What to wear?

fobose · 25 Oct 2018 at 19:33

Hello! I did not realise there was a dedicated cycling forum here, awesome!

A little bit of background.. I am normally a fair weather road cyclist (although using a 2011 cube nature) with a 28 mile commute but I have since moved a lot closer to work and now only have a 4.2 mile trip each way (50% public footpath so can be muddy). I have been pushing to cycle for as long as I can bear the cold weather (I suffer from raynaud's syndrome).

I bought a load of DHB merino base layers (can't recommend enough) and I reluctantly bought some compression leggings to keep my legs warm which works really well but I have opted to wear shorts over them to save any embarrassment. It has a bit of an odd look and I think maybe a pair of trousers will be needed when the temps drop to <5c.

My question is, now it's starting to get a lot colder and wetter, what do people recommend to wear on my legs to keep most of the water off and the cold out? I would like something that looks good when I get off the bike as I don't always shower and change when I get to work straight away!

SoliD · 25 Oct 2018 at 21:55

Mudguards and then some nice over bib longs to chuck on top of whatever you wear currently. Maybe some winter boots or overshoes for your feet.

fobose · 27 Oct 2018 at 10:08

Thanks for the reply SoliD. I had not considered bib longs! I am currently wearing a normal pair of trainers which are no good when the grass is wet as my feet get frozen. I do have a pair of BBB heavy duty overshoes for that purpose though. Winter boots does sound like a good idea. I am going to iceland at the end of November and have bought winter walking boots specifically for that. I could re use those on the bike after my trip!

Mercutio · 24 Nov 2018 at 23:14

I've been cycling to work... only about 3 mile for around the last 6 years. I only stop when grips an issue, otherwise have clothes that cover it.

Perhaps not a "cool" look but I've generally gone with leggings with a saddle pad, throw a pair of decently durable waterproof leggings over the top when it's cold/wet. Done me very well so far.