When I started road cycling about 16 years ago, I had no idea how to dress. I’ve also balked at the price of a lot of road cycling clothing, so I’ve compromised on cheaper items and gifts. Now, several years later, I have found the different cycling clothing that suits me. Some of these might interest you too, or you might have a completely different top five.
Cuffs
I have several different pairs of sleeves, but my favorites are my Pearl Azumi sun sleeves that I have in black and white. These are lightweight arm warmers designed to protect your skin from the sun, but they also work well on days when it’s a little cold but not very cold. I also like my black Specialized fleece-lined arm warmers that keep the cold morning air at bay. It’s best to pair the arm warmers with a short sleeve undershirt, where the arm warmers go over the undershirt to create a “seal” and then your undershirt goes over the top. Comfortable.
Vest/vest
Like arm warmers, a vest or windbreaker expands your summer cycling wardrobe by creating layers. The best vests have windproof fabric on the front and mesh or similar on the back. The mesh on the back allows you to perspire and prevent overheating. I once bought a vest with a lined back and it was way too hot for me. I have several vests but my favorite is a Velocio which is a lovely stretchy fabric.
Short Finger Gloves
I like gloves because they keep my hands warm, they protect them from the sun and they protect my hands in case of an accident. I have seen horrible injuries in the professional ranks when riders choose not to wear them! I have a collection of short fingered gloves to suit different situations and match different kits. My favorites have almost no padding, which is counterintuitive, I know. I used to ride with heavily padded gloves and they numbed my hands, so now I’m without padding. My Specialized Grail and Velocio gloves are among my favorites.
¾ bib curtsy
I really like ¾ bibs for cooler weather, when covering the knees makes riding comfortable. For me, this is when the temperature is between around 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. Anything above and I wear shorts, and anything below I wear full length cycling pants. I always wear bibs, no matter which ones I choose, and my Velocio ¾ are the perfect clothing for fall and spring.
Headband
A simple headband makes a huge difference in my enjoyment of riding in cool, cold weather. If I don’t wear it, my ears hurt a lot. My favorite is a gray Specialized headband that I don’t think they sell yet so you’ll have to look elsewhere, but it’s a simple sports style headband that goes around my head and fits under my helmet.