Issue 150: Chipps’ Summer Ridewear

Tops – not enough co’s making tops with reinforced (well, thorn resistant) sleeves.  I think that 7mesh has upper body and shoulders but forearms are shredable mesh.  I’ve got great 3/4 sleeve Rapha (but I’m tall so had modify the sleeves so it gets over my forearms).  Also an old long sleeve Fox which has tough but vented sleeves but the body on that is over meshy and catches on anything.

Trail tools – +1 on the billhook and Silky.  I had a lovely pair of felco anvil pruners I picked up cheap on eBay.  But even the red handles were no help when I dropped them somewhere on a trail covered in wild garlic.  Replaced with ‘fake felco’ Darlac (same seem to be sold as about 10 other brands) and they’re not a patch on the real ones. But they’re less than £20.  there must be something that’s both good and cheapish

Put a loop of rope on the Silky saw – much less likely to lose it if you hang it it up on a branch rather than burying it on the ground… (pruners with a hole in the handle would be good for same reason).

should I have received this issue yet?

Wears a goping Hawaiian shirt for the summer riding clothes article, but doesn’t say where one can buy goping Hawaiian shirt.

*For reference I wear goping Hawaiian shirts at every opportunity, just to annoy other people. It’s quite astonishing how many people it upsets, especially the roadies.

Silkys and the like will take no prisoners if they slip onto your finger/hand. If you go out with a plan to use one I’d also take decent gloves (Ripeur 2 stand up well, but are a bit spendy for occasional use).