Gear Up for Spring: Your Clothing Guide for Road Cycling
As the weather starts to warm up in spring, many road cyclists are eager to unhook their bikes from the turbo and hit the road to enjoy the beauty of riding outdoors. However, with changing temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions, it can be challenging to figure out what to wear for road cycling in spring. This is a key time to get training ready for your road cycling holiday. We will discuss the essential clothing items for road cycling in spring and how to wear them to ensure you’re comfortable and warm when riding outdoors.
Base Layers
Base layers are the foundation of any cycling outfit, and they are especially crucial during the spring months when temperatures can fluctuate rapidly. A good base layer will help regulate your body temperature and wick away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable. These are one of the least expensive garments for cycling. Almost all cycling clothing brands will do a base layer and they are worn under your jersey so the design isn’t too important here. We opt for a tightly meshed vest to keep our core protected while remaining breathable. The absence of sleeves means your movement isn’t restricted which, when layering, is key to being comfortable on the bike.
Jerseys
A cycling jersey is another essential item for spring road cycling. Look for a slightly heavier fabric density than you would typically wear in summer. It must also be breathable and have moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool and dry during your ride. Most jerseys come with a full-length zipper that allows you to adjust ventilation as needed, which is particularly useful when the temperature starts to rise. In spring your temperature when climbing can be hugely different than when descending or if the sun goes in. If you're cycling in cooler weather (5-12 degrees), we recommend a long-sleeved insulated jersey or, at the bottom end of that temperature range, a windproof jacket to keep you warm. We find Gore-Tex to be a brilliant fabric on the bike as breathability is key to not getting a chill from sweating.
Shorts and Leg Warmers
If you’re not on the camp of bib shorts yet - try them out and we’re sure you won’t look back. Bib shorts are an essential item for any cyclist as they keep the chamois (padded insert) in the place where it will provide the greatest protection and comfort during long rides. Bib tights are full-length bib shorts that are often made from a thicker fabric for insulation. Bib shorts with leg warmers underneath are a great alternative to bib tights for versatility as you only need to buy the leg warmers combined with your current shorts, rather than forking out for a pair of tights. I’m sorry but as we spend most of our time in Europe, socks go OVER the tights, but feel free to get in touch as to how very wrong it is. Cargo bib shorts are a relatively new design and are popular with gravel biking. However, in the cooler months, we find them great for road cycling as they have a leg pocket meaning you can access food or your phone easily without having to pull up all the layers to get to your jersey pockets.
Sleeves and a Gilet
Spring weather can be unpredictable, and you may start your ride in chilly temperatures only to find that the sun has come out and the weather has warmed up. Again, versatility is key here and arm and leg warmers, plus a gilet are all compact garments that can be stashed into your jersey. This combination is a great way to regulate your body temperature without having to change your entire outfit. Arm warmers and a gilet allow you to keep moving while regulating your temperature as they can be removed or put back on while riding. Jackets on the other hand can be a little tighter over the wrists or more fiddly requiring better bike-handing skills to take off and on while moving.
Gloves
Gloves are essential for road cycling, no matter the season. In spring, on colder days you'll want to look for a pair of full-length gloves that will protect your hands from wind and cold but won't cause your hands to sweat and overheat. Look for gloves with a good grip, which will come in handy for gear changes if the weather gets wet. Some gloves have a feature which works with touchscreens such as your cycling computer or phone. We highly recommend this as it saves exposing your hands to the elements when you need to give your excuses of why your “1-hour short ride” has turned into 3, plus a coffee stop.
Overshoes
The final piece of essential clothing in your artillery against the elements are overshoes. Overshoes can be a great addition to your road biking gear when cycling outdoors in the spring because when you’re travelling at speed you’re creating a feeling of a wind chill that can make your feet cold, and wet road spraying up will exacerbate the discomfort. Cold numb feet with a lack of blood flow can cause issues with your feet. Shoe covers help to protect your shoes from getting wet and dirty, as well as keep your feet warm and dry. Some can even offer additional aerodynamic benefits, helping you to ride faster and more efficiently. We love ‘toe thingys’ when the temperates are above 5 degrees for their protection against the wind while being highly breathable by only covering half of your shoe. Neoprene should typically be used only to protect your feet from rain or extreme weather as it’s less breathable than other fabrics and can cause your feet to get cold from the sweat despite being impermeable. One last point to make is socks and shoe tightness. You will want thicker socks for colder riding but make sure you relax the tightness of your shoes to compensate for the increased volume of your foot, otherwise, it will affect your circulation and cause cold feet.
Also Consider
Here are a couple of other things to consider to take the chill off a spring morning. A cap. This can be worn under your helmet to keep your head warmer, great when you wear a lightweight ventilated helmet all year round. It also draws due attention from everyone at a cafe when you’re not on your bike, just to let them know you’re a cyclist and you’ve earnt those 5 slices of cake. A neckwarmer/buff. For its size, it offers great protection against the wind on your neck and face. We however only use one in extreme cold as sealing in the heat at the top of your jersey prevents airflow and ventilation. Finally, don’t forget your lights even during the day. A rear light is a minimum, a front light helps bring attention to your presence on the road and may reduce the risk of cars pulling out on you. Seeing fewer cyclists on the road may reduce motorists’ awareness of you therefore the more attention you can bring to yourself the better.
In summary, when it comes to road cycling in spring, it's essential to have the right clothing to ensure your comfort and enjoyment on the road. Getting your clothing right can make this one of the best seasons to cycle in as the roads may be quieter and nature is coming back to life. Breathability in your base layers, jerseys, jackets, shorts, overshoes, arm and leg warmers, and gloves are all essential items that will keep you comfortable and protected from changing weather conditions. They will help regulate your body temperature and keep you dry from the inside and outside of your layers during your ride. We love spring training and the excitement of increasing the volume and targeted training ready for guiding our guests in the summer. So get those layers on, get the bike off the turbo, and enjoy the beauty of spring cycling. Get in touch if you would like a tailored adventure in the Alps before summer is underway.