Spend on your waterproof outer layers and footwear, otherwise you’ll get wet, stay wet and probably then hate every minute of your trip.
- Forget the hype about techno wicking layers; only natural fibres, like merino wool and silk deal with sweat, keep you appropriately warm/cool, don’t stink, even after a week’s wear and still look OK, but their initial outlay is high BLOG: Outdoor gear: is the great outdoors the new designer catwalk?
- If you can’t afford this and have spent to your limit on waterproofs, try Aldi and Lidl as they sell perfectly good shorts, trousers, shirts at a fraction of “label” prices
- Padded shorts/tights, helmet, gloves, cycling glasses with swappable lenses will see bikers through most tours
- Good quality, waterproof, approach boots/shoes are usually fine for all but the most mountainous/technical areas
What NOT to wear:
- Outer layers and boots that are not fully waterproof
- Jeans – heavy, get wet easily and don’t dry quickly
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