To hot, then to cold!

willbevan

Hi all,

Not exactly a beginner by now, but looking to the more experienced bikers for some advice/experience here.

This is my 3rd winter training, and after my first winter of making do with what I had, since they I have been keeping my eyes out for bargains and picking up decent kit, e.g. Assos full winter kit & mavic winter kit (pretty much all 50% retail from shopping round)

The problem I've had though is this.

I will go out on a ride and will feel toasty, maybe a little to warm.

Then within maybe 30-60 mins, it swings the other way and I feel a bit chilly, not exceptionally cold by just not warm.

I thought to start with maybe I'm sweating to much and have been using some merino base layers (supposedly they stay warm when wet?), but it hasn't helped.

I'm going down the line though that i'm over sweating and need to layer a little more conservetely.

For example I've gone out with the following at around 8 degrees

Base layer - Endura Merino Baa Baa
Mid Layer - Assos Evo Intermediete Jersey
Top Layer - Mavic Hydro Softshell

Cheers

Will

edhornby

it's always tough to get the right number of layers.. however the rule of thumb is that if you leave the house and think, 'ooh need to get riding' then you've got it about right

bianchimoon

we all react differently to cold/heat and exercise,so each to their own. I always used the layering system for winter rides until a couple of years back, then i remembered my days of winter climbing in Scotland and the one layer system of buffalo and paramo, did some research and sure enough they did cycle versions http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp6.htm i bought one of these and use for winter evening rides and the coldest of MTB rides over the yorkshire dales and lakes, as temperatures are below 3 or 4 degrees you just wear that, no base or other layer on top, and as you start to heat up use the zips to vent heat, the big downfall is because you've got nothing underneath when you go into a cafe or pub, you can't take it off so you end up being over toasty

bianchimoon

we all react differently to cold/heat and exercise,so each to their own. I always used the layering system for winter rides until a couple of years back, then i remembered my days of winter climbing in Scotland and the one layer system of buffalo and paramo, did some research and sure enough they did cycle versions http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp6.htm i bought one of these and use for winter evening rides and the coldest of MTB rides over the yorkshire dales and lakes, as temperatures are below 3 or 4 degrees you just wear that, no base or other layer on top, and as you start to heat up use the zips to vent heat, the big downfall is because you've got nothing underneath when you go into a cafe or pub, you can't take it off so you end up being over toasty

ShutUpLegs

^
whs

That sounds like too many layers to start with, yesterday I had a thin merino base layer and a winter jersey (6-7 degrees C)

Warm after 5 minutes and a little too warm after 45 mins

A lot is down to how you feel the cold and the intensity of your rides.

MrChuck

Everybody's different, but for that sort of temperature I'd ditch the mid layer- I'd melt otherwise. I've got a Gore Contest jacket and can't really have anything under it except a base layer.

Once you're keeping the wind off you really don't need much underneath if you're working reasonably hard.

52Teeth

At 8 degrees I would cook too with that kit on, but I guess its personal.

On Sunday it was about that temp and I went for (top down)
Cotton cap under helmet.
Long sleeve base layer.
Long Sleeve Jersey (Quite a heavy one but not a jacket, below 5 before that comes out)
Windproof Gillet for when at some altitude, usually zipped open on way up the hills.
DeFeet gloves.
Bib shorts.
Knee Warmers
Lashings of Embrocation to the legs
3 pairs of socks and 2 pairs over socks (feet get really cold all year!)

Perfect (for me)

Slater

willbevan wrote:

Hi all,

Base layer - Endura Merino Baa Baa
Mid Layer - Assos Evo Intermediete Jersey
Top Layer - Mavic Hydro Softshell

Will

At 8 degrees I just wear the Assos intermediete evo. I put some arm warmers on first to make up for the non windproof sleeves. I still have to unzip when riding hard or up hill.
I also wear a hat under my helmet but take it off after a few miles once warmerd up.

I have never ever felt comfortable with a base layer on. I always over heat. Even in the depths of the last winter I was out in -3 degrees with just a Gore Phantom jacket on. No base layer at all. I still had to unzip because of over heating.

