I've checked the Winter forum and not found an answer, so I am posting here.

I need advice on a good layering strategy for hard riding in 45-55F weather.

I just got back from riding in Bhutan and on the big climbs (10,000-13,000ft), I was sweating like a dog from the exertion of the climb and freezing due to the cold wind meeting my damp jersey. Even when I wore a base layer (I was using hiking-specific stuff), it would still soak my jersey and I'd be damp and cold. About the only thing that helped was wearing a Goretex shell over my thicker jersey, and in that case, I accumulated sweat under the shell, which wasnt very comfy either.

I have a 5-day MTB stage race next month in the Himalayas and then a 8-day road stage event in Dec, and need some advice on how to dress.

I have ordered base layers and some thicker jerseys, as well as arm/leg warmers. But what is the best way to manage sweat?

Edit - as I am a warm-weather weenie these days, I'd appreciate suggestions which dont involve half of the Assos catalog

TIA,
V.

Here's what I do:

The usual dress is bibs/shorts, jersey, cycling shoes, coolmax-type socks, helmet, sunglasses and half-finger gloves. As the temps drop and depending on whether it is sunny, cloudy and/or windy, here’s what I put on:

• @ ~ 60º F – arm and/or leg or knee warmers, add short sleeve thin base layer under short-sleeve jersey.
• @ ~ 55º F - switch to a thermal long sleeve jersey and switch to thermal tights
• @ ~ 50º F – switch to a long-sleeve thin base-layer, switch to a thicker wool sock, add glove liner under half-finger gloves and add a headband to cover my ears.
• @ ~ 45º F - add toe covers, switch to a skull-cap.
• @ ~ 40º F – add a thin packable-type wind resistant jacket, and add a windproof gloves or switch to a windproof insulated gloves.
• @ ~ 35º F - switch to a thicker base layer top, add a silk-weight base layer tight, add a sock layer and switch to wind booties.
• @ ~ 30º F and below – switch to windproof thermal jacket, add balaclava, switch to a thicker base layer tight or switch to a thermal tight with windproof panels, switch to ski gloves and switch to sunglasses with a larger ‘shield’.
• @ ~ 25º F – switch to ski goggles, add a silk-weight base tight, switch to neoprene booties, add a windproof/waterproof helmet cover.
• @20º F or if it snows – I switch to rollers inside.

This is on rolling terrain. I'd imagine that one would get really hot and sweat on big long climbs and then get cold on descents with my way. I guess try jerseys that has the full zippers and unzip on climbs and zip up on descents.

Might not be quite enough for you, but I would think base-layer with wool jersey over that and then thermal arm warmers. Maybe knee or leg warmers on your lower half. Then a lightweight racing cape for the decents. This should protect you from the wind going down and unzip and pull down arm warmers on the uphill to keep you comfortable and limit sweating. Wool is good because it hold insulation ability even when wet.

From what you mentioned, I would emphasize wind-proofing more. Base layer and synthetics are used to control the sweat, but you also need a windproof outer layer to prevent wind from doing it's damage. You would vary the layers in between whether it's wool or synthetics.

Head and socks I prefer wool. But for a core base layer I prefer a synthetic like underarmour.

you might want to roll up a thin wind vest and put in your back pocket. When you get to the top of mountain, put it on while you ride. Mine is mesh on the back so it breaths on the way down, but stops the wind from making my core cold. It rolls up into a ball about the size of a apple or smaller perhaps and weighs next to nothing.

watch what the pros do. look at video from this year's tour de france

this. you want your body to breathe on the way up, and throw something light and wind resistant (on the front) on the way down.

Agree regarding windproof jacket. I use mine just for the purpose you describe -- descending after climbing on cool day. Now here is the unfashionable part. On those cooler days, I like to have some storage capacity on my bike for extra clothing -- either a large seat bag or a rack and small trunk. This allows me to carry a dry jersey as well as my wind jacket. The dry jersey makes all the difference.

If you are dressed right at 45 degrees you shouldn't be sweating at all. But, if you just sweat anyway, wool is the best to have. Even soaking wet wool is warm. It is also very breathable. I always wear wool socks, winter or summer. My feet never seem to get wet with wool. Quality merino wool is very soft and comfortable as well. I will wear a wool sweater in temps below 35.

