Winter clothing advice please

Mike Ellis (news) said:

I have come into cycling fairly recently. September last year I decided
that it was time to loose weight and get fitter. To that end I have lost
9 stones (57 kg) and managed to do 4300 miles cycling this year so far.

'Nuff Respect!

Quoted message said:

Last winter I was cycling to work wearing T-shirt & sweatshirt but have
abandoned these for proper cycle jersy & windproof as I got far too wet
in T-shirt & sweatshirt, although I'm not sure that will be warm enough
for January.

The Layering Principle is Your Friend. If you keep to thin layers you
can easily adjust your warmth by either undoing vent zips or removing
layers without completely removing all the insulation.

Try a lightweight base layer like, say, a Helly Hansen Lifa top under
your cycle jersey. As long as the windproof is windproof that will
probably be enough as long as you're working. If it's a bit warm in
there, undo the front zip and you'll cool off. Bit chilly? another
thin layer will probably see you right.

Quoted message said:

I have been wearing lycra shorts with padding during the
summer & find them much better than ordinary shorts. Last winter I was
wearing tracksuit bottoms.

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than I
used to).

Pull on your tracky bottoms over the top of the cycling shorts, problem
solved.

Quoted message said:

Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should they be
on top of my existing padded shorts or on their own?

If the b-tights have an integral insert wear them on their own,
otherwise over the top of the shorts or a dedicated padded under-liner.
But shorts under your tracky bottoms should do the job and save you
some money. Give it atry first, at any rate.

Quoted message said:

I just can't work
out from looking at websites what combination of clothing would be best.

It varies according to the weather, the sort of cycling and the
cyclist's physiology, so there is no single Magic Bullet. Work with
what works right now and have a couple of thin extra layers along for
the ride. If you're too cold, pop on another layer. Soon you'll have a
good idea what works for you.

Though note that windproofing is a lot of the battle. Take out the
windchill and the work you're doing inside will do a lot of what's
needed to keep warm.

If your feet are getting fruzzed then consider overshoes.

HTH, Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Mike Ellis (news) said:

I have come into cycling fairly recently. September last year I decided
that it was time to loose weight and get fitter. To that end I have lost
9 stones (57 kg) and managed to do 4300 miles cycling this year so far.

Congrats!

Quoted message said:

Last winter I was cycling to work wearing T-shirt & sweatshirt but have
abandoned these for proper cycle jersy & windproof as I got far too wet
in T-shirt & sweatshirt, although I'm not sure that will be warm enough
for January. I have been wearing lycra shorts with padding during the
summer & find them much better than ordinary shorts. Last winter I was
wearing tracksuit bottoms.

<snip>

Number one item to sort out is your head.
Don't know whether you wear a h*lm*t or not, but a suitable hat will go
a long way to keeping you warm.
If no h*lm*t, anything you like that doesn't soak up water or impair
your vision, particularly to the side.
If h*lm*t*d, try a thin fleece beanie hat - can go under most lids,
though may by a bit tight, which can be alleviated by removing/changing
the pads inside the lid. Alternatively, a windproof cover over the lid
can be fairly warm.

90% of the time, if my head, hands and feet are OK, the rest takes care
of itself.

Others have mentiond layers, and the Ron Hill tracksters - another vote
from me for both. I find mittens fairly clumsy myself...

Regards,

bookieb

Mike Ellis (news) said:

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than I
used to). Should I be wearing bib tights

Cough. Good Lord, you haven't been round uk.rec.cycling for long have you?

I second the recommendations for Ron Hill Bikesters. Warm and they
also dry our rapidly if there is a shower. No need for boil-in-the-bag
waterproof trousers.

Get a neck scarf like a Buff or similar- if you plug up the neck area
you stop draughts, and also keep the carotids warm.

As regards fleeces, Decathlon sell a great lightweight fleece for seven or
eight quid. Plenty warm enough for autumn days, and it has a long length
at the back to keep the kidneys warm. Team this with a windproof layer
over the top and you'll be as warm as toast.

Hi Mike

Mike Ellis (news) said:

I have come into cycling fairly recently. September last year I
decided that it was time to loose weight and get fitter. To that end I
have lost 9 stones (57 kg) and managed to do 4300 miles cycling this
year so far.

