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

frank says:

Feb 6 2014 at 3:45 pm

@HMBSteve

@Ron

On topic - I received an Icebreaker fine Merino wool base layer/t-shirt for a holiday gift. Very darn nice. Worn with a Craft LS zip neck top, thin LS jersey and I've been good down to freezing. The feel is much nicer than wearing a jacket, in my opinion. Even a nice cycling-specific winter jacket.

How's that? I'll try and behave between now and March 23.

Never worn base layers. What do you recommend, short sleeve, no sleeve?

I go sleeveless whenever I can because I can't get the sleeves to play nice with each other. I have a t-shirt wool undershirt (Defeet) that I use, but its only when its so cold I really need it.

@Ron's idea of the Icebreaker is fine as it has a thumb loop and you can get it to play nice with whatever you have over it, but it will be very warm.
HMBSteve says:

Feb 6 2014 at 3:54 pm

@frank

@HMBSteve

@Ron

On topic - I received an Icebreaker fine Merino wool base layer/t-shirt for a holiday gift. Very darn nice. Worn with a Craft LS zip neck top, thin LS jersey and I've been good down to freezing. The feel is much nicer than wearing a jacket, in my opinion. Even a nice cycling-specific winter jacket.

How's that? I'll try and behave between now and March 23.

Never worn base layers. What do you recommend, short sleeve, no sleeve?

I go sleeveless whenever I can because I can't get the sleeves to play nice with each other. I have a t-shirt wool undershirt (Defeet) that I use, but its only when its so cold I really need it.

@Ron's idea of the Icebreaker is fine as it has a thumb loop and you can get it to play nice with whatever you have over it, but it will be very warm.

Thanks, Frank - helpful
frank says:

Feb 6 2014 at 3:54 pm

@ChrissyOne

@Jamie

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.

I do that ride a lot, but I start from the River Road in Puyallup

http://www.strava.com/activities/93089504

You are on the path, Pedalwan.
roger says:

Feb 6 2014 at 3:56 pm

All this "how do i dress myself" talk...you bastards cant be serious. Will gianni have to start measuring out your chamois cream next?
Jamie says:

Feb 6 2014 at 4:23 pm

@frank

@ChrissyOne

@Jamie

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.

I do that ride a lot, but I start from the River Road in Puyallup

http://www.strava.com/activities/93089504

You are on the path, Pedalwan.

So, does that mean you're in Frank?
HMBSteve says:

Feb 6 2014 at 4:39 pm

@roger

All this "how do i dress myself" talk...you bastards cant be serious. Will gianni have to start measuring out your chamois cream next?

Perhaps application as well.
piwakawaka says:

Feb 6 2014 at 5:06 pm

@ChrisO I hate you.... in the nicest possible way!
Optimiste says:

Feb 6 2014 at 5:52 pm

@frank

@Robert

So I wanted to ask how people handle bibs in their Flandrian Best? My bib shorts are pretty thin so should I get insulated bib shorts or add a layer underneath?

I handle it with Rule V. We are having insulated bibs made for next year, however.

My wool DeFeet Kneekers come up pretty high, so there is only a relatively small amount of my legs that have one layer of spandex and it seems like that part stays warm enough; I've never really had an issue with it.

So with the anticipation of insulated bibs next year, and your suggestion of a "proper winter cycling cap", does that protend a V-Cog clad winter cap is in the offing?
Barracuda says:

Feb 6 2014 at 5:57 pm

@Mikael Liddy

@Robert at what point does the article mention wearing team gear? Have a quick look over at the Rules & you'll notice numbers 16 & 17 are pretty clear about that kind of stuff...

@Jon and @Robert (same person ?) maybe you took a left turn instead of right turn at the intersection of Cycling news forum and Velominati. Its a common mistake made in the early hours of the morning. Easily fixed though, Ive included the link below for your future reference.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

Back to the article - layering, once tried especially with windproof gear, is indeed better than looking and feeling like the goodyear blimp.

Decent embrocation is a great way to kickstart the minimalist attire.
Gianni says:

Feb 6 2014 at 6:15 pm

@HMBSteve

@roger

All this "how do i dress myself" talk...you bastards cant be serious. Will gianni have to start measuring out your chamois cream next?

Perhaps application as well.

With a paint ball gun. If I can just figure out how to get the chamois creme in da balls. As it were.