WoolWeenies Club

[elk]

Yipppeee!!! that's me yelling on the inside as I rode around and up and down the hills of my neighborhood this afternoon ON MY NEW AURORA----IN MY NEW WOOL!!!

I wore a LS crew and my persimmon switchback and even though it was chilly and i am still lingering on the edge of a cold/flu...I did not overheat and thus sweat and I was not cold...I was happily thermoregulated!

Can't wait for all that wool I bought this weekend (dangerous lying in bed with nothing to do and a credit card).

I also just got 2 100% merino sweaters on ebay for 20.00...!!! including a black full zip....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh man, Elk....you are really COOKIN'!!!!!
I am so happy to hear how happy you are with your new touring bike.

I LOVE the Skyline Ibex top in black/chalk I got today:
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...l-Zip-Wool-Top
Dianyla was right- it's not "that" thick- it's thinner than the shaks and switchbacks, but thicker than the usual base layers. It is very cozy and soft, and it looks great on me- a very slimming and flattering style. I feel like I'm on Star Trek. A nice change from the cat burglar all-black look I tend to wear too much. I don't care for the new Ibex "warm green", so that one is going back and I'll keep the black/chalk one.

[elk]

I agree with you about that green...besides, I think that black one is kind of sexy....!!

The combo of a lighter bike with lower gears and I was zippin up hills---even in my weakened state --that I struggled like mad with before---and I think the 2 wool layers made it all possible....

Now I need to rethink the shell part...I have a showers pass dbl century but it fits pretty closely....and I want something I can wear over several layers of wool that breathes and is wind and waterproof....suggestions gladly accepted!!!


( OMG...that Aurora is awesome...instant passionate bonding---I had to force myself to go home so I wouldn't overdo it...I am madly in love!!! and I think it must fit just right, I have no complaints. )

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I agree with you about that green...besides, I think that black one is kind of sexy....!!

The combo of a lighter bike with lower gears and I was zippin up hills---even in my weakened state --that I struggled like mad with before---and I think the 2 wool layers made it all possible....

Now I need to rethink the shell part...I have a showers pass dbl century but it fits pretty closely....and I want something I can wear over several layers of wool that breathes and is wind and waterproof....suggestions gladly accepted!!!

Yes the black/chalk skyline top IS very sexy- I'm wearing it today!
The green one looked good on the website, but on me it just looked vaguely pukey.
I feel like I have more energy when I'm biking if I'm wearing wool- sounds crazy I know, but my skin can breathe better and I can move better.

Here's one suggestion since you asked- wear your thin wool base layer, then a longsleeved wool midweight top, then get one of Ibex's VESTS to wear over that. If it's just light rain or drizzle, either the Ibex dense wool vests or their Cirrus fabric vest, will keep you dry and snuggly. Heavy rain requires a real rainproof jacket of course, but I'm usually not biking in heavy rain myself.
My Ibex switchback vest (in persimmon!) keeps me pretty dry and warm in light rain. The wetness seems to mostly stay on the outer surface. Just hang it over a chair to dry out when you get home.

OK- here is something really funny that happened to me an hour ago at the supermarket......
I swear this is true!- I was standing at the checkout in my new Ibex skyline top and my black wool leggings and smartwool socks. This tiny little 80something year old white haired lady next to me, who looked like Church Lady or something, says to me:
"That outfit looks so GREAT on you!"
Well I was very pleased and I said ThankYou!!. Then she said:
"That must be PURE MERINO WOOL!"
Well you could have knocked me over with a feather.

I asked how she knew that. And she said "Well I have a couple of pure merino sweaters and there's just NOTHING else that keeps you as warm and feels and looks as good as merino!"

OMG it was too great!

[mimitabby]

cute story, Lisa.

[elk]

well you and wool, Lisa...obviously meant to be..

I just found a land's end jacket i bought years ago that is windproof and i think it might even be waterproof...and its BIG on me...I must be losing weight...and it'll make a good shell too!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Here, I took a picture somehow in the mirror (believe me, this takes all my brain power, hence the vacant expression!) of me in my new Ibex Skyline merino top and my Ibex wool tights. Smartwool thick socks.
I used to wear this kind of stuff only when biking. But it feels so good that I often just wear it, like today- it was cold and windy and rainy and I went to the supermarket and bank and PO and was sooo cozy. People ask me "Are you riding your bike?" and i just answer "Not right now, but I might jump on it at any second!"

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