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The Top Wool Clothing Myths Debunked

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many websites promote wool as the perfect cycling fabric because of its inherent natural fiber properties. The truth is, wool is good for certain situations but is far from the best textile for cycling. Most people promoting wool are doing so based on limited textile experience, and because they are attracted to wool’s classic aesthetic.

The fact is 100 silk is the best fabric for any outdoor activity including cycling. Silk is lighter, more durable, faster wicking, retains no odor and is significantly better at regulating body temperature. Wool is good for that classic feel and look in cycling, but its nature as a textile make it more likely to fray and become misshapen.

Wool is a natural organic material that has better odor control than many polyesters and synthetic blends. In fact wool does wick at a reasonable rate for its bulk, but that is not enough of a reason to promote it as the best textile for cycling. Light weight synthetics are often durable, faster wicking, faster drying and able to regulate the body temperature far superior to wool.

When buying a wool jersey: choose wool for its classic look and softness but not because it is superior.

Where to Buy Affordable and Quality Wool Clothing

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Wool clothing, specifically marino wool, is designed for bicyclists due to the many features it offers. This wool is lightweight and has the ability to keep the biker warm; while allowing perspiration to breathe through the wool garment and dry quickly. The wool also prevents sweaty odors from clinging.

You can buy affordable marino wool from either your local bicyclist store or from a variety of online websites. When looking for this wool, seek pure marino wool as opposed to part marino, part polyester and part cotton hybrid garments. While it may be a little more expensive, it is well worth the investment for the benefits this wool offers.

Other items of clothing to consider purchasing for bicycling include head and neck wraps, gloves with thermal lining, sealskin socks for river crossings, and thermal shoes to keep your feet dry. You may also find the need to wear arm and leg warmers to help keep your body warm.

Final tips to consider are to bring extra socks and any other clothing garment you feel may get wet and need replacement. You should also bring an insulated water bottle, if venturing in cold terrain, alongside your normal bottle in case the water freezes. If you experience cold fingers or cold toes, double up on the layers to provide extra warmth. Following these tips and wearing appropriate wool garments will aid in your comfort and safety.

Training and Nutrition for the Cyclist

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Training to be an accomplished or competent cyclist takes both muscles and cardiovascular endurance. Therefore, many types of exercises can benefit your riding even off the bike. Running and weight lifting will greatly increase your riding ability. However, your greatest bounds will come from on the bike training. As with any training, muscle confusion is a key factor. Therefore you must vary your workouts. Riding on a hilly course, riding on a flat course, riding on a road and then off road are all examples of types of riding you can do to change it up. Along with terrain, you must also shake up speed and distance. One day you can do a lot of half mile sprints and the next go for one long 30 mile ride. All of these will help improve your riding ability.

With any physical activity it is just as important to do well off the bike as on the bike. Resting in between rides and taking days off are important to recovery and to become better, you must eat right. After riding be sure and refuel on protein and water to ensure that your muscles recover fast and grow stronger from your ride to become the best rider you can.

Wool Wear – Beginners

admin — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When wool started catching on in the cycling community people everywhere used their http://www.satellitestarinternet.com/hughesne internet to look up the latest gear. We admit wool and athleticism doesn’t seem to make a great match but here are a few of our favorite garments
Socks – Who would have guessed wool socks could actually keep your feet drier? The interlock weave really helps your feet breathe and wool is great for higher climates where the temperature can drop low.
Intimates – Wool sports bras are a great alternative to traditional lycra and they’ve got a lot more give than you might think. The design of the wool weave means your bra stays in place better and gives you more support throughout a long ride.
Pants – Great for morning rides, wool pants offer a lot of protection from the elements while not allowing moisture to get trapped inside. There’s something special about a material that keeps you warm and dry when you’re working out and wool is it.
Give wool a chance! You’ll be surprised how much you like the unlikeliest of workout fabrics

Wool Clothing: Worth it’s Weight in Gold?