First up: well done! That's an incredible acheivement and an impressive
distance covered!

Quoted message said:

Last winter I was cycling to work wearing T-shirt & sweatshirt but
have abandoned these for proper cycle jersy & windproof as I got far
too wet in T-shirt & sweatshirt, although I'm not sure that will be
warm enough for January. I have been wearing lycra shorts with padding
during the summer & find them much better than ordinary shorts. Last
winter I was wearing tracksuit bottoms.

As others have mentioned, layers are best. In the summer I ride with bib
shorts, base layer (Helly Hansen type thing) and jersey. I add arm
warmers [1], knee warmers [2] and a gilet (windproof sleeveless vest
thing [3] - lightweight and great) when it gets a bit nippier. Sometimes
I wear two jerseys. Colder still and I wear a fleecey-lined long-sleeved
jersey [4] with the gilet and long tights [5] over the shorts. In the
real cold, some of that plus a riding jacket or winter training top and
neoprene overshoes [6].

It might sound a lot of stuff but it's not too bad - a lot of it is used
all or at least a good chunk of the year. Layering enables you to
slightly adjust your temperature if you need too and the seperate layers
themselves aren't too expensive. I've cycled to work in temperatures
ranging from frozen water bottle to blistering summer heat.

Quoted message said:

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than
I used to). Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should they
be on top of my existing padded shorts or on their own? I just can't
work out from looking at websites what combination of clothing would
be best.

They probably won't be. The first spring morning I rode without tights
on top I had very, very red legs. Tights (Ronhills, etc) are pretty
inexpensive and are usually worn on top of shorts so you've still got
the chamois next to your skin. Knee or leg warmers are an excellent
halfway between tights or no tights.

[1] http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/details.asp?TABLE=type&FKID=36&type=Clothing&ID=242
[2] http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/details.asp?TABLE=type&FKID=70&type=Clothing&ID=62
[3] http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/details.asp?TABLE=type&FKID=163&type=Clothing&ID=976
[4] http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&ProdID=5360011925
[5] http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&ProdID=5220000220
[6] http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&ProdID=5220000236

Hope this helps and good luck!

Mark

"Mike Ellis (news)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have come into cycling fairly recently. September last year I decided
that it was time to loose weight and get fitter. To that end I have lost 9
stones (57 kg) and managed to do 4300 miles cycling this year so far.

OOOOH!! Well done! As a previously *ginormous* person myself, I know the
hard work required to lose so much and then keep it off. I tip my hat to you
sir!

Quoted message said:

Last winter I was cycling to work wearing T-shirt & sweatshirt but have
abandoned these for proper cycle jersy & windproof as I got far too wet in
T-shirt & sweatshirt, although I'm not sure that will be warm enough for
January. I have been wearing lycra shorts with padding during the summer &
find them much better than ordinary shorts. Last winter I was wearing
tracksuit bottoms.

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than I
used to). Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should they be on
top of my existing padded shorts or on their own? I just can't work out
from looking at websites what combination of clothing would be best.

I know what you mean - I'm almost always cold these days. Many years ago I
met a woman who lost half her body weight and she appeared to be wrapped in
layers of sweaters in mid-summer as her body just hadn't got used to the
loss of insulation. her docs told her it could take three years for her body
to adapt.

The answer when cycling? I find that cycling helps keep me warm in winter as
the exercise means I'm generating heat. the problem comes if I stop during a
ride as I *swiftly* chill. The answer? For me it's layers - lots of thin
layers and I *highly recommend* investing in a windproof baselayer next to
the skin. Also - warm gloves - I find keeping the hands warm really helps to
stop chill setting in.

Lots of thin layers means I can quickly add or subtract layers dependent
upon how I feel.

Best of luck, helen s

Quoted message said:

Any advice greatfully received.

Mike

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Mike Ellis (news) said:

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more
than I used to). Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should
they be
on top of my existing padded shorts or on their own? I just can't work
out from looking at websites what combination of clothing would be
best.

Some tights and longs have a seat pad (like lycra shorts) but most are
designed to be worn over shorts. The extra layer at top of legs and crotch
is welcome too.

