What to wear...?

napper · Post by **napper** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:08pm

First big ride coming up this weekend, but sounds like a mixed bag of weather for Sunday - showers/dry/windy. I don't mind it dry, i don't mind the wet, but what do people wear for 8 hrs. in the saddle in such mixed weather. Waterproofs to keep dry, but hot and sweaty , or shorts and top, but get a bit wet!!!??? Any advice?

Post by **Mick F** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:25pm

Advice?

I agonise over what to wear. Even today, in warm sunshine but strong chilly winds, I dressed in a warm top and shorts. Only to change my mind and get togged up into even warmer top and bib tights!

My change was well decided. The weather was very chilly, and the wind was very strong as I rode up onto Dartmoor and back.

On the other hand, there have been days when I baked, and I wished I'd worn just about nothing!

It's so difficult.

wrangler_rover · Post by **wrangler_rover** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:25pm

Clothes that you're comfortable in and will allow free movement.

Kentish Man · Post by **Kentish Man** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:44pm

Getting cold miles from home with nothing extra to wear is one of the most miserable things to endure. Several thin layers gives you the option to strip down if it's warm, or keep insulated if it's not. I failed to follow this advice this morning and got damned cold in just 5 miles to and from work! So, at present for me it will be bib shorts, long sleeve Altura jersey, winter weight Altura track bottoms and an Altura wind proof jacket over the top. Track mits for hands with gloves in the saddle bag. An Altura Nevis jacket in case of rain also on the saddle bag together with a pair of 'Rain Legs'. Also, keep your head warm: even a cotton racing cap can keep a surprising amount of heat in if you don't get wet.

meic · Post by **meic** » 18 Apr 2008, 12:06am

I tried the shorts today for the first time this year and got cold.

I am doing an Audax on Saturday, expecting it to be warmer but light rain.

The bits that suffer most are my feet so I shall wear the neoprene overboots over shimano shoes.
Long cycling tights
A warm long sleeve cycling shirt with arm warmers underneath.
A Montaine Velo windproof jacket
cheap thinsulate gloves
and a baseball cap.

None of this will keep serious rain out but if we get some dry spells then I will dry out a bit. It will keep me warm enough so long as I keep cycling.

I may take a lightweight waterproof incase of heavy rain spells. Jacket and trousers.
I will take a cycling jacket with a windproof front and wear that instead of the Montaine if it isnt raining and for warmth when I stop.

Warm and wet for me. I did one last year and went round the whole course soaked to the skin but I could not really tell as the water next to my skin was kept warm.

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 18 Apr 2008, 7:30am

Frequently agonise over clothing, esp if, as now, have had some time off the bike and am unsure of the general feel of the weather.

So far have not been out of my winter weight longs, always wear shorts under them so if it does get too warm can strip them off.

Am always too hot under a waterproof so tend to only ride with one if it actually rains, and if I have to put it on during a ride usually have to take a layer off first, so some carrying space is essential.

I almost always carry a spare wickable undervest on a long ride so if it is damp and sweaty at a cafe i can change into a dry one to stop me feeling chilled. Hanging the other one over chair back/near a heat source dries it out ready for the next cafe stop. Also having a spare one is useful if the temperature does drop and you need a spare top on.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 18 Apr 2008, 9:15am

napper

As kentish man says, it's unpleasant being cold if you have no spare togs. The thing to pay attention to is your legs, especially your knees. At this time of year there is a big temptation to wear shorts, especially if the day starts sunny. Around here at least, sunny or not it has been pretty cold and there have been snow / hail flurries quite often.

Heavy tights, such as Lusso Repel are ideal in these conditions. They still feel warm if they get wet and soon dry out. Wear shorts underneath then if conditions do warm up you can take them off.

You can recover from the general discomfort of being warm, but a long hard ride with cold knees can give you aches and pains which may last for months - or longer.

napper · Post by **napper** » 18 Apr 2008, 3:14pm

Thanks chaps, not sure I'm any the wiser though! Obviously a difficult decision this time of year. The thing is I want to travel as light as poss, I reckon it's going to be shorts, long sleeve top, plus waterproof/windproof jacket - with the option to take the jacket off and stow away as necessary. No doubt, half way round I'll wish I did something else, but thanks for the advice.

mrsbloomsburybarton · Post by **mrsbloomsburybarton** » 18 Apr 2008, 4:20pm

It's horrible, miserable weather this week. Bitterly cold, dull and windy. I haven't been out at any time of day without hat and gloves. What's happening? It's supposed to be April!

Post by **Mick F** » 18 Apr 2008, 4:49pm

mrsbloomsburybarton wrote:What's happening? It's supposed to be April!

Global WARMING?

mrsbloomsburybarton · Post by **mrsbloomsburybarton** » 18 Apr 2008, 4:55pm

WARMING? It's fecking freezing!! :cry:

Kentish Man · Post by **Kentish Man** » 19 Apr 2008, 7:43pm

napper wrote:Thanks chaps, not sure I'm any the wiser though! Obviously a difficult decision this time of year. The thing is I want to travel as light as poss, I reckon it's going to be shorts, long sleeve top, plus waterproof/windproof jacket - with the option to take the jacket off and stow away as necessary. No doubt, half way round I'll wish I did something else, but thanks for the advice.

Do let us know what you finally decided and how things worked out! You can always try thinking of a hot coffee / tea / bowl of soup at the next stop to keep you going.

NB if I remember correctly, advice to beginners on the Audax site is to wear warm and strip if necessary - they reckoned that one major reason for people packing is getting too cold.

napper · Post by **napper** » 19 Apr 2008, 7:47pm

Will let you know Sun. evening!!

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:13pm

napper wrote:Will let you know Sun. evening!!

I've been sitting here on tenterhooks. Well, I've been wondering how you got on. :wink:

I hope you are not frozen to death somewhere?

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 22 Apr 2008, 8:03am

I too am waiting for the update.......