Keeping warm early morning

[Rebel Ian]

Not sure which is the best forum to post this but I'll try here.

I've another long ride at the end of October. 91 miles which will mean setting off at about 4:30am. When I recently did a similar ride I wore:

• a long sleeved base layer
• a short sleeve cycle jersey
• a sweatshirt
• a thin fluorescent waterproof

This was fine and warm enough but when we stopped for breakfast after about 50 miles my sweatshirt was sopping wet where I'd been sweating. Due to the cold air I hadn't even realised I was sweating at the time. I had to ditch the sweatshirt as there was no way I could have put it back on.

I guess the waterproof doesn't help but I don't know a better way of keeping warm during those first 2 or 3 hours while it's still dark, especially at the end of October when it's likely to be even colder.

Any suggestions about suitable attire?

Thanks,
Ian.

 

[Moodyman]

Trouble with waterproof is that they're usually windproof too, which means not very breathable.

Your sweat has no way of escaping the jacket so it builds up and soaks your top. So long as you keep pedalling you'll not notice it as it stays in there was warm sweat.

As soon as you stop and your body starts cooling so does the soggy shirt. Hence, you start feeling cold very quickly.

You really need a good breathable jacket as well as breathable tops. They allow some of the sweat to escape.

Tops made of Merino wool are the best but expensive. Other tops made of polyester will also do the job.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Thanks for that moodyman. Numpty question perhaps but does that mean breathable tops are not windproof and therefore not going to be as effective at keeping warm as my waterproof?

 

[Moodyman]

Good breathable tops are also pretty windproof. They have little cut outs under the armpits and/or down the centre of the back to allow body moisture to escape. They're usually windproof at the front where you need it to keep the wind off your chest during high speed descents.

They tend to be more expensive than just waterproof tops

 

[sadjack]

I recently bought one of these

http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=111&prod_id=125

It has a fairly good windproof front and a mesh back which allows sweat to escape. I have found that wearing it over a shirt and jersey its great for those times its a bit cold and you just want to keep the extra wind chill off. Its light and packs away small.

 

[Number14]

Buffalo shirt

windproof = warm

when wet = warm

 

[potsy]

Merino long sleeve base layer makes a difference on cold commuting days.
I'll go for 3 or 4 layers instead of any one thick garment,much better for regulating your temperature and comfort.
And a buff or 2 for keeping the cold wind from chilling your face/ears.

 

[Tynan]

layer up and a gillet on top does me nearly all of the time

 

[Globalti]

You ware overdressed by two garments and you wore cotton, which is bad because it absorbs moisture. When you're cycling you really don't need much insulation, in winter you just need a windproof with a non-absorbing layer underneath to wick away sweat. My fave combination in very cold weather is a Helly Hansen Lifa polypropylene top with a dhb (from wiggle) winter jacket over the top.

In warmer weather you can start out with arm warmers (dhb again), which you can roll down or remove as you warm up.

 

[jimboalee]

A long sleeved thermal undervest from Marks'. A long sleeved Altura fleece lined. A tee shirt in a plastic bag.

If the day warms up, swap the Marks' thermal for the Tee. Wring out the Marks' thermal vest and put it in the plastic bag.

 

[Fab Foodie]

layer up and a gillet on top does me nearly all of the time

Same here, light windproof gilets are great bits of kit, allows arms to be slightly cooler and keeps a bit extra warmth where needed. Fab for all-year round use to keep the chill out.
The trick when layering is to know when to shed them, once you feel warm, it's time to shed a layer. Dampness/sweaty layer next to the skin will chill you to the bone and you'll never warm at all. That steam has gotta get out!

Tynan and me show how in the pics here... (Post #237)

http://yacf.co.uk/fo...topic=37225.225

We're both awaiting the call from Rapha.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Same here, light windproof gilets are great bits of kit, allows arms to be slightly cooler and keeps a bit extra warmth where needed. Fab for all-year round use to keep the chill out.
The trick when layering is to know when to shed them, once you feel warm, it's time to shed a layer. Dampness/sweaty layer next to the skin will chill you to the bone and you'll never warm at all. That steam has gotta get out!

Tynan and me show how in the pics here... (Post #237)

http://yacf.co.uk/fo...topic=37225.225

We're both awaiting the call from Rapha.

Thanks. That's useful. I was particularly impressed with the full english breakfast about a dozen photos down!!

I've just checked the heavier of my two jackets and it has zips that go from the arm down the side. I'm assuming this is to allow ventilation - I hadn't really noticed them before! I think I'm going to ditch the cotton sweatshirt as that was clearly a mistake and either invest in a gilet or try my existing jacket with vents open.

 

[Broadside]

Apparently an old trick used by more seasoned riders than
myself is to stick a few sheets of newspaper down the front of your jersey, acts as a great windstopper. If/when it gets wet with sweat or rain then you just throw it away. It is the same principle as a gilet in keeping the torso warm and seems pretty sensible, especially as you can pick
up a replacement en route if needed, I will be giving it a go this winter.

 

[Globalti]

Same here, light windproof gilets are great bits of kit, allows arms to be slightly cooler and keeps a bit extra warmth where needed. Fab for all-year round use to keep the chill out.
The trick when layering is to know when to shed them, once you feel warm, it's time to shed a layer. Dampness/sweaty layer next to the skin will chill you to the bone and you'll never warm at all. That steam has gotta get out!

Tynan and me show how in the pics here... (Post #237)

http://yacf.co.uk/fo...topic=37225.225

We're both awaiting the call from Rapha.

Interested to read about Chinnor Hill on that - I lived in Chinnor as a child and we used to push our bikes up there then shoot down.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Interested to read about Chinnor Hill on that - I lived in Chinnor as a child and we used to push our bikes up there then shoot down.

Yay!
It's a worthy hill. Been up several times, but never down, though I've seen a few hurtling the other way as I've grunted up.
Spooky in the dark though!