Leg warmers insanity

[midlandsgrimpeur]

14/15 degrees is a difficult temperature for me, potentially too cold for shorts, too warm for bibs, I probably ought to keep a diary of weather & temperatures vs what I wear and how it felt, feeling cold before a ride is rarely indicative of how I'll feel on the ride!

It can depend on time of year as well. A mild 14 degree November day with a bit of wind chill is definite bib tights, but the same temp in April with the sun shining feels warmer, even though it may not actually be the case!

 

[super_davo]

dont you all find your lets call it the core area of the shorts top of the thighs, gets a bit chilled when its cold if you are just wearing the same kinds of shorts you do in summer ?

I mean for me knee warmers are great keep my creaking knees warm, I use them in that tricky crossover period when its still quite mild at times but might be chilly in bits early morning or late evening, so summer level shorts are fine.

Ive then got fleecy 3/4s, but theres literally only a couple of weeks per year in spring/autumn they work as an option, because it either rapidly becomes too cold and your lower calf and achilles start aching as a result, or its too warm and your back to knee warmers/shorts. again.

I do have a pair of leg warmers,but Ive only used them once or twice at most. if its cold enough for leg warmers, its cold enough for tights. which then also keep that core area warmer and free of wind chill effects, and Ive never been on a ride with that wide enough of a temperature range to bother changing that view.

I swear by thermal shorts - Sportful Fiandre No Rain being my favourite - but I've also got a DHB set too. They can be paired with the matching leg warmers and you pretty much have full on winter tights, or with thin lycra which is great for temps around 10 degrees. Plus you can wear them on their own up to high teens temps.
Its an incredibly versatile set up and pretty much ideal for spring / autumn trips away where you don't want to pack too much stuff.

 

[Webbo2]

I have worn leg warmers on off for forty years or so but these days I can’t get them to stay up. I wonder is because I no longer shave my legs so they slide of my hairy legs. I’m loathe to gaffer tape or staple them to my thighs.

 

[Happy_Days]

Thats prime temps for shorts, did you mean somewhat colder such as 5/6C?

Your knees must be less creaky than mine!

Some of us with rusty knees need to keep them as warm as possible—regardless of how comfortable the rest of our bodies may be in the air temperature.

Hence, I’m a 3/4 tights fan, as they keep my knees warm when it’s not cold enough for tights.

 

[PaulSB]

I have worn leg warmers on off for forty years or so but these days I can’t get them to stay up. I wonder is because I no longer shave my legs so they slide of my hairy legs. I’m loathe to gaffer tape or staple them to my thighs.

After 40 years the elastic may have gone?

 

[Webbo2]

After 40 years the elastic may have gone?

Unfortunately not as that would be a reason to try some new ones. Forty years ago leg warmers were those knitted things that ballet dancers wear as ankle warmers.

 

[matticus]

Unfortunately not as that would be a reason to try some new ones. Forty years ago leg warmers were those knitted things that ballet dancers wear as ankle warmers.

OMG, now I feel old!!!

 

[lazybloke]

It's pretty simple, no insanity needed:

1) Check forecasts
2) estimate your 'comfort profile' for the entire duration of the ride
3) Pick appropriate choice, or choices, of clothing
4) Adjust layers mid-ride if/when necessary

If that's too complicated, just focus on point 4