LOCAL CONDITIONS: Thomas Johnson

Last August, when together with Bay Area locals Anthony Little, Brennan Wertz and Skyler Taylor, we organized a “quintessential” Bay Area multi-surface ride to test the very limits of versatility of our Dottore Pro range we thought “wouldn’t it be fun to see if an East Coaster could manage the conditions?” And to that end we invited our New York community leader and member of Pinarello collective, Thomas Johnson to see if he was up to the challenge…

1.What’s the biggest difference between Summer riding in New York and San Francisco?

Summer riding in NY is warm and pleasant. You can usually count on the sunshine showing up daily. Warm to hot riding weather. Riding in SF during the summer requires all the typical spring gear. It could be wet, foggy and 50f for half the ride and sunny and 80f the second half of the ride. You have to be prepared for both.

2.What’s the biggest mistake a New York rider can make when going on his or her first big ride in the Bay Area?

You can’t forget your layering: Dottore Light Rain Jacket or Air Vest and Hybrid Warmers.

3.What was the hardest thing about the ride Anthony, Brennan, and Skyler took you on?

Other than the fact that they are all very strong on the bike, for me, it was the fast descents. NY is all rolling hills, so I don’t get a lot of practice with fast, winding descents. I have a lot to learn, but following their lines in and out of the corners has helped a lot.

4.What was the most fun part?

The routes. You can ride up into the mountains and down to the beach all in one ride. 50 miles or 150 miles, the routes are world-class. I think its be best place I have ever ridden in the US.

5.Did you learn anything specific about how to confront Bay Area summer conditions?

Yes, you have to be prepared with those extra accessories. A Air jacket or vest at a minimum.

6.Can you talk us through your specific outfit for the day and how it worked for you?

The weather was pleasant. We had some fog up in the mountains, but plenty of sun on the way down. I was in Dottore Pro bib shorts, Dottore Pro Jersey, and the Dottore Light Rain Jacket.

7.What’s the one item of clothing you always take with you for summer riding in New York?

Dottore Pro Bib shorts. They are my daily go-to.

8.Would you choose the same item in San Francisco?

For SF it would have to be the wind vest or wind jacket for the fog or long descents.

9.What’s your favourite thing about riding in summers in New York?

The sunshine is almost always out to play.

10.Favourite thing about Bay Area summer riding?

The terrain and routes are unbeatable.

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11.Describe a perfect New York summer ride? How many hours? What climbs? How much Gravel? What width tyres? Where do you stop to eat and what do you order? Ideal temperature range? In a group or alone? If in a group who are you riding with?

My favorite summer ride in NY is to Harriman State Park at Lake Welch and Lake Tiorati. Its about 80 miles round trip from the George Washington Bridge, so its about a 4 hour ride without stops. Lots of rolling hills and back roads with some short climbs around mile 30 as you head up 7 Lakes Drive. Full gas to The Lake Tiorati circle. They have vending machines with water, soda, chips, and snacks. I save the stop fo the ride home. My favorite is Boxer Donuts in Nyack NY. They have the best donuts in NY, and the espresso is always perfect.

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12.How wide is the temperature range on a usual long New York summer ride? Does this make choosing kit more difficult?

Summers in NY are consistent. The morning may start out around 60f and it can get as hot at 90+ f by the afternoon. Less is more in the summer. Its hot and humid.

13.What is the most essential performance characteristic that bib shorts, jersey, vest and shoes need to have on an epic New York summer ride?

Thin and lightweight material. It has to breathe well and dissipate the heat and sweat. By the end of a hot summer ride in NY, you will be covered in salt.

14.Base layer or no base layer?

Dottore jersey- always with a base layer 1. Otherwise I prefer no base layer.

15.When did you first try a Q36.5 garment? Do you remember if it felt very different to anything you had used in the past?

I was introduced to Q by a close friend shortly after I moved to the NYC area about 7 years ago. I was blown away by the quality of the garment. The fabrics and the construction. I had never seen anything like it.

16.Favourite ever Q36.5 garment?

Dottore Pro Bib shorts. Hands down the most incredible piece of kit I have ever worn. The fabrics and compression are perfect. They are thin with a perfect chamois for all the rides.

17.Current favourite Q36.5 garment?

Dottore Termico winter jacket because we are having the coldest winter I have experienced in my 7 years living here. I always prefer riding outside vs. the trainer. Q allows me to ride on some of the coldest days of the year.

