Top Tips for Tops

For rides less than five miles depends entirely on where I am going - and I dress for that.  The only extras I take are a waterproof jacket and my cycling helmet. 

If I'm going for a pootle for just for the exercise I wear a sports  bra, a baselayer underneath a cycling shirt with a dress or skirt over the top, with leggings underneath.

Most of the clothes shops on the high street have suitable tops, it's just a question of finding the ones I like.  Any recommendations gratefully received!

For day rather than five mile rides I have a couple of Assos short sleeved cycling shirts with zips up the front for temperature control.  Because of this I tend to wear them the most. 

With the baselayers chosen, the type of tops will vary depending on where you are going and how warm it is.

Armwarmers are a tremendous invention as they do lift how warm you are if the temperature drops a little and they fold up into a small space when they are not needed.  When worn correctly you are not supposed to see the join!

In the very deep winter when temperatures are below 0 degrees I tend to do flat rides not too far from home on main roads that have been gritted in order to avoid cycling on ice!   Two Merino baselayers, an Assos baselayer, a longsleeved jersey under a Gore Oxygen jacket has worked perfectly for me. The Gore Oxygen is both windproof and waterproof but breathes to stop you from overheating.  Zips up the front allow me to have a thermostat and control my body temperature. I also wear a buff which is not the same as cycling in the buff!

In temperatures around 11 degrees that may go down to four degrees and is not flat I would wear the same but if there is a hill I would remove the jersey towards the bottom of it to allow for my body temperature to rise as I aim for the summit trying to keep up with these guys!

As the weather becomes warmer through the year the jacket may not be required, nor two baselayers. When temperatures are 23 degrees C and above I still wear a merino under a short-sleeved cycling shirt and keep armwarmers and a windstopper gilet on the bike along with an Assos Climatshut jacket which is also a bit of a boil-in-the-bag kind of jacket but stops you from being cold if the temperature drops dramatically, unexpectedly.  

I am always looking for tops to wear over leggings that are made of lycra or a stretchy material.  Wool is not a good fabric for this as it would become unshapely and would also hold water should it rain - although if I was doing 5 miles or less, this wouldnt be a problem.

Most of the clothes shops on the high street have suitable tops, it's just a question of finding the ones I like.  Any recommendations gratefully received!

 

Cycling Tights or Leggings

Whether long, or short I use them as a base layer for my cycling look for any rides longer than five miles.  For me it's all about being comfortable and always in black so that they can look like tights. They are an extremely important item of my cycling wardrobe as they ensure I have a completely comfortable ride on my bicycle.

Padded shorts, longs, 3/4 lengths (ending just below the knee) depend on your shape and how you feel.  I personally look better in 3/4 length rather than shorts but that's just me.

As with all things the prices can vary enormously.  Assos is top of the range and they do bib shorts with leg warmers which means you can cover your legs if the temperature drops.   Castelli 3/4 leggings work best for me in the summer. 

As a Five Mile Cyclist I then wear a dress or skirt over the top.   Clothes manufacturers like H&M and Levis are beginning to make jeans and clothes suitable for cycling in so fingers crossed that this expands to other brands.

For longer than five mile rides the wardrobe changes make things more comfortable.  The advancement in Lycra and Merino allow the body to move without restrictions, managing body temperatures and making the time on the bike about being on the bike and not about fabric malfunctions.

For the autumn and winter on long flat rides when temperatures are below 11 degrees I wear two pairs of full -length leggings, one pair is padded the other isn't.    If the temperature drops to 4 degrees I wear overtrousers on top which not only keep me warm but also keep me dryer in the rain. Mine are made by Gore.  If the ride is hilly I remove the overtrousers before the hill!

Lingerie and Baselayers

With an eye on BBC weather and weatherspark the next step for me in terms of wardrobe is underwear.  We are all unique and for me, wearing a correctly measured sports bra makes a real difference to how comfortable I am when cycling.

   www.shockabsorber.co.uk

www.rigbyandpeller.co.uk

Many shops including M&S, John Lewis, Top Shop along with department stores offer a measuring service although not all of them are accurate.  Rigby & Peller are worth the extra cost and I have found them to be the most accurate.

The next layer I wear is a baselayer.  I am a real fan of Merino wool baselayers as they have a very effective and efficient way of absorbing any body sweat created whilst riding.

Endura are great Merino baselayers available from most bike shops and Helly Hanson for the summer as they wick away the sweat.  In the winter if you are wearing two baselayers and one of them becomes wet with sweat, remove the bottom one and put on a dry layer rather than cycling in wet clothing.   Evans and Cycle Surgery stock Endura.  Assos do a thicker baselayer which is more top of the range but worth the investment.

For the lower part of the body, making sure that everything fits correctly and there is no rubbing which will result in blisters and sores in sensitive places.  Whilst modern technology in fabric design means that it is possible to wear cycling shorts as underwear I prefer to wear seamless underwear available from M&S.

 

Socks depends on the temperatures, heavy merino in the winter, sealskinz if it is going to be very wet and lighter pairs in the summer.  As with everything else they need to fit so that blisters and rubbing are not created by wearing socks that are too big.  I often carry a spare pair - in a plastic bag so that they stay dry!