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Wool clothing is a smart choice for any cyclist out there. Although it has lost its popularity in recent years, almost every cycling jersey made 20 years ago was made of wool. The best type of wool clothing to buy for cycling is merino wool. Why merino wool? Merino wool keeps you warm in the winter, even when it gets wet. It is also softer and more breathable than traditional wool. While being great for the winter time, of course, merino wool can also be worn in any temperature. It can even stay comfortable in temperatures over eighty degrees. How is that for versatility? This fabric also wicks moisture, including sweat, away from the skin during those long, hot bike rides. It is also very good at preventing odor, due it its loose weave and breath-ability.
While being a little higher priced than many materials out there, merino wool more than makes up for its price in its year-round wear-ability. It is also a very high-quality fabric that can last for many years. There are many new websites specializing in selling merino wool cycling gear, so check them out. You may find wool to be your new go-to standard in cycling gear.Want to know more? Go ahead: Seven Days in a SmartWool Sweater

Wool or Wool Blend: Is there a big Difference?

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Wool garments are very popular among cyclists. Some wonder what the differences between wool and wool blend clothing are. Wool is water resistant. Wool has a strong water repellant layer outside of every fiber. Wool fibers absorb about 30 percent of its weight in water vapor without the material becoming wet, damp and uncomfortable. Wool also blocks out moisture and is great at blocking out outdoor moisture. Wool repels out water but absorbs water vapor which creates thermal regulation. It is also great at absorbing perspiration which is why cyclist wear wool when riding. By sweat being absorbed you stay warm and dry. This material also serves as a great insulator and has a wide comfort range which works for cycling because it adapts to different weather conditions.
Wool blend, of course, doesn’t have all the properties that 100 wool has because it combined with cheaper material. Wool does blend well but wool blend has a lower quality than wool. It is a good choice if you want to spend less money and still get some of the benefits of wool.
Overall wool and wool blend are different but both are good choices. If you want all the benefits of wool that is the way to go. If not go with the blend.

Wool Clothing is the Best Choice for Cyclists

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It used to be the only function clothing served was keeping people warm and decent. Athletes now consider clothing a vital part of their equipment. With all the state of the art fabric around, one would think cyclists would stay away from natural fabrics. Surprisingly, many cyclists consider wool the best choice for their clothing.
Wool is an ideal fabric for athletic endeavors. Like a lot of these space age fabrics, it will wick moisture away from your body. It is breathable and will keep cyclists cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While it does not dry as fast as synthetic fabrics, it does not lose its warming properties even when it gets wet. It also will not develop an odor as many synthetics will do.
While it does have a reputation of being scratchy, many varieties are soft to the touch such as superfine merino wool. This is the wool of choice for cycling outfits. Cycling clothes made of wool include gloves, jerseys, shorts, jackets and socks. Some manufacturers put Lycra in the fabric to improve the fit.
Of course, wool is not a requirement for an enjoyable cycle ride but it is well worth considering.

You Are Not Alone on the Road: Cycling Etiquette

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Cyclists often get a bad rap. Motorists and pedestrians consider cyclists to be dangerous and unpredictable. The best way to change public opinion is by learning and following basic cycling etiquette.
The first rule is simple. Most states, municipalities, and countries treat bicycles the same as other vehicles when it comes to traffic laws unless explicitly stated. So it is important to know and follow all traffic laws. This means following traffic lights, staying on the correct side of the road, coming to a complete stop at stop signs, and using turn signals. Intersections are dangerous and it is important to use turn signals properly. Turn signals on a bike can be confusing for the inexperienced because bikes do not come with turn signals. Instead there are simple hand signals that can be used when making a turn or changing lanes. Holding the left hand up and out at a 90 degree angle shows a left turn and using the right arm in a similar manner shows a right turn. Passing pedestrians and other bikers is also risky. Calling out “On your right” or “On your left” alerts others to your presence and cuts down on accidents. Most importantly, cyclists need to be aware of and obey all local traffic laws.