clothing

cyclopsbiker
cyclopsbiker Posts: 516
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
Hi,
I'm looking for recommendations on clothing. I've been using a gorewear bike jacket but I'm getting too hot in it. I can take the sleeves off, but I still get incredibly hot and sticky. the issue I have is if I take the windproof off I get a cold chest, which turns into searing pain fairly quickly, especially when I'm hot and sticky.

any idea how to solve this?

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    A gilet with a mesh back.
  • hodsgod
    hodsgod Posts: 226
    Do what the pros do, stick a newspaper inside the front of your jersey.
  • Of the two options I go for Hot and sticky :D

    I find lowering the neck line and putting a neckachief on helps with both keeping the wind off my chest but still lets my body breath.
  • Flasheart
    Flasheart Posts: 1,278
    I started wearing a compression vest under my jersey. I'm still wearing ss jerseys and arm warmers. I've also got a gilet as mentioned by dmclite.
    If it gets warmer the jersey gets unzipped. The gilet gets unzipped and removed and the arm warmers get pulled off and both get stowed in rear jersey pockets. Works a treat
    The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle. ...Stapp’s Ironical Paradox Law
    FCN3
    http://img87.yfrog.com/img87/336/mycubeb.jpg
    http://lonelymiddlesomethingguy.blogspot.com/
  • thanks for the info

    just out of interest, I wonder if there's a difference in how cold affects men and women? I'm the latter btw!
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    thanks for the info

    just out of interest, I wonder if there's a difference in how cold affects men and women?
    I'm the latter btw!

    Men don't usually look as though they're smuggling acorns down their tops. :lol:
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    The secret is to remove layers before you sweat. Even on the coldest of (dry) days in the UK a baselayer + winter jersey + lightweight windroof (such as a Montane Featherlight) should be enough. Most days I'd just wear a baselayer + short sleeve summer jersey + armwarmers + windproof. Investing in a few thin layers is miles better than spending loads on a single winter jacket that you'll just get too hot in most of the time.
    More problems but still living....
  • huuregeil
    huuregeil Posts: 780
    amaferanga is spot on. I'd just add that temperature regulation is highly personal. FWIW, my partner is extremely sensitive to termperature and I'm not. I'll typically return home wearing exactly what I left in (which is, typically, baselayer, jersey, maybe armwarmers, waterproof; or a baselayer and an extremely breathable non-waterproof, winter jacket with a windproof front, roubaix back). Conversely, she'll have stripped off and replaced multiple layers multiple times! The trick is simply, the more senstive you are, the more flexibility you need, i.e. the more layers you need, layers being thin, cheap, etc. Other than that, a gilet is probably the most useful item of clothing you can own, because it's extremely light and converts a non-windproof jersey into something windproof - on a bike, windproofing is more useful than insulation usually!
  • thanks for the info

    just out of interest, I wonder if there's a difference in how cold affects men and women? I'm the latter btw!

    Women are ALWAYS cold! Apart from their time of month when I think they just get hot to be arkward :wink:
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • Flasheart
    Flasheart Posts: 1,278
    Aggieboy wrote:
    thanks for the info

    just out of interest, I wonder if there's a difference in how cold affects men and women?
    I'm the latter btw!

    Men don't usually look as though they're smuggling acorns down their tops. :lol:

    Mmmmmm acorns
    The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle. ...Stapp’s Ironical Paradox Law
    FCN3
    http://img87.yfrog.com/img87/336/mycubeb.jpg
    http://lonelymiddlesomethingguy.blogspot.com/
  • amaferanga wrote:
    The secret is to remove layers before you sweat. Even on the coldest of (dry) days in the UK a baselayer + winter jersey + lightweight windroof (such as a Montane Featherlight) should be enough. Most days I'd just wear a baselayer + short sleeve summer jersey + armwarmers + windproof. Investing in a few thin layers is miles better than spending loads on a single winter jacket that you'll just get too hot in most of the time.

    +1 - layers, layers, layers
  • So, if I want to get rich by smuggling acorns, all I need is a blonde wig and some lippy?

    My financial problems are over.
  • Bill D
    Bill D Posts: 62
    Don't want to alarm you unnecessarily, but if you are getting a searing pain in your chest, espcecially during exercise, then you should go and see your doctor and tell him/her about it without delay.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    thanks for the info

    just out of interest, I wonder if there's a difference in how cold affects men and women? I'm the latter btw!

