real cyclists

[s7ephanie]

was out riding yesterday, i had 4 layers on top and 2 on legs, I looked like michalin man, sweating going uphill and freezing going down
Yet i saw a few real cyclists that looked slim and fit wearing what seemed to be not a lot !!! They were wearing long sleeved cycling jerseys, are these things warmer than my baggy layers? should i invest in one?

 

[Dusty Bin]

close-fitting clothing will be warmer and more effective on a bike, as there is less room for cold air to a) get in and b) circulate..

 

[BSRU]

Good base layers help, merino wool or bamboo.
Plus our winters tend not to be very wet just cold so windproof clothing helps keep you warm.

 

[Ernie_RBR]

Wearing clothes close to your skin help a great deal something like under-armour gear etc wearing a wind / water proof jacket helps too. Two sets on leggings never done that. I apply winter green which helps warm up the leg muscles before a ride and I wear a set of cycling leggings which works for me .

 

[Koga]

What do mean real cyclist, you cycle you are a real cyclist (nothing to do with being fit and slim !).

 

[Koga]

Anyway, dress to be warm after say 20 minutes (so you will be cold the first 20mins) once you get going a close fitting windproof jacket and a base layer will keep you warm, if not add another base layer.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I find down to 0C I am fine with a thin merino top & either a waterproof top (if raining or I need hi-viz) or my windstopper cycling top. Winter tights on the lower half work fine unless it is very first thing in the morning in which case I either a) cope or b) put my leg warmers on. buff and gloves are also useful.

Below freezing I may add thicker gloves and sometimes a cycling hat under my helmet, and leg warmers over my winter tights, but top half tends to be the same. If it is really cold (-5 to -10C I will add another merino wool top or wear a thicker on) but currently like yesterday a thin merino wool top and my windstopper top were actually too warm and I had it the cycling top completely unzipped - so I would say they are definitely worth considering, but they are not cheap. I was lucky picking up my night-vision windblocker top up for £29.99 (last one in stock, black and just happened to be my size).

 

[s7ephanie]

What do mean real cyclist, you cycle you are a real cyclist (nothing to do with being fit and slim !).

riding road bikes wearing lycra LOL

 

[Koga]

riding road bikes wearing lycra LOL

Sure, just don't discount yourself in the process!

 

[biggs682]

What do mean real cyclist, you cycle you are a real cyclist (nothing to do with being fit and slim !).

@Koga well said , just because some of us dont ride the latest carbon fandango we are still cyclist !