The day I rode my bike on my commute in high40s/low50s temps. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and thin sweatpants for clothes and by the end I was overheating and covered in sweat wherever there was clothing, but freezing on any part of me that was exposed.
Is it possible to bike at progressively colder temperatures (for about an hour each way) while minimizing this freezing-sweaty feeling?
All hints, links and anecdotes are welcome. Feel free to respond with whatever temperature you prefer to discuss but keep it below 60F/15.5C.
If your only concern is eliminating the bipolar temperature, then I suppose you could cover up any exposed parts of your body; then you’d be sweaty everywhere instead of freezing and sweaty. Or (less preferably) you could cover up less, and then be freezing all over.
My legs will stay warm due to peddling at those temps so I just wear shorts. I don’t need long pants until the temps are in the low 40’s, and then I just put on thin sweat pants. Once it gets below freezing I will wear tights, and below 20 degrees it will be tights and wind pants.
For the upper body I usually go with a biking shirt (short or long sleeve) and a bright yellow riding shell. As the temps get colder I go with the long sleeve shirt, and then add a vest under the shell in cold temps.
Back when I was commuting year round my ride was only 20-30 minutes, so it’s probably a different set of issues when you’re riding an hour each way.
In colder weather my biking attire for commuting and recreational riding are decidedly different. For me, when commuting in cooler weather I like to have a windstop layer, but preferably one that breathes. And there is the trick, fabrics and attire that both stop the wind yet let the warm moist air out tend to be expensive. Down to about 50° F I just wear my slacks. Below that I add a pair of light weight warm up pants over the slacks. On top in the mid 50’s - 60’s I wear a lightweight biking vest (something like this) that blocks the wind from the front but is ventilated on the back side. I have a jacket that is similar, but a bit heavier that I wear when the temp gets into the 30’s and 40’s. A breathable skullcap under the helmet or headband that covers the ears is nice when it gets really cold.
My Wife is an Iron Man (yes it’s a boast). She rides in the mountains all the time. Temps very wildly. She uses shoe covers to keep her feet warm and dry, and arm warmers. Basically just sleeves that you can take off and easily stow.
Wicking is the answer to your moistness. When I commute (2 hours each way, I don’t do it often) in cooler weather, I use cycling leg thingies. Basically pull up lycra leg warmers that go up to (and under the leg of) my bike shorts. They are very good at stopping the wind-cooling effect. As I warm up (or the day does) it’s simple to take off the legs.
I also use wind mitts. Thin, loose mittens made specifially to block the wind. Brilliant stuff. It really makes a difference in overall comfort if your hands are not freezing.
On top, wicking shirt (short sleeve in cool, long sleeve in cold) with a simple wind-breaker type jacket. Nothing fancy.
I am notoriously frugal when it comes to cycling. All of these garments can be had online for very reasonable prices.
Ride on!
I’ll jump on and say get a biking jacket and more importantly gloves! The wind is your enemy and will make arms and legs cold but your core gets hot which is why the jackets are water proof but have more ventilation flaps than a normal person can imagine. Those zippered back and armpit flaps are brilliant! Keeps the wind from freezing your arms and hands but keeps your body from getting too warm.
The best winter riding tights are ones that block wind on the front but not the back. Your legs generate a lot of heat/vapor when you pedal, so something that’s windblock on all sides will cook you right quick.
When you step out the door in your riding gear (i.e., before you start riding) you should be a little chilly. Expect the physical exertion of riding to bridge the gap between chilly and warm.
Remember, if you are comfortable during the first five minutes of your ride then you are overdressed.
Doesn’t do you much good if you are comfortable and you don’t want to return home and change. It does give you some guidlines about what to wear or not wear in the future.