Gore Bike Wear: Countdown AS Lady Vest REVIEW

Transitioning into fall: Gore Bike Wear's Countdown AS Lady Vest & Oxygen Lady FZ Jersey & Power Lady Tights. Cycle Helmet: Rudy Project Sterling.

Think of fall as your second spring! Cycling, walking, running are all much more comfortable over the blazing hot summer we've had.  The trick is not to become overheated.  Highly technical pieces such as Gore Bike Wear's Countdown AS Lady Vest offer WINDSTOPPER® technology where you need it.  However, if you are like me and sweat, you'll appreciate the cooling mesh panels on both the Oxygen Lady FZ Jersey and the Countdown AS Lady Vest.  I added a set Smartwool's NEW HyFi arm and knee warmers to stretch the wearing season of the jersey and Power Lady Tights shorts +.

Cut the Chill But Don't Sweat It

Countdown AS Lady Vest with WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell

WINDSTOPPER® Active Shells are the lightest, most packable garments offering total windproofness, maximum breathability and water resistance. WINDSTOPPER® Active Shells keep you comfortable for enhanced performance during highly aerobic activities.

You can see the large mesh panel on the back of the vest.  This is right where moisture tends to build up leaving you sticky and uncomfortable. Countdown AS Lady's got you covered though.

Here are some of the main vest features:

• 2 front pockets with concealed zip
• Reflective piping on front and back
• Abrasion-resistant binding on armhole
• Shifted seams for less chafing
• Mesh insert in back for optimum ventilation
• Ergonomically shaped collar
• Reflective logo on front and back

Easy Transitions
A vest is often a bit easier to remove once the day heats up.  If you are on the road, the last thing you need is to be fighting with your cycle clothing!

The Countdown AS Lady Vest has a flattering slim fit but the armholes have piping and are not too tight allowing you to drop the vest off your shoulders as you see here.

The two invisible zippered front pockets allow you to stash your favorite cycle cap and the inner mesh lining keeps the fabric cool and ventilated against your skin.  No sticking or clinging.  Same thing can be said for the Oxygen Lady FZ Jersey I'm wearing underneath. The middle rear of the jersey has a large sculpted mesh panel, three open rear pockets and a concealed zippered pouch.  FZ stands for full zip so this jersey is easy to vent also.

Stow it Away
Most road bicycles are not cluttered with bags and panniers so having a place to stow an extra jacket is more of a problem.  No worries. The Countdown AS Lady Vest is amazingly light and packable.

Simply roll it up any way you want and stuff it into your jersey's rear open pocket.  That's it!  This vest can serve as minimum rain protection as it water resistant.  My arm warmers are by Smartwool and made of high quality Merino wool which is likewise naturally water resistant. Like the vest, they easily pack away.

These Smartwool arm & knee warmers all work well with the Gore Bike Wear pieces we have.  They give you a smooth line under your jersey and shorts while allowing you to wear your favorite tights a bit longer into the season.

Gore Bike Wear's Countdown AS Lady Vest and Signature Cycle Cap.

Giordana Gita Women's Bib Shorts

Having an epiphany...Bib Shorts DO make your ride better, especially if they are made by Giordana. XENON 2.0 Cycle Jersey & Signature Cap by Gore Bike Wear

NEW for Summer 2012 Xenon 2.0

I've always wondered just what men cyclists see in their bib shorts.  I mean they look like they are wearing white stretchy suspenders to hold up their cycle tights. I did try a (unisex) team racing set by LOOK a few seasons back but as I am, let's say NOT flat chested, I found the straps to be really uncomfortable and bothersome.

So it took quite a bit of doing to test drive this new set of Women's Bib Shorts by Giordana for Road ID.  Since these are actually women-specific, they are already quite a bit ahead of the unisex version by LOOK.  Now I'm not saying that I am a chamois snob but my bottom has been treated to some very fancy ones by Terry, Pearl Izumi and Gore Bike Wear to name a few. This season, however, I was introduced to a whole new level of road comfort.

