Cycling Clothes
The cycling clothes you bring with you on a tour should match the length of the
journey and the expected weather conditions. Storage space is usually tight and
clothes can take up a lot of room. Luckily, a handful of well-chosen layers will
keep you comfortable in a wide variety of conditions.
NOTE: You may already own many of the clothing layers you'll need for basic bike
touring, especially if you already enjoy outdoor activities like hiking,
backpacking, snowshoeing and so on.
The Art of Layering
The best way to dress for bicycle touring is in layers. A series of lightweight
clothing layers will allow you to regulate your body temperature and react to
changes in the weather throughout the day by adding or removing clothing items.
Different types of clothing layers are designed to perform different functions:
- Inner layers - These are usually wicking layers; i.e., they are designed to
transport sweat away from your skin, keeping you drier and more comfortable.
- Middle (or insulation) layers - These are designed to provide insulation in
colder conditions and basic protection when they are worn alone in warmer
conditions.
- Outer layers - Outer layers are specifically designed to protect you from the
elements -- wind, rain, snow and so on. They should always be highly visible.
Common Clothing Choices
Cycling tends to generate a lot of body heat, so few riders wear all three types
of layers listed above at once while riding. But you have to be prepared for a
variety of weather conditions and cycling situations on every tour. So carry all
three types, just in case.
Warm Weather Touring
When touring in warm weather, you'll need to stay cool and comfortable while
riding and protect yourself from the sun. The easiest way to do this is to dress
in lightweight, relatively loose-fitting layers that maximize ventilation. Keep
in mind that clothing that's too baggy will increase wind-resistance and may flap
loudly.
- Inner layers
With the exception of the occasional chilly morning ride, warm weather touring
rarely requires inner wicking/insulating layers. However, some cyclists like to
wear them alone as single layers.
- Middle layers
- Shorts - Most warm weather cyclists carry at least two pair, even on brief trips.
Padded cycling shorts made out of durable, snug-fitting, no-chafe materials like
Lycra(R) spandex are extremely popular. They cushion, reduce
friction, wick moisture and dry quickly to keep riders comfortable. If you
prefer loose fitting, traditional trunk-style shorts, test them on a trial ride
or two to make sure they don't chafe or cause irritation after hours of pedaling.
Special liner shorts are available to reduce chafing.
- T-shirts and tank tops - Both are popular in warm weather, since they allow for
lots of ventilation. Most are made of cotton, which retains sweat and holds it
next to your skin, producing a cooling effect as the sweat evaporates.
- Short-sleeve cycling jerseys - Cycling jerseys fit more snugly than regular
T-shirts to reduce wind-resistance. They tend to retain more warmth than
loose-fitting cotton layers, so they're most comfortable in slightly cooler
conditions (like chilly mornings, windy days, brisk evenings). Most cycling
jerseys are made of durable, comfortable, quick-drying materials. Most styles
have handy pockets in back to hold snacks or water bottles.
- Outer layers
Even on warm weather tours, you'll need a lightweight outer layer to block the
wind and repel rain. These outer layers do not have to be completely rainproof
(though you never know when you'll have to change a tire in a downpour). But they
should be extremely breathable so that they can spill the heat generated during
cycling. Extra venting under the arms and across the back can help considerably.
Most warm weather cyclists choose not to wear rain pants unless the weather gets
extremely bad, since they retain a lot of heat.
REI carries a number of outer layers (tops and bottoms) designed specifically for
cycling. These layers have convenient features like extensive venting to
increase breathability, longer back panels to protect clothing from tire spray
and convenient pockets to hold small cycling necessities like snacks, riding
gloves and so on.
Most general-purpose rain jackets and pants also work fine for bike touring, as
long as they are HIGHLY VISIBLE and they match the temperature and weather
conditions you're traveling in. When buying outerwear, consider how much
sustained cycling you expect to do in poor weather. Remember -- everyone gets
caught in the rain sooner or later. But not everybody decides to keep cycling in
it.
Moderate Weather Touring
The key to preparing for cooler conditions is finding layers that can add warmth
without being too bulky or heavy.
- Inner layers
Many cyclists who travel in moderate temperatures pack lightweight insulating
underwear to protect them on chilly mornings and in windy conditions. Designed
with active outdoor enthusiasts in mind, this underwear comes in a range of
styles and thicknesses to provide different levels of warmth for different
situations. Most of the fabrics used in these layers wick sweat effectively to
keep you drier (an important part of staying warm).
