greenstork

I'm heading to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Southern Germany in mid June through early July. It's a credit card tour and I'm packing light with just rear panniers and a handlebar bag. I have fleece-lined leg and arm warmers and I'm now thinking that I just won't need a long sleeve jersey during summer. I figure the coldest that it's really going to get is 50 degrees F (10 C) and at that point I can wear my short sleeve jersey, arm warmers, and my gore-tex jacket. I can certainly fit the jersey but I'd prefer to have the room in my panniers if I don't have to. Thoughts?

staehpj1

If the low temp is really going to be 50 F, I wouldn't even take the arm and leg warmers.

jamawani 

Long sleeves have two functions -
They keep you warmer if it's chilly -
And they keep the sun off of you.
Some people swear by long sleeves after they gotten too much sun.

acantor

I wear a long-sleeve jersey, even in extreme heat, as protection from the sun. I actually feel cooler than when I wear a short sleeve jersey.

Cave

What do you prefer to ride in? Most people seem to like short sleeves, but I don't; a lot of that has to do with sun protection, which is much less of an issue in Europe than in Australia.

In Australian sun and 36C heat (ie. 95-96 degrees F) I like a light (yellow), sunproof but breezy long-sleeved jersey. At reasonable speeds the combination of evaporation from the wind and the sun protection is great (if you move too slowly to get a breeze it gets quite hot).

I'd definitely want my arms covered at 10 C, but not with warm fleece. I'd forget about leg warmers unless you have cold wind/rain (huge wind chill on a bike in the rain even if ambient temp is mild).

If you prefer short sleeves, you'll be fine with your arm warmers at those temps; this is he most flexible option. Do you have un-lined warmers? I think they'll be more comfortable than the warm ones.

greenstork

Thanks everyone for the comments. They're pretty standard arm & leg warmers - the fleece lining is very thin. Since I do prefer short sleeves, I am going to just bring the arm warmers and leave the jersey at home.

seeker333

Absolutely agree. Fair-skinned people can only get so far safely with sunblock.

Long sleeves are actually more useful for sun protection, IMO. Benefits include:

1. keeps the sun off as good as sunblock (you still get uv thru the material, though)
2. shirt weighs same as a can of sunblock, plus provides insulation in cold
3. long sleeve shirt will pay for itself a few times over in sun block savings.
4. no gook on your arms, hands and everywhere it migrates
5. soak a long sleeve shirt in water, head out - 10-20 minutes of cooling relief from heat via evaporative cooling. when dry, wet and repeat.

Anyone use knickers instead of the usual shorts? Extend sun protection over thighs and knees...

jamawani 

I look like a Bedouin when I tour.
Long pants, long sleeves, gloves, neck flap cap.
I'm a redhead - and I grew up in Puerto Rico getting roasted a few times.

I've toured maybe 60,000 to 80,000 miles - a lot in places like Utah and Nevada.
Sometimes I'll even wear a light white hankie over my face - like a veil.
You can see right thru it and you get sun reflection.
Who needs sunglasses when you can bike in a burqa. ;-)

chrisch

I dislike making such choices when packing for any type of trip. I'd leave the jersey at home, and simply buy one en route if you find it necessary.

becnal

Bring the arm warmers, forget the long sleeve jersey.

cyclezealot

Going up into the Alps. Think it's possible it could get below 50F.? I'd at least take the arm warmers should you do the mountains.

tacomee

Lightwieght long underwear... like Body Armour...top and bottoms, don't take much room and can save you if the weather turns bad.

The downside is changing on the road....