Categories: Accessories and GearLook Pro

Look Pro: Dress for Success

A cold morning ride on Keepers Tour 2013. Photo: Brett Kennedy

I recently overheard someone say that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. This is the kind of statement that makes me want to hate people as a species a little bit. Of course there such a thing as bad weather. There are also bad people (loads of them), bad ideas (even bigger loads of them), bad advice (especially on the internet) and, despite what your mother told you, there certainly are stupid questions.

Despite being so clever as to render itself useless, there is a sentiment behind the claim that should be taken seriously, and that is the notion that if one is to venture out in bad weather, one should give some consideration to dressing appropriately for it. For example, I routinely see photos of Spanish Pros riding the trainer indoors in wooly hats and leggings. I would never ride indoors with leggings because the most redeeming quality of riding indoors is that you get to stare at your guns shamelessly without worry of being spotted doing so.

A Velominatus should take care to ensure they have a complete wardrobe of kit for different kinds of weather; bibs and jerseys, of course, but also arm and knee warmers, gilets, long sleeve jerseys, overshoes, gloves, caps, winter caps, knee warmers and leggings, and even jackets or rain coats depending on where you live and what kind of weather you encounter.

Always remember that the more you’re wearing, the worse you look. That’s not an opinion – that’s science. Perfection starts with bibs and a jersey, tanned guns, and a sweet set of shades. Next in line is the Flandrian Best, but after that, it’s all downhill, ending with the unfortunate invention of thermal bibs. They may be a necessity under some circumstances, just know they look complete crap, so you will too.

Still, its better than not riding, so as you’re getting ready to kit up for the day, I advise you take into account the following considerations.

Overdressing is as bad as under dressing. Getting too hot is just as miserable as being too cold, so unless you’re deliberately overdressing in order to lose weight, dress like Goldilocks, not too hot and not too cold.
Start out cold. Dress for how hard you’ll be riding that day; I like to dress such that I am chilly for the first 15 minutes of the ride because after the blood starts pumping or you hit the first hill, your core temp will rise and you’ll be perfectly dressed.
Choose layers over bulk. Layers have the advantage that they can be combined in different ways to tune their effect. For example, a jersey with arm warmers and a gilet can be as warm as a long sleeve jersey, but allow you to shed the gilet and arm warmers if you get too warm.
Windproof is more important than waterproof. If it keeps the water out, it will keep your sweat in as well, no matter what the label says about breathability. Which means you’re getting wet anyway. Windproof layers, on the other hand, will keep the wind from getting through to those wet fabrics so you can stay warm, and breathe much better than do waterproof materials. Unless its the kind of downpour that starts the animals lining up in twos, you won’t find me in a rain jacket.
No ear muffs. If your ears get cold, get a proper winter cycling cap. We’re not savages after all.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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The Oracle says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:30 am

@Ron You may be one of the only persons I've heard describe Milwaukee as a place they'd definitely like to visit. Not that it's not worth visiting--only that people don't usually think of it that way.

I'll second @wiscot--Geneva, WI is about as memorable as Belgium, WI, which is to say, not at all. You could go to Pittsville, WI, which has the dubious distinction of being the exact geographic center of the state. The state is full of beautiful rolling countryside and some unexpectedly challenging cycling routes, however. By all means, if you ever find yourself in the area, let us know.
The Oracle says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:32 am

@frank That's why my favorite part of these discussions usually comes after post #50.
PeakInTwoYears says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:33 am

@ChrissyOne

This morning's motorcycle ride

I looked like the kid in "Christmas Story" walking out to my truck this morning. I would have added one more snowmobile suit (heated, preferably) if I'd been riding a motorcycle.
Gianni says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:33 am

@@ mrs engine

Jeez, you lot are worse than Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police on E! News. Quote; @AI_S, Problem with most bib tights is that they're just so garish - Dahling! OOH, what is a a boy to wear? Leg warmers on, or leg warmers off? To thermal or not to thermal? The black kit with the red trim or the white kit with the black trim? Choices, choices. Do not ever criticize your wives/partners for taking so long to get ready ever again! Ya big load of Jessies! (as we say in Sunny Scotland @Marcus)

God I love this...Ya big load of Jessies!

