Runners World has a “dress the runner” page where you can plug in the temperature and you’ll get a list of clothes to wear. I searched for that today but could not find any such sites for dressing the cyclist. I did figure it out, and for anyone who goes riding in
- 30 fahrenheit
- wicked windchill
- sunny
- dry
what worked for me wasbottoms:
- shorts
- tights
- two pairs of socks
- wind booties over my bike shoes
torso:
- wicking turtleneck
- cycling jacket
other:
- skull cap
- gloves
I didn’t need ear muffs though I did bring them. I was warm enough. I think had I worn another layer I would have been too warm and sweated and ended up getting cold if I had stopped.Some information on how cold you should feel when you first walk out the door with your bike (from icebike.com-a site that talks about cycling in the wilderness, but useful info for anyone trying to figure out how to dress)
“First, if you step outside and are cold, right away, (not on the face, but on the torso, under your shirt), you are dressed too light and you will probably never warm up. Go back in and add a layer.If you are mildly chilly as you finally get moving, you will warm up soon. Don’t push too hard at first. Warm up for the first mile or two before you really start cranking. If you warm up too fast in the first mile, you can plan on being way too warm a couple of miles down the road. Not to mention drenched in sweat.If you are warm standing around getting ready, you will be drenched after even a short ride.If you are on a day-long outing, or going in a wilderness area be careful about just how sweaty you allow you yourself to get. If you are wringing wet and you break a chain, or get a flat, you could be in serious trouble and unpleasant chills by the time you get it fixed or walk back. Hypothermia can sneak up on you. If you find yourself starting to shiver soon after you get off the bike, you had better rethink your plans. It may be time to turn back. If you have the energy to continue riding, then do so immediately. Don’t work so hard you start sweating heavily again, just raise your temperature and keep it at a comfortable level. If it appears that you can’t go on, stop and build some sort of shelter or dig a hole in the snow before you run totally out of gas.”From http://www.icebike.com/Clothing/clothing.htm
Winter riding page:
