The Ultimate Riding Jacket?

While checking the Muur, I came across the Pocket Liner jacket, extraordinary pricey.

Speaking of pricey (if a little), I can't recall if you looked at the Rapha Race Cape.

High viz/fluro utilises an additional optical brightener dyestuff. This works by reflecting back ultraviolet light (invisible to the human eye) in the visible light spectrum, and 'amplifying' the base colour. It's used in lots of other things, to boost the brightness of white paper, and clothing detergents - this is how you can get 'whites whiter than white'.
After dark, there's very little ultraviolet light or artificial street/vehicle light, so the benefits for high-viz are during daylight hours, especially dawn and dusk, and in poor visibility weather.
...before this descends into chaos, I'm not saying it's a useless safety measure - it absolutely is - just an interesting point, and highlighting the need to utilise alongside retroreflective materials/good lights, and not be depended upon.
Another interesting effect is the Purkinje effect in which red looses vividness first (from brights) in low light.

I was in a skinsuit for the whole event. Even over here I was racing Mersey Roads in 9degC in a skinsuit. The work rate is high enough I can almost get away with it. Really wanted to put something else on though.

I often wonder how much energy those cold hours rob, and the extrapolated effect on miles in the morning-finish section. Is the 'coldest place in England' that I've heard about the area actually true?

@skinny
wear your favourite jacket, and go hi-vis gilet etc
?

My opinion was based on out riding in dark/rain and being able to see hi-viz wankers a lot easier than cool ninjas. But yes, the facts are true.

@noiser that is a thought. But I don't want to wear a gilet over a rain jacket, will kill any breathability. I think that bontrager will do. If it fits. If not I'll have a different idea.

The blue stripe and the lettering on my rain Cape thing are reflective.

Orange or blue for rain cape. No ninja or wanker colours.
Tried one before and they're very nice at a fair price.

Need to try the race cape though http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-team-race-cape/product/RNC03

I have one in medium that you can try, it's the old version without the zip on the cuff though.

Not sure if you fit medium or large.

Thanks man. But thinking the race cape doesn't have a drop back so no good really! Just the same as gore path I've got now really.

Hi chaps - Ages ago I decided to buy an Endure Urban Softshell, just for tooling about on the bike and commuting rather than any serious riding. However, everywhere now seems to be sold out of S.

So, does anyone know of any stores which might stock it OR are there any equivalents from other brands I should consider*? Arc'tyrex Gamma? Shell out of a Mission Workshop Orion?

*must be black, weather resistant, hooded.

I have a gamma with a hood and would recommend, however the hood is quite large so has the tendancy to kinda balloon behind you- depending on how fast your are going

I've actually now found an Endura one now, but after looking at other, pricer jackets, I can't quite bring myself to buy it... fuck.

Swrve Milwaukee?

Arc'tyrex Gamma

This is an excellent jacket, fit and feel is great. Although there is the MX hoody or the windstopper version…

I couldn't quite stretch to that so I bought a Montane Sabretooth (139 from surf dome). It too is excellent, just not quite as good as the arcteryx. Hood design is very good though - it follows your head so vision is unaffected.

Weather resistance - it breathes really well but does let wind through. It will hold off a light shower or road spray for about 30 mins before starting to saturate and leak. In the heavy rain this morning it soaked through in 15 mins - but i was still warm.

Also check out the 66º North soft-shell in Blacks - that was another option and meant to be great.

http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/002727-66-north-men-s-vatnajokull-softshell-jacket-black.html

http://www.surfdome.com/montane_jackets_-_montane_sabretooth_jacket_-_black-206481

The VENTA is nice, but pricey

http://www.snowandrock.com/arcteryx-mens-venta-ar-jacket/arc-teryx-jacket/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/222?listing=true

All these are good casual soft shells with a nice fit for riding in.

http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/127864

Seriously. Actually is fairly waterproof, and not too bad for riding around in, mine even has fairly long sleeves. Has a hood and looks nice off the bike. Layer it with a puffer underneath and you're laughing for all but the worst weather. Only currently in xs though, but if that fits then...

I went and checked out the Gamma, but the Arcteryx store in Covent Garden only had the MX, and not the LX. I'm not entirely sure what the difference is, but the MX was gorgeous.

However, I've also found out that I can get a substantial discount on North Face gear. Anyone got a North Face jacket that they wanna recommend. I'm tempted to get the Gamma for tooling around, and then a packable down jacket from North Face for serious warmth.

There is no LX. LT you mean? Stands for "Light weight":

http://arcteryx.com/naming-scheme.aspx?language=EN

Gamma MX is one of the best - if not the best - softshells available, and perfect for cycling - especially touring and commuting. Not race cut, so maybe not so good for fast training. Helmet compatible hood, low back with cinch cords, and good ventilation from the chest pockets (which are mesh inside). I have one. Get it.

North Face are shit, basically. Steer clear. Odd fit and the price / quality of materials used don't align. They use crap quality down in their insulated jackets, for example.

This is one of the best down jackets. Better than Rab etc:

http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=mens&materials=Down&model=Cerium-LT-Jacket

VERY light, 850 fill down (warm and light), and packs down to nothing.

If you don't need something so light and want to save a bit of cash, the Atom LT hoody / jacket / vest are also very good. Synthetic so a bit heavier, but more suited to wet British weather (don't get down wet).

Loving my City Rain atm too. Not yet had the courage to unroll the fluro bit and cycle with a bright pink baboons ass.

my girl exclaimed "monkey butt" in under 15 seconds.

I still wear it unapologetically when it's wet out though.

Thanks - that's really decent input. I think I'll pick up a Gamma MX as a soft-shell; found it available to pricematch down to £180 too.

I can get 50% off North Face, so I might find something there which doesn't suck too bad...

I'm rather pleased with my Assos Fujujack that i got from their website this summer.

Sweet.

2nd'd.
really rate this as a commuter/ casual riding jacket:
Karrimor Elite Alpiniste jacket

Might go check the Karrimor out - seems like a bargain for a proper shell. As I'm finding out, there's still times when you need a shell stuffed in your bag for heavy downpours.

they size very big. the jump from M to L was huge.
if you're normal build, M <90kg.

Really? Hmm, I may need a small or extra small! I'm 70kg, 175cm but reasonably broad shouldered so quite often need a medium to fit arms and shoulders but a small to be not baggy around torso.

Cheers for the heads up.