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Fire and artificial fabrics

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Old 10-15-15 | 07:56 AM
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Fire and artificial fabrics

Am I the only one who is nervous about wearing artificial fabrics because of the fire danger? If you were to go up in flames wearing the traditional biking outfit it would melt and seal to your skin. It is doubtful you would survive a burn like that. My biking outfit is 100% cotton (and yes I know cotton doesn't shed heat.) I sometimes wear a jersey with back pockets because of the convenience but my shorts are always cotton.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:04 AM
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Unless you're a firefighter or a drag racer i don't see the point at worrying about something so unlikely.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:07 AM
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Bike tours often involve campfires.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by erig007
Unless you're a firefighter or a drag racer i don't see the point at worrying about something so unlikely.
Now that I think about it, this could be a problem in the event of spontaneous human combustion. About as likely as your kit catching fire on a ride.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:12 AM
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The Nomex gear after the seasons Forest fires are out, winter, is occasionally sold off, or donated to charity organizations.

check with your local USFS office
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:16 AM
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Apparently I am the only one.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:17 AM
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For peace of mind just wear wool and be done with it

Originally Posted by hoodat
Apparently I am the only one.
I thought about it too but for when i'm at home. I have my wool gears from head to toes (and mask) ready .

Last edited by erig007; 10-15-15 at 08:24 AM.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:35 AM
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I recommend you don't sit in the middle of the fire. Sit outside then you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by hoodat
Bike tours often involve campfires.
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Old 10-15-15 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by hyhuu
I recommend you don't sit in the middle of the fire. Sit outside then you'll be fine.
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Old 10-15-15 | 09:20 AM
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If you are really worried about this, just change out of the cycling clothes when you get to camp. Maybe even shower/sponge bathe/wipe down with baby wipes too. Then maybe you will have more than a campfire to keep you warm...
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Old 10-15-15 | 09:23 AM
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I don't know what you guys are talking about, I worry about this often.

I ride so fast that the friction with the air causes my body to heat up, literally making me be "on fire."

I also wear cotton because of this...


(In all seriousness, how the heck are you going to catch on fire while biking, and if someone was bike touring, they almost always take their bike shorts off after they're done with the bike for the day.)
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Old 10-15-15 | 09:58 AM
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It could be a problem going downhill, especially at speeds over 15,000 mph, where the friction of the air can cause the fabric to burn. I wear high temperature resistant ceramic clothing.

For flatter rides, I just wear this:

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Old 10-15-15 | 10:05 AM
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Old 10-15-15 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Homebrew01
For flatter rides, I just wear this:

Not a good idea....this helmet doesn't protect against meteorite impacts
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Old 10-15-15 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by erig007
Not a good idea....this helmet doesn't protect against meteorite impacts
That's the under-helmet. I always were this on top:

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Old 10-15-15 | 10:33 AM
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I can understand the concern:

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...heel-fire.html


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Old 10-15-15 | 11:01 AM
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Old 10-15-15 | 11:08 AM
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Always bring a fire extinguisher on rides.

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Old 10-15-15 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by hoodat
Am I the only one who is nervous about wearing artificial fabrics because of the fire danger? If you were to go up in flames wearing the traditional biking outfit it would melt and seal to your skin. It is doubtful you would survive a burn like that. My biking outfit is 100% cotton (and yes I know cotton doesn't shed heat.) I sometimes wear a jersey with back pockets because of the convenience but my shorts are always cotton.
A far more realistic thing to worry about is that the EMP from a nuclear attack would take out all my electronics. That is why I don't run Di2 on my bicycle. I want to be able to shift in a Post Shih Tzu Hit the Fan situation.

James Woolsey and Peter Vincent Pry: The Growing Threat From an EMP Attack - WSJ
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Old 10-15-15 | 11:14 AM
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(1) Change out of your riding kit if you're just lounging in camp.

(2) Don't get so drunk you stumble into the fire.

Unless you're wearing eVent fabrics, the synthetic stuff isn't just going to just instantly vaporize / melt in contact with a flame. Like most stuff, you'll have to work a little to burn it.
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Old 10-15-15 | 11:33 AM
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Most synthetic fabrics are fire ******ant, by law. Your kit probably won't burn unless it's some Chinese grey-market crap. It'll melt, yes, and burn you horribly in case of a nuclear fireball near you while you're out riding, but it won't combust, itself--but this will be the least of your worries IF A NUCLEAR FIREBALL IS ANYWHERE NEAR YOU.
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Old 10-15-15 | 12:33 PM
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I worry about nearing some carbon racer when it asplodes.
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Old 10-15-15 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by hoodat
Bike tours often involve campfires.
Not over here in Australia. Not so much in Europe either. Even in Canada campfires are frowned on much of the year. Just don't build campfires.
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Old 10-15-15 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dubes
(1) Change out of your riding kit if you're just lounging in camp.

(2) Don't get so drunk you stumble into the fire.
I can't think of any more advice to offer. As usual BF helps another person with a tough issue.
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Old 10-15-15 | 05:42 PM
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You know what I worry about? Frilly, gauzy bridal dresses being worn at outdoor barbeques. A tragedy waiting for a spark.

Okay, so that was off topic.
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