Dressing for long fall ride

[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.

[Catrin]

They keep dropping the high temps tomorrow, it keeps getting closer to 60 with a cold, raw wind. I may just stick with that LS base layer with wool SS jersey.

Thanks for all of the comments, it sounds like I've all my bases covered. It is interesting that each year we have to re-think how to dress for cooler temps. At least I have to rethink it. Unlike previous years, however, I already have all I need and that is a good feeling. My budget likes that

[amb]

I second the person who mentioned knickers. I have a pr of PI symphony knickers and they are possibly my favorite cycling garment. In the spring and fall, I can wear them with regular socks or if it's pretty chilly, I wear black knee socks (the "active variety" from REI) and it keeps me warm and doesn't look too silly since it's all black. I have some tights to wear over my shorts but they are for really cold weather. The whole knee socks under knickers covers me to about 40/45 deg. And if it does get pretty warm, they're somehow not much hotter than shorts. Love 'em!