What to wear on bike on cold days
Saw some discussion about potential cold days, and the inevitable "be prepared with clothing options" replies.
I know this is a total noob question, but what exactly do you wear on the bike on cold race days? We go to all this trouble to get aero, and I'd hate to think about putting on some big flappy jacket!
Seems like the answer is a lot easier to picture for running.
William
0
Comments
I think this depends on your level of tolerance.
50-60 degrees and I add arm warmers, +/- on a vest
40-50 degrees gets arm warmers or ls jersey & tights]
30-40 degrees gets mutiple layers up top, tights, full finger gloves, headband
Raincoat (cheapo $9.00 plastic thing I can toss at an aid station or just leave in the SNB)
Arm Warmers (I might bring my EN ones if it looks like it is gonna be cold and stay cold. But I'll also have tube socks with the feet cut out to use as arm warmers that I can toss as the temps rise during the day).
Leg Warmers (only if it's gonna be cold and stay cold)
Latex Gloves (to wear over my cycling gloves if it's cold/rainy - and then toss)
Long fingered gloves (only to be used if it's gonna be cold and stay cold)
Hot Hands in my SNB
Smartwool Socks (only if it's gonna be cold/rainy and looks like it will stay cold).
I also find that when it's 30 and colder, I need neoprene booties. Doubling up socks just doesn't do the trick.
I will also wear a beanie under my helmet when it's 50 or below.
@ William - I will be wearing tri-tops sweating my ass off into December. When January comes, I might have to suck it up and put on a short sleeve bike jersey instead. If it's really frigid -- like in the 50s -- then I wear a light bike jacket and add knee warmers. If it's colder than that, I sleep in.
Actually, if I end up in a cold weather IM, I'll be spending some jack to get a Parka and some 80's leg warmers!
As far ar the other stuff, its arm warmers and leg warmers to cover the extremities. For the core, you want to look to layer versus wearing just a jacket/vest. Depending on how cold it gets, I will wear a base layer like a defeet UndieShirt. Then layer on jerseys. This way as it warms up over ther day, I can peel off a jersey, roll it up and stick it in a pocket. You want to minimize the amount of sweat that gets trapped because that will just make you even colder. For the head it is a beanie. For the 1 or 2 weeks when it gets in the 30's down here, I will use a balaclava or goiter to protect my mouth, but I don't have much call for that.
On the feet it is a pair of shoe covers, or when the temps really dip it is a pair of neoprene booties. On the hands, I have a pair of glove liners, lightweight gloves and cold weather gloves that I use depending on the temps. I find that the biggest problems I have are when my hands or feet get cold, it makes the whole ride miserable. On those days when it is really cold, you may also look to place some protection down on the "high value" area to block the wind and prevent frost bite. Nothing quite as painfull as having Mr. Happy have to thaw out.
The best advice I ever got on a cold day was that if you you are not cold while you are standiing around, then you are over dressed.
Great advice for every day riding. (and 30 degrees and colder... Ugh!)
I guess what I had been thinking of originally was if a RACE was cold. Like if it's in the 40s on a running race, I have no problems, but what if your 70.3 or IM turns out to be that cold? How would you dress to RACE on the bike? (and yes, for racing, I totally understand that we are generally going to be more tolerant than for a training ride and that for an IM, it's going to warm up some during the ride!) Nemo addresses some of this stuff...gloves, etc. I'd be curious to see what this plastic thing is.
Best,
Wm
Here in the Pac NW, I have experienced quite a few races with riding temps never getting above the low 50s. And that's usually the temp at the start of any race I do here. Then there was IM CDA last year, with temps never getting above 60 and ending @ 48 F in the rain. My observations:
- A wet suit will keep you warm, while waiting to start. Don it early.
- This little item from DeSoto or plain arm warmers is all I have ever needed on the bike. This summer has been non-existent, and my July and August Oly races have been in the clouds and mist in the 50s. I've brought a bike shirt to wear as an extra layer, but never used it. I raced in a sleeveless trisuit with a zipper down the back. Once the first 5 minutes is over, and I've dried off, I don't notice the cold anymore, even with the wind chill from 20+ mph. A good low aero position and the excitement and effort in race mode seems to help a lot to keep me comfortable (not warm, but not shivering either.)
- As you know, you can run easily down into the 40s in just one layer. At your effort level, you probably don't even need sleeves. But when I did CDA last year, I kept my wings on during the run; the IM pace is slower, and not as much heat is generated.
I honestly have never heard of an IM being done in temps as low as the 40s. 50s and raining does happen though, and my experience with those temps is, at the effort level I know you go (given your times), it should not be an issue until you stop!
It's thin and light so can be stuffed in a jersey, windproof makes it warm, good in rain. Vest, so can be easily removed while riding. (Ever get a jacket sleeve halfway off while riding no hands and then you need to grab the handlebars?) Only funny if you're the one watching.