CycleBanter.com - View Single Post - How come bicycle clothing looks so silly?

**Peter Cole[_2_]**

wrote:
On Jan 14, 11:36 am, wrote:
" wrote:
My facemask is the arm of a
cotton polyester long sleeved shirt.
Question.... how does that fit over the head?

I should have said t-shirt. I had a cotton polyester turtleneck. More
polyester than cotton. I cut the sleeves off and made a couple of ear
covers with one sleeve and a balaclava sort of contraption with the
other sleeve. I wear one or the the other ear cover all the time under
the helmet. It protects me into the 30s and I can wear it up to the
60s without overheating. My ears ache below 55 degrees but a fleece
ear cover was too hot and I would overheat. I started using a piece of
sleeve and it worked wonders and keeps me warm into the 30s. I usually
combine it with a face mask that covers mouth, nose, part of ears and
velcros behind my head. As soon as I warm up I remove the face mask
but keep the ear covers on for the whole ride.

I had bought some cheap arm warmers a long time ago, but wouldn't fit
me. I had cut legs from some tights that I would use as leg warmers. I
put them on my arms and covered them just fine and were not tight. So,
they became my arm warmers. I bought another pair of cheap supplex
tights at target for $10.00, cut the legs off and they became my leg
warmers.

I get lots of grief from my friends but I ride very comfortably. I
have tried a number of balaclavas in stores and they all seem tight,
itchy and thick. The only one that seems to be warm, yet light and not
to tight is the Craft brand one, but it is expensive. I am still
considering it.

I cut a strip of light stretch fleece and wear it like a headband, but
lower, covering my cheekbones and nose. My balaclava covers my forehead
and chin, so the only thing exposed is my mouth and eyes. Works well
when temps are in the teens and below. The balaclava I like is a Campmor
cheapie, about the weight of T-shirt material -- all I ever need.