Giordana Gita for Road ID Women's Bib Shorts

Now I'm not above asking, "Do these shorts make my butt look big?" but really there was no need with these. Stretch Moxie Power Lycra with silicone leg grips keeps everything in place. Black is well, slimming!

  

Flat-lock seams smooth out your leg line and the Road ID graphics are very flattering. It was quite hot so I topped these bib shorts with this sleeveless Gore Bike Wear Xenon 2.0 Lady Singlet cycling jersey with lots of mesh and airflow to match the comfy straps on the bibs. These bib shorts are also made with 50+ UPF fabric and offers excellent UV protection. This means you won't need to apply sunblock to the area that the shorts cover although I do use it on the exposed part of my legs.

Matching Women's Giordana Cycle Jersey has UPF of 38+

The chamois itself is gender specific OmniForm TM and seamless so it doesn't interfere with your saddle positioning. Really everything is so smoothly put together that you don't see the outline of the chamois from the outside of the shorts. Sweet!  More specific details on the Giordana insert:

These bibs feature Giordana’s WMC3 O.F. insert. This chamois is specifically designed for use by women and is the result of a focused study on female body movements while pedaling. It is a single, seamless insert with differentiated thickness to contour to the female body and allow full range of motion. The WMC3 is molded using Giordana’s High Frequency OmniForm technique that shapes the chamois using high frequency waves instead of heat. This ensures that the pad remains soft and extremely flexible throughout its lifetime.

  

Take a tour inside the Giordana factory in Italy showing how the chamois insert is sewn into the bib shorts:

The Best Chamois Butter

The padded insert used to be made of deerskin, hence the name chamois.  Some hardcore cyclists of old used to put a steak inside their shorts for long rides. These days, most are made of easy to wash synthetic, high performance materials. The Giordana Gita Bib Shorts chamois, WMC-3-O.F. is a women specific one piece insert that is very lightweight, flexible. Like the shorts, it is made in Italy using a polyester microfiber.

Either way, you will need something between you and your bib shorts. I wear a minimalist thong under my bib shorts (ExOfficio's Give 'n Go Lacey Thong), and use a tiny dab of Mission Athletecare's 5 Hour Anti-Chafe Cream.  Silicone and botanically based, (infused with Aloe & Vitamin E), it has a super light feel but is waterproof/sweatproof. You can even do like the pros and apply this "chamois butter" directly to the pad as it contains no petroleum or parabens. You'll have to experiment to see what works best for you but for me, this Mission Anti-Chafe is the balm!

Exofficio's Give 'n Go Lacey Thong- like wearing nothing under your bibs

The Road Test

I've taken the Giordana Gitas out on my Terry Symmetry Road Bike (see photo below) at least three times for a 7-8 mile trip each time. This bicycle came with a very comfortable but road-worthy Terry Butterfly gel saddle. It is a comfortable saddle but not a "comfort - saddle" and I've always ridden it with some sort of chamois insert.

The Giordana's stayed in place and didn't slip over the seat.  The chamois is so much a part of the fabric of the shorts that it doesn't stick out or feel bulky between the legs. It conforms so well to the female form that all you need focus on is the ride, not pulling up or adjusting your shorts.  So there is my epiphany.  Bib Shorts when done right for your gender and anatomy can make a huge difference in the quality of your ride. These Giordana Gitas are amazing. Check out Giordana for Road ID's Team Cycling Jersey too!

Giordana Gita for Road ID Men & Women's Bib Shorts are available from Road ID

Cycling Jerseys - Buying & Care Guide

Road ID's Giordana Women's Cycling Jersey in super soft woven Michron with a UPF protection factor of 38+  
 Helmet: Lazer Helium,  Eye Wear: Rudy Project Kylix XY,  Cycling Gloves: Gore Bike Wear

It seems to follow that a warm winter will have an extra warm spring in its wake.  You might want to start looking at your warmer weather workout wear a little earlier.  Already in the northeast we've seen days topping out at 73 degrees...in March!

