SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Performance 4/5

 

Testing was during a UK mid-winter. Temperatures were around the 3-4C mark for the most part, although they did get higher at times. However, a real test was provided by the “lazy” wind on the north Norfolk (UK) coast. What’s that? Well, a north or north-east wind hits the coast having been uninterrupted since leaving the Artic. As the poem goes;

 

That lazy wind, that crazy wind,

From icy seas comes to yer;

She can’t be bothered going round,

And so she go straight through yer.

 

Alright, wind chill taken down below zero or just below, is not Green Bay in the middle of winter – as one reader regularly reminds me – but it gives some context. North Norfolk is primarily flat, but it is possible to work up a good sweat pushing in to a strong headwind. Other testing took place in the hillier edges of the Peak District.

 

A cosy feeling has been maintained throughout. That reinforced front panel certainly seemed to make a difference when heading into the strong north-easterly. Nor did things get too hot when riding quickly in more sheltered, hedge-lined lanes. Hitting longer climbs, I’ve found things have warmed up quickly, but the compensation has been absence of brain-freeze on longer descents.

 

It is worth noting that I cook at a degree C or so less than the average human. Building up a sweat on a good climb is inevitable, but this clears up quickly when the summit is reached. However, this is a warm garment, so in a changeable climate such aa the UK’s, a layered system (i.e. lighter-weight skull cap combined when necessary with a waterproof helmet-cover (or vice-versa) may be more efficacious for multi-day rides. Of course, different climatic conditions prevail elsewhere.

 

Waterproof? Well, it seems to be. steady drizzle and bursts of heavy rain haven’t left my hair soaking. Nor has sweat during faster bursts and hill-climbing, although a low levelk of moistness is to be expected, even with decent wicking. This is designed as a winter cap, so I’d not anticipate great wicking in higher temperatures. However, even on steep climbs, only a little sweatiness has accumulated, and that soon dispersed.

 

Care, washing, and drying 3/5

 

Care is easy. Just bung it in with the general wash. It takes a while to dry out, so expect overnight indoors, or a couple of hours on a breezy, sunny day outdoors.

 

Arriving at work after a rainy commute, the cap has dried - with the aid of a gentle heat source, by home time.

 

Value 3.5/5

 

The Proviz Classic Skull Cap is much cheaper, lighter, and is more appropriate off the bike. Probably a better bet for all-year round use in your touring set up, it can’t match the warmth of the winter specific Funkier Nueva during colder weather. In that sense, for the regular winter cyclist, it is well-worth that bit extra to prevent brain-freeze! On the other hand, a combination of cheaper skull cap and helmet cover, such as this one from Raval, may well have a similar impact and offer more in the way of year-round flexibility.

 

Closer comparisons can be made with Altura Skull Cap, £17.00. Like the Nueva, it has a reinforced front panel. A trifle pricier is Seal Skinz All Weather Skull Cap, whilst Bontrager’s Windshell Skull Cap is cheaper but does not claim to be so effective against the rain. They all offer pony-tail compatible features. Pony-tail compatible helmets are available. On that topic, the relative shortness of the Nueva should make it compatile with pon-tails.

 

Summary

 

A very useful winter specific garment for the rider who keeps going throughout the winter months.