And so today, without a word of warning, I’m going to talk about my underwear.
OK, relax. I’m not (to the disappointment of only a tiny few) going to venture towards the downstairs department. Because, as Johnny Hoooooogerlund had the misfortune to confirm just the other day, there’s nothing to talk about there.
But it will be no surprise to anyone who reads this (because I expect that you all know me already) that I prefer winter to summer. And winter in Brisbane means a wool base-layer. Pretty much any time the temperature gets below 17-18 degrees I’ll be wearing wool underneath my jersey when I step out the front door and head down to the bike shed.
And the reason why I’m bringing this up now? Well, it’s timely for the coolest days of the year here, but it’s also timely because I have a new favourite piece of cycling kit. The Bart (pictured above right) was 25% off at NZO last week, and I couldn’t resist. I said to Annette that it was because I have several wool undershirts that are just about ready to be thrown away. And that’s true, but I can’t bring myself to discard old friends.
I have a David Jones v-neck wool undershirt that is more holes than shirt. And a grey Netti wool undershirt (like this one at left), that has been washed so many times that it has barely any shape to it at all.
And a Body Torque half-half wool-polyester undershirt that is slightly thicker and a tighter weave, and therefore perfect for mornings below 10 degrees.
And my favourite of all these favourites, a long-sleeve Lab-Gear merino undershirt that I must have had for nearly 10 years. (That link goes to a much newer model than mine, which is just basic black).
I have a drawer-full of polyester cycling jerseys. Some of them have sentimental associations. And truthfully I think that for jerseys the artificial fabric works better than wool. Wool tends to be a bit too stretchy, and on cooler days lets through too much breeze when used as an outer layer.
But nothing beats the snugness, the warmth, the rightness, the righteousness, of wearing wool next to your skin while riding. You should try it.
































































































