Cool Weather Wear

[Becky]

Do a search of the forums...there's lots of good advice about clothing

That said, in the 50s and 60s, I reach for arm warmers, knee warmers, and a lightweight vest. If I know that it's not getting above high 50s, I might wear knickers instead of shorts and knee warmers, and a summerweight long-sleeve jersey. My hands get cold really easily, so I'll often wear a pair of Manzella silkweight windstopper gloves over my cycling gloves once it's below 60.

All of these pieces are really lightweight and smushable, so they fit well in jersey pockets if I get too warm. It all really depends on how cold it is when I start, how much it's going to warm up, and how hard I'm working.

Data weenie that I am, I actually started keeping a spreadsheet of what I wore for a particular temperature. By next spring, I should have a good picture of what clothing works at what temp.

[VeloVT]

Data weenie that I am, I actually started keeping a spreadsheet of what I wore for a particular temperature. By next spring, I should have a good picture of what clothing works at what temp.

I did this for running a few years ago. I actually do refer back to it each year as the temps change and I can't remember what's comfortable for running when it's 25 degrees out .

AND:
I have a winter sock wardrobe. In the summer I wear super thin unpadded nylon-lycra (or something) super-low cut socks for running and cycling. Once the weather gets cooler (and I'm wearing tights) I switch to unpadded, quarter-length merino socks from Defeet, Sockguy and Smartwool. I'm not SURE it makes a difference but they definitely make me FEEL cozier .

[lph]

If you already have several pairs of shorts and jerseys I'd say the cheapest option would be leg warmers OR light unpadded tights (the leg warmers do fine on me, the tights are a little sleeker but warmer), midcalf thin wool socks, arm warmers, a vest and thin fullfinger gloves. I prefer covering everything with a thin layer instead of leaving skin exposed as with knickers, but we tend to get wet weather around now.

There's a bit of difference in arm/leg warmers though - I have Assos arm warmers which are very sturdy, thick and warm (the grippers are almost annoyingly "sturdy") but Sportful leg warmers, which are very thin and breathable, and look like they might get sloppy around the knee with use.

I do the spreadsheet thing too - invaluable whenever the seasons change

[Becky]

Once the weather gets cooler (and I'm wearing tights) I switch to unpadded, quarter-length merino socks from Defeet, Sockguy and Smartwool. I'm not SURE it makes a difference but they definitely make me FEEL cozier .

I own several pairs of Defeet Wooleators, and I think that they definitely make a difference once it turns cool. If the toes are happy, I'm happy!

[sundial]

I'm in Arkansas that has warmer temps in the fall and early winter months. What I found works for me is wearing capris paired with a short sleeve jersey and vest in temps of 65 F or so. With temps of 60 F or so, I'll put on a summer weight long sleeve jersey and a vest and capris. In the dead of winter I'll wear a wool jersey with a wool tank underneath, bike shorts paired with a pair of fleecy tights, and a jacket. Or I'll wear a jersey with windblock and a wool tank . I have worn a helmet cover in the past but this year I'm going with a cap under the helmet so that I don't look like a mushroom.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lots of wonderful threads have already been written on the forum about cool weather biking wear. Try searching for terms like ""cool weather", "cold weather", "warm gloves", "wool clothing", etc....and you will find more great info than you could ever imagine! Some threads are about really cold weather biking (0-30 degrees) and others are about temps in the 50-60s, like yours.
The search tool is near the top of your screen, between "New posts" and "Quick links". Have fun!

[aicabsolut]

In cool weather, I'll wear a long sleeve summer weight baselayer and knee warmers. Or, I might break out my new fleece bib knickers that (due to many problems with the team kit order) arrived after it had gotten hot. I will still wear fingerless gloves till it gets under 50 degrees, typically. I may put on toe covers. I may also use a light coolmax scullcap.

In the winter, I'll wear a winter weight baselayer, jersey, and either a thermal vest or a fleece jacket (with wind panel). I don't really like my tights, so those only come out when it's REALLY cold. I typically just wear shorts with leg warmers, with toe covers or booties. I'd love to get some fleeced, padded bib tights, but those are so hard to come by in sizes that work for me. Long fingered lightweight gloves to serious winter gloves, depending. I also wear a fleece skullcap that goes over my ears and has a wind panel on the front.

[kacie tri-ing]

Hey!

I am in atlanta too!

Where have you been riding in north georgia? Luckily for us it does not get as cold as it does for some of our northern friends :-)