Fifty Plus (50+) - Winter wear for geezers

:)

Winter (er, "winter") is coming and I'm wondering what 50+ folks need to wear on cold morning rides. You know, with bad circulation and creeky joints and all, we need special clothing. ;)

Now, I realize that "cold" to me may be a heat wave to, say, solveg in the frigid north.:) But let's say it's 40 degrees when we start, and mid 60s when we return home. What layers would you wear beneath a jacket? What type of jacket would you choose for these conditions? Are leg/arm warmers necessary, or can we get by with long cycling pants and a jacket with light layers?

Today I saw some light windbreakers (Cannondale, I think) at the LBS marked down 30%. Having no idea what we'll even need, I thought I'd ask around first.

I have a waterproof/windproof jacket with sleeves that zip off, for the optional vest look. Sometimes a windbreaker vest and arm & knee warmers are all you need to start off. They roll up and tuck into pockets quite nicely.

I have a wool/silk knit snowboarder cap I wear under my helmet. I've found that I can deal with cold as long as my head is warm.

My husband is a big fan of lightweight wicking long-sleeved pullovers that work great as a base layer for many outdoor activities. Maybe I'm hotter than he ;);) but these are too much for me. I like having a jersey with a zipper to help regulate heat.

Long-fingered gloves and toe covers (or complete shoe covers) are wise investments as well. Additionally, I wear two thin layers of socks, rather than one thick layer. I don't know why, but the layers work better for me.

I wear a pair of regular bike shorts under a pair of Marika tech-fabric full-legged tights (a holdover from my aerobics-teaching days) on days when knee warmers won't cut it. Northern CA is definitely colder than Southern CA, and yeah, I grew up in NJ and spent 4 years in the mountains of Colorado, so I have some perspective on how cold cold can be. Just sayin'. :D

I love winter cycling and the cold air in your lungs and the way it's warm in the sun but cold in the shade, but there's no snow, sleet, or excessive humidity to add misery. Makes the property taxes almost worthwhile paying. :rolleyes:

What jacket? When it's 40 - 60 I where a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers and knee warmers. I also have this fleece bib that goes under the jersey that breaks the wind coming in the material, it can be popped off as soon as it warms into the 50's. I have great circulation, and I can step up the pace to generate some body heat.

A light windbreaker is always a good thing to have around for when you want it.

:)

Winter (er, "winter") is coming and I'm wondering what 50+ folks need to wear on cold morning rides. You know, with bad circulation and creeky joints and all, we need special clothing. ;)

Now, I realize that "cold" to me may be a heat wave to, say, solveg in the frigid north.:) But let's say it's 40 degrees when we start, and mid 60s when we return home. What layers would you wear beneath a jacket? What type of jacket would you choose for these conditions? Are leg/arm warmers necessary, or can we get by with long cycling pants and a jacket with light layers?

Today I saw some light windbreakers (Cannondale, I think) at the LBS marked down 30%. Having no idea what we'll even need, I thought I'd ask around first.

Speak for yourself;)

Base layer, tight jersey, arm warmers. full leg warmers, wool socks, wind breaker or vest, full skull cap with ear covers, toe covers, full booties, maybe chemical toe warmers and fingered gloves and possibly chemical hand warmers. Sometimes I add a hot chilis ski top over the base layer. We are skiers so I get some crossover from ski wear to cycling.

This is typical to what other cyclists wear of all ages in northern California winter weather. The only modification is rain gear.

It's amazing how much warmer it can be on really cool days riding in a pack or at a minimum behind someone else. You certainly still need some layers but it really cuts a lot of wind off the upper body region.

Here's my layers for starting at 40:
Technical T shirt
Long Sleeved Midweight Jersey
Wind Vest
Leg Warmers
Toe Warmers/Booties-Toss up
Long Fingered Gloves

The hardest weather to dress for is what you described, too cold for shorts and short sleeves at the start but warming before the end. That is when arm and leg warmers are good. Mid 60s is pretty warm when riding creates body heat. Too much clothing and you'll sweat enough to be cold as the wind evaporates the sweat.

