I wrote in February about my clothing rules for running. It occurs that I have a similar set of rules for cycling, I've just never really captured them.

The thing I didn't mention in the running rules was wind and rain: air temperature is all I worry about usually, simply because I run hot and will always warm up quite quickly even if there is a breeze. Cycling is a little different, since the temperature your body is subject to is reduced by dint of 15-20mph of air cooling, which is amplified if there is wind or rain.

Having said that, I haven't factored that in here at all. I will need to experiment to figure out the effect of more aggressive weather.

I always wear my mitts, helmet and sweat-controlling skull cap.

• > 15°C - bike shorts + T shirt, maybe even some sunscreen
• 10-15°C - bike shorts, T shirt and wind proof top
• 5-10°C - leggings, T shirt and wind proof top
• 0-5°C - leggings, T shirt, fleece, wind proof top, and possibly light gloves under my mitts
• < 0°C - everything I own, or just stay inside

I am much more a fair weather cyclist than I was in the days when I was commuting in Nottingham. I thought nothing in those days of riding in pouring rain, freezing temperatures, or clinging fog. Mind you, my commute is much longer now - twelve miles each way is not very appealing in the cold and wet.

Posted by Dunx at May 16, 2007 08:25 AM