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18.What is the characteristic you must appreciate about Q36.5 garments in general?

The quality and attention to detail are unmatched in the industry. The highest technical fabrics, design, and engineering. They focus on the most adverse weather conditions, and that suits my riding style. “There is no bad weather, just bad gear.” 🙂

Air Vest Black

Color: Black | Size: M

PRE-ORDER NOW! Shipping starting from 10 April.Offering exceptional wind protection, the Q36.5 Air Vest uses advanced, lightweight material to insulate while remaining super packable, meaning you won’t even notice it in your back pocket during warmer moments of the ride. Designed for 4-season effectiveness, the Air Vest is perfect for everything from cold, windy winter rides to summer rides high in the mountains. Its body mapped cut ensures it will sit close to the torso and not flap in the wind.

Variants from US$105.00

US$150.00

Dottore Light Rain Jacket Black

Color: Black | Size: M

Our lightest ever rain jacket, the Dottore Light Rain Jacket is a performance masterpiece of small-scale Italian manufacturing. By combining exceptional ultralight materials (55gsm ripstop nylon + 10.000mm membrane) with a sartorial taped construction, Q36.5 is able to offer a truly low-volume Rain Jacket that can be used across weather conditions and temperatures throughout the year. Particularly suited to short showers and other situations demanding emergency light thermal protection.

US$470.00

New

Base Layer 1 Sleeveless Poppy Orange

Color: Poppy Orange | Size: S-M

The Q36.5 Base Layer 1 represents our technologically extreme vision of the traditional seamless base layer that provides optimal moisture management thanks to our use of the cutting-edge Karl Mayer Seamless knitting machines. The seamless design uses multiple integrated yarn structures with varying densities to pull sweat away from the skin and move it to an outer layer where it can evaporate.

Variants from US$48.00

US$80.00

New

Dottore PRO Jersey Drab Green

Color: Drab Green | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Pro Cycling Jersey for Men is a jersey for design purists, with a unique sleeve cut that entirely eliminates the use of shoulder seams creating a perfect on-the-bike fit. Constructed from a 3D-woven fabric with silver thread, the jersey offers superior thermoregulation and ultra-fast drying times. The texture of the fabric is aero-optimized, providing the greatest advantage to riders at speeds between 40 and 59km/h.

Variants from US$144.00

US$240.00

Dottore PRO Bib Shorts Black

Color: Black | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Pro Bib Shorts for Men are the world’s leading high performance woven bib shorts, using technologies pioneered by Q36.5 and continuously refined over the last ten years. From the very first pedal stroke, riders will appreciate a feeling of superior muscular support, comfort, and on-the-bike stability. This unique feeling is achieved through the use of four different proprietary woven fabrics as well as our patented Q LAB Air Chamois, which provides total comfort and superior moisture management. The use of a high-density woven material with gradual compression along the leg panels in particular ensures a superior alignment of muscle fibers during the repetitive action of lengthening and contracting the legs, creating an important performance advantage over long distances. The Silver yarn found in the leg panels reduces the negative impact of naturally occurring electric charges produced by the body during exercise as well as boosting the blood flow and increases oxygen supply to cells.

US$300.00

Unique Pro 4.0 Road Shoes White

Color: White | Shoe Size: 37

The Unique Pro 4.0 is a new 4-hole version of our highest performance model, the Unique Pro which offers market-exclusive compatibility with the new SRM X-Power Direct road pedal and cleat system. Engineered for total control, the Q36.5 Unique Pro Shoes use proprietary Italian manufacturing technologies to achieve a new level of stability, power, and comfort for riders, allowing you to push yourself to the limit with a renewed level of confidence. At the heart of the shoe’s superior performance is a market-leading 4.4mm stack height. The artisanal carbon fiber sole is made in Montebelluna using a patent-pending layup. The outsole also features an extra wide metatarsal area for guaranteed comfort across different foot sizes and a cupped heel for increased stability. A signature of all Q36.5’s racing shoes, the Unique Pro Shoes feature no tongue but rather use a proprietary mesh panel across the bridge of the foot in order to maximize the shoes’ cooling effect. No other racing shoe on the market offers such a large and effective ventilating surface, representing an additional example of our commitment to thermoregulation as the new frontier for performance gains as well as rider comfort and health. Please note that the 4.0 version of the Unique Pro remains compatible with all major existing pedal and cleat systems.

US$600.00

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