Don’t Let the Cold or Wet Push You Around
Spring onto the road earlier with the right clothing
Spring onto the road earlier with the right clothing
Late into the winter, or even into early spring, cycling cabin fever sets in. You can’t look at the trainer any more. You just want to get outside. For those days, when the roads are more salt stain than anything else, maybe covered with patches of meltwater, outfit yourself in some of these essentials, and get out there.
Put some merino wool mixed with a bit of Spandex right next to your skin. The Giordana short-sleeve merino wool blend base layer ($140, unoimports.com) A is made of four panels joined with flatlock stitching for a snug, comfortable fit under the other layers you’ll need on your ride. The wool is a wonder fibre that wicks away sweat to help regulate your temperature. The flashy orange colour may spend most of its time hidden, but it will make a splash if you have to unzip your jacket a bit to let in cool air.
The Sportful Fiandre Light Norain long-sleeve top ($240, mvc46.eu) B is a high-performing light jacket. On the front, shoulders and upper arms, it has windproof fabric to keep out the chill. On the back and forearms, there’s the Norain Light fabric, which is breathable and water-repellant. While the Fiandre is designed to go over your jersey on chilly days, around 7 to 12 C, it makes a good mid-layer when the air is even cooler.
The Castelli Idro jacket ($450, mvc46.eu) C is made from a Gore-tex fabric designed for endurance athletes. Shakedry feels like a single fabric, but it’s actually two: a slippery outer layer that keeps the rain out and an inner layer that lets the moisture out. Castelli says the jacket’s temperature range is quite broad: from 20 C to 6 C. It does perform quite well when other jackets would have you sweating up a storm inside. When the temperatures hit the single digits (on the minus, and even plus side), however, another layer or two underneath will increase your comfort. If you decide to take off the Idro, it gets very compact in your jersey pocket.
Keep your legs warm as you turn those pedals with the Bontrager Velocis Halo S1 softshell bib tights ($300, trekbikes.com). D The piece is rated to -1 C, but the fleecelined garment can keep you comfortable at slightly lower temperatures. There are grippers and zippers at the cuffs to snug things up above your ankles. The “Halo” in the name refers to the reflective pixels at the shins and calves. They bounce light back toward motorists, greatly increasing your visibility. The tights don’t have a chamois, so you can treat them as you might a jacket: you don’t have to wash them after every ride. Fleecy and fluo – the Pearl Izumi Barrier cycling cap ($45, pearlizumi.com) E keeps you warm while giving you a boost in visibility. Even with your helmet on over the cap, the screaming yellow (yes, that’s the name of the colour) ear flaps are unobstructed. At the back, there are two reflective strips. There’s also a port for your ponytail. The pro Barrier fabric panel at the forehead gives you wind and water protection. The Giant Chill X gloves ($60, giant-bicycles.com) F will keep the cold from getting to your digits. They have a polyurethane insert to keep things waterproof and windproof. A silicon pattern on the index and ring fingers, and on the palms increases your grip. You can cinch the gloves at your wrists with adjustable hook-and-loop straps. When your nose starts to drip, there’s the soft fuzzy fabric on the back of the thumbs. When the roads are sloppy, your feet can’t help getting splashed. The Biemme B-rain overshoes ($79, logicasport. com) G do an excellent job of keeping that water back. Their polyurethane fabric is durable. Grippers at the ankles help to keep the overshoes in place throughout your ride. You shouldn’t expose your arms and legs too early. Even if your bare appendages don’t feel cold, your muscles will perform and recover better if you keep them covered up. Until the summer temperatures arrive, keep Sugoi’s Zap arm H and leg I warmers ($45 and $60, sugoi.com) handy. The “Zap” is the reflective elements in the clothing. Each set has an anatomical design, so make sure you don’t put the left arm warmer on your right arm.