Winter Cycling: Keeping Warm

By now you've probably read about three-thousand articles on the exact same topic this one is going to be on, but frankly I'm not too bothered. At the time of writing, the blog has around fourty followers, so there's little chance, if any, that somebody with a genuine interest will even read this; but again, I don't really care. So if by any chance you do come across this article and actually share the same interest, nice one, enjoy.

    To start off, the first place anyone is going to begin is with the jacket, surely? The first of the two jackets I have decided on is the Castelli Zoncolan Jacket. Designed not only to keep you warm and dry, but to do so three or fours hours into that long wet winters ride, when you really, really don't want to be piss wet through. It has Castelli's own X-Fast2 fabric to it's name, making it fully water and windproof. 

 

  The second jacket of choice is the first of an inevitable tonne of Rapha products featured in this article, the Hardshell Jacket. This is simply a more 'protection based' version of the well renowned and respected 'Softshell Jacket'. It's made of a brand new Rapha exclusive fabric that is purposely designed to be 100% water and windproof, whilst staying breathable and managing to maintain somehow, the 'classic cool' every Rapha product has woven into it.

      Moving down a layer, your jersey (Gilet Optional Of Course), is another key component of your winter layering system. Starting with the long sleeved Rapha Brevet Jersey. This could possibly be the nicest jersey aesthetically there has been and the actual performance side of it isn't too shabby either. It's designed to be a staple in your winter training wardrobe and comes with a complimentary Brevet Gilet to keep away the cold. It is made with high visibility materials in the stitching and also in the strips across the front back and arm, for those long, fucking miserable days and nights of the British winter. Here's a chap looking very cool in it...

  The second jersey I have chosen to feature is the Castelli Gabba Long Sleeve Jersey. Made again with those horrible training days in mind, when you just want to fuck it all off and go home for a cuppa', hopefully though, this will make it that little bit more bearable. The rain and windproof technology incorporated is second to none, but in my own personal opinion, the best feature by a long shot is the 'Storm Flap' construction. This brilliantly practical contraption protects you from the wheelspray that can ruin a jersey within an instant.

       Moving onto Bib-Tights, I'll say it again, another absolutely key component in your winter training wardrobe, especially if you're a pansie like me. The first choice I've gone with is the Assos LL.Uno tights. A well proven brand who've been at the very pinnacle of all things cycling clothing for countless years and rarely rivalled on quality. The LL.Uno tights contain a perfect mixture of new technological advances within the creation of the products and materials used, whilst still managing to create a pair of great looking, perfectly designed, simple bib-tights. 

    The second pair of bib-tights, well where to begin? Now, I'm a Rapha whore, but the name just sums up everything these bib shorts entail; Rapha's Classic Winter Bib-Tights. The classic look, the classic feel, the classic brand, they ooze 'cool' whilst still being to top of the tree in their department at doing what they're designed to do, keep your legs warm during the shite winter rides. Top of the whole list in my opinion.

    We're onto the last couple of areas (in case you're still reading) but before that, the Overshoe or Shoecover as some prefer it, is a key component and should not be forgotten during this shite weather and trust me, there'll be fucking plenty of that. I have decided on just the one option this time, the Castelli Nano Shoecover. Now, before you start wondering why I'm so fucking stupid as to do a winter article with shoe covers that don't keep your feet warm; calm the fuck down, clear your head and buy some Merino socks, sorted. These shoe covers are literally unbeatable for water resistance and receive five star rating across a range of different tests. And, at just £39.99 RRP you don't have to break the bank to afford them, oh the joy!

    Onto the final area I'm going to cover, winter gloves. Again I have chosen just the one feature product as the idea of them is simply fucking amazing. The brand new Rapha Winter Glove System. Why just have one thick pair of gloves that leave your hands barely manoeuvrable when you can have three pairs with any of the three being worn at once, have that for variation. The bottom layer, the Merino Base Layer (£40.00) is aimed to be a comfortable and warm layer. Next is the Winter Glove (£60.00). Windproof and water-resistant to a degree, these add the movement based stretchy layer. The final layer, the Deep Winter Glove (£95.00) is the waterproofing layer and uses Rapha's very own PrimaLoft Insulation to keep your digits even warmer, fantastic piece of kit! 

    Or I suppose, if you're a flashy fucker, there's always the Rapha Leather Town Gloves?

    That's all for now, I hope the article was of help (If you're one of the few people reading it), cheers. 

Twitter - @joefawcett2

Top 5 Affordable Jackets.

Winters here, meaning one thing, jacket weather. Never a bad thing by any means, but with the proper winter jackets starting at about £50,000, you're not in a position to be picky, unless you're a rich bastard, that is. Here are five jackets that have been selected  that are within an affordable price range (for the sake of this blog, under £200) and that look brilliant layered up, there are different colours, styles, materials, lengths, fastenings, you fucking name it, they're in these five budgeted jackets, enjoy.

