Getting ready for autumn / winter

[Nebulous]

This is a timely thread for me.

I went out this morning, rather foolhardily, in a 25mph wind with horizontal rain. Only two of us turned up, and we egged each other on to try it. The conditions were probably too dangerous, but we survived, did 20 miles, and in some ways it was quite exhilarating.

Anyway turning to clothes - I had on a pair of bibshorts, a lidl sleeveless baselayer, a ls jersey, spesh roadshoes, lidl socks and my new waterproof jacket.

lajos jacket

I bought it in Edinburgh bike sale for £55.

The jacket really proved its worth, but my socks were absolutely sodden, so I suppose a pair of overshoes are a must, but what about my legs?

Getting long bibtights would work for warmth, but how do they handle water?

 

[monnet]

When it rains, you get wet. Nothing you can do about it. THe important thing is that you keep warm. Most winter cycling clothing is lightweight and warm with a nod to water repellency because full waterproofs just get 'boil in the bag'. Warmth has to be the primary consideration.

 

[rusky]

Not clothing bu my marathon winters turned up Friday

 

[Cosmicned]

I found I generated so much heat cycling to work I didn't really feel the cold once I got over the first mile- the only thing that did suffer was my ears hurting from wind chill- so I bought one of those neck sock jobbies and a thin wooly hat cover me lugs - did the trick!

 

[515mm]

I find that a gore-tex style waterproof jacket is far too warm unless the temp is well below 10C. Normally windproof jackets over longsleeve jerseys are enough when coupled with hats, gloves, overshoes and Buffs of various thicknesses. My favourite Autumn/Winter/Spring piece of apparel is a Rapha Lightweight Windproof jacket. Other windproof jackets that have three external pockets like a cycle jersey exist. Worth their weight in gold. Very cold? Put another baselayer and a Buff on. Simple.

A vaguely waterproof hat with a brim - the classic cyclist's biretta - worn under the helmet, is invaluable. Bit cold? Put your hat on. Raining? Glasses off, hat on - keeps the water and wind out of your eyes and you don't have steamy/water covered glasses to look through.

I've never needed waterproof trousers - non windproof bibtights down to 10C or so, windproof ones below that.

So thats..........

Fully windproof jacket with external pockets, roomy enough for extra layers underneath
Bibtights with a windproof front for when it's very cold.
Biretta (little schoolboy cap) for rain or cool conditions
Thin fleecey skullcap (covers the ears when v.cold)
longsleeve baselayers
neoprene overshoes
a Buff for your neck/chin
Autumn/Winter gloves
Mudguards!

Have fun.........

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I believe ladies' tights are good for keeping out cold & wind (so I'm told!)

Good enough for 3 Commando Brigade; good enough for you.

 

[galactico]

Altura Night Vision Evo Jacket

i am looking into buying one of these jackets. can anyone comment on the breathabilty of them. my current cheap waterproof jacket is boil in the bag material meaning i am just as wet wearing it as not. i love the look of the Gore fusion jacket but the price is a bit rich for me.

 

[Marc78]

Got my base layer (dhb), got my gore gloves (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-xenon-iii-windstopper-glove/#more) so thanks for the recommendations.

Nearly ready to buy some pear izumi overshoes but having a last minute wobble. Spoke to a mate of mine who did the coast to coast at the weekend and a guy they rode with for a bit in the pouring rain was recommending sealskins waterproof thermal socks.

Any views?

 

[400bhp]

Altura Night Vision Evo Jacket

i am looking into buying one of these jackets. can anyone comment on the breathabilty of them. my current cheap waterproof jacket is boil in the bag material meaning i am just as wet wearing it as not. i love the look of the Gore fusion jacket but the price is a bit rich for me.

I steered clear of this and bought their windproof jacket instead as I thought it would be too sweaty for me.

 

[400bhp]

Got my base layer (dhb), got my gore gloves (http://www.wiggle.co...per-glove/#more) so thanks for the recommendations.

Nearly ready to buy some pear izumi overshoes but having a last minute wobble. Spoke to a mate of mine who did the coast to coast at the weekend and a guy they rode with for a bit in the pouring rain was recommending sealskins waterproof thermal socks.

Any views?

No, buy some overshoes.

Your cycle shoes will quickly turn to much and stink without them.

 

[Marc78]

Cheers 400bhp, went for some Altura's in the end as the Pearl Izumi ones looked like old peoples bootie slippers!!

 

[Banjo]

If you only buy one bit of winter kit then buy buff. I love mine ,its so versatile and makes a huge difference in the cold season.

 

[Goobs]

Altura Night Vision Evo Jacket

i am looking into buying one of these jackets. can anyone comment on the breathabilty of them. my current cheap waterproof jacket is boil in the bag material meaning i am just as wet wearing it as not. i love the look of the Gore fusion jacket but the price is a bit rich for me.

I have the black Night Vision and its very good for blocking cold winds whilst breathing easily.
Around January time I wear this, a regular long sleeve jersey, padded long pants, top and bottom base layers, helmet liner, buff and insulated gel gloves.

As already said a buff is the best value winter clothing you can get.

You can wear them in many positions form just covering your neck to your mouth, ears or like a snorkel jacket hood !