LOCAL CONDITIONS:
William Hacker

Part of the Good Guys NYC, William Hacker rides in an environment where conditions are constantly shifting — from fast, traffic-heavy efforts through New York City to longer, uninterrupted training rides beyond it. In this Local Conditions feature, he reflects on how this contrast shapes his riding, his routine and the way he approaches performance and kit selection.

Describe a perfect New York summer ride

My perfect Summer ride is just ripping around the city solo. If you’ve seen my videos you’ll know I’m a bit of an adrenaline junky and I absolutely love flying up and down the avenues in traffic, especially in the summer – It’s a lot less crowded because so many people leave the city during the summer and it has this unique buzz unlike any other time or season.

If it’s the weekend, I’ll be training with the team and we usually go over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, which is basically the only option if you want any quality riding outside of the city. The closest long climb is Bear Mtn, which is about 50 miles away – there’s not too many options for riding when you live in NYC. We also train in Central Park quite often during the weekdays. I personally hate stopping mid rides but my teammates usually insist, in which case I’ll get something light, like a croissant.

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

The temperature rarely stays stagnant during a ride in NYC. We usually head out early in the morning when it’s still nice and cool out. We often ride out of the city into New Jersey and upstate New York for longer uninterrupted riding. However, when we wrap up our ride we have to ride through the city where the black tarmac, cars and buildings all add to the heat.

I like to start my day with a vest, like the Dottore Hybrid Vest, and then take it off once the sun comes out.

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

You need to be flexible in New York. You’ll go out for a short planned ride and next thing you know you’re walking into your apartment after a six hour day.

Q36.5 helps with all of the contact points on long days of riding: bibs that fit properly and shoes that are stiff but comfortable on the pedals.

Base layer or no base layer?

This is an ongoing battle on the team. I personally love baselayers but a few of the other guys refuse to wear them. During the Spring racing season it’s a no brainer though. The Base Layer 1 does a great job of adding an extra layer from the wind.

william-hacker-george-washington-bridge-ride

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?

Actually my first garment was the Base Layer 3 Long Sleeve and I immediately loved it – besides looking awesome, with a sort of techy look, it felt like it was custom made for my body and it wasn’t too bulky like a lot of the other mid seasons base layers I had used in the past.

Favourite ever Q36.5 garment?

It might be silly but honestly, I think the Base Layer 3 is my favorite Q garment but it’s a tie between that and the “Unique Pro 4.0 Road Shoes”. They’re hands down the best cycling shoes I’ve ever worn.

Current favourite Q36.5 garment?

My current favorite is the Gregarius Hybrid Light Collar Long Sleeve Jersey.

It’s the first Long sleeve jersey I’ve ever worn and didn’t feel less aero than if I was wearing a short sleeve jersey. It’s an incredible piece of kit.

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

The materials and the durability. Some kits just can’t seem to get it right when it comes to the material used – it’s either too thick which gets too hot or too thin which results in durability or thermal issues. But Q36.5 seems to nail it on all their season specific garments.

Gregarius Clima Weathermap Jersey White

Color: White | Size: M

Made from a proprietary mesh knitted fabric, the Q36.5 Gregarius Clima Weathermap Jersey creates an almost imperceptible 3D structure across the torso to improve ventilation as well as moisture transfer. The honeycomb material used for the back panels encourages a push-pull effect to prevent moisture build-up while moving the sweat to the outer layer of the fabric where it can evaporate quickly whilst the raglan sleeve design uses the same ribbed aerodynamic fabric as our Gregarius Pro Jersey. The overall feeling of lightness is further enhanced by the mesh rear pockets, exclusive to this model. The striking “weathermap” graphic is inspired by the visual iconography of detailed weather maps that a serious Dolomites cyclist is obliged – due to the highly variable conditions of our local mountains – to check before going out for a ride.

US$190.00

Dottore Hybrid Vest Black

Color: Black | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Vest is characterized by its exceptional versatility across temperature ranges and riding conditions, thanks to its pioneering use of high density woven fabrics that mimic the qualities of shell fabrics but without the use of membranes, achieving superior breathability and moisture management. Riders will immediately notice how the Dottore Hybrid Vest keeps them significantly drier and warmer than vests of equivalent volume, especially on high intensity rides. This third generation version of our signature vest is characterized by even more advanced body mapping. We invested in months of wind tunnel studies with our Pro Team and the Japanese cycling federation that allowed us to better understand the movement of chilly winter air around the flanks of the cyclist. In fact, the thermal UF shell fabric now covers not just the front of the rider but flanks and part of the back as well. The central part of the back uses an ultralight mesh fabric and mesh pockets have been added to the vest. Unhemmed construction of the sleeve openings - new for this year - reduces weight while increasing longevity and comfort.FOR WOMEN: Order one size smaller: e.g. if you wear a S in women’s jerseys, we suggest you order the XS size of this jersey.

Variants from US$182.00

US$260.00

Base Layer 1 Sleeveless White

Color: White | 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.

US$80.00

Base Layer 3 Long Sleeve White

Color: White | Size: S-M

The first and most striking characteristic of the Q36.5Base Layer 3 – recommended for temperatures as low as 8°C - is its extraordinary softness and elasticity that allow the garment to stretch perfectly to the contours of your body for that invisible, next-to-body feeling. Combining this with our signature advanced body mapping, which uses multiple integrated structures and densities to accommodate the different sweat zones of the body, and a 100% seamless construction with an unhemmed finish, gives you a garment that is both high performing and practically indestructible even after years of use.

Variants from US$87.50

US$125.00

Gregarius Hybrid Light Collar Fade Long Sleeve Jersey White

Color: White | Size: M

The Q36.5 Gregarius Hybrid Light Collar Fade Long Sleeve Jersey is an ultralight spring essential that uses ergonomic, aero-efficient cut and combination of intelligent materials to ensure high performance comfort in milder temperatures. The panels of faded colour at the bottom of jersey and collar create an smoother transition between bib short and jersey colours for an ultra-clean on bike look.

US$200.00

Unique Pro 4.0 Road Shoes Check White

Color: Check 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

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

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LOCAL CONDITIONS: William Hacker

LOCAL CONDITIONS:
William Hacker