Tuesday, 11/20/07 at 1:36 PM
by Mari Holden
by Mari Holden
Wet, Cold, or Rainy... Dressing for the Conditions
It’s that time of year again when trying to decide what to wear on the bike becomes a bit more challenging. Today I am packing for a ride from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. It is for the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. Our ride was supposed to be a few weeks ago from San Francisco to San Diego, but because of the fires that devastated Southern California we stopped after San Luis Obispo. So, tonight I’ll board a plane to finish up the ride with over 75 people from the initial group!
It is almost 85 degrees here in sunny San Diego, but I know that the weather is supposed to change a bit over the next few days. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be beautiful, but riding on the coast can sometimes be tricky. As they say, layering is the key to success.
Typically, I will ride with an undershirt, arm warmers and a vest in the morning. That way as the day heats up, I can pull off the arm warmers and vest. I almost always wear a light undershirt unless it is super hot. I like that I have a barrier between myself and the jersey.
Since the weather could get rainy, which I think might be a bit optimistic for Southern California… I will bring along a clear rain jacket. I like plastic type rain gear because it really keeps the weather off you, and if it’s cold, the plastic help keeps the wind off you too. The only problem is that sometimes they make you sweat too much, so if I’m racing or going hard, I really have to weigh the options. I hate to be too hot when I’m going hard.
I will also pack knee warmers and leg warmers. I don’t think that they will be necessary, but it’s always good to be prepared. When I was racing, they would say that you should always keep your knees covered if it’s under 70 degrees. I think that might be pushing it a little, but old school ways always die hard.
I have long fingered gloves etc., but I will most like likely stick to short fingered racing type gloves. If I were going to Colorado, then I would make sure I had winter gloves and shoe covers, but I am only heading to Northern California.
For those of you in really cold climates, I think that one of the most important things you can do is keep your head warm. I always had a larger helmet in the winter that I could fit a ski cap under. We lose so much heat through our heads! Also, the trick is to keep your body dry. Good base layers are incredibly important, and thermal gear is necessary if you are riding in freezing conditions.
Well, I’m off to finish my packing… Don’t let the winter weather intimidate you. Just be prepared and plan. I always felt so good after finishing rides in bad conditions. There is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate while you are warming up after a good winter ride. Have fun and dress for success
Mari
It is almost 85 degrees here in sunny San Diego, but I know that the weather is supposed to change a bit over the next few days. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be beautiful, but riding on the coast can sometimes be tricky. As they say, layering is the key to success.
Typically, I will ride with an undershirt, arm warmers and a vest in the morning. That way as the day heats up, I can pull off the arm warmers and vest. I almost always wear a light undershirt unless it is super hot. I like that I have a barrier between myself and the jersey.
Since the weather could get rainy, which I think might be a bit optimistic for Southern California… I will bring along a clear rain jacket. I like plastic type rain gear because it really keeps the weather off you, and if it’s cold, the plastic help keeps the wind off you too. The only problem is that sometimes they make you sweat too much, so if I’m racing or going hard, I really have to weigh the options. I hate to be too hot when I’m going hard.
I will also pack knee warmers and leg warmers. I don’t think that they will be necessary, but it’s always good to be prepared. When I was racing, they would say that you should always keep your knees covered if it’s under 70 degrees. I think that might be pushing it a little, but old school ways always die hard.
I have long fingered gloves etc., but I will most like likely stick to short fingered racing type gloves. If I were going to Colorado, then I would make sure I had winter gloves and shoe covers, but I am only heading to Northern California.
For those of you in really cold climates, I think that one of the most important things you can do is keep your head warm. I always had a larger helmet in the winter that I could fit a ski cap under. We lose so much heat through our heads! Also, the trick is to keep your body dry. Good base layers are incredibly important, and thermal gear is necessary if you are riding in freezing conditions.
Well, I’m off to finish my packing… Don’t let the winter weather intimidate you. Just be prepared and plan. I always felt so good after finishing rides in bad conditions. There is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate while you are warming up after a good winter ride. Have fun and dress for success
Mari
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