Sunday Morning Snail Dodging
After a succession of rainy weekends, I took one look at the blue peeking through the blinds early this morning and immediately threw on a pair of tights, technical shirt, shoes and the brand new Triple Trail Shell I received a week ago from Columbia Sportswear. Field testing winter gear when you live in San Diego is tricky, but the 48 degree air and chosen bike route were perfect to discern the colorful jacket's wind resistance and wickability.
When it's warm, you live for the breezes on long downhills and dread the heat generated on the climbs. But when late fall and winter arrives, it's the reverse. The winds tear at your face, ears and limbs as you barrel down steep parts of bike paths; you start longing for a different discomfort from leg churn. Today was different, and I think it's because of this jacket.
First: a disclosure. I immediately fell in love with this jacket before I even tried it on or read about the technology to keep you 20% warmer by reflecting back the heat your body generates. I cared more about the cut and the colors than the fact that Columbia's patented omni-tech weather protection system allows you to wick away moisture so you don't stew in your own sweat. I also gushed to friends about all the secret pockets that come in handy on long hikes.
The bright colors are instantly cheery, but they also mean I can be easily spotted should I be lost or injured. This is important to me, as is the reflective material that makes me easier to spot before dawn or after dusk.
The jacket worked fabulously on my first test ride. I felt confident as I meandered through the Carmel Valley, dodging snails forced into the open due to last night's downpours. It didn't matter which road I took -- the 56 bikepath ... Rancho Santa Fe ... my beloved Black Mountain -- they were everywhere.
As I passed alongside the gated communities of the 1% in Fairbanks Ranch, I concentrated on avoiding these creatures. And I did an excellent job until I was just a quarter mile from my house and I heard a loud crunch. My back wheel had betrayed me.
But my new jacket did not. I can't wait for next weekend's outing and maybe an opportunity over the holiday to test the thermal underwear I also received. I'm thinking it may mean a trip into the mountains, where it's already in the 30s. And, I hope, the snails are all tucked safely away.
This is the jacket, inside and out. Pretty cool, huh?
When it's warm, you live for the breezes on long downhills and dread the heat generated on the climbs. But when late fall and winter arrives, it's the reverse. The winds tear at your face, ears and limbs as you barrel down steep parts of bike paths; you start longing for a different discomfort from leg churn. Today was different, and I think it's because of this jacket.
First: a disclosure. I immediately fell in love with this jacket before I even tried it on or read about the technology to keep you 20% warmer by reflecting back the heat your body generates. I cared more about the cut and the colors than the fact that Columbia's patented omni-tech weather protection system allows you to wick away moisture so you don't stew in your own sweat. I also gushed to friends about all the secret pockets that come in handy on long hikes.
The bright colors are instantly cheery, but they also mean I can be easily spotted should I be lost or injured. This is important to me, as is the reflective material that makes me easier to spot before dawn or after dusk.
The jacket worked fabulously on my first test ride. I felt confident as I meandered through the Carmel Valley, dodging snails forced into the open due to last night's downpours. It didn't matter which road I took -- the 56 bikepath ... Rancho Santa Fe ... my beloved Black Mountain -- they were everywhere.
As I passed alongside the gated communities of the 1% in Fairbanks Ranch, I concentrated on avoiding these creatures. And I did an excellent job until I was just a quarter mile from my house and I heard a loud crunch. My back wheel had betrayed me.
But my new jacket did not. I can't wait for next weekend's outing and maybe an opportunity over the holiday to test the thermal underwear I also received. I'm thinking it may mean a trip into the mountains, where it's already in the 30s. And, I hope, the snails are all tucked safely away.
