The Micheline jersey from Café du Cycliste has to be one of the most stylish and understated jerseys I’ve had the pleasure of riding in. Straight out of the – luxurious – packaging, this jersey oozes excellence in every manner of the sense. It’s incredibly light and soft to the touch, but what set this jersey out from the rest is the attention to detailing, varied pattern and fabric panelling and the crisp elegance dusty blue and white hue.

Firstly, let’s take a look at the technical features. The Micheline jersey is constructed from ultra-lightweight Italian polyester which is brilliant for temperature control as the dual mesh combination maximises airflow. This provides superb moisture transfer to allow rapid evaporation as you sweat coupled with strategic ventilation to aid temperature regulation.

Contrasting white horizontal meshing makes up the sleeves and neckline, and the full-length zip runs flush down the length of the jersey. There are three cargo pockets in the rear for your ride essentials and a low-cut collar is in keeping with its warm weather riding intentions.

Riding in the jersey was a welcomed pleasure. The race-fit cut felt snug to my body but not enough that I felt restricted or suffocated on the warmer days. The low profile collar was an absolute blessing as personally, I really dislike collars brushing the front of my neck as I ride. The subtle pattern on the blue front and back panels is discrete, and yet, perfectly compliments the striped sleeves and neckline giving it a real touch of class.

Bib shorts are notoriously difficult to get right. They’re a personal garment to comfort and support your personal bits, so it’s important to find a pair that works for you. While there are helpful guides and tips to finding a great pair of shorts, it ultimately comes down to what you prefer.

The Odile bib shorts are constructed from a blend of polyamide and elastane. They have a mesh upper body, silicone grippers on the leg cuffs and most importantly, a quality chamois pad for hours of comfort in the saddle.

The four-way stretch fabric moves with your body as you ride, feeling unrestrictive and almost like a second-skin to the body. The cut of the shorts allows for the chamois pad to sit comfortably without bunching and certainly offered support and relief to the delicate areas.

The upper body mesh is breathable and thin, however the black piping around the outside contrast so much so that it’s easily seen through the Micheline jersey.