[GRRiders] Clothing and weather

[David Pyle]

Amy, Lois and all,

Thanks for the tips. Gives me a better idea, although the simplest and 
safest thing may be just to carry everything :). Still have a couple 
days to repack. See you all Tuesday.

Dave


On Jul 16, 2005, at 12:07 AM, Lois Springsteen wrote:

> 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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