Arm warmers and Leg warmers are nice because your a convertable. Long cold descents are warmers on. Long hot climbs are warmers off.

Leg warmers usually come off once and stay off but arm warmers are so fast to change that every few miles you can accomodate what the ride is doing.

:)

Winter (er, "winter") is coming and I'm wondering what 50+ folks need to wear on cold morning rides. You know, with bad circulation and creeky joints and all, we need special clothing. ;)

Now, I realize that "cold" to me may be a heat wave to, say, solveg in the frigid north.:) But let's say it's 40 degrees when we start, and mid 60s when we return home. What layers would you wear beneath a jacket? What type of jacket would you choose for these conditions? Are leg/arm warmers necessary, or can we get by with long cycling pants and a jacket with light layers? .

Ohio winters are quite different but for 40F I would wear my Gore-Tex jacket with zip off sleeves, a pair of knicker length bike shorts, full finger gloves and a headband under the helmet.

Temps below 40F and I start adding chemical toe warmers, Sealskinz socks and gloves, wicking long sleeve t-shirt under my jersey, and balaclava depending on how long I'll be out riding.

Keeping my feet warm has always been my biggest problem. This year I'm going to try a combination of the Sealskinz socks, wool socks, chemical toe warmers and my sandals. I've seen several people wearing the sandals during the winter months and they say it's warmer than regular shoes.

I don't spend much on cold weather clothes - but here is what I do.

I have 3 long sleeve bicycling jerseys with hoods. The hoods provide great cold and wind protection. I choose one of them. Depending on the temp, I may or may not have some sort of base layer. Then I will use one or two very light Tevak jackets, again, depending. And bibs, of course. I have some tights (a light pair and a heavier pair) which I wear over everything, and some great gloves I bought at Target a few years back for $6.00 - and I have tried many different bicycling gloves, and the Targets are the best. Sadly, they don't make them any more. And, of course, my SPD sandals with good socks.

Then, I have a big wedge, in which I place things as I take them off as it warms up! :D And, of course, the hood just goes behind my neck when I no longer need it.

I normally wear a suit and tie for these conditions. It's the perfect cycling temperature range. The gloves and light Gortex overcoat wait until it gets down into the 30s. The most important tip I can give you is to dress so that you will be cold at the start of the trip.

Paul

:)

Winter (er, "winter") is coming and I'm wondering what 50+ folks need to wear on cold morning rides.

In my country we have Autumn before Winter. Autumn starts in 2 weeks and I refuse to discuss Winter yet.

I'm with Ken on this one!!!
Up here the standard joke is that there are two seasons, 10 months of winter and 2 months of bad sledding.
I too refuse to talk about winter yet, and for the record 60 degrees is swimming weather.

The transition months are hard. I'll wear a short or long sleeve jersey, light/mid weight jacket, and leg warmers in the mid 40's. In the lower 40's I'll wear shoe covers, or MTB shoes, or may switch over to my winter shoes. I'll take long finger gloves and carry a pair of short finger gloves.
Once temps start in the high 30's and climb to the low 50's it'll be easier. As it gets colder I have base layers, thicker jerseys and jackets, wool socks, winter riding shoes, tights, and even a ski helmet / googles for the 20's.

I'm with Ken on this one!!!
Up here the standard joke is that there are two seasons, 10 months of winter and 2 months of bad sledding.
I too refuse to talk about winter yet, and for the record 60 degrees is swimming weather.

We have 4 seasons here: lawn mower, leaf blower, snow blower and weed whacker. They are all noisy.

Temps running from 40F to 60F would be mid to late October weather here.

I start with a long sleeve jersey and a GoreTex wind breaker. When it warms up to about 60F, the wind breaker goes on the rack. I wear long pants over my cycling shorts, which can also go on the rack if it warms up enough. (I'm considering leg warmers) I bring a pair of long finger gloves in case it gets particularly windy or humid.

