Outfitted for the Elements

With the right clothing, you can go out on your bike in all kinds of weather!

By Tara R. Mc Kee

If you are living in a part of the country that regularly gets a real winter with cold temperatures and plenty of snow: read on. Safety dictates that when there is snow and ice are on the road, no more road biking (other types of cycling can still be done—but that is another article!) However as long as the roads are snow and ice free and the temperatures aren’t in the dangerous range, you can still enjoy your road bike. You can extend your road biking season into more months of the year with a few additions to your cycling wardrobe.

Temperatures can vary enough during the course of a multi-hour autumn or spring ride that it is always good to remember Mom’s advice and bring a jacket. A portable, easily packable lightweight jacket can be brought out in case the weather changes. If it is just a little nippy, you can add to your shorts knee warmers or leg warmers and to warm your fingers some long-fingered gloves. But we have a little more advice to help you be well-dressed no matter the weather:

Your Cold Weather Guide:

Cool, Dry Weather in the 50’s and 60’s
Head: just your helmet
Torso: Short-sleeve jersey with arm warmers & vest OR mid-weight long-sleeve jersey
Legs: Shorts with knee covers OR knickers
Hands: Long-fingered gloves with no insulation or glove liners over biking gloves
Feet: Shoes & socks

JoLynn's retro looking Merino Wool Jersey (Pearl Izumi PRO Woolie 1/4 zip jersey) and 3D Elite knickers are a great look for fall. She has a base layer top; the Ultra Sensor Mesh LS Crew and over her short finger gloves she can pull on the Grip-Lite liner gloves for the ideal warmth on a 50 degree day.

Another look for a 50 -60 degree day:

With weather in the 50’s, Karin feels “just right” wearing Pearl Izumi’s Cap-sleeve jersey with an Optic vest and Thermafleece arm warmers and on her legs the 3D Elite Shorts with Thermafleece knee warmers.

Colder, Dry Weather in the 40’s
Head: Headband to cover ears
Torso: Long-sleeve mid-weight base layer shirt with lightweight jacket
Legs: Tights
Hands: Insulated gloves with wind protection
Feet: Socks & shoes with toe covers

Karin can enjoy a ride with temps in the 40’s wearing Pearl Izumi’s W’s Transfer LS base layer and W’s Elite Softshell cycling tight with the lightweight and highly packable OpTik jacket. She wears the Caliente Toe Covers and Thermafleece headband for extra warmth.

Cool to Cold Rainy Weather (40’s-60’s)
Head: Hood from rain jacket, if desired
Torso & Legs: Rain jacket & rain pants
Hands: Water-resistant gloves
Feet: Water-resistant shoe covers

Karin is ready for rain showers on her ride with Pearl Izumi’s Octane Rain Jacket w/ hood, Octane Rain pants, and the Cyclone Gloves and Cyclone Shoe Covers which offer wind and water protection.

Really Cold Weather (20’s-30’s)
Head: Winter-weight Skullcap or Balaclava
Torso: Layered look: long-sleeve base-layer shirt + warm jacket or triple layer: base-layer, fleece or wool shirt for insulation and shell jacket
Legs: Fleece-lined tights that are wind-proof in the front
Hands: Insulated winter weight gloves–split finger or lobster-style are nice in the cold
Feet: Insulated booties (warm socks, too)

Jolyn is ready for the cold weather in the 20’s and 30’s F. with the warm Pearl Izumi Insulatour Jacket pulled over a base-layer jersey. The warmly insulated Am-FIB tights are wind-proof and water resistant for cold days. The Am-FIB gloves and Am-FIB shoe covers keep her hands and feet warm while the Barrier Balaclava protects her head and neck from the frigid weather.

Thanks to Pearl Izumi at the Factory Outlet in Park City, Utah for the clothing in this article.