Clothing question

[shadon]

I need to buy a florescent jacket, given that it's summer in San Francisco, which means fog. I need to be seen! I went to Sports Basement this weekend and nothing that they had fit. I looked at TeamEstrogen, but I don't see anything that is that good flourescent green color that can be seen in the fog.

Can anyone suggest sources for jerseys, jackets etc, for those of us who are riding to loose weight? Can anyone in the Bay Area suggest any shops that might be helpful?

[bikerz]

Shadon - welcome to the club! I've had the same problem, and so far have been riding without a jacket since January (brrrr!) cause I just can't find anything that fits. Last week I found myself riding in fog in black arm warmers, dark blue shirt, black shorts and legwarmers - I think I was pretty close to invisible, and it scared me.

I'm about ready to start looking for a man's jacket (probably start at REI), maybe with zip-out sleeves so I can use it as a vest. They are just so darn expensive I have been hesitant to buy something that either doesn't fit, or won't fit for long. Meanwhile, I have those little red lights that fit in the handlebar ends, a new bright yellow shirt, and a few other lights for front and back. I probably look like the Close Encounters UFO looming out of the fog!

For jerseys and shorts I have bought things from Aerotech and Mt. Borah (some of their stuff is on TE, and they have more on their own sites.) I think the Aerotech shorts are better than the Mt. Borah ones, FWIW. Unfortunately, neither site has jackets.

It's such a huge irony (and has been commented on in these forums before) that if you're heavy, you're are supposed to get out and exercise, but good luck trying to find good-quality, moderately stylish, clothing that helps the process. However, the good news is that cycling is a great way to lose weight, and after only 6 months, I'm starting to belive that regular old XLs may be in my closet sometime in my lifetime! (I started in 4x, now in 2x, and still losing - yay!)

Good luck, and welcome!

[ACG]

I actually have 2 jackets, both mens jackets, because I could not find womens jackets. I bought them at end of season sales, so I didn't feel bad about the price. This weekend I saw that Sheebest makes a ladies jacket, that bright, bright flourescent yellow/green. Sorry didn't notice the price. It was on a clearance rack too. Sorry I'm also in L.A. and this shop is only in this area. Good Luck

[caligurl]

i've seen flourescent rain jackets at performance.. .but don't recall jackets

[wabisabi]

hear you on the fog; Pearl Izumi makes some nice bright ones, both vest and jacket, about $60 I think.

[Trek420]

Shadon, welcome to the club. I'm a big fan of vests and arm skins instead of a jacket. What i usually wear is a bright-green-don't-hit-me vest commuting, I have one by Pearl Izumi and 2 by Voler. I like the Voler better, wind proof front, better venting in the rear. Then I use arm skins for the sleeves, sooooo flexible, up when it's cold, down when I warm up, off into the back pocket, back on again...I can be entertained for hours like that. Also lighter.


another good option is Illuminite for visibility...
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14717

I have 2 rain jackets but that's another thread ;-)

And Shadon, don't be shy now, forget the "for those of us who are riding to loose weight" bit, you're doing the AIDS ride next June, you rock grrl.

I just did my second ride. The 20-25 lbs I lost in training don't even matter, just a happy byroduct of the experience.

[bikerchick68]

http://voler.com/products.aspx?CID=1&PID=4

here's a link to Voler... they make a wind vest in a women's cut that is available in "ProTex" colors... two different styles and a lot of colors... good luck! Also maybe have some reflective tape added to the back if it's not already on the vest!

[shadon]

I've got some good places to look now! But first...I gotta get on my bike tommorow! I was planning on riding today, but instead had a fun day bike shopping with some friends. A very fun day! But I gotta get on the bike!

[nuthatch]

REI has their brand of rain jackets on clearance for $40 right now (probably overkill for you in summer?) Pit zips, long tail, taped seams, hi-viz yellow color, rear zip pocket - it looked very nice for wet rides. I saw them in the store - I don't know about on-line.

[shadon]

Thank you! Hardly overkill here...July in San Francisco can be pretty darned cold, btwn the fog and the wind!

REI has their brand of rain jackets on clearance for $40 right now (probably overkill for you in summer?) Pit zips, long tail, taped seams, hi-viz yellow color, rear zip pocket - it looked very nice for wet rides. I saw them in the store - I don't know about on-line.

[Sleek]

I like the Pearl Izumi Whisper vest in neon yellow for visibility. When it's hot, the mesh back is cooling. When it is cool, I wear another vest under it that is windproof, and sometimes add arm-warmers. I'm new to riding and the traffic freaks me out, so I'm hyper-careful.
It doesn't have a back pocket. Not sure if I'd like a 2-way zipper. I'd guess if zipped up from the bottom it would flap.

[Allie1DukeFn]

I just came across this one - http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1230

Hope it helps!

[Deanna]

The Pearlizumi Whisper Jacket here on TE is quite bright. And the reflective piping is a plus. My only complaint is the lack of pockets, but as far as visibility goes, if they can't see you in this, they're looking in the other direction.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=4271

[trigurl]

my vest is a Bellwether, it is windproof, it wasn't cheap but its uses are soooo worth it. I can ride earlier in the year and not freeze and it is bright! I wore it riding to work this morning, it was 68 degrees so I needed a little something. Oh, and it's a man's. I ordered a jacket, same maker, off ebay got it for $10.00!!! don't forget ebay.

[Pedal Wench]

I just came across this one - http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1230

Hope it helps!

I have this jacket, in pink. It packs away to almost nothing, so I can always carry it with me - probably rolls up to about the size of two Luna bars stacked up. It is a very thin material, and it is NOT waterproof. I wore it in a downpour and, as expected, got soaked. But, stayed warmer than with nothing.