When temps drop into the 30s, I add a fleece.

Windbreaker and tights.

Windbreaker and tights.

What colour and Denier? Or are they fishnet.

Yen- On that jacket- You can never have enough-
I have

a Pertex- Complete windproof and very light and packs up small
A showerproof and that is all it is. Doesn't breath but is also windproof and packs up small
A Polaris jacket that is Windpoof and has some warming material on the front and packs up small

All the above back into themselves and have a strap to carry them round the waist

Then there are the Big ones.
A thick Duvet for the cold rides
A cheap waterproof that has a built in fleece and a hood
Then the ultimate- A goretex completely waterproof Top coat that is cycling specific.

If you have a chance on a "Steal" of a Cannondale jacket- Then get it to supplement the other jackets you may be getting in the Future.

It is starting to cool down here. Yesterday morning it was in the low 70's and I wore my bibs. By 9:30 I had to roll the top of the bibs down and let them hang because I was too hot. (yes I still had my jersey on) When it does get down in the 50's I have found that wearing a long sleeved under armor shirt under my jersey is very warm and comfortable.

It is supposed to be 39F here tonight.

Here in upstate NY I will be wearing shorts and a t-shirt for winter riding.

Ofcourse the bike is up in the rollers in the sun room. Can I ride my age on a trainer, I would probably go brain dead from shear boredom.

Now lets talk spring and fall riding - I use my microfleece base layer, my full length tights, my spring ski golves, my windstopper fleece jacket. I wear a tight fleece pullover cap under my helmet. I know it's time to hang the bike up when I am thinking about mounting the cleats to the ski boots.

I have one of these http://thedailymug.com/thnibabojm.html It's a Thermos Nissan backpack bottle and it is awesome for taking hot drinks on the bike to enjoy during the ride. It's abit spendy but wow does it work!

Beverly, a friend I ride w/uses your same sandal set-up year-round (in OHIo) w/the sealskins.

I am definitely going to be investing in shoe covers this season.

For 40F I would wear a light pair of tights over my shorts, and an unlined windbreaker, preferably well vented at the sides and back.

When it gets COLD, I give up the SPDs for insulated boots, and layer polypro, coolmax, polarfleece, and a windbreaker, along with long underwear under heavier tights, and sometimes wind pants over that. I've got lobster gloves, and if it gets too cold for them I use snowmobile mittens. Even a light polypro balaclava keeps my head warm down to zero, except for my nose, which gets cold anyway.

Plenty of advice above, so I have only one thing to add


Scandinavians say "if your feet are cold, wear a hat" - your head's a pretty good radiator, you lose a lot of heat there

My "wouldn't be without it" piece of kit is called a "Polar Buff" - , a bit of neck and headwear, seamless tube with fleece at one end, and lycra for the rest. I've worn it skiing, motorcycling below zero folded like a balaclava under a crash helmet, folded the same way under a cycling helmet - and I wear it soaked like an evaporative cooler here in 100+ degrees

My single most comforting item for any outdoor activity!

Enjoy the coolth - I'm envious

It is supposed to be 39F here tonight.

It is supposed to be 39C here tonight. Where's the grass greener?:D It's all good

The problem with winter clothes on bicycles is that you have to dress cool enough to shed heat while riding but need to be able to survive the time it might take to fix a flat tire.

When I spent some time in Orlando FL I noticed that the locals are weraing hooded sweat shirts when it hits 60 deg so I guess that winter means different things to some.

Yen;

I'm in SoCal like you and commute every morning and evening year round.
Even in our coldest days you'll really only need a vest, arm warmers and
(at least for me) some warm gloves.
I have a paper thin rain jacket but rarely use it (it's too warm).

I follow a great piece of advice I once heard - "Ride into the cold and you'll ride through the cold".

