How do you carry your layers?
 

I'm doing STP in a couple of weeks and i'm trying to decide how to carry my layers. I will probably just bring leg warmers to add to my shorts depending on the weather and maybe a smartwool sweater i can take on and off.

I would rather not carry these things in my Jersey. What does everyone else do?

A rack with panniers is not an option.

Jersey pockets. A sweater might be too thick to fold up well. Try thinner layers. A sweater's a bit thick anyhow unless it's really cold.

The advantage of jersey pockets is that you can take off/put on clothes without stopping.

Chances are a person who would ask such a question would not be able to add/remove clothes while riding.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/...1b52c63b_b.jpg

I haven't worked that out yet. But I've got a trunk bag and small handlebar bag, so I've got room for jacket and gloves and one or two other items. But you run out of room in a hurry. Panniers or a big handlebar bag are probably next.

I ran into the same problem snowshoeing. You could go up the sunny side of a hill out of the wind, and work up a good sweat with hardly anything on, then get up to some frozen lake and stop for lunch, and put on everything you had and still be cold.

And personally, I have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time, so I'm not likely to be changing clothes while riding.

For the big stuff like sweaters or jackets, wrap them around the top tube and zip-tie them (or use velcro straps).

You can wind your warmers around your toptube or seatpost and tie it.

You can place a section of newspaper between a base layer and jersey then throw it in the proper waste receptacle when you are done.

This is what jersey pockets are for.

BTW, what makes you think anyone outside of your geographical area knows what STP is?

Just because we pros say "TDF" doesn't mean you can use acronyms for your lesser rides.

You mean to tell us you don't know what STP is and yet you call yourself a "Pro"? Columbo, you suck. LOL :50:

STP - The Racer's Edge

Think along the idea of bike riding. Pacific Northwest. Uhhh, maybe something like the Seatle to Portland ride? STP? Get it?:50:

#1. What does it matter which ride it is?
#2. If you can't use the google to type "STP ride", change your sig.
#3. Thanks for the good responses everyone else! :)

Here's a good option if you'd like to carry just a bit more than you can carry in a normal seat bag but you still want don't want something as large as a trunk bag or handlebar bag: Zimbale seat pouch.

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...6&idcategory=0

If your jersey is form fitted enough, try folding or rolling up your outer layer and slipping it under your jersey so it sits underneath the pockets.

Bad idea... it can come lose and go into the wheel. The same is true of wrapping the jacket around your waist. I've seen a number of those with the sleeves or tail loose and swinging dangerously close to the rear wheel. If it gets sucked in your day is going to turn bad in a hurry.

There's always one of those at the bottom of every climb I do.

Seriously, that's a good tip to keep in mind if you're ever cold on a ride. Plastic garbage bags work too. I've begged them off ride organizers.


Removing clothing while riding isn't hard to do. You just need to be able to ride no hands and be in a place where it's safe to do so. Minimize the amount of time when both hands are occupied so you can grab the bars if you need to. Practice on a deserted road first.

Tyvek Priority Mail envelopes are good too. You can fold them up so they're 4" long and less than 1" diameter.

I lost a sweat shirt this way. Tried to tie it around the seat post. A sleeve came loose, and the wheel pretty much tore it in half. Poor thing.
If you really don't want to use jersey pockets (why?) then use a handlebar bag. That way you can still reach it while riding.

Everything you need will fit in jersey pockets. Make sure you can stuff 3 water bottles in the back of your jersey. If you can't, or it's too tight, you probably don't have the right fitting jersey for carrying stuff. If 3 water bottles fit, then you have enough room for rain-gear, cold weather clothes, etc. while still wearing your warmer gear.

Wait a minute! Back up!

So STP means Seattle To Portland ride?

So how's anybody in other parts of this country supposed to know that?

OP, should this be in the Northwest regional forum?

I have used seatpost bottle holders, tennis ball containers and stuffed arm/knee warmers and rain gear in them. I have also folded my rain jacket and tied it to the stem with the sleeves.

That's the point, you aren't supposed to know. Uhhhhh, ever hear of Google? Took all of 3 seconds to type in STP ride to find out it is one of the largest organized rides in the United States. You do have access to Google in New York, right? LOL But my point was that the OP did not deserve the ration that Colombo was giving him. All the OP wanted was a little help with a question for a ride, any ride, and he came here to find that help. What the ride was didn't matter, what did was that Colombo had nothing constructive to say. OK, I had my say, so I will crawl back into my hole. Everyone have a nice week and ride safe.:50:

[sigh] Whatever.

Yeah. OP post this over in the Pacific-Northwest regional forum. There are quite a few STP threads over there.

What I do is similar to what Machka does. I use a large seatpost rack if I'm going to use my road bike. I also switch out the carbon seatpost for an aluminum one. Safety first.

If it's going to be raining, which it shouldn't be for STP, then I take my cyclocross bike and put a rack and trunk bag on it. The rain is about over and the weather should be fairly warm during that time. (fingers crossed) I live in Portland btw.