1. Albam Fisherman Cagoule

Camo's cool isn't it? well I certainly think so, and there seems to be a large rise in camo coming back into fashion at the moment, and in my opinion Albam have pulled it off so well in the return of their iconic 'Fishermans' jacket. They've gone for a slightly darker style of camo, which I think is brilliant, subtle's always better and when its combined with it adds up for a subtle but uncompromisingly cool jacket.

Its retailing now on http://www.albamclothing.com/ for £169

2. Gymphlex Training Jacket

We all love a half zip/button type cagoule don't we, especially in strong colours. And Gymphlex have hit the nail on the head with this one, its the only jacket they sell and honestly I think its quality, it comes in a range of four colours; blue and red with two, two-colour versions aswell in yellow and light blue, and red and blue.

Available from http://www.gymphlex.co.uk for £140

3. Penfield Kasson Mountain Parka

Third up on our list is this years re-issue of the Penfield Kasson, I had one of these a few years ago but ended up shifting it after wearing it too about death. Ever since then I started going off Penfield, with none of their releases since really doing anything for me, but thats changed this year with this re-issue of the Kasson. Not much has really changed with the actual jacket, its still the same price, and still the same 60/40 parka with the same pockets and the same contrast hooded lining. However the main difference this year is the colours, its been released in black, yellow, burgundy, and a cobalt blue, and in my opinion they are all seriously cool, my favourite being the stand-out yellow of course! So if your looking for a good quality parka this year, without wanting too spend the best part of a grand this is most likely your best bet. 

Available at http://www.endclothing.co.uk/brands/penfield  for £139

4. Elka Klitmoller 1 Jacket

Now we come to the fourth on our list, and its an instant classic, the infamous Elka raincoat which has made a large return in recent years after a collaboration between Elka and Norse Projects. The Klitmoller 1 jacket is possibly their most recognisable piece, and in my opinion they are seriously mint. Just the whole simplicity of the jacket stands out, and when thats teamed up with a set of bold colours ranging from red to yellow, olive green to white, your onto an instant winner. Easily one of the best jackets too keep the rain of your back and still stand out, and for the price who can complain?

Available from  http://www.endclothing.co.uk/brands/elka for £95

5. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket

Now we come to the final place on our list and although it was a close draw between this and a Paul Smith Cagoule, I ended up going for the Patagonia. Ive liked these Torrentshell jackets for a while and have always regretted not grabbing the orange one that as around a while back, but at least they're's still some styles about ay? And that brings me to the actual Torrentshell's we're featuring, the only two currently available at the moment I believe one, in a 'Graphite Navy' and the other in a 'Suede Brown'. I am actually really keen on both these colours and I personally think they suit the Torrentshell style of jacket with their simplicity. My favourite out of the two being the 'Graphite Navy' mainly because of the contrasting blue toggles and zips its equipped with.

Available from http://www.oipolloi.com/shop/brand/patagonia for £100

Twitter: @Josh_Chell and @JoeFawcett2

Winter Necessities - Socks

Here we are, finally entering those shite nights of the Great British winter, hurrah! The days of freezing your bollocks off watching the football, or whatever else you decide necessary to do during your weekends off, the days that become nights before you can even fucking blink! But this blog should hopefully provide an insight into the biggest problem you will encounter this winter, the cold.

    No matter how layered you are (or think you are), with your brushed shirts, knitted jumpers and thick coats, you will always neglect what is probably one of the most important parts of your body for warmth, your feet. But you have no need to worry any longer, here are a few examples of a shit load of socks on the market this winter, these being from Folk, Burlington and Happy Socks... Enjoy.

 Twitter @joefawcett2

Tricker's x End Clothing

This is just a quick blog, but I thought id make a little feature about the new Tricker's x End Clothing brogues that have been released.

Now personally I'm really into brogues, they're not everyone's cup of tea, but I think they're smart as. Continuing from that point, I'm resultantly really into Tricker's and although I'm not actually lucky enough to have a pair (A sixteen year old spending £400 on a pair of shoes does just seem a little excessive), I have seen some in shops and can say that they really are of excellent quality and that you certainly seem to get what you pay for. That being said I appreciate they're not for everyone, they're a bit chunkier than most brogues which can be an off put, but in my opinion they're some of the most stylish shoes about.

So, moving on to what this blog is actually about, the new Tricker's x End that were released 2 days ago. This collaboration has been ongoing for seasons and they've continued this year with 2 new models, both slight twists on Tricker's Bourton Derby Brogue. One being in Navy Aniline Leather, and the other in Acorn Antique Leather, both featuring white waxed laces and eyelets and also a contrasting leather linings.

They're retailing at http://www.endclothing.co.uk/brands/trickers for £375 and are available now.

Twitter: @Josh_Chell