Base layer recommendation/endorsement

vernon wrote on 22/12/2006 18:47 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers. What
do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides? I was carrying an
Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to wear it.

Thin base layer, cycle jersey (long sleeve), fleece gilet and jacket,
cycle shorts with longs over, warm socks and winter boots, buff on my
head configured according to just how cold and the critical tuning
element, gloves selected according to the temperature varying between
Pearl Izumi lobsters for really cold to Gorewear windstopper for zero
and above.

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

vernon said:

Having enquired here about base layers for the portly cyclist, I have
managed to find something that fits. It's made by Canterbury and is
primarily aimed at rugby players. I wore it along with an Aldi winter
shirt and an Aldi winter jacket on a DIY 100km Audax from Leeds to
Darlington yesterday and found it unnecessary to add any further
layers despite the bulk of the ride being in sub zero temperatures. I'm
most impressed with the performance of the entire set up. My
base layer was from the armourfit range and it can be seen at
http://www.armourfit-online.com/index.asp The UK source is just down
the road at York.
Now some questions:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough
layers.

Multiple thin layers provide a couple of advantages: Quick drying &
wicking, and versatility. You can adjust zips or add or remove layers as
you or the weather warms up or cools down.

Quoted message said:

What do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides? I was carrying
an Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to
wear it.

I'm too chicken to do long distance sub-zero rides, but when it's around
freezing:

Aquaduct long sleeve base layer, sometimes ontop of a Briko sleeveless
Coolmax string-vest-style vest
+ long sleeve Parrot not-very-thick jersey
+ Lusso Chest Protector
+ Lusso Gilet
+ Ozzo September gamex jacket (thin, lycra-like)

Bottom: shorts + roubaix bib longs or tracksters

~PB

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.
What do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides? I was
carrying an Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to wear
it.

Wicking vest, thin-ish long sleeved jersey or shirt with wind-proof front,
short sleeved cycling shirt, windproof and water resistant top, wind proof
gloves with liners if its cold, cap or beanie hat (this often has to come
off when I warm up). If its going to be raining I'll consider swapping the
water resistant top for the less-breathable water proof one. Also a thin
buff if I want to keep the draft off the neck.

On the lower half I have tracksters[1] over my shorts, 2 pairs of socks
(both thin) and sandwich bags between socks and shoe (still haven't got my
hands on a cheap pair of size 12 overshoes yet).

If doing a s-l-o-w ride in 'orrible weather then I've a pair of cycling
specific waterproof trousers to add, the buff (or a thicker buff), thicker
gloves with liners. This is mainly when I'm being lazy thobut.

I generally find it more pleasant to be fairly minimalist with what I'm
wearing and to speed up if I'm getting cold. As long as you've got
windproofs on you can remain warm and toasty in surprisingly little. Yer
buggered if you have to walk home thobut.

Course now I've got a turbo trainer I'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt
mwa-ha-ha.[2]

[1] Like Ronhill Bikesters, but without the higher back.
[2] Not that I can use it until knee is better <grumble>

"vernon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.

As long as you were comfortable, you were dressed correctly, ie you had the
right number of layers on.

cheers,
clive

Mark Thompson wrote on 22/12/2006 19:43 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Course now I've got a turbo trainer I'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt
mwa-ha-ha.[2]

Yes the mind numbing boredom of a trainer does send you that way ;-)

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Clive George said:

"vernon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.

As long as you were comfortable, you were dressed correctly, ie you had the
right number of layers on.

cheers,
clive

A few times I've gone out in 25deg F/ -3deg C with just lightweight tights
under my cycling shorts, neoprene booties, extra heavy gloves, balaclava
and a lightweight lycra jersey under a thin polyurethane coated cycling
jacket.

I forgot two base layers (undershirt) and a wool sweater that I'd normally
wear up top.

But since my feet, head and hands were warm, I soon got warmed up and
didn't mind the rather thin torso covering.

It was pretty painful for a couple miles, though. ;-)

in message <[email hidden]>, vernon ([email hidden]'😉

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.
What do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides?  I was
carrying an Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to wear it.

Next to the skin, merino wool (Howies) or silk (Lands End or Beans Online).
Next out, a winter riding jersey with a windproof front; I have two, one
(Ground Effect) with merino wool sleeves and back, the other (home made)
with fleece sleeves and back. The fleece one is warmer. Next out, a gilet.
Again I have two, one very lightweight but with a windproof front (TAL),
the other fleece with a windproof front (home made).