How about taking inventory of your road cycling kits, running wear and exercise clothing to see what needs to be updated?  Here are a few things that I've found to be helpful when selecting clothes I plan to wear for seasonal cross training.

Short Sleeved Cycling Jerseys...What to Look For

A few things are especially important to me when picking a cycling jersey which by the way can double as a skating or running top.  Here they are:


1.) Comfortable, breathable, odor resistant fabric, (wool or synthetics wick very well)

This Giordana Cycle Jersey has a UPF of 38+

2.) Non-binding cuffs


3.) Long enough to keep your backside covered when in the drops


4.) Back of jersey stays down without riding up

 
There are additional things I also like but are not totally essential such as: Angled open rear pouches for easy access, a zippered rear pocket to stash a little cash and a full length front zipper.  However the main items are listed above.

Newer high performance fabrics are great for staying soft against your skin, (i.e. Giordana's Road ID Women's Racing Jersey in the lead photo is made of super comfy Michron, 100% polyester microfiber yarns). This Italian weave Giordana is like wearing a cloud.  Other treated materials can also provide UPF protection, (Safety Smart Wear's Milan - San Remo Jersey and Bib Shorts in Lycra have a sun protection factor of 30).

Getting the Right Fit

Milan San Remo Cycling Kit by Safety Smart Wear

This will also be an issue especially if you are ordering a new label jersey online. Generally the Italian made jerseys run a bit smaller than comparable US sizes so you may need to order a size up.  If you are going for an aerodynamic racing fit, then by all means go for the tighter kit. Either way, always check the company's sizing chart and note if the jersey runs small or true to size. 


Maximum Ventilation

GORE BIKE WEAR's Oxygen FZ Lady Jersey

Some jerseys have extra mesh vents under the arms and/or at the nape of the neck for enhanced heat and moisture transfer. Both the Gore Bike Wear Oxygen FZ Lady and Safety Smart Wear's Milan-San Remo cycling jerseys have all that plus a full length zipper, rear zip & angled open pouches. These two Lycra jerseys have most of all the features I look for with additional reflective piping. These would be my two top picks for a high performance cycling jersey.


Short Sleeves to Long Sleeves

If the morning is a bit cool, simply add a set of arm warmers which will help keep the chill off until you can warm up a bit.  I like Smartwool's Merino Wool arm warmers for that purpose.  Wool breathes very well and wicks moisture away from the skin. You'll also get extra seasonal use and versatility out of your short sleeved jerseys with arm warmers.  Slide them on early in your ride, roll them up and stash them in your cycling jersey once it gets hot.
These Smartwool Arm Warmers and Knee Warmers have silicone grips on both the arm and outside to help keep them in place.  These are pro-style arm warmers similar to those in this Giordana video of  the Gauss Women Cycling Team of Germany.

Taking off the morning chill with Smartwool Merino Wool Arm Warmers - available August 2012

Washing Your Cycling Jerseys


Most important is the care of your valuable investment.  With proper washing, you can maintain your cycling jersey's color, wear and performance for many years to come.
Some manufacturers say you can toss them in the washing machine, (Safety Smart Wear's Kit even comes with a little mesh laundry bag!) but I would recommend hand washing and letting them hanger-air dry.  These are high-tech, delicate materials and you don't want detergent residue to clog the wicking action.  I use Sport-Wash on all of my cycling jerseys & chamois/tights.  It's the only product that gently removes ALL odors from the fabric leaving it fresh and renewed.  I use it on wool as well as synthetics.  Easy to find at your local Walmart in the Hunting & Fishing department.

Sport-Wash for your delicate synthetic and wool cycling jerseys, Sport-Wash Body Shampoo for YOU.  Keep it FRESH!

 

Gifts for Cyclists + Polar Bottle Giveaway

Someone on your Christmas list ride a bike?  Maybe you'd like to give that someone a nudge in joining you on the road?  These gifts are tried and true treasures for anyone who spends time on a bicycle.  They will help keep them warm, safe and happy on the road with colder weather on the way.  The Polar Bottle Holiday Giveaway is now CLOSED.  Help clean the environment of disposable water bottles, one bottle at a time.

