Texas - Cold weather cycling clothes Houston, Tx

With my hybrid, I did not when the weather was cold. As a roadie you ride almost all the time. What the up coming cold weather and rides scheduled for this weekend, what should I purchase to make the cold weather rides enjoyable?

AG

simple base layer at any sporting good store (i.e. nike, under armor, etc). if you are sensitive to colder temps like 50, i would get a pair of wool socks. that is how i rode last weekend up in montgomery. 45 degrees at start. fingers were cold for a few miles, but by end of my 50 miles i had to remove base layer. to each his own i guess.

Boone, over the years, has seemed to be fairly well-stocked with cold-weather gear, compared to some other places.

I typically add arm warmers to my cycling shorts and short sleeved jersey in cool TX weather, and if the weather is not going to warm up past the 50's, and/or it will be cloudy and windy, I'll add leg warmers and full finger gloves as well. Sometimes with those conditions I even wear two jerseys. I'm generally a wussy when it comes to cold and can't stand the cold like other people can.

But with weather like this Saturday, it is really difficult to judge with such a broad range of temperatures. Starting temps in the upper 40's, but low wind speeds, warming up to around 70 by ride end and sunny. It is always easier to remove layers and carry with you later in the ride vs. starting out not warm enough (even with vigorous cycling) and then wish you had worn more clothes.

For weather in the 45-50F range, I am planning to start with a lightweight longsleeve wicking base layer like underarmor under my jersey and then add leg warmers to my bibs. Depending on the wind, I might wear an ear warmer or my full finger gloves, but that is about it. Usually the cold only affects me for the first 10-15 minutes or so until I get warmed up.

I sent this to ag in a PM. Copying here for anyone else looking for the same info:

The problem is that in Houston, it's really cold when you start and then warms up fast, so you want things you can take off easily. At a minimum, I would buy a windproof vest and full finger gloves to go with your long sleeve jersey.

I prefer to wear a short sleeve jersey with a baselayer and arm warmers so I can take them off if I get hot.

If you want to go full on, here's a few suggestions. A vest: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...450809&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=45&product_id=1450809&outlet=)

or a jacket with removable sleeves: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...454784&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=45&product_id=1454784&outlet=)

leg warmers: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...id=517&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=517&outlet=)

arm warmers: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...319896&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=1319896&outlet=)

full finger gloves

toe covers: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...id=523&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=523&outlet=)

and a baselayer: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...449991&outlet= (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=42&product_id=1449991&outlet=)


BTW - all my stuff isn't PI, but it was easier to surf 1 site :)

I agree on the removability comment. I am usually inclined to accept being slightly colder early in the ride so that I can avoid having to deal with a pile of clothing to carry along after I warm up and start shedding it.