Cyclist
In the Drops: Poc helmet and glasses, Le Col winter jersey and Falke socks plus electricity
We have had a facelift. By we, I mean Cyclist magazine and by facelift, I mean a magnificent design overhaul.
But don’t take my word for it. See it for yourself, and head over to your nearest newsstand (or here) and pick up issue 147. What’s more you will get to enjoy features on the Fred Whitton, Spain’s Mont Caro, Alex Dowsett, the new Canyon Grail and much, much more.
Outside of this month’s marvellous mag, we have been bustling away as per usual. Robyn’s got all the latest on the pro cycling news highlights (brown shorts be gone), as well as her pick of the top 10 moments from the women’s pro season, and we have dissected the steel bike landscape to bring you the best steel road bikes of 2023.
We also have the lowdown on gravel bike gearing – are you a 1× or a 2×? I’m in the 1× camp, just saying – and there is a comprehensive guide to Shimano road and gravel groupsets.
Fancy a long read? Delve into the life of Jobst Brandt, the Godfather of gravel.
Finally, a tingling for your ears – the latest latest episode of the Cyclist Magazine podcast is out now and is with former Team Sky nutritionist, author and pistachio advocate Nigel Mitchell.
I’m writing this as I head back from Edinburgh on a train, admiring the Scottish Borders, which are sprinkled with a light dusting of snow. It is rather majestic and makes me think of what snowy adventures could be had on a bicycle.
But before then, here’s some good time gear.
POC Omne Ultra Mips helmet
The POC Omne Ultra is my current helmet of choice. It is an adapted version of POC’s popular Omne Air Mips, and what makes the Omne Ultra different is that is it pitched as ‘gravel helmet’.
Previously I may have been (I definitely was) discerning about this sort of marketing waffle, but in the case of the Omne Ultra, it does actually ring true. Yes, I am as shocked as you.
But how does this work?
The helmet features attachment points, straps and Velcro on its outer so if you wanted to add a rain cover, a personalised patch or strap something to it, you can. These features are in no way essential, and if I were nit-picking are no way exclusively gravel, but they are really fun and do make the helmet appealing for a bikepacking trip.
Crucially, comfort is bang on. The Omne Ultra is well ventilated, has an easy fit system and importantly for me, ample space for a ponytail.
Safety-wise, the helmet features an EPS liner for crash protection, a PC shell for strength and stability and Mips.
Yes, I know I’m wearing it on a road, but that’s because it works equally well on both terrains. Isn’t Jordan pretty? Look out for a feature on the ride I did there soon.
I’m not sold on the idea of a helmet being just for gravel, but the Omne Ultra is a good helmet in its own right.
Which leads me onto the glasses I am wearing in the photo…
- Buy now from Alpinetrek (£179.95)
POC Aspire glasses
For me, the best pair of glasses are the ones I don’t know I’m wearing.
The POC Aspire glasses are a brilliant example of this. They are wonderfully comfortable, sitting effortlessly on the face, and have a strong and lightweight frame made from a polyamide called grilamid.
The temples – the long arms if you like – are thick and robust, without being cumbersome and I think the overall design is timeless.
I’ve been wearing the Aspires in black with a Clarity Trail Silver Mirror Cat 2 lens.
What on earth does that mean? Firstly you can see yourself in the lens but also that they transmit between 15-24% of light. This makes them ideal for cloudy or sunny days – especially that crispy autumnal bright sunshine we have been lucky enough to experience recently.
POC offer plenty of frame colours and lens options too, whatever your riding style.
- RRP: £180
- Buy now from Chain Reaction Cycles (£134.99)
Falke socks
Ah socks, the ultimate last minute Christmas gift present. I think socks don’t always get the credit they deserve, so here’s a pair made by German brand Falke, which are pretty cracking.
The Falke BC Impulse biking socks are cool because they benefit from what Falke calls ‘stimulating mesh’, which apparently helps prevent numbness, as it stimulates the receptors on the ball of the foot.
What’s more the socks are specifically engineered for the requirements of each foot so they fit nicely. That’s to say the left sock is modelled for the left foot, and the right sock for the right foot, rather than a one sock fits both feet approach.
Sounds all rather intuitive doesn’t it? But if your socks don’t say L or R on them, it is likely they aren’t made for each individual foot. I was shocked too.
The Falke socks are made with 49% recycled polyester, the rest of the material being polyamide and elastane.
Once on feet, and in shoes, the socks are comfortable, secure and look cool.
Falke also offers some excellent compression socks in a multitude of colours. I recently delved into the world of compression and am excited to see how the Falke compression socks perform over the next few weeks.
- RRP: £23
- Buy now from Alpine Trek (£14.21)
Le Col Hors Categorie Long Sleeve Jersey
The Le Col Hors Categorie is not new to the cycling scene, nor to the In the Drops series, but what is new about this jersey is the colour.
Shown here in plum/pomegranate, this version of the Le Col Hors Categorie Long Sleeve Jersey is such an autumnal pleaser, and I just couldn’t resist mentioning it.
The pop of colour is, in my view, the perfect answer to drab winter weather. Out with the typical black winter riding outfits and in with the plum and pomegranate. Two delicious fruits might I also add.
What’s more the jersey is super duper soft. I’m not just talking about any old measurement of softness, I mean sumptuously soft.
The jersey benefits from a brushed inner, which not only feels great against skin but helps keep you warm when riding in the cold. I’ve been pootling along country lanes feeling rather smug for being snug as a bug in rug.
Personally I’d like Le Col to make an everyday jumper in this material. I would snap it up.
- RRP: £180
- Buy now from Le Col (£93.60)
What I am into this week: Electricity
Electricity is kind of cool, especially when applied to bicycles. I’ve recently spent my weekends e-mountain biking – save your gasps – and there is good reason.
I have been exploring with pals, and e-biking has proven to be one of the most popular activities we do as a group.
Why?
Because as a group of mixed abilities, we can all do it together.
Cycling along quaint country lanes, it really struck me that many of my friends don’t want to cycle on a pedal bike in a group for fear of not being able to get up hills or being left behind. Plus they don’t want to wear all the kit.
E-biking means we can all do it together, in our own clothes, relaxed. And it is very fun. Turbo mode is such a hoot.
Want to tickle that e-bike itch? Head over to our sister publication Cycling Electric to read all the latest and greatest in the electric world.
Otherwise, electric or non-electric, enjoy the weekend.
The post In the Drops: Poc helmet and glasses, Le Col winter jersey and Falke socks plus electricity appeared first on Cyclist.