Apparel Question

[paigette]

*Feel free to laugh, as I know I'm a weenie when it comes to the cold.

Ok, this is my first fall of cycling. I happily own 3 sleeveless jerseys & 2 pairs of cycling shorts. But, this morning's temp was 45 and.....I don't do cold, yesterday's evening temp was mid-50's.

Now, what do y'all wear when it's chilly, but not necessarily freezing? Are there lightweight jackets I can stuff in a camelpak? Or should I just go with a long-sleeve jersey?

[Aggie_Ama]

Another thin-blooded Texan here. What I wore yesterday (temp was mid 50's to low 60's but it was windy from the north):

SS Jersey
Shorts
Tights over shorts (I don't have padded tights- too pricey and I can wear these running)
Arm Warmers
Light Weight Pearl Izumi Jacket
Toe covers (I need some wool socks)

I took off the arm warmers after about 11 miles because I warmed fairly cheap. My jacket was a late season purchase on clearance. We got in February for half price and I still got a lot of wear out of it.

[SadieKate]

Below 65 degrees your knees should be covered. As the temps get colder - Knee warmers or knickers, leg warmers, tights, thick tights, windproof tights, etc.,

[sbctwin]

On my commute this morning (4:30am), the temp was 35F. I wore PI Thermal Tights, smartwool socks, Terry shoe covers, a short sleeved jersey with armskins, a light weight jacket...Hands were covered with thicker gloves (not bicycling becasue I can't find small enough "winter" gloves that don't have excess finger tips), and on my head/neck a neck gator pulled up over my ears and head but still fit under my helmet. The sun was not up and I think 35 feels colder in the dark than it does when the sun is up. For my ride home (forcasted to be 55F to 60F), I will leave off the shoe covers, armskins and neck gator and wear my fingerless bike gloves. I still work up a sweat on my morning commute, but all in all, I was comfortable.....

[HipGnosis6]

I can't find small enough "winter" gloves that don't have excess finger tips

You can alter gloves if this is the only problem. If you have a sewing machine, turn the glove inside out and sew across the tip of the finger at a better length for you. If you're fancy you can even curve the seam a little. Cut off the excess about 1/8" from your new stitching and turn the glove back rightside out. Voila! Customized gloves.

I do this regularly - the lengths of my fingers are very different and to get a glove that's long enough for my middle finger means that the pinky is way too long!

[paigette]

Thanks for this tips, I'm going tights shopping after work...well after heading to the LBS for a headlight(found a group that does Monday evening rides!)

I looked & TE has some clearance jackets available but this leads to another question: Should the jacket be loose or fitted(like your jersey)?

[CyclChyk]

I hate the cold too so I bought a pair of cycling knickers from performance bike for about $30; and a lightweight wind breaker. So starting out, the 50 feels a sliver on the chilly side but once I ride the first mile or so I feel comfortably warm without being overdressed. I am contemplating fingerless gloves but thats partly due to my fingers going numb (tendonitis/carpel tunnel - ugh)

[Jen]

Are leg warmers comfortable or are tights over shorts more comfortable?

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks for this tips, I'm going tights shopping after work...well after heading to the LBS for a headlight(found a group that does Monday evening rides!)

I looked & TE has some clearance jackets available but this leads to another question: Should the jacket be loose or fitted(like your jersey)?

My jacket is fitted. If it is loose it will blow up with air. I guess it could be a personal preference.

[GLC1968]

Are leg warmers comfortable or are tights over shorts more comfortable?


I like leg warmers (I use knee warmers) unless its REALLY cold because you can always peel them off if you get warm. I guess you could do the same with tights, but it's more stuff to shove into your pocket than leg warmers. Similar situation with armwarmers and long sleeve jerseys. I don't own a long sleeve jersey...I've been using arm warmers or my bolero under a wind-breaking jacket and been fine so far.

Of course, tomorrow it's forcasted to be 35F for my morning commute...so we'll see...that'll be my coldest ride yet!! :eek:

[paigette]

Oh! Armwarmers may be best for me....:rolleyes: I don't want to pay THAT much for a jacket just yet(holding out for Christmas)!

[Offthegrid]

Great advice here, but I just wanted to add that if it's cold, I would wear something under a long-sleeved jersey if you won't be wearing a jacket.

[3weight]

I rode this morning with temps about 38 or so:
lightweight Patagonia capilene short~sleeve T
long sleeve silkweight capilene shirt
windproof Marmot top
padded shorts
long, windproof pants
socks
shoes
fingerless gloves
helmet

My ears and fingers were a bit cold, but otherwise I was comfy (and I tend to get very cold very easily).
I think the trick is to layer and wear some good wicking clothing so your sweat doesn't get trapped and make you cold. The capilene stuff is great for keeping the sweat off. Also, it's amazing what windproof clothing can do to keep you warm.
Hope this helps~ Cheers!
Teresa :)

[paigette]

When I went to LBS & tried on tights, the ones they had that fit my butt were too long. So, I ended up ordering some knee warmers from Nashbar as a test.

And maybe Aggie_Ama can help me out, but it seems there was a limited selection of clothing at Aggieland.....is there someplace else? Right now, it looks like I'll be making a trip to Conroe or Katy this weekend for some armwarmers or a jacket.

