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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View Comments

Mike_P says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:18 am

There's an argument; at least I'm making an argument, that at this time of year, as I'm truly training properly, keeping warm can be tricky. I don't give a crap what my base layers look like, but everything above that needs to be just so. No excuse at any time of the year to look shit.
Ron says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:30 am

ChrisO - team car?! You are make us all hate winter a bit more. Having your own team support car in a race last week, now riding shotgun? This isn't fair. But, at least you shared that video.

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.

The Oracle - If I can't get fired up in the depths of winter, than getting fired up during the heat of the VSP would look more like show, than substance. I'm vigilant around the calendar.

I've never been to Milwaukee, it's definitely a place I'd like to visit, then head on up to lake country. Having spent time in Geneva, NY, I'm curious to see Geneva, WI.
Teocalli says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:38 am

@The Oracle

I'm surprised at the rant, @mrs.engine. Surely you've been around this site long enough to understand that obsessive niggling over the tiniest details of kit is one of the hallmarks of the Velominati?

I think @mrs.engine is pointing out that clearly we are in touch with our feminine side........
Ron says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:39 am

Is Marcel K. trying to steal the SHITPP (Shortest Hemline in the PRO Peloton) crown from Tommy V.? Maybe just soaking up the Dubai sun before heading back to Europe, in case the weather in the early going is like last year.
Chris says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:41 am

@Mike_P

...I don't give a crap what my base layers look like, but everything above that needs to be just so...

Nope. It needs to start with the base layer. The process of building up the feeling of awesomeness is a complex one requiring that each layer is just so. Any weak link in the process and the illusion might crumble at the first turn of the pedal.
TheVid says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:42 am

@The Oracle I know I'm definitely more jealous of the weather. You must live in a similar climate to me. -20C right now, but it'll warm up to a balmy -10C after the weekend.
Mike_P says:

Feb 6 2014 at 8:43 am

@Chris

@Mike_P

...I don't give a crap what my base layers look like, but everything above that needs to be just so...

Nope. It needs to start with the base layer. The process of building up the feeling of awesomeness is a complex one requiring that each layer is just so. Any weak link in the process and the illusion might crumble at the first turn of the pedal.

Oh bollox - you know I'm going to have to go base layer shopping now!! Where's that Rapha catalogue?
unversio says:

Feb 6 2014 at 9:06 am

@Cyclops

I started "living the dream" again by working at a bike shop again. I like that they carry Endura's clothing line but I loathe the number of YJAs hanging on the racks.

Which shop is it? Will look at Endura. "Dream on" -- Aerosmith
PedallingTom says:

Feb 6 2014 at 9:11 am

As someone who has a tendency to overheat at the slightest effort I find I am compelled to get my clothing right at the outset. Not likely to see me carrying unnecessary bulk! This means I have to buy the best, lightweight/pack-down kit, at least it justifies my regular purchases from the LBS in my own mind.
PeakInTwoYears says:

Feb 6 2014 at 9:30 am

@frank

those temps, I'd wear a cotton cycling cap and possibly take it off if I overheat while climbing.

I don't reach for the wooly hat unless its a little colder usually.

That was Sunday's ride I was describing, and I got an ice cream headache on one of the descents while wearing a thin wool cap. And I even grew my buzzcut out for the winter.

Toandos Peninsula, between Hood Canal and Dabob Bay? Some decent climbing, but the ridge is always fucking cold and usually windy and wet. @ChrissyOne's LOTRs references resonate there.