I'll agree about the hat, a polypro skull cap really helps, and it's easy to carry. A Gore Windstopper vest is a favorite. When I go into the mountains in the winter, I wear a large Camelbak and stuff it with clothes. Oh, I love soft wool socks.

Smart Wool socks, layers, knee warmer for my metal knee. Cap for my ears when it's really cool. Long fingered gloves over my summer bicycle gloves.

Below 50 I wear a long sleeve Under Armor base layer. Under 40 I will add a windbreaker jacket. It never goes below 40 so nothing else is required.

Ummmmm I don't think most of you are talking about winter at all. I need two pair of gloves and a pair of mittens, 2 balaclavas and a cap, under my helmet, a base layer, a fuzzy layer, and a wind layer. And no matter how I balance things out I'm either to warm or not warm enough, one of these days I will get it right and the snow plow will probably get me right at the moment I joyously announce it to the world. Oh yeah and goggles to keep the wind out of my eyes so I can almost see. I look like something out a bad sci-fi movie when I ride the winter roads. :roflmao:

For that temperature at the start I wear Pearl Izumi knee warmers, something most older cyclists should be doing to keep their knees warmer. I have wool cycling socks. I use a Century jacket and vest from Performance Bicycle, and arm warmers from Voler. If I feel the chill when I start out, I have a sleeveless v-neck wool sweater that I wear over my jersey and under the vest, which is under the jacket.

Good suggestions here.
I wear a black polypro turtleneck from Gander Mtn and the best winterwear item I own: Pearl Izumi Vagabond jacket (w/removable sleeves). I seal my silver road shoes with duct tape.

Late dawn and early dusk of winter means you might be riding in poor light conditions. Wear yellow. Wear bright yellow. On a bike, visibility is life itself.

Temps below 40F and I start adding chemical toe warmers, Sealskinz socks and gloves, wicking long sleeve t-shirt under my jersey, and balaclava depending on how long I'll be out riding. Keeping my feet warm has always been my biggest problem. This year I'm going to try a combination of the Sealskinz socks, wool socks, chemical toe warmers and my sandals. I've seen several people wearing the sandals during the winter months and they say it's warmer than regular shoes.

Chemical toe warmers below 40F? Sandals? Huuuhhh??? If this suits you, great. Not in the same universe for most cyclists. The reason that shoes may not be working for you is that they're too tight, and not allowing enough room for air to get warm in the voids of the weave of your socks. If you've only got high ventilation shoes, a shoe cover will help with outside air penetration. I've ridden down to about 25F with high ventilation Shimano shoes, using only Pearl Izumi toe covers. But that's me.

If you keep your core warm and control moisture with technical fabrics (e.g., Goretex), your extremities will stay warmer. As with the sandal issue, your personal experience may be at odds with this advice, but you will be at variance with the vast majority of cyclists and other cold weather athletes. Age is not a significant factor.

There is a Winter Cycling forum with a wealth of information on all issues related to cold weather cycling.

Woll under windproof/breathable.

Thats all I have to say about that

:)

Winter (er, "winter") is coming and I'm wondering what 50+ folks need to wear on cold morning rides. You know, with bad circulation and creeky joints and all, we need special clothing. ;)

Now, I realize that "cold" to me may be a heat wave to, say, solveg in the frigid north.:) But let's say it's 40 degrees when we start, and mid 60s when we return home. What layers would you wear beneath a jacket? What type of jacket would you choose for these conditions? Are leg/arm warmers necessary, or can we get by with long cycling pants and a jacket with light layers?

Today I saw some light windbreakers (Cannondale, I think) at the LBS marked down 30%. Having no idea what we'll even need, I thought I'd ask around first.

slightly beside your topic, but one thing I do, is whenever the temp is below 70, I wear either knee warmers or my tights with knee windbreaks. I think this has helped my knees on longer rides.

As far as lower temps and the rest of the body, it's an evolving situation. On group rides I've noticed folks older than me (54) makin more use of wind jackets and wind pants over standard bike gear. Not as cute, but ...

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