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OPINION

Oversocks? In August? Surely some mistake

Think oversocks are just for spring? This unpredictable weather is changing that

When I headed out on to the roads of East Sussex yesterday to test ride the new Merckx EMX-3 Ultegra Di2, borrowed from i-ride.co.uk for the day, I wasn't expecting to have to dig out an item of clothing from the depths of my wardrobe.

Usually reserved for spring and serving as a transitional item of clothing, from the winter protection of overshoes to naked shoes in the summer, oversocks are a handy accessory when it's a bit cold and damp. As it was yesterday.

Actually it chucked it down with rain for the first few miles. I could have done with my neoprene overshoes. As the rain eased and the wind picked up, the rest of the roads on my 65km route were sodden. And caked in a fine layer of dirt, grit, leaves and the occasional patch of mud. I was glad I had had the foresight to pack my oversocks.

But I can't remember the last time I had to wear them in August, or for that point any of the summer months. The weather this summer has been more unpredictable than ever, which makes oversocks a valuable purchase. As I found out yesterday, they're not just for the cooler months, they're useful year-round.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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9 comments

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badseed999 | 11 years ago
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Rule 5 of the Velominati "Harden the f*ck up"

See http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

Fun but not to be taken too seriously

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allez rikki replied to badseed999 | 11 years ago
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badseed999 wrote:

Rule 5 of the Velominati "Harden the f*ck up"

See http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

Fun but not to be taken too seriously

What an awesome website! Some of them rules made me chuckle.

Thanks for that!

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allez rikki | 11 years ago
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I hear people referring to rules, like above (rule 5?)

You may laugh at my next question, as it could just be people being sarcastic, but im fairly new to the road cycling scene. Is there actually a set of rules/guide?  39

As id like to, as much as possible, be a good cyclist who doesnt prevoke pointless road rage. Although sometimes we all know we cant do right.

Thanks

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hairyairey | 11 years ago
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I did a time trial with HHCC earlier this year wearing a waterproof jacket and winter gloves it was that cold...

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Raleigh | 11 years ago
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Like the above comment.

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Municipal Waste | 11 years ago
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Rule 5?  39

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Jack Osbourne snr | 11 years ago
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Try living in the West of Scotland. Last Thursday, the deluge was such that I had on the full winter waterproof jacket plus neoprene overshoes. The ridiculous thing was that I had to wear shorts because the temp was in the high teens and I really would have boiled in the bag!

On most commute days, I carry clothing spares or at least warmers... as you can never count on the weather here.

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allez rikki | 11 years ago
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That EMX-3 looks very nice  16

How'd it ride?

Back to packing strange things all year round, I always pack a set of DHB Arm warmers whenever i go out on my bike, even if its a scorching hot day. You never know!

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David Arthur @d... replied to allez rikki | 11 years ago
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Here's my first ride impressions of the EMX-3, just this second published http://road.cc/content/news/63635-exclusive-first-ride-merckx-emx-3-ulte...

I'm now always packing armwarmers, gilet and rain cape just in case, especially if do a decent stretch of driving before the ride. The weather is just so unpredictable at the moment, it's a real sod to get it right

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