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rivelo s/s peaslake jersey and honister bibshorts

rivelo peaslake s/s jersey

if i might begin this narrative at somewhat of a tangent, i'd like you to consider the state of affairs presiding on purchase of a new snare drum. and on the basis that this might be a situation that many will not have had the joy to experience, i will, for a moment, elucidate.

though there are as many ways to tune (or tension, if you prefer) a snare drum as there are adele fans in the world, every drum company appears to operate a standard tuning procedure, resulting in each new snare arriving in a similar state of percussive intent. i cannot deny that the more than pleasant snap to be heard on striking said drum with a stick that just happens to be adjacent to one's tv chair (doesn't everyone have one of those?) is most agreeable, it's rarely the specific sound i have convinced myself i wish to hear.

rivelo peaslake s/s jersey

new snare drums have more than just a few things in common with new bikes, not least of which is an overwhelming need to go try them out as soon as they're released from the box. both will need personal fettling to suit their new owner, ministrations that inevitably only increase the longing to either pedal or paradiddle. but few would disagree that those ministrations are a necessary part of human development.

the scene thus set is more than applicable to many another pertinent situation, but here i am specifically thinking of bibshorts and short sleeve jerseys. i say this because the way the apparel providers often portray the potential joy to be garnered straight from the packaging, is rarely that which fits with individual circumstances.

rivelo peaslake s/s jersey

though i write this in the middle of an unnaturally west coast warm spell that currently has every window in the croft flung wide open in the quest for physical coolness, this is very much the exception rather than the rule. short sleeve jerseys received in the hebrides at the end of april are almost never going to be worn in such solitary manner. more likely they will be accessorised with armwarmers, a gilet, or more likely, a wind and waterproof jacket. and even if the latter is not worn from the outset, it will have need of ensconcement in a rear pocket.

similarly with bibshorts; it is a brave or foolish fellow who sets out for the sunday ride, confident that his knees will not have succumbed to weather borne cryogenics before froth supping time. the bibshorts will have almost undoubtedly been matched to a pair of knee or legwarmers. and just to be philosophical for a moment, if bibshorts cover a full-length pair of legwarmers, should they not be considered as two piece tights?

rivelo honister bibshorts

anyhoo, with one or two days worth of exceptions, to consider the two rivelo items in any manner other than discrete components of a comfortable bike ride, would seem either naive or foolhardy. for it is every bit an important facet of such garmentage that they fulfil any situation into which they are thrown. thus, a headwind inflected ride of more than just a few dozen kilometres where the rivelo peaslake jersey played the part of mid-layer under a gilet, and the honister bibshorts were matched with an appropriate pair of kneewarmers can hardly be seen as iniquitous.

rivelo honister bibshorts

the burgundy pattern that alternates between flat panel, thin white/burgundy hoops and a couple just a tad more slab-like, is pleasantly odd and quirky enough to commend itself to the pelotonese. the high-wicking properties of its remarkably thin and pleasingly soft fabric are indeed the very characteristics you'd hope for 'neath gilet or jacket. the armwarmers were just plain necessary to keep my arms warm.

the kneewarmers fulfilled a similar function south of the border. i realise that you have me portrayed as a rough, tough hebridean flandrian who wears shorts all year round, and i cannot deny the part i have played in encouraging just such an impression. but in truth, those knees did not adopt chris hoy proportions without an appropriate level of cossetting.

rivelo honister bibshorts

the kneewarmers, however, have little or no bearing on what are a particularly ideal pair of bibshorts. i did have slight misgivings over the height of the waist when considering the occasional natural break, but those proved to be unfounded. the cytech pad provided all the fit and comfort you'd expect from what would seem to be the industry standard.

i have since had the good fortune to ride in jersey and bibshorts al fresco, if you catch my drift and they provided everything they'd promised. but i often find you can discover more about cycle clothing when worn as part of an overall look, one more akin to the real world engendered by a uk climate. in this respect, rivelo are to be commended on both these ostensibly summer season offerings.

after all, were they truly for summer wear only, why would they be any use to me?

the rivelo peaslake jersey is available in blue, grey or burgundy (reviewed), in sizes small to xxl at a cost of £90. the honister bibshorts are in basic black with blue, red, grey or black trim in similar sizes at a cost of £120.

rivelo.cc

wednesday 11 may 2016

twmp ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................