Clothes for riding in the middle of winter in Canberra



J

Joseph

Guest
Hello there
I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
temperatures below 10 degrees C.
I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
Joseph/Neil
 
On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:15:41 +1000, "Joseph"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Hello there
>I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
>cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
>temperatures below 10 degrees C.
>I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
>long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
>what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
>Joseph/Neil


I wear knicks and legwarmers, BTH would probably say jeans.
Gloves are important too. Depends a lot on how fast/hard you go.
 
Joseph wrote:
> Hello there
> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
> Joseph/Neil
>
>

"Below 10 degrees C" covers a lot of territory...

At +10 with sunshine and still dry air (fairly common here in Canberra)
I go for a long sleeved jersey with a wind stopper vest, knicks that
cover my knees, normal fingerless gloves, or a wool first layer and vest.

At +10 with damp air I want thin gloves with fingers (probably Gore NTS
or similar) and leg warmers. +5 with dry air is similar.

Zero with dry air means full length knicks, all the above with arm
warmers, and maybe a windproof jacket instead of the vest. Now probably
looking for gloves with a little insulation...

Zero and damp means a windproof fleece jacket instead of the vest.

At -5 you don't want to know!
 
Aeek wrote:
> On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:15:41 +1000, "Joseph"
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Hello there
> >I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
> >cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
> >temperatures below 10 degrees C.
> >I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
> >long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
> >what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
> >Joseph/Neil

>
> I wear knicks and legwarmers, BTH would probably say jeans.
> Gloves are important too. Depends a lot on how fast/hard you go.


Put words in *my* mouth, will you?! ;-)

Here's a pic of my Spring/Summer/Autumn ensemble:

http://www.humbletown.org/gvbr2007/bild085.htm

Since we've had a couple of frosts this week I've just converted to
Winter wear, which is...

....exactly the same, with an added singlet, beanie, and full-fingered
gloves.


BTH
 
Don't forget your feet. My winter marino socks are starting to get
nippy. Damn ventilated shoes. May be time for sandals again! 3 layers
of socks including a windstopper layer.
 
Aeek wrote:
> On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:15:41 +1000, "Joseph"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hello there
>> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
>> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
>> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
>> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
>> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
>> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
>> Joseph/Neil

>
> I wear knicks and legwarmers, BTH would probably say jeans.
> Gloves are important too. Depends a lot on how fast/hard you go.


Likewise... knicks and legwarmers. Also shoe covers of some kind,
especially if you have breathable road shoes... otherwise you could be
wishing you amputated your toes! As for the arm warmers... yes wear
them. This much depends on the time you are riding though as it can warm
up during the day. If you're heading out at 5 in the morning for, say, a
6 am bunch ride, then you'll need the lot (including a good pair of
gloves and perhaps a beanie or ear warmers). As the sun begins to rise
it can drop another 2 degrees or so, so be prepared. Layers are the trick.

Bean
 
Bean Long wrote:
>
> Aeek wrote:
> > On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:15:41 +1000, "Joseph"
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Hello there
> >> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
> >> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
> >> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
> >> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
> >> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
> >> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
> >> Joseph/Neil

> >
> > I wear knicks and legwarmers, BTH would probably say jeans.
> > Gloves are important too. Depends a lot on how fast/hard you go.

>
> Likewise... knicks and legwarmers. Also shoe covers of some kind,
> especially if you have breathable road shoes... otherwise you could be
> wishing you amputated your toes! As for the arm warmers... yes wear
> them. This much depends on the time you are riding though as it can warm
> up during the day. If you're heading out at 5 in the morning for, say, a
> 6 am bunch ride, then you'll need the lot (including a good pair of
> gloves and perhaps a beanie or ear warmers). As the sun begins to rise
> it can drop another 2 degrees or so, so be prepared. Layers are the trick.
>
> Bean


Its rare that I would venture out here in the ACT when its below 10C.

Therefore I only go out when its over 10C, say after 9:30 am and I try
to get home before 4pm.

Last winter all I did was rub some olive oil on the legs before setting
out.
This tends to slow down perspiration, and slow evaporation, which cools
the legs.
20 years ago when i road raced each week during winters in all weathers,
even when it was snowing, hailing or raining freezing rains,
I would sometimes use long lycra over trousers over the normal summer
shorts.
I also used woolen longuns for real bad days when T didn't make it above
7C
In long training rides in the hills behind Canberra when I'd be out most
of the day
doing maybe 150km, I could take off the leotards and store them in a
pocket if I got too hot.

