800 Mile December Bike Ride, Need Gear Advice

ANGRYCivilian · Post by **ANGRYCivilian** » November 2nd, 2006, 6:04 am

EvilCouch wrote:What's a flip-up helmet got to do with wearing glasses?

I have a full-face and wear glasses. I just have to take my glasses off before I put my helmet on or off.

I read on Web Bike World (I think) that it's extremely difficult to wear glasses with a full face helmet and that a flip-up helmet is better for glasses wearers.

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » November 2nd, 2006, 9:20 am

ANGRYCivilian wrote:
EvilCouch wrote:What's a flip-up helmet got to do with wearing glasses?

I have a full-face and wear glasses. I just have to take my glasses off before I put my helmet on or off.
I read on Web Bike World (I think) that it's extremely difficult to wear glasses with a full face helmet and that a flip-up helmet is better for glasses wearers.

Maybe. I haven't been riding that long, so I suppose it's possible for situations where it would suck would arise that I just haven't ran into.

Did they say what about having a full-face helmet makes wearing glasses difficult?

They're not trying to wear a full-face with some giant 70's pimp glasses are they?

ANGRYCivilian · Post by **ANGRYCivilian** » November 2nd, 2006, 12:29 pm

It said that while wearing glasses and pulling the helmet down, it caught on the glasses or pulled them off. Also, with the helmet on, it was difficult to slide the glasses in. I have never worn either type of helmet, so it was new to me.

rgrjoe175 · Post by **rgrjoe175** » November 2nd, 2006, 4:02 pm

I never had a problem with a full face and glasses. It is not difficult to put your glasses on with the helmet on....

JP

EvilCouch · Post by **EvilCouch** » November 3rd, 2006, 1:54 am

It's been around 40 degrees in Seattle lately, although earlier this week, it dipped down to the 30s. Most of the time, I've been just fine with my usual set up: Full face, wrist-length gloves, leather jacket, textile overpants, and boots.

You can bet I put the liners back into my jacket and overpants, though.

I don't know what it's like in West Virginia, but you should be set with something along those lines, although bringing some extra gear couldn't hurt, especially if you're not used to colder weather.

Sleepy Doc · Post by **Sleepy Doc** » November 3rd, 2006, 10:16 pm

If you are going to do any riding in the winter (and I had to ride all winter last year to get to work..) get yourself one of the electric vests to keep you warm. Make sure that your neck gaiter or balaclava will keep the wind out of the helmet..(I had to double up with a fleece bala and regular neck gater) your face can get wind chapped without one even with a full face helmet. The flip front helmets are great for glasses. I've used both and will never go back to a full-face. If you start to get tired or groggy, by all means stop, rest and get some hot chow. You might be getting hypothermic, not just sleepy.
The electric vest, however, will be woth it's weight in gold. You can find them in any decent motorcycle catalog

BruteForce · Post by **BruteForce** » November 4th, 2006, 1:05 am

I do quite a bit of biking and off-roading in Utah (6000 ft, and this time of year, around freezing in the early morning). The best advice I can provide is good 50% wool/50% cotton socks, thermal shorts, excellent gloves (neoprene), and a mixed-blend outfit.

ANGRYCivilian · Post by **ANGRYCivilian** » November 4th, 2006, 10:29 am

Thanks for the info, everyone.