Mis-judging Cyclewear!

[Dayvo]

Do you live at one of the Poles???

Not far from it (the north one)!

 

[battered]

I have an in/out thermometer in the bedroom and have a glance at that. I never cycle in work gear, a small bag carries a spare layer and a waterproof, and leggings in winter momnths. I don'y like to go out withiout a few options just in case you get invited to a friend's place and end up cycling home at midnight, when it's dark and freezing and you are still in your daytime summer gear.

 

[Glow worm]

I tend to wear shorts for most of the year, tights for just a couple of months, I don't mind cold legs.

Same here, my legs never seem to get cold. It's shorts and T shirt year round for me (though this can cause muscle problems in real cold unless you warm up properly). I'm lucky to have showers at work so getting wet's no problem so I wear less if it's wet as the clothes can dry during the day. Only my hands get really cold- for some odd reason at 41 degrees F (5c) or below. I have a outdoor thermometer that beams the temperature reading indoors which works really well. If it's 41 or below when I head off - gloves on!

 

[zacklaws]

During Late Autumm through to Spring, through the cooler months, I record in a chart exactly what I have worn on a ride, all items of clothing are listed individually, I also record what the minimum and maximum temperature was, also the wind speed max and my average speed and maximum speed. I also record how I was on the ride, either hot, warm or cold, by ticking the boxes, it maybe even a combination ie cold feet but a warm body and if so this will be reflected on in the remarks. It is then a simple job to look at the outside thermometer, or the weather online, and from that I know exactly what to wear by a quick glance at the chart.

All items of clothing are entered across the top of the chart first, then the weather info, then how I was, from left to right, the chart was made in MS Word

And whenever I buy something new it gets entered straight onto the chart. I did used to enter cycling shirts as one entity, but I have since found out that the coolmax type are not as warm as polyester type materials, especially when they get wet, so this year my chart will reflect that.

And its now time to dig out my chart from last year as the days are beginning to get cooler. If I had them at hand I could be a bit more specific with the details.

I've found an old blank template from last year to give you a rough idea, its just a case of ticking boxes, dates of ride etc are not important

 

[gaz]

You did that chart in word?
This is madness!

Excel sounds like a much better idea!

 

[rosscbrown]

Shorts and tshirt all year round. Because I'm a tough Scot? Nah, 'cos I'm an idiot. :-)

 

[zacklaws]

You did that chart in word?
This is madness!
Excel sounds like a much better idea!

It did start off in Excel, but it was far easier in the end in Word, its just a case of creating a table with how many columns and rows you need and jobs done. Originally it was supposed to be in Access but never got round to it.

 

[Tynan]

bib shorts and ss top does me all spring, summer and into autumn, long and a base layer when it gets cold, buff and gillet in the pannier for wet/cold days

get cold=ride faster, I almost always have a healthy sweat on

 

[3tyretrackterry]

normal attire is ron hills t shirt and if cool or wet a thin windproof in winter add gloves and a hat and possibly an extra layer under windproof. i work shifts and often cycle in at odd times also after a nightshift and when i am tired i feel the cold more. i often end up sweating after my ride but shower at work as i wear a uniform

 

[scouserinlondon]

During Late Autumm through to Spring, through the cooler months, I record in a chart exactly what I have worn on a ride, all items of clothing are listed individually, I also record what the minimum and maximum temperature was, also the wind speed max and my average speed and maximum speed. I also record how I was on the ride, either hot, warm or cold, by ticking the boxes, it maybe even a combination ie cold feet but a warm body and if so this will be reflected on in the remarks. It is then a simple job to look at the outside thermometer, or the weather online, and from that I know exactly what to wear by a quick glance at the chart.

All items of clothing are entered across the top of the chart first, then the weather info, then how I was, from left to right, the chart was made in MS Word

And whenever I buy something new it gets entered straight onto the chart. I did used to enter cycling shirts as one entity, but I have since found out that the coolmax type are not as warm as polyester type materials, especially when they get wet, so this year my chart will reflect that.

And its now time to dig out my chart from last year as the days are beginning to get cooler. If I had them at hand I could be a bit more specific with the details.

I've found an old blank template from last year to give you a rough idea, its just a case of ticking boxes, dates of ride etc are not important

Wow

This does beg the question, why? I find sticking my head out of the bedroom window does the job.

Each to their own I suppose.

 

[Downward]

Get a Wireless Weather station from Aldi, Instant Temp guide.

 

[Norm]

Wow

This does beg the question, why? I find sticking my head out of the bedroom window does the job.

Each to their own I suppose.

I'm fairly lucky, I reckon, I wear polycotton walking trousers all year round with a t-shirt and a waterproof jacket if it is raining or cold. If it drops below freezing, then I'll add a fleece (or mid-layer, as the kids call them today ).

Puffing around on a bike can help me build up a fair amount of heat.

 

[buggi]

if the weather is iffy and can't decide whether to sunshine or rain try:

= 3/4 length tights/knickers/leggings or whatever you want to call them... something just below the knee to keep your knees warm. warmer than shorts, but not too hot like full length tights.

= arm warmers, make a massive difference if it's a cold start/late finish but easy to remove if the sun comes out and you get hot and they fold up and fit nicely in the back of your pocket.

= neoprene overshoes... to stop your feet getting wet and cold if it rains, but between these and your 3/4 length tights there is bare skin on your lower leg so you don't overheat.

= windproof/waterproof thin gilet. the type you can fold up and put in your pocket. Just enough to keep your torso dry in a short shower. The arm warmers will be ok for a short shower too.

= thermal cap (will fit under your helmet if you wear one) to keep your ears warm but again will fit in your pocket if you're too hot.

= autumn gloves. not big thick ones, just thin material but with full fingers.

i find these things help with the changeover between summer and winter, or if i know it's going to be cold in the morning but hot on the way home... and i cycle 25 miles so it's pretty much tried and tested.

 

[goo_mason]

Simple - check the wireless outdoor temp reading. Once it gets down to under 10 degrees, it's time to wear the bib longs and the winter jersey. If it's above 10, the bib shorts & CC top!

If it's raining, I'll only put a rain jacket on if it's the middle of winter and it's freezing cold (below 5) - otherwise the winter top gets me hot enough to still feel warm despite the wet. (I 'boil in the bag' in a jacket, so it has to be very wet & cold before I'll wear one).

 

[Downward]

Simple - check the wireless outdoor temp reading. Once it gets down to under 10 degrees, it's time to wear the bib longs and the winter jersey. If it's above 10, the bib shorts & CC top!

If it's raining, I'll only put a rain jacket on if it's the middle of winter and it's freezing cold (below 5) - otherwise the winter top gets me hot enough to still feel warm despite the wet. (I 'boil in the bag' in a jacket, so it has to be very wet & cold before I'll wear one).

Yeah Temps the way to go.

Pretty much 10 Deg and below is going to be a chilly wind - enough for maybe longs and jacket.
10 - 15 degrees - Still ok with Shorts, Long sleeved base layer and long sleeved jersey.
15-20 - Long sleeved base layer and short sleeved jersey
20 + Short sleeved Jersey.


I always carry a showerproof (Well it's got me through some really heavy showers in summer without leakage) which I can put on/take off when required (normally at the start of the ride)