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Guide 2 Cycling
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Cycling Thermals - What to Wear When Riding Your Bike
A lot of pedestrians looking at cyclists in cold weather imagine that the riders
must be freezing, wet and miserable. However, providing you wear the right gear,
they don't need to be uncomfortable when riding your bike.
The most important thing to remember is that when cycling you need to be able to
easily and quickly change the amount of insulation that you're wearing. When you
first hop on your bike on a cold day, you need to heat up quickly, when you pedal
up the first hill, you'll start to work up a sweat and may even need to cool off,
and when you freewheel down the other side of the hill, the last thing that you want
is the sweat starting to freeze on your skin.
The key to being comfortable is wearing layers of clothing. This way, you can add or
remove layers and thus precisely control your temperature. Furthermore, each of the
layers that you wear serves a different purpose:
- Base Layer:
The layer closest to your skin is probably the most important one for keeping you
warm, dry and comfortable. You don't want to choose a cotton T-shirt, as cotton
will simply absorb and hold your sweat which will make you feel instantly chilly if
the slightest draught gets to it.
Modern synthetic fabrics such as Coolmax will take the moisture away from the skin,
which is a big advantage. There's no need to buy a vast array of different clothes, as you
can wear the same item in Summer as a jersey, and in Winter as a vest.
On the other hand, if you prefer natural fabrics, you should consider merino wool. This
doesn't retain odours as much as synthetic fabrics, although of course you still need to wash
it every once in a while. Lots of people are deterred from buying wool garments because they
think that they are difficult to wash, however this is a misconception as
most modern wool garments are in fact perfectly capable of standing up to normal 40-degree washes.
- Mid Layer:
The mid layer of your clothing is intended to keep you warm. On very cold days a
fleece is a good choice provided it's not too bulky, but when it's not so chilly,
you'll want something like a long-sleeved jersey in Coolmax.
Whatever you choose, you'll select a breathable fabric, and make sure that the
cut is generous enough that your wrists and the bottom of your back won't be exposed
when you are stretched out on your bike.
One thing to bear in mind is that it's easy to get both cold (from the wind) and
hot (from physical exertion) while cycling, even during a short cycle trip. Many
thin layers are better than one thick layer, because you can add or remove them at will.
Zips are however even better, as you can open or close them to instantly control that
amount of ventilation that you're getting.
- Outer Layer:
The purpose of your outer layer is mainly to keep the weather out. That includes both
the rain and wind.
For your outer layer you want to wear a jacket,
preferably one designed specifically for cycling. As with the mid layer, you'll want
to choose jacket that doesn't expose your
wrists or back when cycling. Additionally, avoid jackets
which are stretched too tightly across your shoulders (because they will restrict
your movement and soon become uncomfortable), or which sag forward when in the cycling
position (because the wind will get in underneath in this case).
Other considerations when choosing a jacket are pockets (for your wallet, keys and so forth)
and safety. In terms of safety, a lighter color will help you
be seen, but if your jacket
has reflective features (or you're prepared to add your own reflective strips), then
even better. Avoid out for jackets with hoods (most cycling jackets don't have them anyway),
as they restrict your vision, especially when turning your head.
The final issue to consider is to make sure that your layers are compatible with each other.
Remember that your outer layers need to be big enough to accommodate both your body and the
inner layers - and you can make this easier by avoid bulky items for the inner layers.
Additionally, you'll want to avoid wearing a mid layer fleece that sticks out from under
your outer jacket (most commonly at the sleeves
or back) as this will tend to suck in both cold air and moisture.
Here are some cycling vests:
See Also:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
Pearl iZUMi Black Apparel
 | List Price: $69.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - The Pearl Izumi Zephrr Vest provides lightweight core protection from wind and rain for biking
- Comfortable moisture wicking, micromesh lines the inside collar for insulation
- Lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
Product Description: The weather on your morning bike ride starts out foggy and moves to slightly windy, then sunny. Luckily, the fabric in the Pearl Izumi Men's Zephrr Vest is water- and wind-resistant, breathable, and packable. The Zephrr's form fit doesn't leave baggy fabric blowing in the breeze, and reflective piping and logos increase your visibility on low-light rides. Pack the Zephrr Vest into its inside pocket when the sun comes out.
