The French have a saying - "un jour sans" - for when you're not quite feeling it: something's missing, be it the energy to go faster or the luck or timing to get in a break (if you're racing). This is the time of the year when I tend to tick off a lot of 'jours sans' of my own - days without arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, full-finger gloves, gilet, mudguards - they've all been scrubbed from my winter essentials at some time in April (although some have made a rapid return).
All winter, however, I have been riding sans winter bibs, finding that shorts and leg warmers have been, for the most part, sufficient - except for one sportive, where even leggings made of whale blubber (to complement my own) would have struggled. But over the last few weeks I've been giving my legs, glutes and nether regions a treat by wearing, for the first time ever, bona fide winter bib tights.
Bolt Velo, a family-run cycling clothing business based in Banbury, have kindly supplied their eponymous winter tights for me to try. Being of a more Botticellian design, I plumped (pun intended) for an XXL but was perturbed to receive a note from founder Tim Butt saying they'd sold out and, as the tights were quite stretchy, I should be OK in an XL.
I had visions of writing this review while channelling my inner Joe Pasquale, after 'frog-eyeing' my way through some uncomfortable rides. But I was pleased, nay thrilled, to discover that the tights were indeed super-stretchy and fitted like a glove, albeit one that's full of lumpy custard.
The tights do not have a brushed lining but are constructed from a polyester, spandex, nylon and lycra mix which is breathable and wicking and superbly wind-resistant.
Coming only in plain black, they do however sport a natty lightning bolt logo on the thighs and the maker's name across my largest area of advertising space. Skinnier models might only display the words 'olt Vel' across their backsides.
The bib itself is quite high, adding to my Saturday morning World of Sport wrestler look, but also meant that my lower back and kidneys weren't getting numbed through wind chill. The leg length is good for my height and because of the close fit there was no rucking up of material around my knees, nor any feeling of over-restriction. The mesh straps are wide and comfortable, softening any pressure on the only bony part of my body.
The seat pad resembles a turtle shell or a psychedelic giraffe and is very comfortable, easily cushioning me through 60+ kilometers without so much as a surreptitious downstairs adjustment, and my sit bones were thankfully uncomplaining. The pad incorporates a 'moisture management' system which appeared to do the job pretty well, as I was unaware of any discomfort.
When it came to 'natural' breaks I found that, due to the height of the bib, my usual 'up-and-over' method was nigh impossible without bending double like someone trying to pass a kidney stone. I had to resort to stripping off upper layers and sliding the shoulder straps off. I hope this isn't what the moisture management system has been developed for.
Personally, I'm hoping that the cold weather continues for a while as these tights are as good as I've worn in ages. Superb fit and weather-proofing, comfortable chamois pad and nice understated graphics. I'll admit that with my top off I do look like an ice cream cone, but that's more to do with my physique - everything inside the bibs gets held nicely in place, whereas it's unsupported body anarchy elsewhere.
If nothing else, it'll stop my wife seeing me preparing for a ride wearing just leg warmers and a HRM strap, and that's got to be good for everyone's sanity.
Bolt Velo Bib Tights, £70 from www.boltvelo.com
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