what to wear, oh what to wear

Hello TE, okay, so this fall will be my first time riding in "notorious" oregon spazztic weather. One moment sunny, one moment drenching down pour. So I have a few cycling shorts and a couple pair of "knickers". I keep seeing these leg warmers/ knee warmers/ arm warmers. How the heck do you use them? I always thought you either bought long leggings or you wore shorts. Same thing with jerseys, are these "little pieces" of fabric meant to supplement what you have? Thanks. So much to learn, so little time! ;)

When you say ' how do you use them'...I think this is the reply you want :o

Perth weather's been like yours lately & often I just get wet. I no longer care about riding in the rain & just go out with some sort of rain jacket. If it's a bit cool, arm warmers & a vest. In the late morning when I venture home, throw them in my pocket.

Summer is around the corner but lately the weather's been pretty annoying & unpredictable. I'm tired of the sand on my bike & the crazy winds.

In a few month's time i'll be complaining (with Trekhawk) about the heat.

Arm warmers and leg warmers are a fast and easy way to adjust your clothing if the weather conditions change. For example I commute by bike, and often in spring and autumn it'll be chilly in the mornings but I know it'll be warm enough to ride home in a shorts and short-sleeved jersey. Then I'll add arm- and legwarmers for the morning ride and stuff them in my pack for the ride home.

They take very little space, can be stuffed in a jersey pocket and are easier to peel off than a jacket or tights. If I know it's going to be chilly all day I prefer wearing tights or a long-sleeved jersey, though, it's a little more comfortable than the extra elastics on the warmers.

When it warms up during a ride I'll just push the arm and knee warmers down and "rock" the Flashdance look. :rolleyes: I have to be a little careful the knee warmers don't get too baggy and catch on my front derailleur or anything though.

Wow, this thread is taking me back to the 80s. I'm picturing fuzzy pastel mohair and dance shoes. I hope you wear your pink tights. You are wearing your pink tights, aren't you? Torn sweatshirt over your leotard?

Arm warmers are a crucial bridge between seasons. I know some folks swear by keeping their knees covered but perhaps I'm unduly deterred by how I look in leg warmers! I have a great packable jacket w zip-off sleeves as well.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

When it warms up during a ride I'll just push the arm and knee warmers down and "rock" the Flashdance look. :rolleyes: .

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Seen Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and the dance scene in the desert? The other day I came home, pushed my leg warmers down around my ankles but didn't get any further, so my family was treated to an impromptu rendering of "I Will Survive", drag queen style. :D

Thanks for the great ideas! Hopefully I don't sound to silly, but I was wondering "literally" how you wear them. Meaning, do I tuck the leg warmers under my shorts or over etc... Also, if you are going to do that, why not just get long riding tights, make sense. I just wasn't sure if these are meant to be worn "under" clothes, instead of being seen. Kind of like you wouldn't wear thermal undies as outerwear. And if you do, I hope I haven't offended anyone, thanks. ;)

I found them to be irritating and they wouldn't stay up. I like knickers, it's just not that warm here in the winter that you'll need the leg warmers.

Knee warmers/arm warmers get tucked into your shorts/shirt sleeves - they are made to be easy to put on and remove and to be small and packable, unlike a pair of tights that once you put on, you are unlikely to want to remove and may be a bit difficult to fit into your pocket. Only a little bit- like an inch or so, gets tucked in - so its not like you need to undress to put them on or take them off.

Just remember these four letters: W-O-O-L

www.ibexwear.com
www.joneswares.com
www.smartwool.com
www.icebreaker.com

We've been playing with the use of newspaper, under our clothing, as a disposable windbreaker. It provides additional insulation with having to add bulk to our pockets as we de-layer.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

it's just not that warm here in the winter that you'll need the leg warmers.

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They're more useful for changing conditions than for constant cool temperatures. In full winter we need full layers here, too, but on days like yesterday we can start out at 45°F and it'll be 80° before we finish. There are a couple of people in my club who can handle 45° on their exposed knees and who can generate enough core heat that their muscles and tendons don't tighten up at those temps, but I'm for sure not one of them. And any of us would've been overheated before noon if we'd dressed in full tights and long sleeves for the early morning temperature.

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We've been playing with the use of newspaper, under our clothing, as a disposable windbreaker. It provides additional insulation with having to add bulk to our pockets as we de-layer.

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A time-honored tradition in NYC! Here we have metal boxes on many street corners with freebie papers so I was taught early on that if I get caught unprepared for cooler weather to grab some and use them as you describe!

I tried out some leg warmers with my usual biking shorts for the first time tonight - thoroughly recommended! Best invention since sliced bread for the Scottish climate ;) No idea about arm warmers as it's normally never warm enough here to go without something that has sleeves on, but the leg warmers are definitely getting a big thumbs up for saving me from changing into the dreaded winter leggings already! :D

I think Eden described the function aspect of wearing these items...I can attest to their convenience, being an Oregon rider, in the sense that you can layer and then de-layer. On days that forecast rain, I'll wear or roll up a waterproof jacket and stuff it in my back jersey pocket. I love having fenders on both wheels for minimum water spray-age too. But one piece of advice is to start your rides dressed to feel cooler, since your core temp will likely warm up after 20 minutes or less of brisk pedaling. Have you looked into shoe covers? Those really help keep your feet and toes warm, which can have a great affect on your overall mood during a ride. Unfortunately, they don't do much for keeping you dry, but there is nothing you can do about that unless somebody comes out with tights that come with built-in booties for full coverage...That would be interesting...

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Originally Posted by Fletchinator

IHave you looked into shoe covers? Those really help keep your feet and toes warm, which can have a great affect on your overall mood during a ride. Unfortunately, they don't do much for keeping you dry, but there is nothing you can do about that unless somebody comes out with tights that come with built-in booties for full coverage...That would be interesting...

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pulling your tights over the top of your shoe covers goes a long way to keeping water out of your shoes (and making sure your socks are tucked all of the way in too) Winter shoes - a few companies, Sidi, Northwave and maybe some others - make them will keep your feet dry for hours if you are careful about making sure that your socks are not sticking out of the neoprene cuff at all and your tights are not wicking water down inside. Top these shoes with booties and even the worst storms won't wet your feet.

Of course if your cleat holes go all of the way through the bottoms of your shoe and you want to even stand a chance of staying dry you need to seal up holes - silicone caulking applied to the inside of the shoe (take the insole out of course) helps a lot and is removable if you need to change the cleats.

FANTASTIC!!! Thank you all for the great ideas. Now, I will not only look fashionable, BUT be warm, dry, speedy, aerodynamic, and overall a "better gal" as well! Didn't know how much I think about my gear hunh? ;) thanks, keep em coming.