My Review of GORE BIKE WEAR Phantom Bike Jacket - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

The Phantom bike jacket is a smart choice for spring riding. Its detachable sleeves let it double as a long-sleeve jacket and a short-sleeve jersey!

GORE BIKE WEAR Phantom Bike Jacket - Men's

Great for those chilly morning commutes

By Phil in SF from San Francisco, CA USA on 12/22/2011

 

5out of 5

Chest Size: Feels true to size

Pros: Warm, Windproof, Durable, Bright / Visible

Best Uses: Road Biking, Cold Weather, Commuting

Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist

Was this a gift?: No

Wanted a jacket for commuting that wasn't too bulky, was windproof, kept me warm and was good quality. I found this jacket. I commute daily in San Francisco leaving early in the morning when it is dark and chilly and retuning in the evening. This jacket's great it's wind proof, keeps the damp off and fits great. Sleeves are long enough I bought an XL and wear a 34-35 inch shirt the sleeves in this jacket are long enough for me. Under the jacket I wear an Under Armour long sleeve ColdGear shirt. This keeps me warm and not over heated. Morning commute averages about 45 degrees and with wind chill I stay warm with this combo. If you commute or ride when it's cold get this jacket. I just bought another one so I'll have one to wear when the other is in the wash.

(legalese)

Winter Commute Dec 2011

Winter is here. San Francisco winter is different than in other parts of the country and works something like this really cold in the morning with lots of wind chill, fog wind, warming in the afternoon for a pleasant ride home.

So basically you freeze in the morning and have a pleasant ride home. For the past several years I have been trying to get my clothing right so I can one not freeze and two not burn up on the ride home.

What I wear: Gore Wind-stopper jacket ( I have two) one I bought at REI which is safety green, the other which I bought at Sports Basement for $40.00 less is white. These jackets are mid-weight, stop the rain and fog and have zip off sleeves. I wear and log sleeve base layer from Under Armor, also I found that Pearl Izumi tights keep my legs warm and wool socks warm my feet. I use toe covers even in the rain. Having tried the full shoe cover they are hassle getting on and off. Also I have a beany that I wear under my helmet that comes down over my ears to keep them warm.

When it rains I have wear every thing with an addition of rain jacket.

Also my winter kit includes a few upgrades on my bike for winter, fenders and lights. I also added helmet lights this year and they work great. Soon it will be dark when I leave for work and when I come home so lights are crucial.

I carry every thing in an REI bicycling back pack that has a rain cover but I just ordered a Timbuk2 messenger bag with waterproof  lining and safety yellow and orange reflective panels. Should really stand out!

Ride Report & Weight Loss

In January one of my office mates comes in and says how would like to loss 15 lbs? I had blown up to 256 lbs over the holidays. The catch was you had to do it on your own, weigh in would be April 1st, for every pound you didn't lose you had to pay $100 to be split by the other participants (about 8 guys) I was in. As of today I am 236 lbs down 17 lbs and in much better shape. I started riding to work 3 days a week 25 miles round trip and long rides on the weekend, eating less carbs and drinking less wine. There has been a lot of rain in Nor Cal so riding has been on and off, but the weather is improving with some days summer like. Clearly it is a wet year in Northern Cal.

I also read Selene Yeager's book "Ride Your Way Lean", great book, fun to read and really improved my riding. I'd like to lose even more weight and get down to about 200 lbs. I think  I can do it by year end.s
s
My commuter bike, a Bianch Vigorelli, has new tires Kenda Konstrictor  that I bought on sale from Jensen's for $19.00 on close out. I  should have bought a dozen. The tires are real sticky in the rain and on dry roads, very supple and look like they are going to wear well. I have about 500 miles on them and they still look new. They also use "Iron Cloak" flat protection. I don't what that is or how it works, but I haven't had any flats. So I am happy with them a bonus is they ride great. Most folks use Conti Gator skins around here for flat protection, but the Kendas ride much nicer.