There are two kinds of people in this world: those who own a properly-fitting, lightweight gilet and those who don’t. Those who own one know this is an indispensable piece of kit.
The gilet is typically one of the last items that enters into a Cyclist’s wardrobe, long after arm warmers, knee warmers, and long sleeve jerseys have found their way into the kit bag. It’s just a vest, after all, and can’t possibly serve much purpose beyond Looking Pro, can it? It can, in fact.
A vest is an incredibly versatile unit that serves to stave off all kinds of Fuckness – be it from wind, rain, or cold. Furthermore, the sleeveless design makes it easy don or doff, and packs away nicely; a lightweight gilet can be folded flat (first in half, then in thirds) and slipped between the jersey and bibs, keeping the rear pockets clear and accessible for tools and food.
In short, the gilet is a Four-Season Fuckness Stopper that accompanies me year-round, one which I personally hold in higher regard than the long sleeve jersey:
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@ChrisO
Pedantry? Sweet.
It's "I'll get me coat", rather than "my coat".
Love The Fast Show.
@scaler911
Watched that for the first time last night on Netflix. The chickens thing hit a little close to home, with our six ladies out back givin' us good egg lovin' every day. They are named as follows:
Minnie
Maxie
Clementine
Jig
Polly Prissy Pants
I Can't Believe Its Not Butter
Three of them are older, and we collectively call those three "The Elders". Three of them are Buff Orpingtons, and we call them "The Tater tots".
Question for the Aussies... on our ride today one of our group, a lady from Queensland, was complaining she was hot (half-jokingly, about 3 minutes earlier she was complaining of being cold).
As she was wearing a gilet I said they often make me hot unless I'm on a very easy ride or it's very cold.
She looked at me and said WTF was I talking about. I pointed to the garment in question and she insisted they call it a windbreaker, and in all her years of cycling she'd never even heard the term.
I can't remember whether I even knew they existed from my time in Australia, but I would have called a windbreaker something that was hooded but usually made of synthetic, like a shower-proof jacket or kagool.
So have you all been reading this wondering WTF we were on about ?
@frank
Ha!
You'll like our urban farm then. We have 5, Twitch, Bitty, Harriet, Britches and the obligatory Happy Feet.
All variations of different Bantams.
Bitty and Twitch
Chickens seem pretty badass. I would like to own a few some day.
@mcsqueak
You know it's the middle of winter and no racing to discuss when a article on Gilets turns to urban farming.
@scaler911
I'd even have my VMH knit them little gilets to wear when it gets too cold for their precious little feathered bodies to handle.
@mcsqueak
We are firmly in Rule #9 territory when natural down outerwear doesn't suffice.
@ChrisO
Queensland. There's a clue right there. Did she ask for a cup of chino after the ride?
Gilet is a French word no? We usually bastardise pronunciation here. Hard G and L and T. I learned the term listening to Paul and Phil commentating on Le Tour. Never used the term windbreaker though.
@frank
For reference, you're the Emperor back there. It's like you just told me Padme is dead, but instead my V-Kit will arrive one week later - pretty much the same thing, really.