Dressing for long fall ride

[Catrin]

The temps will range from 42 to 69 according to Weather.com. I wish the upper end WAS in the 80's I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who gets cold this early in the year. I've yet to find a pair of knickers that fit me properly, and I've learned that my lighter weight tights generally do fine when others are wearing knickers...plus I already have them I think the toe covers should be enough by themselves as long as I've some thin wool socks. My heavier cycling wool socks make my feet go numb in my Mavic shoes - the shoes are just a tad too narrow. I think I need to break down and get a new pair of socks, but I think that is all I will need.

Considering the starting temps are lower than I though, I will likely go with my full Gore head cover/skull thing rather than the ear warmers - that really does help to keep the head warm. I think as long as I can fit my nutrition in my hydration pack that the Tailrider will be enough to store everything. I think a base layer + my SS Swobo wool jersey will be enough - and if I overheat I can dump the base layer.

This is a huge ride, over 2,000 people have registered, so sadly I won't be able to leave anything at a SAG, but it is going to be fun!

I do think I've a set of arm warmers tucked away, I will consider that. With starting temps at 42 I am thinking the lighter jacket will just be TOO light, there isn't much to it.

[Amira]

Ha, I'm excited that the forecast for my Saturday ride has the high in the low 90's! I was thinking, wow...that will be great! We don't hit the temps you are talking about until Thanksgiving or later, usually. Riding in summer here is what is so brutal.


What is it about the knickers you've tried that you didn't like or didn't fit? I've tested a LOT of different brands this year.


PS, I can sympathize with the numb toes/feet issue. That is the one thing I've fought all year and I finally have switched from the Specialized shoes I bought with my bike to the Sidi shoes my serious cyclists friends told me I should have gotten all along. For me, it was the opposite problem - the Specialized (even with the custom inserts) were too big/too wide and my feet were sliding around in them, which also causes numbness. Yes, find the right socks for your shoes. I had to SAG in on my first 100k this year because my feet were so miserable, I just couldn't make the last 8 miles in the time allotted.

[Catrin]

Generally speaking, when it is cool enough for me to need knickers then I really need lightweight tights. The portion of my legs that aren't covered get cold and I wind up grumbling to myself about it. I am just a cold-weather wimp who needs more clothes than some others do. That being said, if it is sunny and 65 then I am back in sleeveless and shorts - but by 60 my feet are getting cold and I want my knees covered I will have a broader comfort range come early spring.

I love my Mavic mtb shoes, but should have probably gotten the next size up. With the right socks it isn't a problem, but I was reminded of this last Saturday when I wore my long wool socks on my ride and things started going numb...thankfully not on both feet.

[Amira]

That being said, if it is sunny and 65 then I am back in sleeveless and shorts

Ah, jealous of being able to wear shorts and sleeveless. My sleeveless jerseys are for spin only. Having had melanoma 5 years ago, I had to promise my dermatologist I'd be super careful spending so much time in the sun riding. I've had to sweat out the summer in knickers to avoid sun rash on my legs and I wear the Craft arm coolers all summer for sun protection. Which, I have to say, I think are the best thing EVAH! I didn't like the Pearl Izumi ones - too hot and heavy to wear in Texas in summer - but the ones by Craft and YMX by Yellowman (both of which I ordered from TE) are great - thin, light, SPF 50 and the trick is to keep wetting them down as you ride and the wet sleeves really do help you feel cooler in hot weather. I used to feel just beat up from just being in the sun on a 50-63 mile ride and I don't anymore.

[Owlie]

In those sort of temps, I'd say wool base layer, short-sleeve jersey, arm warmers and a wind shell would work for me, perhaps leg warmers too, but my feet don't get cold until it hits the low 40s.

[shootingstar]

Depends on the shoe in feeling "colder" for me. If shoe has less non-breathable material, then my feet are warmer. I have new pair which I like (and feel more powerful on my pedal stroke because the soles are stiffer) but has more breathable material.

I have rain cover booties but haven't worn them yet. And I do cycle in rain, winter (when very little ice, snow). It's a challenge to cycle for hours when the temp. rises up to 20-25 degrees C higher over the course of several hours. It's a "problem" in so far, I don't like carrying so much clothing when cycling within the city, but I have to.

[Becky]

I confess that I dress lighter than many people, so take this with a grain of salt.

For those temps, I'd probably wear thermal knickers or light tights (depends on wind), short-sleeve wool jersey, arm warmers, and my convertible jacket. I'd add a Buff, my lighter-weight winter gloves, wool socks, and toe covers. I might bring a lighter skull cap and lighter gloves, just in case.

Being overdressed just sucks the energy out of me in a way that being chilly doesn't.