Here in western South Carolina fall just hit. I went out to ride this
morning around 7:30 am and turned back twice to add more warmth. It was
46 degrees and foggy.
I ended up done up so:
wool cycling socks
regular (mesh top) road shoes
toe booties
(http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19327&subcategory_ID=1344)
Pearl Izumi thermafleece tights with chamois (on sale at REI outlet)
sports bra
long sleeved wicking undershirt
long sleeved wicking jersey
cycling vest (Pearl Izumi whisper vest--windresistant front and mesh back)
old socks cut to make wrist warmers
knit gloves
full fingered cycling gloves
Hind thermal drylete headband
helmet
I was miserable at first because of the fog but after about 15 minutes I
realized the sun was out, it just still seemed foggy because of the
water drops on my glasses (I haven't gotten to the optical shop to ask
them if I can use RainX on them). Once I finally got going I rode three
hours and it was 57 degrees when I got home.
I don't recommend that headband for cold conditions--it isn't very
warm--though it was warm enough for me most of the time. It definitely
doesn't fit too tightly over glasses, if anything a bit loose (and I
wear a men's large hat size). I was very happy with the two shirts and a
vest approach--once I got my wrists covered my arms were fine and it
much diminishes the steambath effect of a full jacket. My only
complaint is that the vest doesn't have pockets and it is too hard to
reach my jersey pockets while riding. The two layers of glove added to
that problem--my hands were warm enough but I had to take them off and
put them on when I stopped, unlike half fingered gloves with which I can
do anything. I want some real glove liners instead of my daughter's
knit gloves (my cycling gloves aren't insulated), and perhaps I might
use a rubber glove for windproofing in between if it gets colder. I
wasn't entirely happy with the tights--my leg movement felt so much less
free (they run quite small so perhaps I should have bought a larger
size) and my rear was pretty cold by the end. That makes me think the
tights over shorts approach may really be better.
My feet felt mildly cold the whole time. Has anyone tried gluing a
layer of fleece inside shoe covers or booties? Actually I felt cold
coming through the bottom of the shoe, but I can't put in warmer insoles
because my custom orthotic insoles already take up too much space. The
next thing I should try is liner socks, but I probably will need to buy
a larger size shoe to use much more sock. Anyone know a store in
Atlanta that has a really wide range of road shoes? I have wide feet,
particularly at the toe, and if I am going to buy another pair I want
some that will fit my feet and my custom orthotics better than my
Shimanos (mens). I don't think any of the stores in the Greenville SC
area carry very many brands, particularly for road (I have Look pedals).
I'm hoping to ride for exercise all winter, so I want to find solutions.
Right now it seems like a nuisance to put on so much gear and hard
to go fast all bundled up (this is my first winter since getting back
into riding), but I figure I will get used to it. Part of what made it
less fun today was that my eyes were watering from the cold wind a lot
and I couldn't enjoy the scenery as much as I usually do. I'm wondering
about ski goggles, but I will have to figure out where I might try some
on around here.
Pam