What to wear cycling based on temperature range:
Below you will find suggestions on what to wear depending on a 10 degree Fahrenheit temperature range that it will be during your ride. If the temperature will be increasing throughout the ride, you must take that into consideration.
I will be updating my suggestions as the days grow colder and will be adding pictures of me modeling the different combinations.
90 – 100°F:
Upper: White Mesh Short Sleeve Jersey (Lighter Color Jersey)
Bottom: Bib Shorts
Socks: Lightweight Socks (Socks that breathe well)
Gloves: Regular Fingerless Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Half Ice and Water – Hydration Tablets or Sports Drink
80 – 90°F:
Upper: White Mesh Short Sleeve Jersey (Lighter Color Jersey)
Bottom: Bib Shorts
Socks: Lightweight Socks (Socks that breathe well)
Gloves: Regular Fingerless Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Half Ice and Water – Hydration Tablets or Sports Drink
70 – 80°F:
Upper: Short Sleeve Jersey
Bottom: Bib Shorts
Socks: Regular Socks
Gloves: Regular Fingerless Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Cool Water
60 – 70°F:
Upper: Short Sleeve Jersey and/or Lightweight Vest Plus Short Sleeve Jersey
Bottom: Bib Shorts
Socks: Regular Socks or Wool Socks
Gloves: Regular Fingerless Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Cool Water
50 – 60°F:
Upper: Short Sleeve Jersey, Lightweight Windproof Vest and gloves or long sleeve jersey and gloves. Arm Warmers.
Bottom: Bib Shorts
Socks: Regular Socks or Wool Socks
Gloves: Regular Fingerless Cycling Gloves or lightweight full finger
Water Bottles: Cool Water
Cold Weather Cycling:
Cold weather biking is always tough as you are probably questioning how many layers you need to put on before you head out. The goal is to find that right balance of layers to keep you warm, but breathe at the same time. If you find yourself dripping sweat, you have too many layers and this could cause trouble. If you sweat too much with the layers on, this could lower your body temperature when riding down hill or when you stop for an extended period of time.
40 – 50°F:
Casual Riding (10-14mph):
Upper: Long sleeve fleece jersey, windproof vest
Bottom: Bib shorts or ¾ length bib shorts.
Socks: Thicker regular socks or wool socks
Gloves: regular fingerless cycling gloves or full finger gloves.
Water Bottles: Cool Water
This option is great when only riding less than 5 miles at an easy pace. If there are small hills, you could find yourself sweating after 15 minutes of riding. If the route is flat and the pace is easy, this setup will be perfect.
Group Riding/Racing (+15mph):
Upper: long sleeve jersey with windproof vest or short sleeve with arm warmers and windproof vest.
Bottom: Bib shorts or ¾ length bib shorts.
Socks: Thicker regular socks or wool socks
Gloves: Regular fingerless cycling gloves or full finger
Water Bottles: Cool Water
You might be chilly in the beginning of the ride but as the miles go on you won’t need to shed multiple layers. The goal when the temperature is low is to just have one layer that you can easily remove, store and put back on when you catch a chill.
30 – 40°F:
Casual Riding (10-14mph):
Upper: Long Sleeve Jersey and Windproof Vest or Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Jersey
Bottom: Bib Shorts or ¾ Length Bib Shorts. Knee Warmers.
Socks: Thicker Regular Socks or Wool Socks
Shoes: Lightweight Shoe Covers
Gloves: Full Finger or Regular Finger-less Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Cool Water
As the temperature drops below 40°F, you may find yourself wearing the same layers as 40-50°F. If you are wearing the same layers, you will be a little more colder starting off, but will warm up after 15-20 minutes.
Group Riding/Racing (+15mph):
Upper: Long Sleeve Jersey and Windproof Vest or Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Jersey
Bottom: Bib Shorts or ¾ Length Bib Shorts. Knee Warmers.
Socks: Thicker Regular Socks or Wool Socks
Shoes: Lightweight Shoe Covers
Gloves: Full Finger or Regular Finger-less Cycling Gloves
Water Bottles: Cool Water
20 – 30°F:
Face: Neck Gaiter and Face or Thin Beanie
Upper: Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Jersey or Long Sleeved Jersey with medium jacket.
Bottom: ¾ Length Bib Shorts*Fleece Lined or Full Length Bibs
Socks: Wool Socks
Shoes: Neoprene Shoe Covers
Gloves: Full Finger Medium Weight Gloves
Water Bottles: Water or Hot Chocolate
10 – 20°F:
Face: Fleece Lined Neck Gaiter and Thin Beanie
Upper: Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Jersey and Undershirt or Long Sleeved Jersey with Heavy Jacket.
Bottom: ¾ Length Bib Shorts*Fleece Lined or Full Length Bibs
Socks: Wool Socks
Shoes: Neoprene Shoe Covers
Gloves: Thicker Full Finger Gloves
Water Bottles: Warm Water or Hot Chocolate
0 – 10°F:
Face: Fleece Lined Neck Gaiter and Thin Beanie
Upper: Fleece Lined Long Sleeve Jersey with Heavy Jacket.
Bottom: ¾ Length Bib Shorts*Fleece Lined or Full Length Bibs
Socks: Wool Socks
Shoes: Neoprene Shoe Covers
Gloves: Thicker Full Finger Gloves
Water Bottles: Warm Water or Hot Chocolate
Do you have any suggestions?
-neverbikealone