As said above - "Once you're keeping the wind off you really don't need much underneath"

morstar

Use the extremities to help regulate your core temperature. As said by others, you should be a little chilly when you head out. If you start with a good hat, good gloves as part of that insulation, these can quickly be removed to allow more ventilation as you warm up.

Once you've got it just right you'll be comfortable after about 20 mins with the gloves and hat in your pocket. Ready to stick back on when needed.

gupta-patel

"too" not "to"

bobtbuilder

Is it the wind that's chilling the sweat on your body? At current temperatures, I find that that is my main problem, so something with windproofing properties might be the answer.

I have a couple of base layers made by Craft that have a full windproof front and they make a big difference.

rogerthecat

8 Degrees = Assos 851 and that all on top.

4 - 8 degrees Long sleeve windproof jacket with merino base layer and Buff. or 851 with merino

less than that PBK winter jacket, patagonia ice fleece plus merino base layer and my beloved Buff upside down to start(fleecy bit on my head). I wrap a little more as I do not go so fast as watching the road more for slippy patched and I am a wuss when cornering.

ShutUpLegs

gupta-patel wrote:

"too" not "to"

I'd recommend a gilet or windproof too

cougie

Everyones different- but if you're thinking you are too hot to begin with - then I'd say you are wearing too much, and maybe sweating too much which is then chilling you.

You should feel a liittle bit cool to begin with - as its your activity that will keep you warm. So if you stop - then you'll need an extra layer over the top.

I dont use merino vests - Hellys are good I find, with a tecchy top over that and a standard trade jacket over the top of that too - and mitts, longs, and a buff underneath my cap. Thats what I had on on Sunday and it was 5ish degrees. I did have a Rapha rainjacket in the back pocket in case it rained, or temperature dropped.

Damien_KW

Everyone's different, but that sounds like far too much clothing for 8 degrees. My approach is to build up relatively light layers, which you can add to or remove depending on the conditions and how hard you're working on the bike.

For those temperatures I'd probably go for cap underneath helmet, long sleeve merino base layer, long sleeve jersey, windproof gillet, shorts, leg warmers, overshoes. Easy to take off gillet and unzip jersey when getting too warm.

Personally I'd avoid most cycling jackets unless it's a rain proof stowaway for emergencies, or a jacket for leisurely rides when you're unlikely to work up a sweat.

I've rounded up a few autumnal/winter layers on my blog:

http://inthesaddleblog.wordpress.com/20 ... al-layers/

Flasheart

gupta-patel wrote:

"too" not "to"

You forgot to mention that we're cyclists...not bikers

danlikesbikes

I'd say to much on like others have also said. Need to make sure your body is comfortable whilst riding so being just warm enough when coming out of the house means you will be way to hot when you get going no matter what your ave speed is.

You could always try mixing your base layer with the softshell but often I tend to find I overhead in mine in all but the coldest of conditions. Bit if yours has good vents then you should be OK. Plus if you make sure you feet/hands are warm and can stay warm the rest of your body should be OK as after a long ride with cold toes/fingers its no fun and I always think I am a lot colder and if I've looked after them.

Bunneh

Oi Paul, who invited Adi?

Rich Hcp

I leave the house feeling not quite warmm enough and then when I get going its ok as I warm up.

This time of year thats three thin layers and a windproof jacket and leg warmers under shorts and over shoes as well.

The only problem is that if you have to stopm (to change a tube) its bloody freezing!

You have to find what suits you, as said above, we're all different.

cougie

Damien_KW wrote:

Personally I'd avoid most cycling jackets unless it's a rain proof stowaway for emergencies, or a jacket for leisurely rides when you're unlikely to work up a sweat.

I've rounded up a few autumnal/winter layers on my blog:

http://inthesaddleblog.wordpress.com/20 ... al-layers/

Good Blog !

As you say everyone is different but I swear by my jacket when it really turns cold. And even then I may pop a rainjacket in a pocket just in case it starts to lash it down. No fun being cold and three hours away from home.

Flasheart

Bunneh wrote:

Oi Paul, who invited Adi?

Nobody, but I dislike poor or lazy diction as much as you do biatch