In New England it's Sallies. As in, "Leg warmers? What, have you become Italian? You are such a fuckin' Sally."
teleguy57 says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:42 am

@Nate

@teleguy57

in other news, Steve told me he's starting my new ti Hampsten Gran Paradiso today! Time to gather the few remaining bits for the build. Woohoo!

There better be pics!

Come Ã§a?
EuroFluoro says:

Feb 6 2014 at 11:54 am

@Ron

Oh boy, so the lace up shoes have made it to the peloton via Phinney. I can't wait for him to have to float back to the car to have a mechanic tie his shoe. "Taylor, you realize they make these things with dials and straps these days, right?" I've also been waiting for someone to post some of the shots of him at the pre-race press conference on the beach. He looked...interesting.

He's been wearing the lace up Giros for about two years....
Nate says:

Feb 6 2014 at 12:01 pm

@teleguy57 Bel mezzo. I'd hate for you to get hurt on it, so please have Hampco send it to me for testing.

@all What is this "Harvard of the South" crap. I've always heard Southerns say even more witty things, like "Harvard is the Duke of the North."
Jamie says:

Feb 6 2014 at 12:19 pm

@frank

@Jamie

"Too cold is better than too hot," works fine for that 90 minute training ride.

Beyond that, I'd much rather be stuck with too much clothing than with too little. On cold weather rides of over three hours, I often find myself chilled even if I am sweating. There is nothing easy about getting in 150+ km in 0- Celsius conditions.

Oh, please. Talk to me after 250 solo in the rain at 0C. Uphill both ways!

A wise man pointed out that staying warm like that comes down to your hat. Get a good winter cycling cap and you will stay toasty warm all day.

Frank, Let's compare notes this Saturday.

I'm planning to do the Seattle Randonneur training ride from the Auburn Fred Meyer parking lot up to Carbonado and back, rolling at 09:00 (we can start at V after if you prefer).

106km, 900 meters climbing, -4c in the morning up to maybe 3c by afternoon.

I'm open to a different route if you have one in mind.
Buck Rogers says:

Feb 6 2014 at 12:25 pm

@wiscot

@Gianni

@antihero

The "Harvard of The South" is Vanderbilt University, and @Ron obviously has a grievance against the femme undergrads. @Ron, I suggest the application of 20 repeats of Pulltight Hill, followed by a long meditation on the merits of young women in yoga pants whilst recovering at the Yazoo brewery.

Damn them, they told me Tulane University was the "Harvard of the South" when I went there for one year. How many Harvards of the South are needed?

Maybe Harvard is the Tulane of the north?

Vanderbilt??? I was always told that the best southern school (paaalease let's not even try to compare to New England schools) was Duke.

Besides any school with a double digit acceptance rate and is not even 200 years old should not even be considered.

Now I'll sit back and start popping the corn, BABY!
Twain says:

Feb 6 2014 at 12:26 pm

@johnthughes

Between the Nanoflex and Gabba I wear during the late, off, and early season here you would think I was a rolling Castelli billboard....but I wouldn't live without it. It is *litterally* my Flandrian Best.

That said, life may be taking me temporarily out of my adopted home(better not be longer than 3 years, damnit!) and to Atlanta, Ga. where I fear it will be a barren wasteland for cycling(I hear they finally have 50m of bike path now somewhere to the east of the city)...but I am very saddened at this prospect. Though I will have the LvdK to keep me company...though a Vlaams making her way in the US South might be a sight to see =)

Anyone have any opinions on cycling in Atlanta? Seems like the weather should be better most of the year(not necessarily a good thing...). But considering Car is King there...I am concerned with inter-vehicle confabulation.

Cheers,

John

Cheers

Atlanta born and raised. Potentially bred, but I choose to remaining ignorant in that department. Anyway, I've been back here riding for 15 years post school. Some great in town rides, good LBSs, and plenty of start and end points with the caffeinated or malted beverage of your choice. I stress in town. Also, the old Tour of Georgia routes, including the Six Gap Century, are only 1.5 hours away. Duluth on the other hand, well it sucks. Should you wind up here, look me up. Be happy to show you the goods and get you introduced in my group ride.