too hot - base layer advice please

nicchick

Aarh too hot cycling to work last couple of days.... As Im new to this commuting lark I am only used to freezing weather commuting I want a bit of advice.....

Currently I am wearing a HH merino wool layer with a gore phantom jacket (I also wear a rucksack) with a thick windproof neck scarf, scullcap and winter gloves.

I am going to tone down to a thin buff and my normal gloves but does anyone have a recomendation on changing my base layer to something a bit cooler, but not too much!

thanks, nic
ps Im a girlie so want a nice fitted layer please :-)

hamboman

yeah, take it off.

I wear two regular t shirts under an endura waterproof - works just fine for this temp

Gussio

No wonder you are hot! Ditch the neck and head gear. A short-sleeve HH dryflo shirt with a thin Gore jacket have been keeping me warm enough and dry, both morning and night. Thermometer read 11C at 0630 this morning, which is hardly arctic.

redddraggon

Nike Pro, cheap from Sports Soccer/Soccer Direct/Whatever Mike Ashley want's to call it this week.

I've got quite a few Nike Pro shirts, short sleeve, vest, long sleeve, handy to wear for all sports.

I'm only wearing a vest and winter jacket up in the north west at the moment. I can't even wear my skull cap without overheating.

el_presidente

nicchick wrote:

Aarh too hot cycling to work last couple of days.... As Im new to this commuting lark I am only used to freezing weather commuting I want a bit of advice.....

Currently I am wearing a HH merino wool layer with a gore phantom jacket (I also wear a rucksack) with a thick windproof neck scarf, scullcap and winter gloves.

I am going to tone down to a thin buff and my normal gloves but does anyone have a recomendation on changing my base layer to something a bit cooler, but not too much!

thanks, nic
ps Im a girlie so want a nice fitted layer please :-)

Lots of suggestions on this thread


http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... start=1575

patchy

yeah (wo)man, lose the skullcap for sure - it'll be trapping heat like nothing else.

fyi, i wear a howies merino base, with different top layers depending on whether it's warm/cold/wet - although the heavy duty layers are proving too hot even at the moment. lower body gets the 3/4 shorts and snowboarding socks though - can't be doing with cold feet!

My g/f picked up a really nice windproof jacket before christmas from Evans but i can't find it on their website - she looooves it. might be worth a look?

cee

im in a hh dry (this least warm one I could find) with my waterproof softshell (Protective Kashi) over the top. Below that, im in 3/4 lengths with an inner.

'Neath that is sealskinz and me shoes.

I also wear a buff under my helmet.

Even then, (and it snowed on my way in this morning) i am unzipping my jacket for part of the journey due to being quite hot.

can't imagine wearing a scarf etc

Bassjunkieuk

I haven't got round to getting the "proper" cycling gear, but I've been wearing a thermal long sleeve vest (looks like a normal long sleeve top) and cycling shorts under 3/4 length trousers for the past week and I've still been sweaty when I get to work, mainly only the parts covered by my bag tho! So my back and shoulders are wet!

Weather has been quite mild of late, only been a few days where I've felt the cold as I leave, but usually don't realize by the time i'm 5/10 minutes into the journey!

I'd definately get rid of the scarf and get a lighter buff (or go without - I've never worn one!)

nicchick

Hmmm so I am wearing too much then!

I wear the scullcap not to keep me warm but to stop me getting earache from the wind (I get it quite easily) so will swap to my earband instead. I will probably get a thin buff as I have long hair and it does really help to stop my hair from getting the 'wild' look!

I thought I might still need a long sleeve top but after what you have said I have a base layer t-shirt that I might try out with my phantom jacket.....I prefer stuff that wicks away sweat as I find them more comfortable.

Thanks for the links/suggestions.

nic

Totalnewbie

From a fellow girl...

Yep, you do seem to be wearing too much. I just wear a normal buff over my ears as I suffer from the same thing you do (I even have to wear it out walking at lunch). A cap would fry me.

At the moment I wear a short sleeved howies merino t-shirt (from the sale) under my thin Northwave jersey and I still have the jersey zip pulled down cos I get warm. The shower/windproof shell only comes out when it is raining, and then I ditch the jersey and just wear the t-shirt under the shell. I bet you get even warmer than me with a rucksack, I refuse to wear anything on my back.

I have treated myself to a merino 'Popsicle' jersey from Ground Effect (NZ), due to the excellent exchange rate at the moment, and although I haven't used it yet (saving it for a ride at the weekend) it fits really nicely and is the most fitted cycling top I have found. I intend to wear just that on its own on my top half (unless it rains) along with tights etc, because I think I will find that warm enough with this mild weather - I am only ever chilly for the first three minutes.

nicchick

oooh dam it totalnewbie you got me looking at the Howies sale stuff now....!

Right, now where is that credit card?!

nic.
ps thanks for the suggestions.

Gussio

Ladies may find clothing inspiration on the "Girls in Lycra" thread situated in the Cake Stop part of this forum. Gentlemen may also find inspiration there...

Totalnewbie

I doubt we'll find anything nice and warm there Gussio...

I wore my popsicle top today and I was fine when I was going at my own pace on the way there and back, but cold when tootling along slowly on the actual ride, (it was rather a slow ride to say the least).