Finally and optionally, a jacket - either an Altura Nevis (if I'm pretty
sure I'll want to wear it for the whole ride - a bit too bulky to pack
into a pocket) or my wonderful little Campagnolo one which weighs 108
grammes and packs up to half the size of a coke tin.

On my legs, shorts (TAL) and 'roubaix' tights (Edinburgh Bicycle
own-brand - adequate but not brilliant).

I have a pair of Endura winter gloves but on the whole find them /too/ warm
and tend to ride in just track mitts all through the winter.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
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In article <[email hidden]>
vernon <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.

Why? If you're warm and comfortable then surely that's enough?

Quoted message said:

What
do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides? I was carrying an
Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to wear it.

Thermal T-shirt, long sleeved jersey or short sleeved with arm warmers,
chest protector, maybe a race cape or another jersey. Fleecy lycra
longs, maybe with shorts under. Knitted hat, or cap with ear flaps or a
fleece balaclava (roll it up to wear as a hat, pull it over your face
for chilling descents). Winter gloves, maybe with thermal liners. An
extra pair of thin socks, overshoes.
I don't like full-zipped thermal tops as unzipping to cool down lets the
wind to my chest while not letting my back cool - a chest protector does
a better job of keeping the chill off while preventing overheating.

"Rob Morley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>
vernon <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.

Why? If you're warm and comfortable then surely that's enough?

It seemed like a thermal illusion. I couldn't believe that so little was
keeping so much so warm yet cost so little ;-)

What I was wearing was only one layer more than I'd wear in the autumn and
that extra layer seemed very insubstantial. A friends that I called in to
see at the end of the ride could not believe how little I was wearing. He's
an 80 year old ex-cyclist who used to go youth hostelling in the winter on
his bike. I draw the line at that activity!

vernon said:

It seemed like a thermal illusion. I couldn't believe that so little
was keeping so much so warm yet cost so little ;-)

What I was wearing was only one layer more than I'd wear in the
autumn and that extra layer seemed very insubstantial. A friends that
I called in to see at the end of the ride could not believe how
little I was wearing. He's an 80 year old ex-cyclist who used to go
youth hostelling in the winter on his bike. I draw the line at that
activity!

Were you cycling harder than usual? Othewise you've found some
exceptionally good clothing.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

vernon said:

It seemed like a thermal illusion. I couldn't believe that so little
was keeping so much so warm yet cost so little ;-)

What I was wearing was only one layer more than I'd wear in the
autumn and that extra layer seemed very insubstantial. A friends that
I called in to see at the end of the ride could not believe how
little I was wearing. He's an 80 year old ex-cyclist who used to go
youth hostelling in the winter on his bike. I draw the line at that
activity!

Were you cycling harder than usual? Othewise you've found some
exceptionally good clothing.

Nope, a tad slower than normal. I finished a 100km BP Audax ride with eight
minutes to spare to get a 15km/hr average. I did stop more frequently for
nibbles though. I think the Canterbury base layer was a major contributer to
my toastiness. All in all the three layers cost a total of £30. I've always
rated the Aldi gear and this year's winter jacket seems to be even better
than the one I bought two years ago. Shame I'm too porky for their trousers.
I don't usually cycle in December as I normally have too many other
distractions. Riding in wintery conditions and getting some rural night
riding in has been a revelation. I really enjoyed the experience and will
be out and about next week and will probably do another DIY BP.

Quoting vernon <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers. What
do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides? I was carrying an
Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need to wear it.

If you were warm enough, who cares?

I wear shorts, unlined bibtights, Foska pirate jersey, dorky hat with
earflaps, decent winter gloves, and a cape and waterproof booties if it
rains. And _thick_ socks - very important.
--
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rden:burdened,!cmdassist,msg_window:reversed,!sparkle,horsename:Rumiko,showrace

David Damerell said:

Quoting vernon <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough
layers. What do other u.r.c. users wear on long distant cold rides?
I was carrying an Altura waterproof jacket but never felt the need
to wear it.

If you were warm enough, who cares?

And not /too/ warm or sweaty.

~PB

Clive George said:

"vernon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Although i was warm enough I felt that I wasn't wearing enough layers.

As long as you were comfortable, you were dressed correctly, ie you had
the right number of layers on.

Wot 'e sez... the point of layers as The Magic Solution is it's easy to
fine tune them: a little cold and you add a little warmth with a thin
layer, a little too warm and you lose a little insulation by removing a
thin layer.

You had an extra layer in case you were getting chilled, if you were
overheating you could have just taken one off: sounds like you had it right.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/