[Mimosa]

When temperature is around

arond 18 degr. celcius: I wear a thin jacket/long sleeved shirt with a sweat shirt under it. And use knee warmers.

arond 10 d.c.: I wear a thin jacket/long sleeved shirt and a long ski shirt with a sweat shirt under it. And use leg warmers.

< 0 d.c.: A thermal jacket, ski shirt, sweat shirt. Leg warmers with tights over them.

... I hate being cold. ;) So I dress up warm, if I am warm then at least can't get the cold/flu from being underdressed.

[kaybee]

Okay, it doesn't get *really* cold here in the Southeast, but my feet freeze when I ride in cooler temps. So, do I get toe covers or shoe covers?

KB

[Crankin]

If you wear lightweight Smartwool socks, you probably could get away with toe warmers. I have been using them in temps around 50 and have been fine (my feet freeze, too). There are usually 2 weights of shoe covers (booties), so you couold find a pair of lighter weight ones, which are generally cheaper.

[kaybee]

Thanks, Robyn. I'll see what I can find.

KB

[wannaduacentury]

I bought some of the knee high smartwool socks so my lower legs are warm-- what the shorts don't cover when I wear tights.:rolleyes:

[pooks]

I rode this morning with temps about 38 or so:
lightweight Patagonia capilene short~sleeve T
long sleeve silkweight capilene shirt
windproof Marmot top
padded shorts
long, windproof pants
socks
shoes
fingerless gloves
helmet

My ears and fingers were a bit cold, but otherwise I was comfy (and I tend to get very cold very easily).
I think the trick is to layer and wear some good wicking clothing so your sweat doesn't get trapped and make you cold. The capilene stuff is great for keeping the sweat off. Also, it's amazing what windproof clothing can do to keep you warm.
Hope this helps~ Cheers!
Teresa :)

This is a great list for me. We've got a pretty good collection of bottom layer microfiber or capilene stuff. We camp when it's cold so love that stuff, and also use it when we're traveling because it packs so well, rinses out and dries quickly. (We've worn it in the UK in February and stayed toasty without being all bundled.)

And you can get it cheaper than biking-specific things. Most of ours has come from REI.

Now, what about toe covers and shoe covers? Even in smart wool socks feet get cold?

[Aggie_Ama]

When I went to LBS & tried on tights, the ones they had that fit my butt were too long. So, I ended up ordering some knee warmers from Nashbar as a test.

And maybe Aggie_Ama can help me out, but it seems there was a limited selection of clothing at Aggieland.....is there someplace else? Right now, it looks like I'll be making a trip to Conroe or Katy this weekend for some armwarmers or a jacket.

I seem to remember BCS on Dominik having a better selection. The owner is super annoying though! The other thing to check is Academy. Sometimes they have a limited selection of cycling stuff. My first tights were Champion running tights from Target- it was all I could find!

You might be better off trying Katy or coming to Austin. :D

Complete thread hijack- I was wondering if you got your doggies groomed or did it yourself. I miss my groomers in College Station, my dogs never looked better. I also had a great vet, but that is no shock!

[Jen]

You guys are awesome. You gave me some great ideas. My longest ride ever and my coldest ride ever. Tried some of that gel for fuel during the ride. That stuff is amazing. Goes into your system so quickly. As for clothes, after reading your threads, I guess I'll try a dri fit t shirt, long sleeve shirt and jersey and a wind proof jacket that is super thin. I was going to just get a vest, but maybe I need the sleeves. I will be near the water so it may be windy. Maybe toe covers, wool socks and leg warmers or tights. Got ear covers, may skip the helmet cover. Sound ok or too much? 40 deg to start ( 35 with wind chill) going up to 55 deg F. It is hard to find decent women's clothes at LBS, especially Performance. I guess it is a man's world or a least run by men. Ever notice how when you go into a bike shop for clothes that there are no women to give you advice on saddles or shorts or other stuff for chicks?

[Jen]

I forgot, I can't afford new gloves too so I am going to use my new PI gloves and cover them with the performance black gloves. That will work wont it? Geeeeez, this stuff is expensive.

[paigette]

Complete thread hijack- I was wondering if you got your doggies groomed or did it yourself. I miss my groomers in College Station, my dogs never looked better. I also had a great vet, but that is no shock!

Well, I got the pups groomed the weekend before moving up here, so I've yet to find a groomer, so I'll take any recommendations. Paxi needs her shots(due Oct 12), just haven't gotten around to it (I know, bad puppy parent!)

[Aggie_Ama]

I was just wondering since I gave poor Maggie (my black schnauzer) the ugliest haircut. She was matted and I gave it a go, my husband said she looks like a homeless dog.:( I don't like the groomer here, they never look as good.

Great new avatar, I love the puppies!! Don't feel bad, my Maggie needs a bordetella booster and Heidi need rabies this week, neither are scheduled yet. :eek:

I will PM you.

Did you try BCS or are you heading to Katy?

[paigette]

I have to go to my parents house this weekend, so on the way back, I'm going to swing through Katy and see what they have to offer. I'm anxiously waiting for the knee warmers from Nashbar. I was looking online & I think I'm leaning towards an IllumiNite jacket.