Oooooo showercap. Nice one. Catch me riding home in my bright blue nitrile gloves and a shower cap you know its a good one . I just had a 2 day race at the Oregon coast and it rained harder in those 2 days on that weekend harder than it has in the last 30 years. The āah haā moment some other racers had when they saw the blue rubbers come out was priceless. I learned in the same fashion.
Also completely unrelated but since were on the topic of pro tips, those old latex tubes that got a hole in em are the best fork chip-timer holder around. Mine just permanently stay on my right fork
Add to that two plastic bags (or one addition one and put the nitrile gloves in one of them): they do what nitrile gloves do for your hands for your feet. I got strange looks for putting them on at times, but they saved my butt on more than one occasion.
For me, you could get rid off the cycling-specific socks, the gilet, long bibs, summer gloves/mitts, and any sort of cap type stuff, because Iād never use any of it.
On the other hand, I find having only one of bibs, jerseys, and base layers to be false economy, because it means you have to run the washing machine basically every day, which I think is way more wasteful than owning another set of clothing. If you have young kids, you probably do that anyway, so it might not matter, but Iām doing about 1-2 washes a week, and Iād hate to put the machine on just for shorts and a jersey.
Iās deffo recommend a winter base layer. Or you could just decide to never ride outdoors in winter, and get rid of all the winter stuff.
For several years when I was racing I bought 1 or 2 club/team kits per year so I now have at least 10 wearable sets of bibs and jerseys (not counting even more āreserveā bibs that are still OK for indoor use in a pinch). I try not to ever think about all the $$$$$ Iāve laid out for bike clothes but it is really nice to be able to go a while without doing laundy if necessary.
10+ full kits might be excessive but a multi year plan to build up to at least a set of several bibs is worth while.
My bad, I meant summer base layers, because OP put it under basics, and not the winter/cold/wet category, so my brain went to summer base layers.
I do wear them for XC skiing, too, Odlo makes amazing ones. In fact, I have at least two sets from them (legs and body) and a third set from another brand. And actually cycling too, if it is cold, base layer plus jacket.
Summer base layers are perfect for the trainer. Collects all the sweat but breathes. With a summer base layer, a Halo, and a Lasko, I almost never leave a drop of sweat on the bike.
Is that so? That is very insightful, thanks! Never thought about it being something to catch the sweat.
Does it not affect how the fan can cool the skin though?
Though Iād have to pay attention to where I sweat before I go buy one, I feel I mostly just sweat on the head and arms (lower arms, particularly when Iām in a position where they arenāt in the line of the fans). But might be something for next yearās indoor season then.
Black Bibs mesh base layers really work for cooler/cold weather and on the trainer. They are only $25. Iāve been exclusively using them for 3+ years and have never felt the need to upgrade. The Base Layer White ā The Black Bibs
Those look great for the price. Appears to be identical to the Craft one that costs twice that. I bought a Prezewalski one that is even cheaper, but is thicker/heavier.
What sort of base layer are you planning. For me Iāve got to double up there; a long sleeve one is needed for winter warmth, and a short sleeve one for those cooler days in spring/summer (UK)/ autumn. Only where its guaranteed heat would I be without the latter.
Multiple pairs of bibs and jerseys means that they last longer than a single pair since they share the load. It also means doing less laundry. Win-win.
A Halo (or equivalent but it must have the rubber strip) is a total game changer for keeping sweat out of your eyes, especially on trainer or MTB.
Even though I wouldnāt be caught dead in one in public, an old school cotton sweat band is awesome for indoor sweat control. Especially if youāre bald
Thatās what I wear on the trainer. I have a stack of them in the training room. They do great at catching the sweat. I do wonder, though, whether itās making me a little hotter.
I sweat a lot. And let me tell you, using a Baselayer makes a world of a difference. It means my jersey (or in my case my skinsuit) doesnāt get drenched in sweat. Which means when iām descending after climbing a mountain iām no longer freezing due to the skinsuit being all wetā¦
It works, it does itās job so iād say it does add something when using under a jersey/skinsuitā¦
Hey @STP, on your advice I just ordered a Gore windstopper. It didnāt hurt that they are 30% off right now. Then I used code SPRINGSTRAVA30 at checkout and got another big chunk off. Got a sleeveless for $39 shipped.
. I just had a 2 day race at the Oregon coast and it rained harder in those 2 days on that weekend harder than it has in the last 30 years. The āah haā moment some other racers had when they saw the blue rubbers come out was priceless. I learned in the same fashion.
It didnāt hurt that they are 30% off right now. Then I used code SPRINGSTRAVA30 at checkout and got another big chunk off. Got a sleeveless for $39 shipped.