Clothing for a cross country?

[captenaj]

Thanks for the feedback. I have running tights and I have layered them successfully on some of my colder rides. I think you're right that I need to invest in gloves and neoprene boots. I hate to spend a lot of money on something I may not use after this trip but I'd hate it more if I felt I had to get in the van because I was too cold. Thanks again!

[Thorn]

As stated before, check with the tour organizer, they should have some suggestions. Washable and versatile are the key. Think layers. I've travelled to somewhere it should have been warm, but they had a cold snap. Put on nearly everything I brought and got out riding.

That said, you list MN in your profile. Are you at all fair skinned? If so, I'd be considering a long-sleeved SPF jersey and a pair of light weight knickers in case your sunscreen fails you. Whenever I bike travel, I always pack the long-sleve and knickers. About 1 trip in 3 I need to engage the cloth "sunscreen".

[KnottedYet]

I've ridden in clammy-chilly-damp Washington and sunny-warm/cool California in wool from Ibex. www.ibexwear.com

One nice thing about wool is it doesn't need to be washed often (shorts you should wash!) and when you do wash it a normal washing machine on "cold" does the trick. Air dry. It dries overnight most of the time.

Layers of wool keep me nice and warm, one light layer keeps me from sunburn. (I burn quickly. I also have a 50 upf shirt for hot sunny summer days.)

[indysteel]

Thanks for the feedback. I have running tights and I have layered them successfully on some of my colder rides. I think you're right that I need to invest in gloves and neoprene boots. I hate to spend a lot of money on something I may not use after this trip but I'd hate it more if I felt I had to get in the van because I was too cold. Thanks again!

There's no reason to think that you won't use all or most of this stuff again. If you live in MN, then there's a fair number of days I would assume that you could use some cold weather gear.

I'm a gear junkie. I love the stuff and spend far more on it than I care to admit. The reason, however, that I don't feel too guilty about it is that I use all of it on a regular basis. I can only think of a few items that haven't gotten good use. End even if you don't use this stuff again, you've commited to a major trip that was presumably pretty expensive. If you want to have a good time (and there's nothing worse than spending a day on teh bike cold and/or wet), then I'd recommend investing in the right gear.

And you can always sell what you don't think you'll use again.....

Finally, I would suggest posting on TE what your'e hoping to buy. There may be some TEers who have some things to sell.