What do you use for a jersey on tour?

[snafuspyramid]

On my last few mini-tours and daily commute I've used my synthetic road racing jerseys.

However, I started to find them constricting and irritating on really long rides.

I've starting riding with a merino/lyocell blend polo shirt. It seems to breathe nicely without getting smelly (unlike the synthetics).

I was also surprised to discover that it doesn't have an issue with flapping around. For one, I rarely go very fast on a loaded tourer (even on descents), and for another, it's fairly close fitting. Because I ride in a fairly upright position, the special cut of performance jerseys isn't really necessary (in contrast to being hunched over on a roadie).

I'm wondering whether I should retire the synthetics for my next tour. A recent visit to a specialist emergency vet deprived me of the funds to tour NZ as I'd planned, so I'm organising a short four-day tour of the Otways and then a few weeks in Tasmania over summer.

What sort of jersey / shirt do you ride with?

[RonK]

This one.


Ground Effect Median Strip

I also recommend one of these.


Ground Effect Jetson

Plus arms and legs.

[DavidL]

I just tour with Merino, mostly Ice Breaker gear but that is mainly because it is getting rather old now and I did most of my purchasing when Ice Breaker what the only real source for it.

I do take a long sleeve cycling jersey that might get an occasional use normally when it is hot, but when going into country towns I don't feel comfortable with the "lycra" look and prefer more casual clothing when touring.

Merino also doesn't smell and can be warn day after day and still remain reasonably socially acceptable.

- David.

[snafuspyramid]

Well that was disappointingly uncontroversial.

How about this:

Wool or synthetics?

An interesting article on point: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... kK_0oZgeSo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The upshot is that the performance differences are negligible, except that wool does not get smelly and takes much longer to dry (since I prefer to wash clothes frequently on the road these two cancel each other out).

[RonK]

Well that was disappointingly uncontroversial.

You asked what shirts we wore - do you really expect it to be a controversial subject? It's not news that there is little difference in performance.

I've worn synthetics on tour in the past. They don't irritate me - it's you who are doing the complaining.

As for washing, I carry three sets and wear them only once before washing. I don't stuff around with washing bags - washing machines and dryers are everywhere, and everything dries quickly in a dryer.

However if you insist on handwashing, then merino can be worn wet if necessary and it will still keep you warm.

[il padrone]

When a mate and I rode through the Flinders Ranges to Arkaroola and along the Oodnadatta Track, we went long periods withut handy access to water or washing facilities. Seven days between meaningful clothes washing on the Oodnadatta Track. So the non-pong attributes of my merino blend thermal top became very highly valued. Since then I have bought even more merino and do not regret it. It's a bit too warm for the hottest days and this is really the only time when I find the good wickable synthetics of greater value.

[Tim]

$6.00 K-Mart cotton T shirts. Bright colours. $4.00 ea on special.
Work perfectly well in warm weather. Sometimes get a bit clammy if worn under another layer of clothing or a jacket, but still no big problem. I wear them all year round for touring or faster local road riding.
I honestly can't tell the difference between wearing cotton T Shirts, more expensive thermals (poly and merino) or "proper" cycling jerseys. I own and wear all of the above and barely notice any difference.

[il padrone]

You are yet to ride a cold, wet, 15 km climb into the muntains with a cotton T-shirt anywhere close to your skin then I assume ??

Cotton shirt on a sweaty climb that is followed by cold/wet weather is a recipe for hypothermia. Please Tim, do not advise them as suitable "all-year round for touring". I've been on tours when people* have worn this sort of clothing - it's not a nice thing sorting out the jibbering wreck.


*I can include myself in this group of 'people'

[Tim]

Fair enough, cotton isn't a good choice if facing very cold and wet weather and the risk of hypothermia.
I know it looses all thermal value if wet. However, for everyday riding around in milder conditions I find it perfectly adequate. It dries quickly in very hot weather when worn uncovered and in cooler weather as long as I regulate my body temperature by opening zips or removing excess layers it works fine. Yes, wool and synthetics are better and safer in extreme conditions but all I'm getting at is that it isn't necessary to have to buy expensive specialised clothing to enjoy cycling under all but the worst of conditions.

[RonK]

I'm getting at is that it isn't necessary to have to buy expensive specialised clothing to enjoy cycling under all but the worst of conditions.