- Middle layers
- Long-sleeve jerseys - These popular cycling tops provide the snug fit and
quick-drying performance of short-sleeve jerseys, with a little extra coverage
for added warmth. Many have convenient storage pockets in the back.
- Cycling tights - Tights provide full-length insulation without hampering leg
movement. They fit snugly (to limit wind-resistance), and most are made of
lightweight, comfortable synthetic fabrics that dry quickly and are warmer and
more durable than regular cotton sweat pants. Cyclists often wear cycling tights
over their riding shorts so that they can take advantage of the padding in the
shorts, then peel the tights off quickly if the temperature rises. Cycling
tights are also available in knee-length cuts.
- Leg warmers - These inexpensive leg covers can also block the occasional chill.
They cover the exposed portion of each leg between the bottom edge of your riding
shorts and the top of your socks. When not in use, leg warmers can be removed or
simply rolled down around the ankles, out of the way until they're needed again.
Arm warmers are also available.
- Outer layers
When temperatures are less than balmy, carry a full set of rainwear to protect
yourself from the chilling effects of the wind and the rain. Make sure these
layers provide reliable water-resistance, since once you get wet you can become
cold quite quickly, even in moderate temperatures.
Cycling generates a lot of heat, so this rainwear should still be highly
breathable. It should either be made from waterproof breathable fabrics like
Gore-Tex(R) or REI Elements(R), or it
should be extremely well-vented.
Most cyclists who tour in moderate temperatures carry rain pants, since wet legs
can lead to chills, especially during breaks. When choosing rain pants for cooler
conditions, concentrate on waterproofness over breathability. Also, look for
styles that have been cut to accommodate cycling leg motions.
Cold Weather Touring
When winter hits and the snows start falling, most cyclists hang up their bikes
and wait until spring. But the dead of winter is not the only time that cyclists
can encounter cold weather! To protect yourself from long mountain descents,
cold winds, early morning jaunts or surprise storms, you may need some or all of
the following layers:
NOTE: Over-dressing can be as uncomfortable as under-dressing. Too many
clothing layers will cause you to sweat (even in cold conditions), which will
then expose you to chills when you stop riding and start to cool down.
- Inner layers
The insulating, wicking underwear that cyclists often use in moderate conditions
is also extremely popular in colder climates.
- Middle layers
When riding, you can't afford to get bogged down in lots of heavy clothing. So
you'll have to find efficient insulation layers -- ones that provide lots of
warmth without a lot of bulk or weight. Lightweight synthetic fleece layers tend
to be very efficient, as do some wool layers, though wool tends to be somewhat
heavier and less comfortable than fleece. To keep your legs warm, consider
thicker, warmer cycling tights. Or you may wish combine lightweight tights with
rain/wind pants to cut down on heat loss.
Typically, the warmest insulation layers you carry will not be needed when you're
riding hard, since pedaling generates so much body heat. But you should still
keep them close at hand for rest stops, long downhills and other breaks when it's
easy to get chilled.
- Outer layers
The same rain/wind shell layers you use in moderate conditions should be fine for
biking in cold conditions. The key again is to find outer layers that stop the
wind from stealing warmth, while still providing enough ventilation to keep from
overheating while pedaling hard. Make sure the outer layers you use for cold
weather riding are roomy enough to be comfortable with lots of other layers on.
.Additional Clothing Items
- Eye protection
Most experienced cyclists wear some form of eye protection every time they ride,
whether it's sunglasses, regular eyeglasses or special cycling goggles. These
barriers protect your eyes from dust, dirt, wind, pebbles, bugs and more. Unless
they fit extremely snugly, glasses and goggles should be worn with some type of
restraining strap to keep them from falling off while you ride.
- Cycling gloves
A comfortable pair of riding gloves can cut down on blisters, finger cramps,
discomfort and injuries. Look for durable, cushioned palms, lightweight
breathable backs and half-length fingers to provide maximum control when shifting
or braking. In cold conditions, full-length gloves made of wool, synthetic pile
or even neoprene can help fight off the chill. Lightweight glove liners can also
be worn underneath regular cycling gloves for extra protection.
- Headwear
In warm conditions, you may want to wear a headband or bandanna underneath your
helmet to absorb sweat and protect against the sun (which can burn you through
your helmet vent holes). In colder conditions, thin wool or polypro hats,
balaclavas, ear warmers or helmet liners can be worn to help you hold onto
precious body heat.
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