Southern California - Clothing for SoCal??

So I'm finally getting my road bike this weekend and want to know what type of apparel you SoCal'ers are wearing out here. It seems that temperatures can change over 20 degrees in a matter of a couple of hours or less. How do you guys dress when you are out there? What are the essentials that I need?

Depends on the temp. It's been about 55 in the early morning for the past week. I wear a base layer, jersey, arm warmers and a neck buff. In 45 degree weather I'll add knee warmers and maybe a vest. Below 40 I'll add toe warmers and knit golves under the regular gloves. Below that I'll turn the heater on in the car as I drive to the gym.

I wear a jersey and bike shorts 90% of the time. I have a long sleeve jersey and a pair of tights for those rare times when it gets cold.

That's it.

arm warmers and knee warmers and a light vest with a mesh back will add a lot of temperature control and extend ability to be comfortable in a wider range of temps. they can also be pulled off and stuffed in a pocket as it gets warmer. don't forget a good base layer under the jersey as well

I wear a jersey and bike shorts 90% of the time. I have a long sleeve jersey and a pair of tights for those rare times when it gets cold.

That's it.

Sounds simple, cheap, and good. Any brands or materials that you guys especially like?

I wear cycling shorts, gloves, and a jersey almost all of the time. On "colder" days (below 50 degrees), I add in knee warmers and a wind breaker....maybe a cycling cap underneath my helmet.

Sounds simple, cheap, and good. Any brands or materials that you guys especially like?Voler, Pearl Izumi, Canari.

When is the next Canari sale?

When is the next Canari sale?I thought you were only wearing really ugly jerseys now.

This week has been a bit crazy. High 50's in the morning with 90's in the afternoon. I just wear shorts, gloves, jersey, and a helmet of course. The first few minutes in the morning (6:30-7AM) can be a little cold, but easily tolerable. If it's a bit chilly in the morning I'll throw on a long sleeve base layer made of some wicking material under my jersey or possibly wear a windbreaker over the jersey, and then I'll wear the jersey by itself in the afternoon. I should add that I commute on my bike between Long Beach and Commerce everyday so that adds in some variables that you might not have to deal with.

I thought you were only wearing really ugly jerseys now.

What? You have a problem with the fashion statement made by a Performance Jersey? Plus, he was on a Poser ride . . .

Rick / OCRR

What? You have a problem with the fashion statement made by a Performance Jersey? Plus, he was on a Poser ride . . .

Rick / OCRR
From Post #59 of the PAM thread.

Is being color blind covered under the ADA?

Arm warmers will be your best friends. I can generally get away, even in cold weather, with a craft undershirt, a jersy, bike shorts and arm warmers. If it's really cold (under 50 degrees) I add a wind vest. My legs just don't get cold so I don't mess with leg or knee warmers (it has to be in the 30's and then I wear tights). But I have found wool bike socks to be handy especially if mountain biking. Oh and full finger light weight gloves.

Pearl Izumi and Voler make great arm (and leg) warmers. Voler makes one that is not spandex which I like and it comes in colors (a girl has to match!). Try to find some on sale. Also Craft undershirts are awesome but expensive. I have found some of the general sports undershirts made of wicking, spandex material (like you buy at Target) work almost as well and cost is $15 v. $50.

The key is to wear things you can peel off as it gets warmer or add on as it gets colder. I no longer own any tights or long sleeves jerseys. Just base layer, knee warmers, leg warmers, and arm warmers. Even my full finger gloves are just knit liners to wear under regular gloves. I also wish I had bought a wind jacket with removable sleeves instead of a seperate vest and jacket.

The only trick past that is making sure you have enough storage space to put your arm warmers, leg warmers, gloves, and vest when it gets warm enough to take them all off. Of course, I try to start my rides with as little as possible, but since my morning commute is at 5:30am sometimes I need it all!

On colder days, I wear cycle shorts, wool arm and leg warmers, wool socks, foot warmers, gloves, head band/ ear warmers and a wind breaker.

I buy my clothing from Kuckarik, in Gardena except jersey which I buy Canari. John makes all of his clothing on site. His $29.00 cycle shorts are better than my $120.00 Pearl Izumi shorts.

Here is a link: http://tinyurl.com/5ge7f5

From Post #59 of the PAM thread.

Is being color blind covered under the ADA?

I don't know, but why do you think I always wear sunglasses while wearing my jerseys?

On colder days, I wear cycle shorts, wool arm and leg warmers, wool socks, foot warmers, gloves, head band/ ear warmers and a wind breaker.

I buy my clothing from Kuckarik, in Gardena except jersey which I buy Canari. John makes all of his clothing on site. His $29.00 cycle shorts are better than my $120.00 Pearl Izumi shorts.

Here is a link: http://tinyurl.com/5ge7f5


This John Kucharik site is impressive. I would like to take some shorts to remove and replace the padding. This is the place I have been looking for.

I find that when it gets cooler I prefer riding in bib knickers.. I really do not need tights unless it gets into the 40's or below.. A small lightweight jacket that fits in a jersey pocket is a must have item.. Easy to add a lightweight layer when you are riding at dusk..

I use a brand called Montane Featherlite from the UK that is super lightweight fully compressable jacket that works great for So Cal.. Packed it just a little bigger than an apple.. You can find some of the mounatineering websites that carry them..

http://www.montane.co.uk/productlist.php?rid=7&rn=Fast%20&%20Lite

Awesome links and info everyone! Thanks!

This John Kucharik site is impressive. I would like to take some shorts to remove and replace the padding. This is the place I have been looking for.

I had John replace a zipper in a jacket and take it in a little around the waste. I was going to have him replace the pad in a few of my Pearl Izumi shorts but instead purchased his $29.00 shorts because his shorts fit better and are more comfortable.

Hands down I will take a pair of John's cycle shorts over a $120.00 pair of Microsensor Pearl Izumi shorts.

Awesome links and info everyone! Thanks!

I'll second that!

What time of day? What type of ride?

When I ride during the day, I just wear bike shorts and a jersey.

When I ride at night, I bring some arm warmers in my jersey pocket. If I get cold, I put on the arm warmers.

Of course socks, gloves, helmet, shoes, and at night, some reflective ankle straps.

If you're really riding in cooler weather (in So.Cal. terms), leg warmers are the ticket.

I'm probably in the minority here, but for me arm warmers are a waste of time. If it's cold enough for me to need something on my arms, then I am long past the point of needing something on my torso. So I have a Pearlizumi windbreaker with removable sleeves.

I'm probably in the minority here, but for me arm warmers are a waste of time. If it's cold enough for me to need something on my arms, then I am long past the point of needing something on my torso. So I have a Pearlizumi windbreaker with removable sleeves.

I ride a lot at night and during the winter it can get cold. The place where I notice the cold the most is in my arms. My arms are colder than my chest. So, I use arm warmers and then put a jacket on too.

However, for me the most important winter clothing item by far are foot warmers. I have been riding for two years and my first winter I rode without them and my feet froze. My second winter I used foot warmers and my feet were warm and comfortable.