What kind of base layer are you wearing? I gave my synthetic ones up for wool base layers, and have been very happy with them. Also, I've got a wind jacket that lets about 1/3 the breeze through, which keeps me warm, but doesn't overheat me.

I would love to be cycling in some of the world's most intense mountains!

You need to adjust your clothes to match the terrain. On climbs I take off a vest and unzip my jersey(s). If it's warm enough I use arm warmers, so I can slide them down when on climbs. If I have a long sleeved base layer I will push the sleeves up so I can ditch some heat from my arms.

The idea is to disrobe enough so that you're not getting drenched in sweat on the climb. Then at the top you zip up, pull up arm warmers, put on the vest, etc for the descent.

this is how i've been doing things too. didn't take long before i was noting the temperature and matching that to the exact amount of clothing needed.

- Thin baselayer (I like Craft Pro Cool mesh sleeveless)
- Wool S/S jersey
- Bibs
- Knee/Leg warmer (depending on your tolerances)
- Arm Warmers
- Wool Socks
- Thin, breathable, vest (if there will be descending or a lot of wind)
- Thin, L/S gloves (depending on your tolerances)
- Cycling cap (depending on conditions)

The items in gray can be stowed in your back pocket.

"45-55F weather."

Dressing for 45-55F weather is pretty easy. Dressing for 10,000-13,000ft climbs will be more difficult.

What the temp is at the bottom from the top of the climb varies, and your body temp between the beginning, middle and end of the ride varies. Also as the other posters mentioned, there will be a comfort difference between climbing and descending.

Your layering has to take all of this into account.

For 45-55 degree F. weather, I usually just wear:

1. Long-sleeve poly or smart-wool under-shirt.
2. Light-weight tights over my regular bibs/shorts.
3. A wind-resistant polyester shell jacket. I like my PI Zephyr jacket. If you get cold, zip it up. If you get too warm, unzip or take it off. Very versatile.
4. Thin pair of poly or wool glove liners.
5. Toe covers if it is damp or windy.

Maybe carry a water-proof helmet cover if it may rain. That's it!

Great stuff, thanks. Got some good ideas there.

I've just ordered me the following:
- a couple of thermal bib knickers (Castelli Trios, from PBK)
- a couple of thicker jerseys (Gore, dhb)
- a bunch of base layers (synthetics, unfortunately - had ordered these before going to Bhutan, they didnt arrive on time)
- arm and leg warmers
- shoe covers
- a Castelli Leggero vest

The main problem I had was on the climbs: if I opened up the zipper of my thicker jersey or windproof shell, I was getting cold (wind!), but if I kept it closed, I was over-heating. What I was (and still am) missing is the outermost windproof layer, ideally something windproof in the front and meshed/vented on the back and sides. Reckon the Leggero will be enough, or should I get something a little thicker?

Thanks,
V.

I think that Castelli vest is going to serve it's purpose just fine, and I bet you'll use it quite a bit. It doesn't need to be thick, just wind proof. Let us know.

You need some wind baffle without being totally wind-proof. I sometimes wear a synthetic jersey over a merino T shirt. You can also use a sleeveless gillet windproof and one with a mesh back.

Windproof material varies in its breathability. For cold winter use you need totally windproof. For more temperate conditions or higher work rate you need more permeability. Membrane windproof are not very permeable. Pertex material is pretty windproof. My lightweight summer windproof is too permeable for winter use.
If your base layer is wet at the top of a major pass, CHANGE IT. Carry a spare or use a mid-layer against your skin for the descent. Wet merino is less uncomfortable than wet synthetics but it will still chill you on a major cold descent.
If you are into multi day endurance races, wool will prevent you stinking like a hobo.

I wouldn't take advice on how much to wear for a particular temp, everybody seems to run differently. I dress much more than other riders. You need a layering system which is flexible the use it. I had to force myself to stop and change clothing in the mountains.

There are some cheap and effective ways to prevent chilling. Stuff a newspaper down the front of your jersey is an old pro racer trick. Plastic bags, maps etc work as well.