Product Features- Material: 100% Polyester
- Core Venting: No arms
- Pockets: Back stow pockets
- Hood: No
- Weight:
- Recommended Use: Road biking
- Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime
- Country of Origin: China
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Castelli
 | List Price: $59.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: Wear the Castelli Men's Velo Cycling Vest when you need a little protection from the weather. This vest's Forcefield fabric resists wind and light water, but breathes to keep you comfortable when you're climbing up a steep canyon road. Zip the Velo Vest over a long-sleeve bike jersey for foul weather rides. If conditions improve, you can fold this vest into its own rear pocket.
Product Features- Material: Forcefield
- Pockets: None
- Zip: Full
- Recommended Use: Road cycling
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year
- Country of Origin: China
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Gore Blue Apparel
 | List Price: $99.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - WINDSTOPPER Active Shell
- Machine wash cold. Permanent press cycle. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry
Product Description: Classic: You will be warm and protected on your next downhill thanks to the windproof front of this vest. |
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Descente Apparel
 | | - Velom fabric is incredibly lightweight, compactable, water resistant, wind resistant
- Open-mesh back
- Custom ergonomic descente zipper pull
Product Description: Fleeced collar interior, Less than 3.0 ounces for the entire vest |
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Pearl iZUMi Apparel
 | | - Lightweight, windproof barrier fabric with stretch for optimized fit
- Highly packable with an interior mesh stuff pocket for compact storage
Product Description: Ultra lightweight and highly packable, our wind and water resistant vest is an essential piece when the weather is questionable. P.R.O. Barrier Lite is extremely lightweight, windproof barrier fabric with stretch for optimized fit. Full length zipper with zipper garage for comfort. Reflective details provide low-light visibility. |
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FuelBelt Released: 2009-08-08 Sports
 | List Price: $22.00* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Side elastic provides a form fit to ensure your hands do not get caught in the vest while running
Product Description: You may not be on the red carpet, but you'l get attention wearing this vest! It's form fitting with a full length zipper, two pockets, and can be seen from more than a mile away. |
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Louis Garneau Apparel
 | | - Mini-light rubber tab
- Front and back reflective piping
- Light temperature
Product Description: FABRICS: Diamond Air. MicroMesh. Mesh Airdry. Front two-way zip with inner flap and chin guard 2 back pockets with reflective tape. |
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Descente Black Apparel
 | List Price: $59.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Descente Velom fabric is super-lightweight, compactable, quiet, water resistant, wind-resistant and very breathable
- Feminine fit
- Elasticized arm holes, Reflective Spirit logo on front
Product Description: Full zip with custom Descente pull, Improved zipper function |
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Louis Garneau
 | List Price: $59.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Texstretch. Collar, armhole and hem with lycra trim
- 3 back pockets, one with invisible zip
- Flat lock seams
Product Description: When you need added weather protection on a windy, drizzly day, zip up the Louis Garneau Men?s Speed TS Cycling Vest over your jersey, and go. Well, actually, you could wear this windproof, water-resistant vest without a jersey, but you might get some grief for your beater style. Stretchy and breathable, the Speed TS Vest won?t inhibit your moves or cause you to get steamed in your own sweat.
Product Features- Material: TekStretch (86% nylon, 14% spandex) with DWR
- Fit:
- Core Venting: No sleeves
- Pockets: 2 Back, 1 back zip
- Hood: No
- Weight:
- UPF Rating:
- Recommended Use: Road cycling
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year
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Hincapie Sportswear
 | List Price: $99.95* *(As of 02:52 Pacific 1 Aug 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: The Hincapie Men?s Tour LT Cycling Vest features a stretchy fabric that is both windproof and breathable so you don?t get chilled or sweaty and hot during long rides. This lightweight, fitted vest?s fabric is water-resistant, as well, so as to give you moderate protection from fog or drizzle. An open-knit mesh panel on the back of the Hincapie Tour LT provides ventilation as you exert or temps climb. Should the weather significantly improve, just stow this packable vest, and keep riding.
Product Features- Material: [Main] windproof, stretch-woven synthetic; [Back Panel] mesh
- Core Venting: No sleeves, mesh back panel
- Pockets: 2 Back
- Hood: No
- Weight:
- Recommended Use: Road cycling
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year
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