a new product

NEW PRODUCT

I have been working with a very light weight nylon fabric which is quite strong as it is parachute cloth. Since I quilt it to the Lamilite L-6 with the nylon on both sides I decided to incorporate my bootie pattern when cutting other products.

I use the same non-slip material on the sole, the same draw cord and cord lock as the original bootie.

The size range is from x-small to x-large.

The weight of the extra-large size is 4.3 ounces each, 8.6 ounces per pair.

Like all Wiggy products they are machine washable.

The cost is $25.00 per pair with free shipping.

They are now on the web site.

If you order please give us a few days to ship as production will start shortly.

At present the only color available is the green. I will post any new colors on the web site as they become available.

BIKING CLOTHING

I received my e mailed copy of SGB this morning and read some of an article about a company that makes bike clothing or as they say “roadwear”. I read about a new fiber that I was unaware of until the article. Bamboo white ash fiber, so I researched it. The following is what I found.

“Bamboo fiber and starchy pulp are made from bamboo that grows widely throughout Asian countries. Starchy pulp is a refined product of bamboo stems and leaves through a process of hydrolysis-alkalization and multi-phase bleaching. Chemical fiber factories then process it into bamboo fiber.”

Basically the bamboo fiber is no different than viscose fiber which is made from trees. Since so many garments are now made in Asia it is more economical to use bamboo which is plentiful in Asia.

The following is what I reprinted from the article.

“What is so special about Bamboo White Ash fiber?Our jerseys aremade from 50 percent polyester and 50 percent Bamboo White Ash (BWA). By weaving BWA directly into the poly fibers, we guarantee that our jerseys won’t fade or discolor, even after years of wear—and that they won’t irritate your skin like other materials.”

I would like to know what “other materials” they are referring to. To the best of my knowledge bike riding clothing is made from cotton, nylon, polyester or any combination of these materials. So which causes the irritation?

“This makes our Roadwear collection more breathable, comfortable, thermal-regulating and odor resistant than other performance gear. And the moisture-wicking capabilities of bamboo far exceeds cotton, wool or any other material. Bamboo absorbs 60 percent more water than cotton and is cooler in hot temperatures and warmer in cool temps.”

This paragraph has some contradictions in it. Since their garments from the pictures I saw are form fitting that tells me they will not be as comfortable as they say. They obviously do not know or even understand that the polyester warms quickly to skin surface temperature and if the air temperature is higher the heat goes nowhere. Also, the moisture stays in the bamboo fiber. Cotton would be cooler in hot weather and as for being warmer in cool weather and that is as fictitious a statement as I have heard.

This raises the question about sweating. What is wrong with sweating? I would like to have the energy I had 20 years ago so I could work hard physically for several hours sweating off pounds. I also believe it rids the body of other things that would otherwise build up and possibly cause us harm.

Today it makes no difference what you do for physical activity there is a company that sells the “right” clothing for the activity. Years ago when I was still actively skiing regularly I came to Colorado often. I remember being at Snowmass when they opened and I rode the lift to the top of the Burn. The guy sitting next to me was totally color coordinated with chocolate brown everything made by head ski and sportswear. Skis, boots, gloves etc. all chocolate brown. I was wearing my leather lace boots and jeans. When we got off of the lift I stopped to take a picture and he looked at me as if I was beneath him, he was from NYC and I never told him that I too was from NYC. Anyway once I took my pictures I took off and past him at about 40 mph. for anyone who has never skied the Burn, you are at about 13000 feet way above the tree line and can go as fast as you are capable. I used to watch Stein Erickson hit probably 80 mph and throw up a 5 foot rooster tail. The point is I as many who I skied with in New England skied in jeans all the time and some of these guys and gals were outstanding skiers.

My advice to bikers is to wear 100 percent cotton tops and bottoms and you will have the greatest comfort.