As long as you can reliably predict that the conditions you will face will be mild. If you can't then it is more practical to take clothing that works under all the likely weather conditions. It would not be wise to get caught out in a December blizzard in the Tasmanian highlands wearing just a cotton t-shirt.

[thecaptn]

I use my road jerseys while riding on tour and merino for whem I'm in camp. I sweat a fair bit and so At the end of every days ride I wash my riding kit. I have a small bottle which has a mix of clothes detergent and detol in it for washing. If there's no laundry where we are then I wash in a 10lt Sea to Summit folding bucket(making sure that no residues find their way into creeks etc). I always have a tub myself, even in the alps in winter I'll jump in the creek to wash off the salt, and then I put on my merino. My merino layers can last longer without washing if need be due to this scedule and I only need 2 jerseys/nicks for when riding.
Pete

[Tim]

To be completely honest the reason I wore cotton T shirts this winter is that the 3 nice merino thermal tops I bought last year spent all summer neatly folded up and stored in a wicker basket in my bedroom. As the days cooled off I pulled them out only to discover that moth larvae (maybe mice, I'm not sure) had eaten holes through all three shirts. Bugger.
I hate the smell of moth balls too. Reminds me of smelly old grandmothers.

[thecaptn]

That really sucks mate, merino stuff isn't cheap.

[Uncle Just]

Tim I've also had good woollen tops and a few jumpers eaten by moths. I now use cloves instead of toxic moth balls but lavender, rosemary, cedar wood, mint, thyme and sage are all good repellents too.

From Natural Home Protection Green Living...."Watch the offspring It's not the adult moths that eat you out of house and home but rather their hungry offspring. Female moths lay an average of 40 to 50 per day and when the larvae hatch they start munching. The secret is to catch the larvae before they hatch. Take any infected clothes and put them in a freezer for 48 hours. Hang them out in the sun -- the bright sunshine will kill the larvae immediately. Washing and hanging out in the sunlight is equally as effective. Never put tops away unwashed as moths love the sweat. So the first rule in protecting your household is to make sure any winter clothes in storage are clean. The vacuum cleaner is another important tool against moths. Moths love to hang out in warm, dark places, nestling into nooks and crannies. Vacuuming any wooden furniture, along baseboards, heating vents and woollen carpets can go a long way to preventing an outbreak".

[Tim]

Thanks for the tips Uncle.

[snafuspyramid]

After some more riding and experimentation I've given up on using the merino blend polo for a jersey - the fact that it doesn't have a half-length zip means that it doesn't ventilate well enough. The much longer drying time is a real issue for me, since I sweat a heap.

I think what I'm after is a synthetic jersey with a less aggressive fit. Most of mine are European style jerseys from my time racing so are very narrow cut, and for that reason, uncomfortable and a bit constricting for very long stretches, especially around my biceps. It's not really the fabric choice that's in issue, more the design.

I read that American designs tends to be more generously proportioned, so I'll have to go looking for something like that. Does anyone have any suggestions for good quality synthetic jerseys? I do have a nicely fitting Australian-made Scody top from a corporate-sponsored event a few years ago, but I don't think they sell directly to the public.

[RonK]

After some more riding and experimentation I've given up on using the merino blend polo for a jersey - the fact that it doesn't have a half-length zip means that it doesn't ventilate well enough. The much longer drying time is a real issue for me, since I sweat a heap.

I think what I'm after is a synthetic jersey with a less aggressive fit. Most of mine are European style jerseys from my time racing so are very narrow cut, and for that reason, uncomfortable and a bit constricting for very long stretches, especially around my biceps. It's not really the fabric choice that's in issue, more the design.

I read that American designs tends to be more generously proportioned, so I'll have to go looking for something like that. Does anyone have any suggestions for good quality synthetic jerseys? I do have a nicely fitting Australian-made Scody top from a corporate-sponsored event a few years ago, but I don't think they sell directly to the public.

I believe I have already mentioned the Ground Effect jerseys. They offer a range of merino blend and synthetic jerseys. Since they are essentially designed for MTBers they are a much roomier cut than a normal road jersey. I have both the synthetic Road Rage and the merino blend Median Strip. The merino is the winner for mine - do yourself a favour and check them out.