Winter time, even this screwed up, can't-make-up-its-mind winter time, is great for testing your cycling resolve. There's plenty of Rule 9 action to be had, but also plenty of excuses for not going out. And no one's going to berate you for shunning the dangers of frozen, flooded or pot-holed roads or gale force winds and driving rain for a session on the turbo or an afternoon checking out bargains on eBay.
The little victories you get from timing the rides you actually do just right - so that you're 'stranded' at the cake stop for hours by Storm (insert name here), or get the two hours of wind-free, weak-as-WI-tea sunshine - gifts you more internal kudos than Strava ever could.
Another way of thumbing your nose at the weather gods is to be prepared with the Right Kit, even if the outlook suggested otherwise, and to this end I'm always togged out in my Huez* Starman gilet and storm jacket. Sometimes, though, I gamble and gambol out without in just a jersey to see if karma will spank my bottom purple and vomit in my lap.
I did just this the other day, and I usually regret it immediately: karma knows who's boss. This time, however, I got a sneaky catastrophe-free trundle in. Maybe karma is friends with Huez* Apparel, as my jersey of choice was their über classy Race Day Special. Ironically, I was neither racing nor was I attempting to emulate the polka-dottiness of the design by ticking off any KOMs - perhaps the irony mellowed karma enough and it was happy just to see me inappropriately attired.
Anyway, I'd been itching to get out for ages (not least to try out this jersey) and I wasn't going to let something like numb elbows and frost bite put me off.
Huez* has been knocking out top-quality cycle goods for just over a year, and their range of non-urban cycling gear takes a somewhat different approach. The shorts are bibless, the shirts are zipless, but thankfully the caps are normal (and big enough to accommodate my mutant head). The Race Day, however, is a departure for them back to what I would call a normal jersey, boasting a full zipper and a more accommodating back length. Like the Storm Jacket, it grabs your behind and grips it firmly.
Those KOM polka dots are on closer inspection mini Huez* logos - a five-pointed asterisk, or star - and they're very striking. In fact, the whole shirt seems to glow, and that's down to the retroreflective fabric they use. It throws back light at its source, making you more visible at night and on murky days. A larger asterisk decorates the left nipple in vintage jazz mag style, and there's a final tasteful brand reminder across the rear pockets where a reflective "Huez*" is emblazoned. Further light-responsive detailing comes courtesy of the arm grippers on the extra-long short sleeves.
There are three generous pockets at the back, a little lower down than is usual on a jersey. For me this is a welcome feature, being the age I am and not able to contort my arms behind me like a wrestler being subjected to a half-nelson. Within one of these pockets hides a very useful key clip, which can also be used to secure the waterproof phone pouch that comes with the shirt.
Retailing at £100, the jersey carries a premium price tag but you do get an awful lot of tech for your money.
It might not be as recognisable as certain ubiquitous, single-horizontal-banded marques, but it's dead comfy and, I think, super stylish - and now I can wear something Huez* when karma's having an afternoon nap.
Race Day Special jersey, £100 from huez.co.uk
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