Just wondering what gear folks wear when riding when it's getting 30 degrees and above. How do you best manage the comfort / protection thing?
Just your normal European touring stuff. However, having said that Pam and I were riding back across Germany from Slovenia in the summer of 2003 when there was a heatwave of 40+. Even when moving it was just like sitting behind a jet engine!
If I'm solo I can normally afford to take a couple of pairs of riding trousers, and at a push, two jackets (though I've only done that once). Last summer I used an ageing pair of IXS vented summer trousers. Not waterproof but I have some walking Goretex Paclite trousers which just fit over. Also an ageing BMW "Light n Easy" jacket with vented fabric on the cuffs, elbow pits and shoulders. It's waterproof apart from those bits so I wear a walking waterproof if it's tipping down. It's a pretty versatile jacket, well armoured but not made anymore.
This one...
Both of these bits of kit are on their last legs, specially the trousers (haha) so may need replacing before this summer. I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting some Klim trousers. Probably the Overland model. I tried a pair on last week. Even with my short legs they were just right when sitting on the bike. Very robust and well vented. I quite like the idea of unlined trousers which you put some fleecy stuff on underneath for the winter. Hence, not just summer trousers.
I also normally wear an open face helmet in the summer. That's also getting very tatty inside so the trusty Cromwell may well be heading skipwards too...