What kind of clothing for a tour in the Alps?

[Galil]

I'll be on a tour of the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolomites during late June and early July. Does anybody have any suggestions for clothing on those long, chilly, mountainous descents? I do have arm warmers, knee warmers and a light cycling windbreaker.
Will that be sufficient?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[dabac]

Originally posted by Galil
I'll be on a tour of the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolomites during late June and early July. Does anybody have any suggestions for clothing on those long, chilly, mountainous descents? I do have arm warmers, knee warmers and a light cycling windbreaker.
Will that be sufficient?

Thanks in advance for the help.

When you're up on altitude the weather can turn real bad real quick. We've had occasional snow/sleet on the tours that I've made, and that + the wind chill factor is fierce. I strongly recommend proper rain gear and GLOVES, long sleeved jersey, fleece vest. Sleet can get so bad the even going uphill won't keep you warm.

The thing is that biting down and seeing it out isn't really an option, so you really need to carry this stuff. Tackling a switchback descent while shivering uncontrollably with hands that aren't fully under your control anymore is a scary,dangerous and unpleasant option.

If the weather is fine arm warmers are nice but not critical. The descents alway ends too soon...

 

[Galil]

Originally posted by dabac
When you're up on altitude the weather can turn real bad real quick. We've had occasional snow/sleet on the tours that I've made, and that + the wind chill factor is fierce. I strongly recommend proper rain gear and GLOVES, long sleeved jersey, fleece vest. Sleet can get so bad the even going uphill won't keep you warm.

The thing is that biting down and seeing it out isn't really an option, so you really need to carry this stuff. Tackling a switchback descent while shivering uncontrollably with hands that aren't fully under your control anymore is a scary,dangerous and unpleasant option.

If the weather is fine arm warmers are nice but not critical. The descents alway ends too soon...

Wow, sounds worse than I thought. I'd heard of rain in July but snow and sleet?? I will be riding the 7 day transalp + Maratona dles Dolomites. About half the days the elevation won't get past 1600meters maybe here and there a peak at 1800m. But the other days the peaks are at 2000 to 2400m. I am talking about such monsters as Timmelsjoch, Valparelo, Giau, Jaufenpass, Manghen. In what mtn. passes did you encounter the snow and sleet? Maybe I'll opt for the broom wagon..... Just kidding. Pride wouldn't allow that.

Thanks for the info.

Galil

 

[dabac]

You're probably safe on the lower ones, but in my opinion all bets are off once you go above 2000 metres. I don't remember that many names, I think one was Septimer pass. There might have been a pass Forcelina too.

I don't remember any names from our trip in the Pyrenees

But then it also depends on how you're going to ride. If you stay on decent roads and keep your speed up you can cut your exposure time. Maybe you can adjust the route and stay lower if the weather turns bad. Maybe even take a day off if the weather is ugly enough. The way we planned our trip we had to keep going, and then we really needed that stuff.

 

[gf71]

Hi Galil I live in London but am originally from the Dolomites region in Italy. As far as clothing nothing can be more unpredictable than temperatures and weather on the mountains above 1500meters. I am not sure how high you will be cycling but often you go over climbs of 2000mt and more so my only suggestion is to be prepared for some cold temperatures. As usual the best solution is to carry as many clothing layers with you as you can as well as a wind/rain stopper of some sort and very important. This way you can face even the coldest of days by wearing all your layers and covering them with your windproof. Also in my experience riding in the Alps in all seasons warm gloves are very important. I could bear going down with shorts in cold temperatures but never enjoyed frozen hands!
I will be touring from Geneva through the Alps to my hometown ( Rovereto ) in Italy in July too!
The dolomites are the best part of the Alps and when you see them you might feel this was not a biased judgment!

see some trips in the region here
http://www.cyclingtheworld.org/tour...region=dolomites&Submit=search&submitted=TRUE

 

[robx1]

Just cycled 4 cols over the Pyrenees. Highest Port de la Bonaigua 2072m. Temp at summit altitude 15 c. Heat is most likley to be your problem!

The longest climb was 25Kms, takes approx 2hrs, descent not nearly as long. Temperature rises very quickly as you come down. Therefore unless you depart in bad weather (v.silly) your best option would be layers. I took altura waterproof top (pretty good actually) and a high quality fleece (berghaus). This combo proved ample for all conditions and was reasonably lightweight.

If the weather really turns bad you will find plenty of shops in the alps to buy heavyweather ski gear, although somhow I doubt you will need this.