Even functional rides provide lessons and test opportunities. Committed to making regular riding a 12 month deal I have been gathering info on clothing to deal with the cold. Today I used the opportunity to apply some of what has been learned.

On the outbound leg of my trip, the temperature was 43, on the return it was down to about 37 and the sun had set.My kit included a skull cap under my helmet, T shirt under a sweatshirt, my lightweight, nylon wind jacket covering all. Gloves, my new thinsalates. downstairs, running shorts under warm-up pants. Feet covered with lycra, over the calf socks under my usual riding socks.

Outbound I was quite comfy, on the home bound leg I noticed I was perspiring a bit by the time I had ridden a mile it was clear the T was a mistake, and the running shorts were beginning to bunch up. After another mile the wind jacket zipper allowed a draft to enter and chill the perspiration from the T. The results are clear. 1) Replace the T with riding jersey; 2) Wear jacket with pit and back venting.

What worked: 1)Skull cap; 2) Socks though wool will probably improve the situation; 3) Warm-up Pants work well even considering my having to reposition myself on the seat, nylon is slippery. The jury is still out on the gloves.

Stats
Load: Approximately 20 lbs
Miles Today: 6.91
Weeks Miles: 6.91
Months Miles: 25.51
Year Since June: 1032.35