Bandera

Old School Redux?
Note the Lotto Pro riders w/ legwarmers & SS jerseys.

-Bandera

unterhausen

I try to cover my knees if it's going to get below 65F. There used to be a well-known issue called "Easter knees," which was from riding with uncovered knees when it was too cold. That happens most often in spring, because at the end of summer people aren't used to lower temps and cover up at higher temperatures. In the spring, we're used to being cold, and any sunny day seems like it's hot enough to wear shorts, even if it's barely above freezing.

yooperbiker

I heard of this "rule" many years ago. I follow it, sometimes, but at about 53 degrees instead of 60. 60 just doesn't seem that cool.

T Stew

I put shoes on under 50ºF though running I can go much lower... well below freezing under the right conditions.

Interesting, first I've heard of this. I just put on pants when I feel cold, probably in the ball park of 55-60º if I'm cycling.

Moe Zhoost

I had heard this rule as early as the late 1970's. It circulated throughout the racing community. I was thinking of it the other day as I put my shorts on for my low-50s morning commute.

chefisaac

This thread is actually pretty interesting for me. I am a shorts kinda guy and love it. Down to about 40 or so. Partially because I just pedal and when it is cold, pedal faster. My question, what are you wearing to protect your knees? Or what can one wear to protect their knees if wearing shorts? I tried, once I think, leg warmers but my thighs are very big and end up just falling off while I pedal.

mcours2006

Something that shields you from the wind, but I think even something that's thinner is better than nothing. This morning's temp was 10*C (~50*F) and I had on a pair of base-layer tights under my shorts. I was on the saddle for about 100 minutes; it felt fine. In fact, it felt quite warm. I'd probably have been okay with just the shorts, but that's a mistake that could make for a very miserable 95 minutes.

Outnumbered

Those of us in New England who I see commuting with me all year subscribe to a 40°F (4.5°C) long leggings "rule" in the fall, and a 18°F (-8°C) long leggings, lobster glove "rule" in the winter.

mgw4jc

There's also a tendency for some people to overdress. At least according to how I feel and how my body regulates temperature. I wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt down to the low 50s. But then I'll see another guy with full leggings and high-neck zip up jersey. I'd sweat like crazy in that.

I prefer being on the cool side and keeping warm through my physical effort.

loky1179

It used to be enforced, but due to prison overcrowding, they're letting it slide. You'll seldom even get a warning these days.

tarwheel 

I never considered it a "rule," just good advice. I cover my knees generally when temps are colder than 60-65 F. I can't speak for anyone else, but it makes a difference with my knees. My knees are sensitive to cold temperatures and will really ache if not covered, with pain sometimes lasting for days. It's easy to cover my knees and worth taking precautions to prevent injury.

scroca

I'm surprised at some of the posts, but I guess I shouldn't be since people are different. My legs stay pretty warm when cycling. I usually won't cover my legs if the temperature is 40F or higher, with the one possible exception being when it's raining. Yesterday I rode in shorts while it was raining in the high 40's and it was fine.

Now toes and fingers, those are different issues!

Steely Dan

trust me, it's not about being hard or soft, tough or weak.

it's just that i've been sweating nearly non-stop for the past 39 years.

my internal engine burns extremely hot; staying warm is almost never an issue for me.

staying cool, however, has been the challenge of my lifetime.

AlTheKiller

I've blown out my right knee a couple times. The knee warmers go on probably in that temp range. For commutes I'm okay because it's short enough usually.

My ears are also insanely susceptible to the cold for some reason. I can be in a short sleeve and shorts quite comfortably, but my ears will be stinging in pain due to cold wind.

no motor?

It was in the mid 50's here this morning for my ride into work and I wore shorts for my 20 minute ride into the headwind. I was wishing I'd put on longer pants or tights but only due to the wind making my hamstrings feel cold and not my knees. It wasn't so bad I needed to stop and put on the kneewarmers, one of the advantages of my shorter commute after the office moved last year is I can just endure whatever bad guesses I make for clothes since the trip is so short.

timvan_78

First I've heard of that rule, but I guess I follow it. Not because my knees feel cold, but just because they are more likely to feel sore when uncovered*. i.e. I cover my knees BEFORE they feel cold, either due to air temperature or rain.

*not sure if being uncovered was the cause of the soreness--could be coincidental/unrelated.

T Stew

Reminds me at my last marathon last fall I remember the winning gal was wearing what could barely be described as a string bikini... it was about 38F at race start. A few of the front line men weren't wearing much more. They probably run as fast as some people cycle too. I'm no where near competitive at those longer distances, but I was wearing shorts and sleeveless shirt myself. I don't do a whole lot of cold weather biking yet so not a lot of experience with that. Obviously people are going to vary and it depends on how much effort your exerting also I would think.

unterhausen

in my case, I don't really feel like my legs are being overheated by being covered until about 75F. Anything above that, and I start to feel stupid for wearing something other than shorts. But it's not as bad as being overdressed above the waist. Given that my knees have caused me trouble in the past, I would rather keep them warm. My commute is about 7 miles each way. I have been wearing my work clothes for the last couple of years, and that usually means pants once school starts. So even though I could survive with shorts in colder temps, it's not usually an issue. These things are more of a concern when I'm riding longer distances.

As far as gloves go, 47F is the magic number

Ray Lovinggood

The only "60 degree rule" that applies to me is the "Nose gets really runny below 60 degrees." Warm moist air coming out of the lungs hit the cooler air and instant nose drip, or nose waterfall...

As for knees: I've experienced knee pain only once and it was some odd type of cramp in warm weather. I'll wear shorts down to the mid to upper 50's, not because of just my knees, but for the sake of the entire length of the legs. I can add leg warmers which are good to probably the upper 40's. Below that and I'm looking into my thicker winter wear.

But 60 degrees and colder means runny nose season for me.

gregjones

Yup.

The sixty year old hinges just seem to feel better when kept warm. Arm and knee warmers are my friends.

Although the pits like it when the arm warmers go over the sleeves. ;-)

highrpm

I never heard of the Easter knees thing before today. Good to know. I did notice that when I ride in the 40s in shorts, my knees feel cold. I was expecting my legs to be warmer from all that motion than they are.

spivonious

I haven't heard of that rule. Are you sure it wasn't invented by the knee warmer industry?

Seriously though, if your knees are cold, then cover them (I switch to pants around 50F). It's not rocket science.

johnlp37

I have never worn anything over my knees on my 9 mile commute into work, but it rarely gets below freezing here. Hands and feet are much more of a concern. I'd wear more if I was going to be out for hours in low temps. 60 degrees is not cold.

pacificaslim

The only "rule" I know is that you must wear arm warmers or long sleeves before wearing knee warmers or tights. In other words, covered legs with bare arms is a violation of the rules, so say the velominati.

gregf83 

Wear whatever is comfortage. If you don't ride hard or sweat much on the way to work then it's probably less important to cover your knees. 3C yesterday morning and I had leg warmers but didn't use them for the ride home at 8C as the sun was still out when I started.

I don't see much downside to wearing legwarmers. If you ride regularly you aren't going to overheat when it's 60F with legwarmers. If you did you'd never be able to ride in the summer.