Women's cylcing apparel in DC area??

[HillSlugger]

Don't know what to wear in cold weather. I will be about 30 deg in the am and go up to abut 52 or 55. I will be near the water so it will be a little more humid but it will be windy. I was thinking of tights, I can take them off if I get hot, base layer, warm jersey(mid weight) and a water proof,wind proof vest. Is that enough or too much? Should I wear a century jacket instead? Never did a long ride in cold weather. Kinda new at this but very pumped. I hear the knee warmer fall down. I was going to wear bike shorts and put tights over them. HELP!

Definitely think in layers that can be removed as the day gets warmer.

For head: some kind of hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears, and a helmet cover. As things warm up, first remove the helmet cover and then later the hat, too.

Torso: base layer, jersey, and jacket. Start unzipping as you warm, them start removing layers. If you're anything like me (or like me have a jacket that doesn't breathe/vent really well), you'll find your jersey and base layer a bit damp under your jacket so be careful about cooling down too quickly and getting chilled as you open up and unlayer.

Legs: tights over shorts, or just tights that are not too thick.

Feet: sock liners, wooly socks, shoes, and toe covers.

Hands: full finger winter gloves, but bring your regular riding gloves to change into later.

[Jen]

Thanks, I think I was going to go underdressed. Some guys told me not to wear more than one base layer and a jersey. I know that isn't enough. As for a jacket, a whisper jacket, long sleeve or something more? It turns out it will start at about 41 deg in the am. toe covers to start?

[HillSlugger]

Thanks, I think I was going to go underdressed. Some guys told me not to wear more than one base layer and a jersey. I know that isn't enough. As for a jacket, a whisper jacket, long sleeve or something more? It turns out it will start at about 41 deg in the am. toe covers to start?

I did a ride last weekend with a starting temp around 39 degrees and one yesterday with a starting temp around 45 degrees. Yesterday I went without the helmet cover or the toe covers but used them both last week and was glad for them. I ended up taking off the helmet cover at the halfway point but kept the toe covers on and still had cold toes.

My jacket is long sleeve, coated for wind and water resistance but not very breathable (I'm hoping for something nicer as a gift). I ended up unzipping it and my jersey at the neck but never taking it off until I was back in the car.

[aicabsolut]

I haven't tried Hane's Point or the Arboretum. I just moved here over the summer (and was studying for the bar exam so I didn't really go anywhere till recently), and I'm not sure where those places are. I mean, I know where NY Ave. is, but I don't think I've been on it yet. I'll look into it. Thanks!

Oh, how is cycling around the mall (just in general, not for training)? I do work on Fridays down at the Library of Congress and it'd be nice to take the bike there (I don't carry much or dress up) instead of spending ages on the blue/orange. I know there's construction at Lincoln Circle near where I'd start, but that's it.

[aicabsolut]

I got a pair of Cannondale no chamois tights--midweight. I was going to wear them today but it was warm out. They are nice and fuzzy on the inside and seem to fit well. I did go down one size from my shorts size though. Still need toe covers and LS jersey or jacket and headband/ear warmers.

Can you be a little more specific where the Hanes Pt and Arboretum rides are?

[bikaroney]

OK, so I tried out the Race Pace in Columbia and yeah, it was pretty big! They had a pretty decent women's selection, though they didn't have any padded tights. They had some nice Nike tights w/o padding though. So I was relatively impressed with the women's section compared to other places around, but when I asked one of the guys working there if they had any bibs he replied that they don't make bibs for women. So not true!!! I asked the guy at the Chevy Chase City Bikes and he said they did carry them, but had a big sale 3 weeks ago and they got cleaned out. So I just ordred some Giordana bibs that are on sale at www.bikesomewhere.com we'll see how well I like them...

Gotta agree about the layers. i went out early on Saturday and by the end whenever I stopped I was pretty warm. But the windchill while riding was significant enough that I was fine while riding. One nice way to layer is with a jacket that has zip-off sleeves so it converts to a vest. I love my Cannondale Morphis!!

Aicabsolut, have you tried Hane's Point? It's not long, only a 3 mile loop, but it's a nice flat smooth ride with minimal to no stopping/traffic. I like it because I can ride there easily from my apartment in Capitol Hill and do a few laps, depending on how much time (or rather lack thereof) I have. I wouldn't recommend it for a longer ride though, it would get pretty repetative. As Velobambina pointed out, the Arboretum is nice for more a more diverse terrain.