What to wear for European Touring

[Ralphie]

Hi All
Getting ready for the week in Europe at the end of June,going across France, 3-4 days in the Alps, back through Germany/UK.

Question is do I wear the non waterproof lightweight summer hein gerick suit with an all in one rainsuit in the top box, or the heavier waterproof set I have for winter?

How cold is it up there while touring/camping etc in the Alps?

Thanks is advance - I know a lot of you have done this before

[Robster]

Go for the lightweight stuff & just keep your wets and a fleece or something handy for rainy or cold days.

Better to be cool and be able to add another layer than to be hot and not be able to do anything about it.

[Muckybill]

Ralphie

The good thing about riding high in the alps it can be a bit/lot cooler than when you are down in the valleys. I have tried all kinds of jackets in real hot weather, if it`s real hot you are going to suffer. Wind / water proof jackets ain`t gonna keep you cool but if it is raining you will be glad of it. I remember the first time I rode in spain in temperatures reaching 42C it was more comfortable with my leather kacket on than riding in a t-shirt I now buy riding gear to suit most of my riding in this country and hope for the best when abroad. Trousers are the worst to get right, when stopping it`s easy to whip the jacket off but leather or textile trousers can be a pain sitting or walking about in.
Maybe worth thinking about kevelar jeans, don`t know never tried them.

But what ever you do when getting hot drink plenty of water and stay cool

Bill

[barftone]

Go lightweight. You can add stuff if too cool but you can't take off gear if too hot!

[Recycler]

When it's hot it's very hot and when it rains it really hammers down.
I wore leathers on my first Alpine trip - far too hot. Now wear lightweight armoured kit and carry 2 piece w/proofs in the topbox. Another consideration is where you'll dry your 'winter' kit if it rains, especially if camping as the outer layer will soak up the rain.

[Ralphie]

Cheers Guys
I knew you would have an experienced answer in you.
Lightweight summer jacket and trousers it is, with other layers if its cold.
Not sure if I'll have enough room for a fleece, as they are quite bulky, but it might make a good pillow case filler.
cheers

[xrv_jim]

Not sure if I'll have enough room for a fleece, as they are quite bulky, but it might make a good pillow case filler.
cheers

Get yourself a microfleece 'pullover' Ralphie. A little bit more expensive, but a lot less bulky, than a regular fleece - brilliant on and off the bike.

Have a good trip!

[Robster]

Microfleece is the way forward, and exactly as you said, I use my as a pillow too!

I have the Frank Thomas Mesh Summer Kit, It's really lightweight and the trousers come with a removeable watreproof lining. Good kit.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Worthwhile investing in a windproof/water resistant micro fleece jacket, quite expensive but good to wear as a lightweight shower proof jacket or as a windproof layer over a normal micro fleece under the bike jacket. Waterproofs over the top for when it rains or get's really cold.

Don't underestimate how cold it can get in the Alps when the weather turns. Cold & wet on a motorcycle, particularly when camping is no fun.

I have been looking for a midweight, vented, waterproof, textile,armoured summer jacket - not too much black (but not lairy colours), for some time now to use as a base for a layering system, unfortunately it seem's to beyond the manufacturers imagination!

Phil

[SMT]

I went through this dilema as well recently as I am going to be away for a few months in Europe over the summer. I reasoned it was going to be hot most of the time and cold and wet less of the time (I hope!) I already had a pair of the excellent Hood Kevlar jeans with Knox knee armour decided on another pair of these (they can be worn casually as well as on the bike) and the excellent Fieldsheer High Temp Jacket. http://www.fieldsheer.com/2007web/we...htempmeshM.htm

I can't speak too highly of the quality of this jacket. It is far better than anything else I have seen. The waterproof windproof liner is a jacket inside the jacket so it can be worn seperately as well. It's very warm with the liner in and like wearing a t-shirt with the liner out.

I had to get one from the states as no-one in Europe sells them. I got a good deal via Ebay USA on the jacket at $130. It actually cost me £130 by the time I had paid for shipping, duty and VAT. Well worth it and highly recommended. Luckily it fits fine!