this jacket - there's a lot of zippers.
I got the Flex just after my SS1K at the end of March, 2006.
Alpinestars Ridge boots
I got my Alpinestars Ridge waterproof boots on sale at Bert's, sometime in late 2004. In a pinch, they're comfortable enough for normal daily wear.
Just before the WFO in 2006, I took them to a shoe repair shop on Lake Avenue in Pasadena to have the upper velcro replaced.
Camelbak Lobo
For on-the-road hydration, I use a 70 ounce Camelbak Lobo. I originally got it for hiking, specifically walking at lunch-time in the hills below my office.
It's a life-saver on those long, hot summertime runs. My goal is to have just a little water left at the end of a gas tank. While the gas is pumping, I'll go into the mini-mart and refill, either with a cold jug from the refrigerated case, or from the water tap on the soda dispenser. (If you've bought gas, or even a snack, most places won't charge you for water from the soda dispenser, but some will ask you to pay the cost of a soda.)
On really hot and/or long days, it's wise to carry an extra 1 liter bottle, in case of a breakdown.
Joe Rocket Sahara vest
Hein Gericke HT Air Overpants
These are great - good protection, but comfortable enough to wear all the time. I rarely ride anywhere without them.
Joe Rocket Blaster gloves
I'm happy with my Joe Rocket Blaster gloves.