If anyone isn't aclimatised to cool Canberra winter conditions, use some
lyrca long-uns.

I found Goanna Oil mixed with olive oil also pretty good.

Many blokes ride to work in the ACT all winter which means all their
travel is done
in under 10C conditions, bleedin cold mate, and enough to freeze the
balls
off a brass monkey.

Once I went out last year just with olive oil on the legs, but
woolen top, and cotton skivi underneath with a folded newspaper
in front of my chest and with arm warmers. It was 6C at 11am when I set
off,
and only 10C when I returned home 3 hrs later.

I thought if I stopped pedling i'd freeze solid.

All this extra specialist tight fitting comfortable cycling clobber
costs money.
Probably the olive oil plus grin and bear it policy
is OK for me; once you get moving, the legs get warm after 15 minutes;
if not,
you ain't riding fast enough.
On some steep long hills in winter here I get stinking hot, then when I
descend
I get cold because I'm wet with sweat, especially if I stop at the top
of the mountain
to have a couple of jam sandwiches and admire the view.

Ya can't win in winter.

Patrick Turner.
 
Joseph said:
Hello there
I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
temperatures below 10 degrees C.
I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
Joseph/Neil

I live in Gordon so if you would like to know where to ride while you are here drop me a line and I would be happy to show you around.

As for clothing, I got to admit that I am a bit sensitive to the cold so I may overdo it a bit but here is my list.

15-20C
Undershirt (I always wear one, even in 40+C)
Armwarmers
Jersey
Knicks
Warming Balm on legs or knee warmers
Vest till I get warm.

10-15
Same as above but with light 3/4 length leg warmers

5-10
As above but with thermal undershirt

0-5
as above but with full leg warmers

Below 0
As above but replace vest with jacket and warm tea in one of my bidons

This is all assuming that I am training in the morning and expect to be working hard, if not see one level up. :D
 
On May 1, 8:15 pm, "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello there
> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
> Joseph/Neil


What everyone else said....plus something to keep your ears warm!!

Below -5 is no longer fun so I don't go out then!!

Rob
 
RobWoozle wrote:
> On May 1, 8:15 pm, "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hello there
>> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
>> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
>> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
>> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
>> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
>> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
>> Joseph/Neil

>
> What everyone else said....plus something to keep your ears warm!!
>
> Below -5 is no longer fun so I don't go out then!!
>
> Rob


I agree - a muffle-type thing for your nose and ears is invaluable when
it's below 0. I managed to find the perfect thing (basically a
polarfleece tube with a drawstring) in Japan, but I haven't seen
anything like it here (tube scarves from the bus depot markets come
closest I guess).

Also after those frosty mornings last week I was looking longingly at
these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...m=330228206000&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014
Reckon I'd be wasting my money? I do have very poor circulation to the
extremities - in -5 last winter even woolly glove liners didn't cut the
mustard!

--
//Adam F
 
RobWoozle said:
On May 1, 8:15*pm, "Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello there
> I live in sunny Port Macquarie but I intend to do a little bit of riding in
> cold Gordon/ACT (hello BT Humble). I have never ridden a bike in
> temperatures below 10 degrees C.
> I think that I have the layers for the top half of my body (singlet, warm
> long sleeved bike shirt and perhaps arm warmers) but I would like to know
> what you wear on the bottom half. Is it leg warmers or long trousers?
> Joseph/Neil


What everyone else said....plus something to keep your ears warm!!

Below -5 is no longer fun so I don't go out then!!

Rob
going out in -5 is ok as long as your working, the only problem is when your bidons start to freeze. Actually happened to me twice last winter.
 
jcjordan said:
I live in Gordon so if you would like to know where to ride while you are here drop me a line and I would be happy to show you around.

As for clothing, I got to admit that I am a bit sensitive to the cold so I may overdo it a bit but here is my list.

15-20C
Undershirt (I always wear one, even in 40+C)
Armwarmers
Jersey
Knicks
Warming Balm on legs or knee warmers
Vest till I get warm.

10-15
Same as above but with light 3/4 length leg warmers

5-10
As above but with thermal undershirt

0-5
as above but with full leg warmers

Below 0
As above but replace vest with jacket and warm tea in one of my bidons

This is all assuming that I am training in the morning and expect to be working hard, if not see one level up. :D


Ever considered fine tuning this info & producing a fact sheet? ;)

First point sounds like Belgium knee warmers, which incidentally is the title of a great cycling blog that may interest a few people: http://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/