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Wearing a cycling jersey isn’t a requirement for riding a bike, but wearing a jersey does make for a more comfortable ride. What’s so special about a cycling jersey? The answer is in its material, the fit and the features.
Cycling jersey material
How breathable fabrics work
Cycling jerseys are made from moisture moving fabrics that pull perspiration off your body. Once off your body the moisture evaporates quickly, keeping you dry. By keeping you dry a cycling jersey will keep you cooler in warm temperatures. In the case of fall and spring riding, long sleeve Jerseys are built to both move moisture and insulate. Cool weather jerseys will keep you warm and dry.
The Fit
Cycling jerseys are cut to follow the natural lines of your body while riding. They use grippers around the waist and sleeves to stay in place as you move around the bicycle. Long sleeve jerseys will actually have longer sleeves than normal clothes, those sleeves will maintain coverage even as you reach out to hold the bars.
The Features
Visible, Reflective, and Functional
Many jerseys have pockets to help you carry things like food, phones, or tools. If you are a fan of listening to music as you ride, a lot of Jerseys also incorporate ports that let you run earbuds inside the jersey rather than having them flap around in the wind. For safety, Many jerseys include some reflective features making you more visible while out on the road.
Finding the Right Size and Fit
A few of the many different styles of cycling jersey
Some may be wary of wearing a cycling jersey, because they’ve only seen the tight ones that look as though they were made out of spandex. Well, times have changed, and there are now many styles and materials to choose from. Looser, Jerseys offer the same moisture wicking material, cycling cut, and features without the form fit look.
When trying on a jersey, consider a few things:
When standing bolt upright, the jersey will feel short in the front and long in the back. It’s important to lean over a bit and try to replicate your cycling position (try putting your hands on your knees). If the jersey still feels too short or long, then look for a new size or fit.
Costs will vary widely based on the material and complexity of the construction. From synthetic fibers to natural ones with every combination in between, jerseys use different materials to create something that is both functional and comfortable.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for the jersey that’s right for you. With hundreds of brands and thousands of styles to choose from, you are sure to find something that you love.
Fall is a gorgeous time to get on that bike and pedal to the medal – or maybe just pedal. The crisp autumn air makes breathing easy and without a hot sun, heat stroke isn’t an issue. With the gorgeous hues of oranges, yellows, and browns that color the landscape, fall bike riding is arguably the best.
Rather than putting a bike in storage early due to the fluctuation in weather, here’s the answer you’re lookin for. To conquering this fall problem is by wearing layers. While this might seem obvious, the key lies in correctly layering appropriate clothing. If correctly done, it can optimize comfort for the rider. Not only that, it can also increase the ability of how each layer works to maximize moister and temperature regulation.
Base Layer
Your base layer should have great moisture and wicking ability to keep your body dry. Also opt for something that you’d wear if it were to get on the warmer side compared to the colder side for this layer. For example, put on the short sleeve jersey, undershirt, and arm warmers compared to a long-sleeved jersey or shirt. If it gets too warm, you can only do so much with long sleeves whereas you can always taken off the arm warmers if you become too toasty.
For fall bike riding, at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, knees should always be covered.
For your bottoms, keep up with this same principle. Realize that legs will warm up quickly while pedaling. Whether you keep them bare by wearing shorts or your usual spring/summer attire or go with wearing long knickers, it’s good to layer these items as well. Leg warmers are also a good thing to use if you have them. Also, they can easily come off and be put away when the temperature rises.
Remember, at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, knees should always be covered. Even if they warm up during the ride, with wind, it’s best to keep them protected from the cold.
Top Layers
The top layers are arguably the most important layers you need to choose. This is because these are the layers that you’ll remove to try to reach that ideal temperature. There are many different potential items that you can layer over the base layer, but the rule of layering for fall weather absolutely applies. The Rule: Layer smartly. Keep in mind that the last item you’re putting on should be the one you’d want to take off first.
Arm warmers are a great clothing items to wear for fall bike riding if you have them.
We like the idea of having a long-sleeved jersey or shirt that can help keep the arms warm, whether that ends up over or under arm warmers (if you decide to use them). A windbreaker can be exceptionally helpful. Even if there are no gales going through the area, biking moves you though the air and produces a ‘wind’ that can chill you. Over the long-sleeves, we’d recommend a jacket – heavy or lighter depending on you and the weather. Other layers can be added as well.
Other Important Areas – Head, Fingers, and Feet
Today, there are many different accessories and products that can help keep the other parts of your body warm and therefore keep you happy and riding longer. Scarves, earmuffs, full-fingered biking gloves, cycling caps, shoe covers to reduce cold air into the shoe – these are all things that you can consider adding to your list.
Depending on the out door tempurature full fingered gloves may be more desirable to wear for fall bike riding.
Neck Up
Scarves help ensure cold air doesn’t sneak into your jacket where you don’t want it – plus it keeps your neck and can keep part of your face warm!
Riding is hard when your ears are cold and aching. This is where earmuffs, or a hat with earflaps, are a welcome sight. It’s something you won’t regret once out biking, especially when it gets colder or the wind picks up!
Your head tends to be overlooked when going out to bike. While the helmet can feel warm while biking, when the temperature drops more, sometimes a little more is needed to keep your scalp warm. Today, many helmets allow some leeway in them for biking caps or headbands to help keep the rider’s head warm.
Hands and Fingers
Many bikers have fingerless cycling gloves, but when it comes to colder weather, full-fingered biking gloves are a must. When your fingers are frozen stiff and numb, you can lose your grip and find it difficult – if not near impossible – to shift gear. Since this is so dangerous for the rider, we would highly recommend getting a good pair of full-fingered biking gloves.
Feet and Toes
Shoe covers aren’t generally necessary until the temperature drops further – usually below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Socks made of wool have great breathability and warmth, but even so, your toes can get chilled when the wind picks up. Shoe covers can help keep the wind out from those breathable athletic shoes many wear in the summer.
Again, if you’re not exactly sure how to layer, just remember that the last article of clothing that you put on should be the first item that you’ll want to take off.
No mater what your choice in clothing items to wear for fall bike riding, get out and have fun.
It might take a few tries to get this right. With so many different material types, combinations, and different conditions to factor in, a lot of the time it takes a few trial and error runs to find the order that you should layer on clothing. However, once you figure it out, it’s easy sailing! Then, you can reach your perfect temperature and adjust whenever needed during your bike ride.
