Big Winter Riding Apparel

I did a huge ride on the mountain bike today. I completed one normal loop, then decided to head back to the house and put more air in my rear tire. Let me just say that I love Reston, and I love living three miles from a really fun mountain bike trail, and two miles from the W & OD. Since I got cold while I stopped and fiddled with my broken mini pump, I decided a quick jersey/base layer change was in order.

Tangent...


Above, you'll see how much gear I wear when it is 25 to 39 degrees. What are we looking at here? Let me explain, starting on the left:

Base Layer: This consists of a moisture wicking long-sleeve shirt, a pair of cycling shorts, and a pair of socks.

Mid Layer: Here you'll see a long-sleeve jersey, a pair of insulated cycling tights, and another pair of socks (I put these on over the base layer socks, but overlapping the tights).

Outer Layer: Top right, you'll see my very reflective cycling jacket, a pair of baggies, and mixed into the bottom row- a pair of leg warmers and a pair of heavy gloves with liners. Note, the leg warmers go over sock pair number two.

The jacket really helps because it is both wind and water proof. After a little while riding, the base and mid layers (top only) are soaked in sweat (gross), a recipe for hypothermia casserole if I break something and get stranded. The jacket is key, and as long as I keep moving, I don't get cold. I usually carry a camelback packed with, among other things, an extra long sleeve base layer just in case I ever have to spend the night in the woods.

Anyways, I rode three hours yesterday, and five hours today, so my legs are toast and tomorrow will be a much needed, and well deserved, rest day. probably 26, and 34 miles respectively, I had that half hour layover while back at the house. Today was great though. The ground was frozen, a little snow fell for part of the ride, and I felt like an animal on the bike. It was also the longest ride I've done in a while, which is good, something I need to continue through the winter.

I was surprised at how much energy I was able to end the ride with. I started experimenting with fuel on the trail. This weekends menu: Clif Gels, Clif electrolyte drinks, green tea, two kinds of pretzels, and pop tarts. All seem to agree with each other and me, but the fresh brewed green tea got cold in ten minutes.

I felt great when I got back tonight. My toes were numb, my legs were hurting, but I was in a great mood! I stretched, showered, and rode (in a car) over to Primo Pasta with the roomies for some linguini with clam sauce and a side of meat balls.

Looking forward to tomorrow's rest, and next weekend's big winter ride!

BS