We have a WINNER!  Ben of Naperville, IL has won our LTD Edition Santa Bear Polar Bottle Holiday Giveaway.  Here's Ben with his prized Polar Bottle and thank you to all our entrants.

The season's HOT GIFT pick?  Smartwool Training Gloves, $40.00: Ideal for cold weather training. The silicone palm grippers help you grip ski poles, tie shoe laces and keep your hands safe on that snowy bike commute. Features contoured seaming for a bulk-free fit. Unisex Fit, 45% Merino Wool, 39% Nylon, 16% Elastic

LTD Edition Santa Bear Polar Bottle - Thermal 24 oz

Team Rudy!  Rudy Project's Full Zip, Long Sleeved Racing Jersey

Smartwool Training Gloves

Gore Bike Wear Signature Cap - Unisex

The Pouch works on the front handlebars or seat rails.

Rain Solutions

Lazer's NEW CITYZEN Cycling Helmet is cloth covered but waterproof & ExOfficio's Rain Logic Jacket

One of the most constant things about weather is change!  We predicted a very rainy spring and were right.  Now we're moving into fall with similar expectations.  Rainy weather can often sideline your outdoor workout plans but this needn't be the case.


Gore Bike Wear's Signature Cycle Cap & Lazer's CITYZEN
Invest in a few essential pieces and you can walk, run or even ride in the rain with the utmost comfort.  Start with your head and get this sporty GORE BIKE WEAR Signature Cycling Cap.  It's made of breatheable fabric so you won't sweat but it repels rain like a duck.  This cap can fit under a vented helmet and has road reflective stripping.  Likewise this new CITYZEN Cycle Helmet from Lazer in the lead photo does not have large vents so is perfect for rainy, cooler weather.  Skateboarding or inline skating?  Yeah, that too.

ExOfficio's Rain Logic Jacket

ExOfficio's Rain Logic Jacket with hood & pit zips

Smartwool's Zip-T Baselayer

The next thing you should have is a well made hooded rain jacket.  We especially like ExOfficio's Rain Logic for its sealed zippers, armpit zips and hand/security zippered pockets.  The Rain Logic shell is so well thought out from it's quick drying, moisture wicking membrane to how the adjustable hood forms a little visor in case you forgot your cap.  Very lightweight and packable, it is easy to stow along for trips and days out.  You can extend the seasons by adding baselayers under it such as those made by Smartwool for extra warmth, water resistance and wicking.  Has a 1.5 inch tail drop to help keep you dry and covered which is really key especially if you're on a bike.  It really handles the rain for you so you can stay focused on what you're out there doing.

Sperry Topsiders SB-1070 Performance Shoes 

If you're even thinking about running in the rain, you'll need to have the right footwear for the job.  I've worn these athletic shoes off the blustery coast of Maine during a whale watching expedition.  Even with ocean water making the decks extremely slippery, these shoes held their grip.  That's because Sperry is known the world over for making some of the best boating shoes available.  Still these are incredibly supportive running shoes, especially effective on slippery, wet pavements and paths.  Here are some of the SB-1070 features:

Sperry Topsiders - SB1070 Athletic Shoes

Low Water Absorption Materials are Quick Drying

Dual-Density Compression Molded EVA Midsole Offers Shock Absorbtion & Stability

AEGIS™ Microbe Shield Protects Against Bacteria that Cause Odor

Removable Full-Length Molded Footbed Offers All Day, Underfoot Comfort

HRC® Forefoot Cushioning Through EVA Compound Provides Additional Cushioning

GRID® Patented Technology Provides Superior Cushioning and Stability

Arch Lock Offers Increased Stability and Arch Support

New Hydro-Grip™ Rubber Traction Compound is the Ultimate Performance Traction Outsole Compound

Non-marking Rubber Outsole with Quadro-Grip Wave-Siping™ for Ultimate Dry / Wet Traction & Added Stability

Rain or shine, know your conditions!  Keep track with changes in the weather by taking along a Kestrel Weather Tracker