On 10-Jan-12 21:52, DM wrote:
> "Nev.."<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> On 10-Jan-12 13:30, DM wrote:
>>> I took a 400km round trip yesterday and had to take off my Dririder
>>> Nordic jacket (without the thermal liner) because it was too hot. Of
>>> course then I stated feeling insect impacts on my t shirt and got
>>> stung under the arm by something that objected to crashing into me at
>>> 100km/h. I was also a bit worried about smearing myself on the bitumen
>>> like jam on toast if I went down.
>>>
>>> What do others wear when touring in hot weather?
>>
>> Bottom layer - a long sleeve polyester motorcross shirt which are
>> normally pretty cheap, or if your budget stretches further0 long sleeve
>> moisture wicking shirt - the type they sell in adventure stores to
>> outdoorsy types. They dry quickly when they get wet and you never feel
>> like you're wearing a wet tshirt - even if you're sweating all day, and
>> they keep you feeling much cooler than if you're wearing cotton. Even
>> better (read more expensive) are the shirts with 100% UV protection and
>> antimicrobial protection, because they resist the urge to stink, even
>> when you're riding in very humid climates, or through thunderstorms on a
>> hot day.
>
>> Top Layer - a Tourmaster Transition 2 textile jacket. I bought it in
>> USA but a quick google shows the same model is available in Australia.
>> This jacket has one removable liner, which is for warmth, and it's shell
>> is waterproof. There are 6 waterproof zips on the front, and one on the
>> back which provide heaps of airflow when required.
>>
>> There are a few different styles of textile jackets available these
>> days, and the type which are designed with "adventure riders" in mind
>> seem to have the best combination of waterpoofness and hot weather
>> riding. As Zebee also said, getting the airflow up the sleeves is good
>> for cooling, but this might work better on sit up straight bikes than it
>> does on sports bike.
>>
>> Also on hot days, a "Buff" type neck tube made of very light material
>> worn around the neck does a good job of keeping the hot wind off your
>> skin (esp when the temps get over 35°) and thus keeping you cooler.
>> They can also be run under the tap for a few minutes of cool
>> refreshingness at a fuel stop or smoko. Also, if the wind is
>> particularly hot, I find riding with the helmet vents open and the visor
>> closed, although it might be a bit uncomfortable at first, is better
>> than riding with hot breeze drying out your skin and eyes with the visor
>> is slightly open, but YMMV.
>>
>> By the way, there's a reason why your jacket is called Nordic. It's
>> designed for people riding through the arctic circle! You'll find that
>> it's only useful for a couple of months of the year here in Australia.
>> Better off finding something that can deal with the heat and the cold
>> rather than just the cold.
>
> Thanks for the tips. BTW the Nordic jacket is essential where I live in the
> winter and damn useful even in the summer. I got chilly riding back from the
> Gold Coast to Warwick as soon as I climbed over the Great Dividing Range and
> thought about stopping and zipping up the air vents. Down on the coastal
> flats during the day however, it was unwearable.
For a varying climate like that you're better off going for a mid-range
jacket, something which is good in hot and cold, and then just varying
your layers underneath, a nice merino thermal top underneath would
probably do just as well. When it gets too warm you just have to ditch
your warm layer, not your entire protection.
Nev..
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