[GRRiders] Clothing and weather

[Lois Springsteen]

Hi Dave (and all),

I rode the GRR in 2001 and I think that Amy's suggestions are very good
ones. Amy and I have ridden many miles together and she always seems to have
it together. 

I have a "minimum" kit that I take for any brevet that involves night
riding. My night-riding kit always includes long-fingered gloves, thin
balaclava, long-sleeved turtleneck and tights in addition to whatever I'm
wearing during the day.

In 2001, when I did the GRR, I decided in Greenville on the way back that I
didn't need my turtleneck or tights - that knee warmers and arm warmers
would suffice. And, I had a drop bag there, so why not ditch a few things to
make the ride to the finish a bit easier?

While it wasn't a complete disaster, I was very cold the last night and
really kicked myself for violating my minimum kit rule. I just figured it
would be hot in the central valley and so I might as well lighten my load.
It seems that like many other riders, when I'm tired after several nights
out, my body seems to need more clothing to stay warm. I was smart enough to
keep my balaclava and long-fingered gloves, but the last night would have
been much more fun if I'd had that turtleneck and tights. So, if you're in
doubt, I'd say schlep more clothes.

It's interesting that the weather pattern leading up to the 2001 GRR was
similar to this year - very hot the week before, but then the heat broke for
our event.

Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson about not violating my "minimum" kit
rule. Funny how we (or maybe I should say I) have to keep re-learning some
of these lessons over and over again. ;-)

Lois Springsteen

P.S. See you at Eagle Lake!



-----Original Message-----
From: goldrushriders-bounces at dbclist.org
[mailto:goldrushriders-bounces at dbclist.org] On Behalf Of Amy Rafferty
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 1:42 PM
To: David Pyle; Gold Rush
Subject: Re: [GRRiders] Clothing and weather

Hi Dave:
It will most likely be HOT at the 6 p.m. start. The valley will cool a bit
at night, but I only plan to carry my basic warm things from the get-go.

>From Davis, I plan to carry a sleeveless undershirt, armwarmers,
legwarmers,
windvest, lightweight insulating vest, balaclava and liner gloves. The last
two don't weigh very much at all and protect exposed skin if it's
unexpectedly cold somewhere. I also usually carry an emergency space blanket
on 600k and 1200k rides. They don't weigh much and can come in handy if you
need to stop and rest somewhere that's cold.

At Taylorsville on the way out, I plan to pick up a rainjacket. Afternoon
thunderstorms on the next part of the course are not unusual. I guess Paul
G's garbage bag would serve the same function.

I'm going to leave some warm layers at both Susanville and Adin. I tend to
feel the cold more acutely as the ride progresses, so I like the idea of an
extra layer or two for later on. I'm not talking about a huge amount of
stuff here -- mainly a wool or fleece longsleeved jersey and an extra hat.

I've never really had problems remembering to pick up stuff from my drop
bags, but that's just me I guess. But I try not to store anything in them
that I absolutely, positively must have to finish the ride.

I live near Davis and have also ridden in the Sierras, so I'm quite
confident that what I'm carrying and what I'm picking up are right for me.
But everyone's different. I tend to carry a bit more than most because I
like to be on the safe side, and I know I ride poorly when I'm cold. I also
find that several lighter warm layers keep me warmer than one thick warm
layer, total weight and packed size being about equal.

Amy
-- 



> From: David Pyle <ridelots at bwss.com>
> Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 15:53:07 -0400
> To: Gold Rush <goldrushriders at dbclist.org>, "Dusel, Peter W"
> <Peter.Dusel at xerox.com>
> Subject: Re: [GRRiders] Clothing and weather
> 
> Thanks for the replies. I guess my question was more about strategy. Do
> you schlep the warn clothes from the beginning? Or put them in your
> drop bag at Susanville for the outbound section from Susanville to
> Adin, which may be ridden at partially at night? Or put them in the
> drop bag at Adin for the return. Or pick up at Susanville, drop off at
> Adin and then pick up at Adin again. Or other options. And I'm talking
> about just the really warm clothing. I'm pretty comfortable in arm
> warmers, leg warmers and a vest, which I will have with my at all
> times, down to about 50.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
>

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