Almost new commuter

Moostah

Hey all,

I am currently looking to start commuting to work, will be a 22.9km (14 miles ish). Just waiting on a locker at work before I start, and a few reccy runs so I don't get lost in the city since I have not long started, and don't know my way around.

I do have a question regard clothing though. I would like to know what you guys take with you for your commute? It can be sunny in the morning and raining and cold by the evening, so do you tend to pack a second layer and maybe tights etc and carry that with you? Or just go and have something at your destination for the return journey?

Thanks.

yocto

I find shorts means that I’m a bit chilly once I set off first thing in the morning but warm up quite quickly and anything thing else would be cause me to get too hot for the rest of my journey. If you found that you were still cold you could try knee warmers or pedal faster

A wind proof jacket is also a good idea for when it gets chillier but not quite cold enough for a winter jacket. Something not too bulky so that you can stash it in your bag would be a good idea too.

sheep_go_baa

I wear shorts and a short sleeve top, whatever the weather. At work I keep a spare pair of shorts and socks in case of rain on the way in. In my backpack I keep a spare top in case my morning one is too wet with sweat (or rain) to put on to cycle home. I also have a light 'waterproof' (though you may want to read the waterproof/resistant thread!!) which I have hardly used.
I find that even on chilly mornings I soon warm up.

The Rookie

For anything but sub circa +5C its shorts, base layer T-shirt and fingerless gloves, you'll be chilly for a mile or so, any longer and you aren't working hard enough, I carry a lightweight emergency waterproof for Justin.

When it's sub +5C I progress to 3/4 length, a soft shell over the base and fingered gloves.

Simon

fatherted

For my 14 mile commute ......


12° and over
- short sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
bibshorts
summer socks
track mitts

10-12°
- long sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.

7-9°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.


4-6°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn jersey
- ¾ tights
two pairs summer socks
winter gloves without liner

0-3°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner

below 0° long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn/winter jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
sock liners and winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner


When its cold you need layers.
Zips and layers mean heat can be regulated.
Base layer then appropriate jersey.
You should own a summer jersey, autumn jersey and one for the winter.
A gilet is handy when the temps get to 1 or 2 degrees or below zero.
I also carry a cap in the jersey pocket. If it rains it keeps the water off the sunglasses.
In the summer you may as well live with the occasional downpour, however I'll still put on my overshoes so I don't have wet shoes for the return journey or the next morning.
If it's a little cold and it rains I'll put on the Castelli Squadra windstopper.
This rolled up windstopper is carried along with rolled-up overshoes in the jersey pockets.
I bring shirts and underwear in to work once a week using a backpack and take the dirty ones home the same day.
For the four other days I don't use a backpack.
Trousers get dry cleaned near work and shoes stay at work.
Fit mudguards.
Get a thermometer for the house with an outside sensor , this way you know what clothes to get out.

Moostah

Thanks for the information guys.

I look forward to getting out there in the morning.

Headhuunter

fatherted wrote:

For my 14 mile commute ......


12° and over
- short sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
bibshorts
summer socks
track mitts

10-12°
- long sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.

7-9°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.


4-6°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn jersey
- ¾ tights
two pairs summer socks
winter gloves without liner

0-3°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner

below 0° long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn/winter jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
sock liners and winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner


When its cold you need layers.
Zips and layers mean heat can be regulated.
Base layer then appropriate jersey.
You should own a summer jersey, autumn jersey and one for the winter.
A gilet is handy when the temps get to 1 or 2 degrees or below zero.
I also carry a cap in the jersey pocket. If it rains it keeps the water off the sunglasses.
In the summer you may as well live with the occasional downpour, however I'll still put on my overshoes so I don't have wet shoes for the return journey or the next morning.
If it's a little cold and it rains I'll put on the Castelli Squadra windstopper.
This rolled up windstopper is carried along with rolled-up overshoes in the jersey pockets.
I bring shirts and underwear in to work once a week using a backpack and take the dirty ones home the same day.
For the four other days I don't use a backpack.
Trousers get dry cleaned near work and shoes stay at work.
Fit mudguards.
Get a thermometer for the house with an outside sensor , this way you know what clothes to get out.

Wow, now that's what I call a detailed dress code!

godders1

As a very rough guide:

>15 degrees C- shorts and ss baselayer with windproof gilet (ditch the gilet when it gets really hot).Short fingered gloves
5-15 degrees C- shorts and ss baselayer with arm and ¾ leg warmers and gilet. Long fingered gloves
<5 degrees C- winter tights, merino wool base layer, windshirt and merino beanie under the helmet. Winter gloves

If it’s well below freezing I have a Rab micro fleece lined windshirt instead of the regular windshirt and sealskinz merino glove liners.

Arm and leg warmers are excellent. As you can see other than when it gets really cold from November to February I can pretty much wear the same stuff , adding arm/leg warmers for the “a bit chilly” periods in spring/autumn. Also great for those days where morning conditions are very different to the evening when you're cycling home.

Moostah

Wow that is some excellent info guys.

I think I will look into some long armed jerseys or arm warmers. I do have some long sleeve base layers for snowboarding, might give one of them ago if it gets cold. If not grab a couple of short sleeved ones.

Thanks again for the excellent run down. That is all the information I could ever want, very much appreciated.

cloggsy

fatherted wrote:

For my 14 mile commute ......


12° and over
- short sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
bibshorts
summer socks
track mitts

10-12°
- long sleeved base layer and short sleeved summer jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.

7-9°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey.
- ¾ tights
summer socks
track mitts but with gloveliners underneath.


4-6°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn jersey
- ¾ tights
two pairs summer socks
winter gloves without liner

0-3°
long sleeved base layer and long sleeved autumn jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner

below 0° long sleeved base layer and long sleeved slightly thicker autumn/winter jersey
but with a gilet over the top.
full length bibtights.
sock liners and winter socks with over socks
winter gloves with liner


When its cold you need layers.
Zips and layers mean heat can be regulated.
Base layer then appropriate jersey.
You should own a summer jersey, autumn jersey and one for the winter.
A gilet is handy when the temps get to 1 or 2 degrees or below zero.
I also carry a cap in the jersey pocket. If it rains it keeps the water off the sunglasses.
In the summer you may as well live with the occasional downpour, however I'll still put on my overshoes so I don't have wet shoes for the return journey or the next morning.
If it's a little cold and it rains I'll put on the Castelli Squadra windstopper.
This rolled up windstopper is carried along with rolled-up overshoes in the jersey pockets.
I bring shirts and underwear in to work once a week using a backpack and take the dirty ones home the same day.
For the four other days I don't use a backpack.
Trousers get dry cleaned near work and shoes stay at work.
Fit mudguards.
Get a thermometer for the house with an outside sensor , this way you know what clothes to get out.

Superb post IMHO; very informative for a noob like me!