I went to Nobeyama this past weekend.
Two weeks after **OMM JAPAN** was held in this area, it was time for cyclo-crossers from all over Japan to gather here. That's right, I headed out with the SimWorks CX Racing crew to participate in an annual festival called the **Nobeyama Cyclocross**.
Personally, this was my first time at a cyclo-cross race since last year's Nobeyama. I was in a different position than usual, focusing primarily on supporting the team. Every year, I find myself bracing for the cold at Nobeyama, but this time I had some reliable gear prepared, so I wasn't worried at all!
The **Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody** provides excellent warmth and stretch, as well as breathability. This unique insulation developed by Patagonia offers the comfort of fleece with its soft feel and stretch, while providing solid warmth. It’s a piece of apparel you can keep on without getting stuffy, even during intense activity involving cycles of movement and rest.
In fact, it protected me from the freezing sub-zero morning temperatures, and when the race started and the day warmed up while I was running around the venue, I didn't get stuffy at all. It's so light that I hardly noticed I was wearing it while I moved around.
Jasmine wore hers while traveling, as well as during warm-ups and at the pre-start lineup. It is a very reassuring item to have for race trips and as a travel companion.
While this apparel is originally intended for mountain use, we find it extremely useful in settings like cyclo-cross races, and it definitely plays a major role in everyday life as well. The fabric is as warm as being wrapped in a duvet, and a key point is that it is surprisingly water-repellent.
It’s the best tool for staying comfortable in winter with a simple layer over a warm base layer and a wool shirt. In addition to the hooded version, there is also a vest, which is more ride-friendly and easy to use for touring, as it can be used not only as outerwear but also as a mid-layer to be worn underneath.
Of course, we also have women's models in the lineup, so why not spend this winter in comfort with the Nano-Air?