@touch epic ride mate. Where'd that come from!? An audax event or just fancied a day out?! 
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" - Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Convertable is a neat idea but the actual number of times it'll be useful of it is probably quite low. If they do one similar money with long sleeves then it's a choice, if the convertible is more money they just get the LS version. Castelli have done convertible Gabbas before and they've never really become a 'thing'. Couple of people I know with them never ride them without the sleeves.
When things get more back to normal, organised Sportives are a great focal point to meet a few - a defined date and route without any organising really required.
But one thing I'd say, being new don't invest too much into lots of expensive cycling kit which fits you right now... If you get hooked properly you'll rapidly lose 'bulk'. Especially in cycling kit. I was an XL, but now usually a M or L, sometimes a S in some jerseys. I quickly moved from a 'Large' in normal clothes to a medium. Took a few more years but I'm now a small in some stuff there too (like Superdry).
Haha it's good to see and kinda encourage new riders - we all know how that obsession is. I'd like to think it doesn't diminish that much too - but once the nights start drawing in, it can get a bit of a chore to head out. So starting the 'right way' with some kit choices can go a long way in assisting that. But the obsession with gear, bikes and equipment never really fades!
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" - Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Seems a good garment and Decathlon kit has always seemed good value, don't own any myself (nor ever tried any) so can't tell you how the fit is... You might find the sizing is more 'normal' rather than 'cyclist'.
Convertable is a neat idea but the actual number of times it'll be useful of it is probably quite low. If they do one similar money with long sleeves then it's a choice, if the convertible is more money they just get the LS version. Castelli have done convertible Gabbas before and they've never really become a 'thing'. Couple of people I know with them never ride them without the sleeves.
You say that, I'm only in Hereford so not a million miles away. Haven't cycled further south than Chepstow but Gloucester is within reach, just not much to ride that direction so never needed to ride there. I've always meant to go south and ride around Weston/Cheddar/etc but never got around to it.
When things get more back to normal, organised Sportives are a great focal point to meet a few - a defined date and route without any organising really required.
FLAB have been around a while, they do quite good kit and their events have always read well. They're just another 'brand' really, some of their kit doesn't even come in 'XXXL' sizing... Many of the more 'American' kinda brands will size up larger/longer if that's what you specifically need.It's ok, i know i'm sorted for clothing
https://fatladattheback.com/products/mens-cycling-jersey-will-ride-for-cake?variant=29221920637027¤cy=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks&gclid=CjwKCAjwgviIBhBkEiwA10D2j96lidCgR7F1cf7fVO5pGDs0g0M4Z5nC4EdvgltnEwQ2mnIbvIwzBRoCO0gQAvD_BwE
What's amusing is i've seen a lot of group ride posts being promoted to me on Facebook under the group FLAB and only just realised it's a community that's sprung up from this company.
But one thing I'd say, being new don't invest too much into lots of expensive cycling kit which fits you right now... If you get hooked properly you'll rapidly lose 'bulk'. Especially in cycling kit. I was an XL, but now usually a M or L, sometimes a S in some jerseys. I quickly moved from a 'Large' in normal clothes to a medium. Took a few more years but I'm now a small in some stuff there too (like Superdry).
But luckily now it means I have until October to get some nice rides in before the weather takes a dip
