What to wear

[johnmillie]

Hi I have started using my bike to work again after the winter, the problem I have is what should I wear, I cycle early in the morning and late at night, and have a train journey in the middle of my commute. The past two weeks I'v ended up with the cold after each, because I think I cycle to wrapped up, is it best to start off your cycle feeling the cold then wrap up once you stop

 

[BSRU]

Hi I have started using my bike to work again after the winter, the problem I have is what should I wear, I cycle early in the morning and late at night, and have a train journey in the middle of my commute. The past two weeks I'v ended up with the cold after each, because I think I cycle to wrapped up, is it best to start off your cycle feeling the cold then wrap up once you stop

A decent baselayer would help, I have Icebreaker 200 merino wool top and leggings, helps keep me warm in the cold and cool inside buildings.

 

[suecsi]

Lots of layers that you can put on/take off where necessary (warm trains etc., but cold station platforms).

I only do a short commute at each end, and try to integrate items with my office clothes as much as possible, as we don't have much in the way of washing/changing facilities at work. Not much of my stuff is specifically cycle oriented other than the Hi-Vis

1. Cotton vest base layer with integral bra (from Uniqlo, I have loads of these and they are back in stock for the spring now)
2. Smart fitted black t-shirt and a-line mini/knee length wide skirt or black trousers
3. If wearing a skirt, black opaques
4. padded cycling 3/4 tights underneath the skirt or trousers (crazy London potholes)
5. knee high leather boots with a rubber sole (pedals wreck heels). I keep smart shoes in the office under my desk, as well as a plain black suit jacket
6. a velour zip up tracksuit top from M&S
7. nice warm scarf
8. Hi-Vis Altura Kinetic jacket (quite thin)
9. If it is REALLY cold, I might pull out the Gore beanie under my helmet but I prefer to do that on the way home only as it gives me seriously flat hair (and I only have a pixie crop as it is).

I haven't had any more colds (fingers crossed) since before I started commuting in January (I had a very nasty flu over Christmas).

When I get on the train I undo the Hi-Vis, loosen or remove the scarf, and unzip the velour tracksuit top to let some air in.

There have been a few times I have felt cold but it wasn't when I was cycling, it was when I was waiting in between trains and Twickenham station is a bit of a wind tunnel.

I have found advice from elsewhere on the forum to slow down a bit at the end of the journey works really well to stop too much sweating - otherwise you don't sweat too much and then you stop and whoosh .....

 

[fimm]

How far are your two cycle legs? I bike-train-bike on a Brompton wearing whatever I'll be wearing in the office (ie a suit or smart skirt/trousers + jacket) with a warm coat, scarf and gloves. The only thing I change is my shoes. But I dodn't cycle very far - the longer leg (at the office end) is only a couple of miles at most.

 

[suecsi]

I'm on a Brompton too, and the only cycle specific things are the hi-vis/helmet and the shorts (and that is only because the potholes really hurt my underneath). Otherwise the top, skirt, opaque tights or trousers is exactly what I would wear in the office - we have a fairly liberal dress code but unless somewhere is very strict, I have found wearing black, black or black works really well .....

I don't bother wearing the smart jacket as I find it is too bulky underneath the hi-vis so I keep it in the office.

Sounds like the distances are much the same.

 

[Moodyman]

As above, but even dedicated cycle gear will retain some sweat which will cool when you stop and cause a chill.

Either pedal with less effort or carry spare tops for the train journey.

 

[johnmillie]

Thanks both halfs of my trip are about 3 miles with a 45 minute train trip in the middle, my early start Im on the train at 0545 and my late finish i get the train home at about 2100, I think ill try a diffrent route to the station from work as just now I cycle up a very step hill on the final leg of my commute, i chose this route originally to give a bigger challenge but might keep it till the summer.

 

[400bhp]

You don't get a cold from being cold (in isolation) by the way.

Get layered up-use cycle or running specific clothing as it is designed for the purpose.

 

[corshamjim]

IME, the most important part of temperature control in winter is a windproof layer. Temperature control is by unzipping the front or undoing the cuffs of a windproof jacket. Don't forget to windproof your head too - a helmet cover helps as does a light hat under the helmet.

I normally wear ordinary office clothes with a windproof jacket over. Below 5 degrees I'll wear a fleece top too.

ymmv though - some people feel the cold a lot differently than others

 

[johnmillie]

Thanks for the help I went to my lbs instead if halfords today and the guy was brilliant, I got the proper lub instead of the spray I usually get advised to buy, a proper jacket and baselayer to wear under it, so I'm all set for work on monday now