First Winter TT

willbevan

Hi all,

After some advice.

Got my first ever cold TT this sunday a 2up in Wales on sunday. 25mi.

Got my faithful club skin suit I got at the end of last year but wondering what people would wear with it for this weather, it is long sleeved so was thinking of a long sleeved wintex base layer (santini one), and maybe buying some leg warmers to go with it?

Have some tights I used to run with that have no pads I could wear under the skinsuit but doesn't seem to comfortable

Cheers

Will

greasedscotsman

Hey Will,

Which course are you racing on? Used to race down in South Wales back in the day!

Anyway, I would go for a good base layer under the skinsuit, something thermal from Craft or something similar and then use knee warmers rather than leg warmers. Also don't forget your hands and your head!

And isn't there some rule in team TT that you have to wear the same as your teamate(s)? This will obviously only apply to your jersey (or skinsuit) but check that whoever your racing with is going to wear the same. (And I stand corrected if this is now not the rule...)

SBezza

Will

When I did a TT on New Years Day, I used full bibtights (with a pad), and then my skinsuit over the top. Comfort was actually OK with 2 pads.

I am racing this weekend as well, and I will be using just my skinsuit with a base layer underneath, and arm warmers as well, as mine is a short sleeved skinsuit. Legs will be bare, though my race is only a 10m TT, so not out as long as you will be.

willbevan

hi chaps, thanks for the input

race is the port talbot 2 up, R25/24 course I think

I may try my skin suit over full bit tights this evening when riding out to see some club mates after a club ride.

Both of us are wearing club skin suits so dont thinking matching will be an issue


Greasedscotsman, why would you say knee warmers over full leg warmers, likely to get to hot?

Cheers

Will

andyrr

If dry then lower 1/2 would be maybe knee-warmers, don't forget to ensure feet are warm too, maybe wear neroprene not lycra shoecovers, top 1/2 : I'd be prepared for base layer plus couple other layers also as the skinsuit will not really fend off the cold much : depends on how cold it is and it is is wet.

incog24

Did a practice one the other day, wore two baselayers, skinsuit, leg warmers, overshoes. Thought about not wearing the leg warmers, but I'd prefer to be sweating than cold, and it saves you scrambling for clothes quite as quickly once you're finished.

greasedscotsman

willbevan wrote:

Greasedscotsman, why would you say knee warmers over full leg warmers, likely to get to hot?

Yes and no I suppose. I've always gone for roubaix knee warmers rather than leg warmers as I've never really found the lower part of my leg gets cold. If it is that much colder (like I was tonight, brrr...) then I'd got for bib tights and a LS jersey, wouldn't worry too much about being aero!

andyrr wrote:

don't forget to ensure feet are warm too, maybe wear neroprene not lycra shoecovers

This is a good tip too. I remember doing a TT in Hereford where I went fully kitted with everything except something warm to put over my feet, hands and head (other than my helmet). The rest of me was fine, but was chipping ice off extremities for weeks!

And don't forget to tell us how you get on!

willbevan

cheers all,

going to pop into my lbs and see what they have.

Did wear my skin suit last night out in the cold, two pads wasnt bad so think that will be okay for the lowe half, but as you guys mentioned the upper half was pretty cold, even witha couple of layers available. Needs some more

Hadn't really thoght about my head so may look at a light skull cap.

Be my 3rd 25, and 2nd up so should be good fun and will hopefully be a quick time

John.T

Did my first 10 of the year last Sunday. Temp was 2 - 4 deg with a medium cross wind. Wore from feet up :-
Thermal socks.
Windstopper overshoes.
Leg warmers.
Skinsuit over longsleeved base layer.
Arm warmers.
Roubaix gloves.
Race top.
Gillet.
Giro TT helmet, no hat.
This worked out just right. Warm enough to work hard without swetting too much.

willbevan

ended up wearing quite a lot and being just right in temperature, didn't notice any chill or feel over heated at any point

From feet up

Seal Skin Merino Socks
Over shoes
Winter Bib tights
Helly H base layer
Wintex layer
Airblock from intermeadiate jacket
Skin suit (two pads lol)
Skull cap


Two pads was okay, but for the first time ever I had num bits after 20 mins, after 40 mins I didn't care lol as was digging in.


Was my 3rd 25mi TT, and having done a 1:03 and then a 58, was expecting under an hour for a 2up with a chap that is fster than me.

Unforunetly with the wind and the day it idn't seem fast, was disapointed as we thundered over the link at over 30mph doing 1:02:55. When we got back to the HQ and sawe the results no one had broken an hour, only the first 2/3rs of the rersults wheere in mind you, then someone did break the hou, didnt see the last results so presume many more did but still made me happy

Cheers

Will

greasedscotsman

Hey Will,

Good to hear you didn't get too cold or hot

But the course you were racing on, the R25/24, is that the one that starts on the top of that bonkers huge hill? You ride up to the start on a B road, always used to be funny seeing guys with single chainrings struggling to get to the top!

And when's your next race?

willbevan

think you mean the R25/3H or 3L, or something like that. Chap that drove me down took me down that to show me it as there is a outing there on the 19th of April that I may have to go and try, 50mph down that hill sounds a bit worrying

SBezza

willbevan wrote:

think you mean the R25/3H or 3L, or something like that. Chap that drove me down took me down that to show me it as there is a outing there on the 19th of April that I may have to go and try, 50mph down that hill sounds a bit worrying

Piece of cake, unless there is a big sidewind, think I clocked about 46 mph going down there last year, I was on my extensions all the way down with no issues.

greasedscotsman

SBezza wrote:

Piece of cake, unless there is a big sidewind, think I clocked about 46 mph going down there last year, I was on my extensions all the way down with no issues.

It's not really a problem unless it's windy. It kinda opens out at the bottom where you go over a bridge and the wind "can" catch you there. But it's a quick course, make sure you have a go!

So the R25/24, is that the one with all the roundabouts just after the start. First time I rode that I got to one of them where there wasn't a marshall on, so I to choose either left or right, I went left and then reaslied when I was riding through a small town that I had gone wrong. I carried on round and came out on the next roundabout on the course, but from the wrong direction! Got some very odd looks from the marshals