- If you're used to riding in flatter terrain,
close to home with little in the way of natural challenges,
riding in the high mountains can be a daunting prospect.
Not least, what do you even wear?
Because clearly, the weather down here--
- Can be very different to the weather here.
- And especially when you get up somewhere like this.
So coming up, several tips and hacks
on just how you can dress for riding in the mountains.
- But this isn't a survival video, though.
We won't be showing you how to stay alive
in the wilderness,
or how to light a fire in a remote shepherd's hut.
We'll leave that to Sean Conway.
- We will leave it to Sean Conway mainly 'cause
we don't know how to do it.
- We don't.
- We wouldn't last five minutes.
- Is there a cafe at the top here?
- Yeah, there is actually.
- Hope so.
(upbeat music)
- The main challenge is to take the right clothing with you,
so you can build up a head of steam,
on a long, or potentially very long climb.
And then when you stop at the top not get cold.
Of course for descending down the other side as well.
- That's right, realistically,
the best thing that you can do is to pack
a lightweight wind or waterproof jacket with you,
that you can then stash in your back pocket.
Admittedly, on summer days with clear blue skies,
if I was just doing a short ride up one call and
then back again, I'd probably just take a super
lightweight gilet, or vest.
But as soon as you're tackling multiple cols,
where you're going to be descending into different valleys
with very localised weather systems,
you're definitely going to want something more substantial,
because the threat of rain increases significantly.
So, something like this,
which is waterproof and is going to be able
to shrug off sudden thunderstorms, is going to be ideal.
- You would not regret it.
- No, you wouldn't.
(upbeat music)
- When climbing, it's important to keep
as much air circulating as is possible
so you don't get damp with sweat
and some of the best things you can wear are warmers.
Now, non-cyclists,
won't possibly get their head around the non-ironic use,
of an arm warmer or leg warmer or even a knee warmer.
And they might look a bit weird until they're on,
but then,
they're genius.
- That's right, arm warmers can be rolled down whilst
on the move or taken off and thrown in your back pocket.
Likewise, knee and leg warmers can also be easily stored.
And the difference they make to your core body temperature
when on, is just unbelievable.
And so for the sake of carrying an extra hundred grammes
of fabric, they are definitely worth packing.
(upbeat music)
- Sticking with light clothing that can get you
out of the weather related fix,
are these light, fleecy gloves that take up pretty much,
next to no room in your back pocket.
But, can help you get out of one of the most painful
cycling situations out there.
And that is freezing hands.
And that happens particularly on wet descents.
And it can actually be really dangerous because you got
to lose sensation in your hands,
they go numb and you can't brake.
And as for changing gear, well forget it.
- That's right, so these bad boys,
are an invaluable addition.
Especially, in fact, when paired,
- Da da.
- With these.
- Hm, don't get worried.
- Disposable gloves, that you can pick up
in a petrol station.
A great addition to any saddlebag, to be fair,
so that they stop your hands getting covered in muck,
when carrying out roadside repairs.
But when paired with these,
oh yeah,
glove hack.
Warm, waterproof, gloves.
And pretty fetching too.
- I tell you what, I bet that their pretty aero as well.
(glove snap)
Glove hack.
(upbeat music)
- Ah, the cycling cap.
Another tiny little bit of fabric
that punches well above it's weight.
I would say in fact, that it is worth it's weight in gold.
But, it is so light,
that it's probably not actually worth anything.
But, nevertheless, as far as we're concerned
this is the final item of clothing
to stick in your back pocket.
Pull it out at the top of a long descent,
in order to keep your head cosy.
Or wear it in a sudden rain storm to keep the rain
out of your eyes.
In that case, you would of course will need the peak down.
In all other situations, peak up.
- It's peak down. Down!
Down!
(echo)
- Weird.
(upbeat music)
- Now if, as we mentioned at the start of the video,
you're going to venture out into the wilderness,
into the high mountains and you certainly might want to take
a few more bits of kit with you.
But what we've got here today,
will certainly get me and Si through,
even a big day in the mountains.
- Yeah, but having said that,
it's also worth talking technique as well.
So, firstly, do make sure that you try and
remove layers of clothing before you get too hot
when you're riding.
So that could be jackets, arm warmers, leg warmers,
or even just unzipping your jersey.
Because whilst,
for some of us anyways, inevitable that we're going
to get wet with sweat.
Trying to avoid it, if at all costs
is definitely a good plan.
- And finally, don't wait around too long at the top
of a mountain, because the heat that you've built up,
will soon dissipate,
and you factor that in with the wind chill as well,
and you could end up, very quickly,
getting into some pretty bad shape.
So if you're waiting at the top for stragglers,
it's an idea to go back down the climb
and then ride back up with them.
Or ride just over the top, where it's a bit more sheltered,
at a preordained meeting place, or better still,
find somewhere warm you can get a hot drink.
- That's right. And for someone like Matt as well,
it's also worth mentioning, to be quick with your selfies.
- That's a good point, well made Si.
- It's alright mate.
I know you were uncomfortable making that point.
- No thanks a lot.
- Yes, okay.
- Remember to stay ventilated and stay toasty.
Now if you're one that stops short for all things cycling,
you can subscribe to the Global Cycling Network,
if you haven't already done so,
by clicking on the globe somewhere on this screen.
- That's right, and for more content,
why not click just down here,
for a video where you get to ride in real time
up this very hill, courtesy of Daniel Lloyd.
And indeed, to see a true epic climb,
why not check out Colle delle Finestre,
also in Italy, that Matt and I did a couple of years ago.
That one is just down there.
Got it mate, woo hoo.
- Let's go.