Originally Posted by
mcours2006
Seems like everyyear when the temperatures drops I have to rethink about what I did theprevious year that worked for that particular temperature. So this year I'm putting together a chart for myself as a guide forwhat to wear for the range of temperatures in 5*C increments. Hopefully it'll take some of the thinking out of the whole production.
The morning temps around here range from 20* down to -30* in the dead ofwinter, so this chart has quite a few rows.
Individual comfort level with regard to temperature differs, of course, but I'm just curious how many of you have a similar chart, and if so, if you're willing to share it. I'm still putting mine together at the moment.
Edit:
I've overdressed on rides and it's miserable. I've underdressed as well andequally unpleasant.
Back in 2009, a year after joining Bike Forums, I posted to this thread, “Your clothing choices for various temps.”
Originally Posted by
agarose2000
What clothing do you use reliably to stay comfortable for temps of:
50-70F
30-40F
10-30F
< 0F?
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
I think of my degrees of dress in six levels. Adopting to your table for my 14 mile commute (temperatures in parentheses):
50-70F
Level I (>70): Shorts, short sleeve shirt.
Level II (60): Add thin long legged tights and/or long-sleeve jersey
(50): Add fleece shirt, maybe a wind proof cycling jacket, and long legged cycling tights over thin tights;thin fingered gloves, thin balaclava
30-40F
Level III (40): Heavy cycling jacket and long sleeve jersey; two layers of tights as above; thin balaclava, maybe a woolen cap; heavier woolen gloves
(35): Add safety glasses (as goggles) that fit over my eyeglasses; extra pairof neoprene socks; balaclava and woolen cap
10-30F
Level IV (30) Add fleece jersey; thin, fingered gloves and thickwind-proof fingered gloves; neoprene extra socks and neoprene booties overshoes
Level V (25): Add windproof thin cycling jacket over fleece and underheavy cycling jacket
Level VI: (<20): Thin and thick woolen socks instead of neoprene socks; additional windproof pants [scrub pants or rainproof pants] over twopairs of tights, add neoprene face mask
<0F?
My personal best has been leaving at 8 degrees in Boston and arriving at mysuburban destination at minus 9
I don't like being cold, so I tend to overdress a bit, but I have a rear trunkbag and can remove layers. Recently I've been looking for reasonably priced mittens for level VI.
I use my chart to decide on dress by just checking the temperature. I decide just by ambient temperature, and ignore wind chill (unless severe) since there is always a wind chill on a bike.
Since that list, I have bought significantly warmer fleece and winter jacket, so I don’t wear the heavy jacket until about 25⁰, and then without the fleece. I wear the fleece and windproof shell jacket from about 40 to 25⁰. Also this fall I have bought some leg and arm warmers, and I find the leg warmers an effective, and flexible layer, e.g. at 27⁰ this morning.
Even on my carbon fiber road bike I carry a backpack to bring a few extra lightweight, but somewhat voluminous items to fine tune my dress, to add or remove.
Finally, a particularly significant decision point for me is 35⁰, to wear goggles over my prescription eyeglasses, and I have frequently posted about my eyewear to prevent fogging.
BTW, I learned to scale lists on a six-point system after a white water rafting trip since that is how rivers are assessed.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-02-16 at 03:45 AM.