Winter wuss

Muztard

To date my riding has been between May and Oct, I'm a bit of a wuss. But now that I have a new bike my old bike can become a 'winter bike'.

Having never rode in the cold I'm looking for advice on keeping my legs warm. My plan is to wear a pair of well padded shorts under a pair of unpadded tights.

Is that a fair plan and can I have some recommendations for tight fitting tights to keep warm. I should point out that I'm a short man and fairly lean meaning that some 'small' sizes are too big.

skyd0g

Your plan is sound, but I'd add a few other items to your shopping list:

Long-finger gloves
A skull-cap
A warm base-layer
Warm socks
and a wind-proof jacket
(if you don't have these items already).

sungod

tights over shorts is one way, also consider leg warmers

you can use them to turn shorts into tights, or to make tights warmer

for instance...

http://www.prendas.co.uk/list.asp?typ=typ&ID=43

Anonymous

I use DHB Earnley spring/autumn padded bib tights find them plenty warm as long as i wear gloves hat and overshoes

Slow Downcp

How short are you? These are good good for the money, I bought my kids the padded version at Xmas:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C1932

Another thing to keep your legs warm (in the wet), if you haven't already got some, are mudguards.

grahamcp

Agree with all of the above (well, apart from wearing ladies tights!!)

I would add overshoes.

Your plan is ideal but you'll probably find that you need to concentrate on keeping your extremities warm (ie feet, fingers, ears) more than legs.

Muztard

Slow Downcp wrote:

How short are you? These are good good for the money, I bought my kids the padded version at Xmas:

Not that short. I just find that some small/short bottoms are that short.

cougie

I've heard of the ladies tights thing - but never tried it myself !

I wouldnt bother with just legwarmers and shorts - shorts tend to be just lycra and normally not that thick. I'd go for winter tights - either with a pad, or unpadded and then shorts - up to you.

Its not usually the legs that get cold anyway - as they are doing all the work. Keep your core warm and then gloves, overshoes and nice wooly socks and a buff under your helmet - and tinker with this set up to find whats perfect for you.

If its wet - fit mudguards.

bobtbuilder

Get some neoprene overshoes - There is nothing worse than cold extremities on Winter rides.

Muztard

I've got gloves, base layers, warm socks, windproof jacket, waterproof jacket (spent far too much at PBK)..... will get the neoprene overshoes.

Skull cap under helmet?

No sure I can bring myself to put mudguards on my bike

Happy to wear ladies cycling tights but not sure about Denier tights though :shock:

keef66

+2 for the tights; used to wear them winter climbing in Scotland. Just remember you've got them on when you stop for a pee.

Get a buff or two; multifunctional head / neckwear.

wheezee

Stockings and suspenders under your bib tights are just as effective, but a little more racy.

bobtbuilder

No sure I can bring myself to put mudguards on my bike

Maybe some clip on ones?

Seriously - I have gone out far more often after adding clip on gurard than I did before then. Days when there is a lot of surface water (e.g. yesterday), or when it's raining don't stop me riding now.

keef66

Try the Crud raceguards. Vey skinny and seem to be well regarded by forumites.

My one and only bike was specced with all year round riding in mind, so I have proper guards and 25mm tyres. Black ice or gale force winds are the only things that stop me venturing out.