What jacket will I need for the middle of winter?
I just moved to the Adelaide Hills this summer from Brisbane so I have never had a need for a cycling jacket.
I have been looking to get one online but I'm not sure which jacket I will need. I have seen very few that have fleece or similar material on the inside, most are rather thin like a wind vest.
Is a decent waterproof jacket going to be satisfactory when it gets really cold in the hills? (I usually ride around Summertown/Mt Lofty)
What do you guys wear?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Trevor Hill on -
Think about a good Merino wool base layer T-shirt, something for the ears and forehead. You will need a good winter weight zip up fleece top, winter weight fleece knicks that go down past you knees. Plus a Nettie type nylon water proof/wind proof top. Honestly mate, your going to freeze riding up there in winter.
I wear all of the above in winter + wind proof long finger gloves.
Picked up some Merino T's from www.1-daytees.com.au for $20 a while ago.
Long finger gloves from Anaconda at Mile End for $10 on special.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com have a good Polaris Waterproof top for $106.
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Permalink Reply by Alasdair McLellan on -
My eyes! Ze goggles do nozzing!
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Permalink Reply by GlenM on -
If I wore all of that I'd die from heat exhaustion within 5 minutes of starting to ride.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
the jacket you should get is the new Adelaide cyclists soft shell windproof jacket with fleece inside and super Roubaix venting down the inner arms and sides due on sale in the next week or so for much less than you'd pay for anything similar with a brand name on it.. then there is the winter ls super roubaix jersey and arm warmer as well!
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Permalink Reply by Paul Inglis on -
There's a few factors to consider when purchasing winter clothing. Firstly most winter cycling gear is made for European conditions. This means they can make some really good stuff that does a great job of keeping you warm; however, because Australian conditions aren't as cold some gear can work to well and you end up being to warm. Layering is a really good idea as well.
For the cold mornings we've had this week which were around I wore regular bib shorts and a short sleeve jersey with lycra arm warmers and leg warmers, a really good quality wind vest and 2 sets of gloves.
The double glove trick really does work. The way I do it is to wear a set of thin long finger gloves with my regular short finger gloves over the top.
Once the winter starts I'll normally wear thin bib longs with bib shorts over the top, a long sleeve base layer with a short sleeve jersey, and the same double gloves and wind vest.
I also have a thicker fleece base layer, woolen gloves and a buff to keep the ears and head warm on the coldest days.
I haven't used a jacket at all but my wind vest gets a lot of use. Keeping your core warm is probably the most vital thing. Thinner is probably better overall because then you can use two thin layers which should keep you warmer then one really thick layer. None of my stuff is waterproof but I try not to ride in the rain. The few times I have been caught out it can get very cold. However, usually once the rain stops lycra drys very quickly.
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Permalink Reply by Bekster on -
I agree Paul, a lot of euro gear is overkill even for an Adelaide Hills winter.
Last winter was my first in the hills and I found I was getting way too warm with the water/wind proof jacket I bought because of the move.
I've just bought a Pearl Izumi wind barrier vest this week. I think that with normal jersey and shorts + arm and leg warmers with 2 sets of gloves will have me covered in most situations this winter.
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on -
Hi Bekster,
I have one of those Pearl Izumi wind vests - wore it in the cold at the end of last winter and found it to be excellent. Sometimes can get a bit steamy inside though if you go uphills or fast. Sometimes I wear my long sleeve Cannondale jacket (in a colour in which your goggles would do nozzing), but the beauty of it is that the sleeves are held on with magnets which means they can be easily popped off, and then it becomes a sleeveless vest (with vents) over your jersey.
I now have a Dutch jacket which is extra warm and water runs off it, just like the water off a duck's back. I have yet to test it in the coldest of conditions. It is too warm for this time of year.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on
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It's also worth reading through related discussion on winter and wet weather riding by checking out the tag 'winter' here.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
dont forget decent gloves and most body heat is lost through the head....
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