Southern California - Socal Riding in the Winter Months

Happy Saturday to everyone,

I was just wondering how your riding schedule personal/scheduled rides change as the warm weather of summer retreats and the cold of winter arrives. For those of you who ride before/after work, how do you deal with the time change?

I must ask, what gear works best for you to keep you warm on those chilly days?

Safe riding.

The only thing different I do is take time off the bike during the holidays. I'll stop riding after Halloween through New Years. My commute route is too dangerous as it goes past a shopping district. Not the safest place to ride during rush hour.

the only difference for me is lighting and layers. Schedule remains the same.

Coldest days I'm wearing base layer, long sleeve jersey, warmer jacket and a thicker cap under the helmet. Once the morning temps drop below 40, I either ride later or hit the trainer to work out with Coach Troy.

I wear an undershirt under my jersey and arm warmers when it's cold. If it gets REALLY cold, I have a pair of full fingered gloves, but I hate wearing them... they make my hands sweat...

I commute daily unless its actually raining when I leave.
Weekends rides I try to stay out of rain if possible.
Cold weather I just layer for it with the correct clothes could be anything from long sleeves, jacket, arm warmers, knee warmers, tights, skull cap, balaclava (not very often in Cal but once in a while) just about covers winter clothing for me.

I used to hate the hot weather of summer but now that I've started riding, I don't want the season to end...

The only real times I get to ride are early mornings and evenings because of school/work.

Looks like I'll just have to throw a jacket on and suck it up.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

what cold weather.. I mean so cal in the evenings and early mornings can hit the 30's but that is still very rideable weather.. I usually wear Knickers mid 40's to high 50's.. Once it gets in the 30's, I wear tights..

I use a Team Pro issue Sinchi fleece lined jacket and usually just a light base layer or craft cold weather base when it hits the 30's.. Booties are only really needed when it gets wet and I have a couple of long finger gloves and will choose which one based on temp.

Sinchi jackets can be found here, she is in Ireland but have been buying from her for years.. http://www.supercycleclothing.com/index.asp

I use a Team Pro issue Sinchi fleece lined jacket and usually just a light base layer or craft cold weather base when it hits the 30's.. Booties are only really needed when it gets wet and I have a couple of long finger gloves and will choose which one based on temp.

Sinchi jackets can be found here, she is in Ireland but have been buying from her for years.. http://www.supercycleclothing.com/index.asp


Just what I was looking for. How would describe the fit of the jackets? Tight or loose fitting?

Just what I was looking for. How would describe the fit of the jackets? Tight or loose fitting?

Every person I have bought these jackets for say it is the one piece of clothing they can no longer do without.. The fit is more european.. Follow the chest size measurements, they are spot on.. If you normally use an XL, it would be best to go up 1 size minimum to a 2xl and so forth..

These jackets by themselves are very warm and comfortable, decent rain protection and will go down to 30's with a good base layer.. I like it because I don't have to wear multiple layers when it gets cold and because I ride at night quite a bit it is usually colder..

The owners name is Ciaran and she is very easy to work with..

I try to commute everyday all seasons. Make sure to put on the lights, both front are rear. There are a few lights you can attach to the back of your helmet. I carry a thin plastic rain parka if rain is possible. I also have fenders on the commuter bike. You have to remember that when it rains, poor visibility is your worst enemy. Cars just don't see cyclist in the rain. There windshields are either fogged up or streaked with glare.
The group rides in the winter are a blast. The pace is usually a lot slower and the mood is more casual. Southern Calif is the riding meca of America. Enjoy!!!

Layers are the way to go, arm and knee warmers and a vest are the ticket. Bulky jackets get to hot and are hard to carry. In sub 50 degree weather I wear a base layer undershirt, then a Jersey then a vest. After it gets above 60 degrees the arm warmers and vest come off and tuck neatly into my shirt pockets.

the only difference for me is lighting and layers. Schedule remains the same.

+1 and Climitts for really cold days.

Every person I have bought these jackets for say it is the one piece of clothing they can no longer do without.. The fit is more european.. Follow the chest size measurements, they are spot on.. If you normally use an XL, it would be best to go up 1 size minimum to a 2xl and so forth..

These jackets by themselves are very warm and comfortable, decent rain protection and will go down to 30's with a good base layer.. I like it because I don't have to wear multiple layers when it gets cold and because I ride at night quite a bit it is usually colder..

The owners name is Ciaran and she is very easy to work with..

Thanks a lot. I'll have to look into it and get ready for the end of summer.

the only difference for me is lighting and layers. Schedule remains the same.
Same here. On my coldest early morning commutes (high 30's) I'll need a base layer, vest, arm/leg warmers, full finger gloves, and something over the head and ears. Darkness means I put on a bright headlight, a dimmer helmet light, a rear blinky, and a rear solid. Nothing else changes, including the fact that I try to stay out of the rain.

isn't winter something they have in other places?

the "magic shine" is a great deal on a strong front light, if that is something you are looking for

I live in South Pas and ride early mornings, where it can be sub 40 down by the Rose Bowl (at 5:45). I like arm and knee warmers with a base layer, and I have a windbreaker that the sleeves zip off to make it a vest. Very nice for the way home when it's warm enough that you don't want clammy arms but still want your chest to stay warmer. But the two things that don't vary are a beanie under my helmet and toe warmers on the front of my shoes to block all those summer friendly ventilation holes. Those two items make a huge difference.

Oh, and +1 on good lighting and full-fingered gloves.

the only difference for me is lighting and layers. Schedule remains the same.

Nachoman, it says you have a Holland titanium bike. What's that?

What's a 'winter'?

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/051030-cardiffsign.jpg

daydreaming about being out there after seeing this picture....

Nachoman, it says you have a Holland titanium bike. What's that?

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/4/img3479.jpg

Once it's low 60's, I'm in tights, underlayer and a windbreaker. They don't come back off till the mid 70's weather rolls back around, I tan fast enough for summer!:D


Near Devore in December
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/121908A.jpg

isn't winter something they have in other places?

It's definitely not here, except sometimes above 5000ft MSL.

The weather whimps of SoCal crack me up.

It's definitely not here, except sometimes above 5000ft MSL.

The weather whimps of SoCal crack me up.

Guilty as charged. It's hard for me to even say that we had a COLD and foggy summer here in coastal San Diego. But we did!

During the winter I ride less and enjoy sleeping in on the weekends when not riding. If it's cold I'll wear leg warmers and a long sleeve baselayer along with a jacket if necessary. If it warms up the leg warmers, baselayer and jacket can all be removed and stuffed in a pocket or wrapped around the seatpost.

I'll wimp out and stay in if rain is falling before leaving home but if I'm already in the middle of a ride and warmed up then rain doesn't bother me.

Leg warmers, a long sleeve baselayer under a short sleeve jersey (or a long sleeve jersey instead of this combo), a wind vest, toe covers or booties, and full finger gloves keeps me good in 95% of winter conditions around here. If it is really cold (rare around here), out come the winter tights and jacket.

I've got a bunch of mountaineering base layers and light fleece tops I can rotate into the mix, which saves me from having to invest too much in cycling-specific winter clothing.

wait... who bike in the winter months...... when you can
http://i.nuseek.com/images/template/360x318/0703A_snowboard.jpg :p

Rain, i stay in. Rest of the time long sleeve base, tights, short sleeve jersey and windbreaker.