The best clothing for a spring bike ride
Mark Twain once said, “In the Spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather within 24 hours”. Twain may have been exaggerating, but he has a point; spring weather can be hugely unpredictable and for the cyclist it can be a challenge deciding what to wear. In this post I will help you to choose the best clothing for a spring bike ride.
Note: none of the links below are affiliate links. They are all products that I buy and use myself and am happy to recommend.
Check the weather
You’ll think it obvious, but they key to deciding on the best clothing for a spring bike ride is to check the weather beforehand. Many novice cyclists head out on long rides oblivious to what may be facing them further up the road. Even the world’s best occasionally get caught out as famously happened on a snowy Gavia in the 1988 Giro D’Italia. Andy Hampsten’s 7-Eleven Team planned to the forecast but other teams didn’t fare so well.
Manufacturers design cycle clothing to deal with common weather issues although it can look peculiar. The trick with cycling in the spring is to wear something suitable for the majority of the ride. You can easily stow away modern light weight garments in your jersey pockets for when the weather changes.
Keeping a warm core
Assuming you have a base of cycling shorts your choice is either a short or long-sleeved jersey. If the day is chilly and the forecast is unlikely to change, then a long-sleeved jersey is a sensible choice. It is warmer and less fiddly to put on than having separate arm warmers that can allow gaps to open-up. Conversely, arm warmers can be easily put on and removed on the fly and occupy little room in a pocket. Nalini Logo Protector Arm Warmers are a high performing product.
Only in very cold spring weather are you likely to wear tights which can lead to overheating as the day warms-up. Similar to arm warmers, full leg warmers are easy to stow away in a jersey pocket. The ones with ankle zips are great if you want to keep your shoes on when removing them. If the weather isn’t too cold but you don’t want to chill your knees, then grab some knee warmers. It’s advisable to buy some with a bit of length so there is decent overlap with you shorts, reducing slippage. Nalini Logo Protector Knee Warmers are great as they have good wind protection.
Avoiding wind chill
When you ride a bike the air flowing over your body has a considerable cooling effect. You’ll find the wind chill a relief on a hot summer’s day but a curse on a cold spring morning. An air temperature of 10 degrees Celsius can feel like 7 degrees at just 15 miles per hour (25 km/h). Consequently, wind protection will have a big impact on your comfort.
A gilet is a must and it is surprising how much more comfortable a chilly morning can be with just a little wind protection for the chest. The Sportful Hot Pack Easy Light Vest folds-up into its own stuff-sack, is water resistant, and has strategically placed vents to improve ventilation.
Shivering increases metabolic rate from resting by 3-5 times, but exercise can increase it by up to 20-25 times. Wearing some wind protection and pressing a bit harder on the pedals may be all that’s needed to keep warm. However, you may stop with a mechanical problem or a puncture causing you to get cold very rapidly. Take the precaution of remembering to carry some additional clothing for those unexpected interruptions. The Castelli Gabba jacket is the benchmark with its superb breathability and water resistance.
Don’t forget your hands and feet!
Cold fingers can make cycling utterly miserable, but very heavy sweat soaked gloves are unpleasant on a spring ride. Fortunately, gloves come in different weight and sizes. You may want to just keep off the chill with a pair of Roubaix or woven gloves. DeFeet make the superb Dura Gloves in a range of colours.
Feet can suffer too so why not treat them to some mid-weight overshoes or oversocks. If you want that Northern Classics ‘pro’ look oversocks with a cleat hole are a must!
Staying dry
Finally, however good the forecast most experienced cyclists usually carry a rain jacket because ‘you never know’. Rain jackets will keep you dry only up to a point. Consequently, you’ll have to decide how much additional money to spend to gain a few extra minutes of protection. Good jackets range in price from the cheap Decathlon Triban RC500 to the very expensive Castelli Idro Pro 3.
A rain cover for your crash helmet might be a useful addition but if it’s not raining when you set out there may be a limit to what you’re prepared to carry. The trusty cotton cap will offer a bit of protection and warmth and it’s possible to find waterproof versions too.
Your enjoyment of spring and, for that matter, summer riding in the UK is to prepare for all eventualities. Check the forecast before you depart on your ride and ensure your clothing is adaptable to changing conditions. That way you’ll always have the best clothing for your spring bike ride!