    Circulation.

    Women tend to fold themslves up on the couch, legs tucked under, bad circulation. Mamly men sprawl, nice and spread out, good circulation.

    Easy peasy. :wink:
  • Bill D wrote:
    Don't want to alarm you unnecessarily, but if you are getting a searing pain in your chest, espcecially during exercise, then you should go and see your doctor and tell him/her about it without delay.

    made me laugh!! It's not the chest where the searing pain is...I was being tactful....the pain I get is cold in the breasts!!!!

    btw...cycled home in windproof minus arms tonight, was much more comfortable. still a delicate balance. my commute is only 30-35 mins so stopping to take clothes on/off isn't that practical...or necessary. thanks for the advice on layering and changing out of wet gear though. I'm aware of the value and benefits of layering, have been walking in hills/mountains for years.
  • amaferanga wrote:
    The secret is to remove layers before you sweat. Even on the coldest of (dry) days in the UK a baselayer + winter jersey + lightweight windroof (such as a Montane Featherlight) should be enough. Most days I'd just wear a baselayer + short sleeve summer jersey + armwarmers + windproof. Investing in a few thin layers is miles better than spending loads on a single winter jacket that you'll just get too hot in most of the time.

    thanks amaferanga. I've got all the right gear...can't praise Ice Breaker gear enough....and it has reflective stuff on which is great for cycling :lol:
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    I'm with amaferanga on the layer stuff. I generally have a light merino t shirt under a jersey, either short or long sleeved jersey, most often short + armwarmers, bib shorts, maybe leg warmers and carry a light waterproof. It's rarely too hot, and if it gets warm the good old merino takes the wet away (and stops you ponging, though I do realise this doesn't happen to ladies :) ) And whatever your searing pain is, you should get it checked out.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Mark73
    Mark73 Posts: 146
    +1 on the layering, although I have to say I recently brought a Sportful Gillet. The single best purchase I have made in months! Perfect for those days when a jacket is too much and a standard jersey too little. Packs down to nothing too.
  • HonestAl wrote:
    (and stops you ponging, though I do realise this doesn't happen to ladies :) ) .


    please explain what you mean HonestAl...
  • Bill D
    Bill D Posts: 62
    Bill D wrote:
    Don't want to alarm you unnecessarily, but if you are getting a searing pain in your chest, espcecially during exercise, then you should go and see your doctor and tell him/her about it without delay.

    made me laugh!! It's not the chest where the searing pain is...I was being tactful....the pain I get is cold in the breasts!!!!

    btw...cycled home in windproof minus arms tonight, was much more comfortable. still a delicate balance. my commute is only 30-35 mins so stopping to take clothes on/off isn't that practical...or necessary. thanks for the advice on layering and changing out of wet gear though. I'm aware of the value and benefits of layering, have been walking in hills/mountains for years.

    Well I'm glad you're not about to die suddenly anyway!
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    Hi,
    I'm looking for recommendations on clothing. I've been using a gorewear bike jacket but I'm getting too hot in it. I can take the sleeves off, but I still get incredibly hot and sticky. the issue I have is if I take the windproof off I get a cold chest, which turns into searing pain fairly quickly, especially when I'm hot and sticky.

    any idea how to solve this?

    Have you thought of trying one of these? Not windproof obviously, but wicks away sweat (sorry perspiration for you ladies :oops: ), that may make you colder.

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/%7e%7e-XL-HELLY-HANSEN-BASELAYER-LIFA-SPORT-TOP-SUPPORT-BRA_W0QQitemZ120458132497QQcmdZViewItem
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    explain ponging? Well, when I were a lad a pong was a not too pleasant smell. So given the old saying that "pigs sweat, men perspire and ladies glow" I can only assume that it's just us guys who smell on a ride (though having never actually seen a pig riding a bike I might be mistaken) Seriously though, merino is very good IMO.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Aggieboy wrote:
    Have you thought of trying one of these? Not windproof obviously, but wicks away sweat (sorry perspiration for you ladies :oops: ), that may make you colder.


    yeah, I've got heaps of helly henson and thermal type tops, latest addition being a merino Ice Breaker. its the wind chill that affects me, not the sweat (sweat, perspiration...it all means the same thing!) being wicked away
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    Ah, windchill. How about a windscreen? Look a bit odd, but if it works perhaps if you plaster the front of your bike with heasdlights you could pass for someone from Quadrophenia???
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon