LGHT

Commuting to work more often, and after work I like to put in a few extra miles since it's only 10 miles to the office. The nights are getting warmer, but I have been getting really cold at night and got horribly sick a few weeks ago because I was sweating like a dog in the cold wind and air.

I picked up a riding jacket and tried it out and it works great, but because I sweat a lot it's like being in one of those sweat suits to lose weight. Basically all the sweat just sits inside the jacket and it's like I"m riding around in a zip lock bag full of sweat. It does keep me a little warmer, but I still get a little cold and need something more.

I was considering bib pants, but not sure if that will help as it seems my core just stays cold because of the trapped cold sweat.

I've never used a vest or tried anything under so looking for suggestions.

bmthom.gis

I have a jacket that is solid and block wind/water in front, and almost the entire back is more mesh so it breathes really nice. Pearl Izumi makes it

brockd15 

What are the temps and what are you wearing when you get cold?

LGHT

Do you know the model? I got the Men's ELITE Barrier Clear PI jacket and it's nice, but creates a barrier that also keeps the sweat in which is the problem.

LGHT

Temps are in the 50's with a 15mph wind. I feel great as soon as I put on my jacket and it keeps me warm, but my bib ends up getting soaked with sweat a few minutes later and just holds onto the water. I literally had to ring out my bib after I took it off and hang it up to dry before putting it into the hamper.

ThermionicScott 

Fun fact: dogs don't sweat.

It sounds like you're overdressing, and then not opening up your clothing once you warm up.

The trick is to dress so that you feel a little chilly when you start out, but feel fine after a mile or two. I would skip the jacket, but use a very thin baselayer under your jersey, which you could unzip a little as you warm up. In 50's temperatures, like this morning's 6.5 mi commute, I may just wear shorts and a jersey, and that will do as long as it's not raining.

rumrunn6

sometimes this combo works for me

fleece shirt, no base layer (but depending on temps base layer can be added), and wind breaker vest (jacket w sleeves zipped off). the fleece shirt is warm enough even with perspiration wicking away from my body and the vest is security from chill. the fleece shirt sleeves are just warm enough tight weave enough to keep me warn against the wind but still allow the perspiration to wick away.

there are so many possibilities and possible combinations. keep working it and you'll get the right combo for your body, pace and temps. ... and then the temps will change! :-)

btw the cycling windbreaker w zip off arms is pretty darn useful

Leebo

Wool base layer and a wool sweater works for me. What about a windproof fleece vest? I like running gear. My new balance jacket is a thin knit material with just a wind block front. Works well, also look at some xc ski stuff as well.

bmthom.gis

I do believe it is this one
Men's SELECT Thermal Barrier Jacket - Pearl Izumi

LGHT

Ok i'm not familiar with "base layers" as I've only been riding a few months. Do those go over or under the bib / jersey? Right now it's a bib, jersey, and jacket.

I think I have some wool / fleece fishing shirts so I'll have to see if I can dig them out of the garage and see how that stuff works. If not would I get a wool / fleece long sleeve and put the jacket over or is that to be used instead of the jacket?

Really trying to keep costs down as much a possible, but I noticed I slowed down a lot on my last ride because the wind was just making me too cold.

no motor?

Most people refer to base layers as long underwear until the start bicycling. A wind vest with a breatable back should work wonders for you, or a jacket with the removable sleeves.

FrankHudson

Vest, or vest with a windblock front and breathable back. The one I use packs into nothing when it warms up, or if you are riding out and don't know if you will need "just a bit more" if it gets cooler or more windy.

gregf83 

That jacket you bought is fine for a quick rainstorm but, as you've found it won't work for normal riding as it doesn't breathe.

It's a little difficult to recommend clothing for others as a lot depends on how hard you are riding. But you shouldn't really be getting soaked with sweat at this time of year. For myself commuting these days the temp is in the low 40s to mid 50s. I wear a long sleeve Icebreaker wool baselayer (<$30 from Sierra Trading Post) and a vest. I'm cold for the first 10 to 30 minutes but then start to warm up. Alternatively, I could wear a long sleeve thermal jersey but this year I prefer the wool and vest.

ThermionicScott 

Yeah, I meant it kind of generically as some thin layer of clothing that is closest to your skin. It helps keep you warm without being too thick, and needs to be breathable so that it won't trap excessive moisture. Merino wool is excellent for this.

LGHT

Ok it seems like I could really use a vest with a breathable back. However do I wear that under the jacket or just scrap the jacket all together. I think the jacket may have initially been created to avoid getting rained on which in my case won't help at all.

LGHT

I ride hard and fast just about every ride with a good amount of incline. I don't think I've ridden less than 2000' in the last 2 months and lately it's been around almost 3000' each ride since I only get to ride a couple of times a week I always try to push as much as possible. I'm looking to burn fat and being over 200lbs lets just say I have plenty to melt.....

Even in cold temps I still sweat like a cat (@ThermionicScott do cats sweat?)

Leebo

Ditch the jacket, not working for you. A good source for wool sweaters is your local thrift shop.

LGHT

Ok If I did go that route would I still need a vest and or my jacket?

LGHT

I would NEVER buy anything from the local thrift shop!!

I do all my thrift shop shopping online via goodwill!! I just found a really nice sweater that would match my bike perfectly and at $20 all wool it's a pretty good deal. Surprisingly I actually got my first bike from them when I thought about getting into riding and it's a great resources for bike parts also.

no motor?

I'd wear the vest over a baselayer. The temperature here this morning was just under 50, and I wore a thin baselayer and my windvest with the mesh back. It was perfect after about 5 minutes to warm up, experiment and you'll find what works for you. A bright yellow vest with reflect striping will make you more visible, and carrying the jacket with you will give you the option to wear it later if you want.

ThermionicScott 

I had to look it up -- apparently, they only sweat through their paws!

But yeah, dogs don't sweat (that's why they pant to cool off) and pigs don't either (that's why they roll around in mud), so when someone says they were "sweating like a pig/dog!" my inner smartass finds it hard not to respond.

More helpfully, I think a thin long-sleeved shirt of some kind (merino wool or synthetic) worn under a regular jersey -- no jacket -- and thin tights would be great for weather in the 50s, especially if you ride hard. But everybody's comfort level is different, and you Californians need to remember than 55 degrees is feeling excitingly warm to us in Iowa right now. If you have a place to stow extra clothing on your bike, I like @no motor? s idea to keep the jacket with you in case you need it.

gregf83 

It's OK to sweat but if you're dressed properly that sweat should be evaporating and you should be relatively dry at the end of the ride. If you're not dry you've got too many clothes on or your clothes aren't breathable. Experiment with fewer and lighter layers. Take a look at cross country ski racers who race in much colder conditions than you're talking about and they just have a very thin layer of clothing.

LGHT

That's exactly what I was thinking when I went out 2 weeks ago without a jacket. When I left it was 70 sunny and nice. I ended up riding an extra 10 miles and 1000' on top of my normal loop 40 mile 2500' loop so I was out 30 min longer than normal. After the climb it was around 50 degrees and I was hitting speeds or 30-35 downhill in the wind sweating like a horse and ended up getting horribly sick for 2 weeks.

As a result my wife got and my 5 month old son both got sick.

LGHT

I'm going to put on fishing gear tonight and the jersey and just deal with being hot for the first hour and pack my jacket in my jersey just in case. Although I'm from Cali Ironically I never really feel cold once I heat up. In fact I actually prefer riding in the cold. I just want to be sure I'm getting sick every time I go out for a ride.

gregf83 

That's an important bit of information. If you're doing an extended downhill section you're not working very hard and that's where a vest or jacket can be useful. It's common to carry a vest or light jacket in your pocket and put it on once you reach the top. Or go old school and stuff a newspaper or light bag under your shirt.

Regarding getting sick, it's a bit of an old wives tale that getting chilled causes a cold.