Trackster or bikester type longs (relatively thin & loose trousers) are good
enough most of the time, but get some bib tights made of Roubaix or similar
fluffy material for the coldest conditions. Leg or knee warmers is another
option for inbetweeny weather.

~PB

in message <[email hidden]>, Mike

Ellis (news) (') said:

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than
I used to). Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should they
be on top of my existing padded shorts or on their own? I just can't
work out from looking at websites what combination of clothing would be
best.

Some bibtights (my lovely Campag winter ones, for example) have pads just
like shorts, and you don't need to wear anything under them. Others have
minimal padding or none, and it's more comfortable to wear shorts under
those. If buying Italian brands mail order get at least one size larger
than you think you need - Italian men are obviously short. In
cold-but-not-frosty weather I wear a silk vest under a long sleeved
slightly fleecy jersey; in frosty I may substitute a merino wool vest
for the silk one and wear a wind-proof gilet over the jersey.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

A message from our sponsor: This site is now in free fall

Congrtualtions on your improving fitness.

Quoted message said:

I am concerned that shorts will not be warm enough on those chilly
mornings (the loss of weight means that I feel the cold much more than I
used to). Should I be wearing bib tights or similar and should they be
on top of my existing padded shorts or on their own? I just can't work
out from looking at websites what combination of clothing would be best.

No shorts will not be enough. You want to protect your knees from the cold.

I mostly use cycling tights over my summer cycling shorts. I also have a pair
of expensive bib longs for winter audax.

My favoured material to keep my legs warm is Super Roubaix. A nice stretchy
material. It obviously works in the dry, When it rains it initially feels
cold but then starts to work a bit like a wetsuit. When the rain stops it
quickly drys.

There is quite a range of stuff you can get to look after the legs.
Knee Warmers (a small tube for placing over the knee)
Leg Warmers (a long tube from the ankle to the bottom of your shorts)
3/4 length shorts (Knickers)
Tights
Bib Longs (but don't tell Wafflycat)
Bib Knickers
Tights can come with padding to wear next to the skin or without padding which
ordinary cycle shorts should be used underneath.

As for wrapping my slightly fat body. I use a Lusso microfleece base layer
(similar to the HH garment others mentioned). A long sleeved cycling shirt
(with a Autumn/Winter weave.) For slghtly cold and dry I will use a gillet as
the top layer. For deep cold or wet morning I use a waterproof jacket.

For my head I use a headband to stop my poor ears from freezing. Ouch.

On a cold day when I start out on my commute I make no particular judgement on
whether I am going to be cold or warm. As I descend the first hill I think
[censored] its cold. As I climb the second hill I think I've got too many
clothes on. You should dress for arrival rather than departure, overall your
ride will be more comfortable. Evenings are usually a little warmer so I often
go home wearing microfleece, waterproof.

On an extremely cold day I have used microfleece, cycling shirt, long sleeved
cycling shirt, waterproof. This was too hot for me by the time I arrived at
work.

Ian Blake said:

On an extremely cold day I have used microfleece, cycling shirt, long sleeved
cycling shirt, waterproof. This was too hot for me by the time I arrived at
work.

For my coldest commute I had (from top to toe):

microfleece balaclava, fleece headband, helmet, ski goggles, cotton
scarf across my face and tucked under the bottom rim of the ski
goggles.

Helly hansen base layer. Polartech 300 fleece. Goretex mountaineering
jacket.

silk gloves, fleece gloves and fleece lined goretex overmits.

thermal leggings, ron hill tracksters, fleece trousers and waterproof
overtrousers.

2 pairs of socks, hiking boots and gaiters.

i was at about just the right temperature as it was -15C at the time.

...d

On 21 Sep 2005 15:07:47 -0700, "David Martin" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

i was at about just the right temperature as it was -15C at the time.

..d

Luckily I live in South Wales and like others in the South West corner of
Britain we rarely get anything that cold, Unlike you unfortunate types up the
Northern end:-). On the other hand you may get to ski:-(

Note to OP. Listen to the Northern people they know more about the cold.

David Martin said:

thermal leggings, ron hill tracksters, fleece trousers and waterproof
overtrousers.

Then you needed a pee :-)