Invest in Cycling Kit with Range

Tis the season for wide temperature swings. Here in Western New York we have been enjoying a comparably warm and dry fall, which has extended our outdoor riding season. As with other areas in the country, it is increasingly common to have 20-30 degree temperature swings day to day or even during a ride. These temperature swings make selecting cycling kit tricky to find the balance between warmth and breathability. One way to simplify the decision making is to invest in cycling kit that accommodates wide temperature ranges. Below, I highlight some select offerings from Ornot, Shimano, and Velocio that I have found handy for a wide range of riding temperatures and conditions.

Ornot

Ornot is smaller clothing company based in San Francisco that offers clothing designed for the constantly changing temperatures in the Bay area. They know first hand what it is like to be caught out on a ride with the wrong cycling kit because the weather is sometimes impossible to predict. They design their clothing with the micro climates of San Francisco in mind, but the result is cycling kit that is useful in a wide range of riding conditions. Their focus may be on coastal “rain fog,” but the result is kit that holds up well in the “wintry mix” of the Great Lakes.

I am a huge fan of Ornot’s Cargo Bib Shorts, Decadent Winter Cap, and Merino Gloves. This time of year, I have those pieces on regular rotation. However, the standout of their clothing line is by far the Micro Climate Jacket. In 30+ years of riding bikes in inclement weather, I have not come across a jacket as versatile as this one. I have been packing it for almost every cycling trip this past year.

The Micro Climate Jacket is a lightweight shell, but unlike my other wind jackets it has far greater breathability. I have been wearing it in a range of conditions as the outer layer when temps dip down in the 20s or when you need some protection from the wind in the 50s and low 60s. Though I wouldn’t characterize it as a rain jacket, it does a descent job of keeping you dry when there is slight precipitation or spray from the road. I also appreciate the ample length in the sleeves with plenty of coverage over the cuffs of gloves. The two-way oversized zipper is also a great feature for modulating your body temperature.

In April, I was riding gravel roads with my masters team in Michigan the day after Barry Roubaix. The temperature was in the low 30s with some single-digit winds. The Micro Climate Jacket was perfect for all-day riding on top of a wool base layer and a long sleeve wool jersey.

Later that same month, I went on a ride down the Pacific Coast Highway south of Long Beach, California. The temperature was in the 60s with coastal winds in the double digits. I made an inland loop around the Newport Beach area. I was sweating quite a bit in the hills in a short sleeve jersey, but as I crested the last hill to dive back down to the coast I was met with those chilly coastal winds. I stopped and put on the Micro Climate Jacket and left it on the rest of the trip back up the windy coast. The jacket compresses down into its own rear pocket, easily fitting into a jersey pocket.

Ornot checks a lot of boxes. They are certified climate neutral. The clothes are made from recycled fibers, merino wool, and deadstock fabric. Many of the pieces are made in the USA. Lastly, their focus on microclimates means that you are getting kit that is adaptive for a range of conditions.

Shimano

There are two new pieces from Shimano that have become staples in my outdoor riding gear rotation this fall. The first is the Evolve Merino All-Season Jersey, and the second is the Evolve Prima Wind Vest. Together, they cover such a range of conditions that I can reach for them as almost a default before checking the weather for the day.

The Evolve Merino long sleeve jersey uses a lightweight synthetic material on the front facing panels to block the wind and merino wool panels in the back facing panels for breathability. The result is a jersey that offers wind chill protection but doesn’t overheat because it breathes and quickly dries through the wool panels. I wear the jersey with a wool base layer on days that are chilly, but not too windy.

For days where the winds are stronger and there is potential for more wind chill, I add the Evolve Prima Wind Vest. The vest features a fleece lining inside the front panels and over the shoulders. The back of the vest is thin breathable material that dries quickly. The collar is nice and high so that you do not have to always wear a neck gaiter on chilly days. The included double zipper is a must for vests to allow for temperature regulation throughout a ride. Despite the loft of the fleece, the vest does fold down into its own pocket for easy storage in a back pocket or bike bag.

Recently, I wore this combination on a gravel group ride. The morning ride started in the low 30s, and there was a lot of scrambling among the group to decide what to wear. We expected the temperature to rise throughout the day into the 40s, but most of the day was in the high 30s. A wool short sleeve base layer with the Shimano Evolve jersey and vest proved once again to be the best choice. The group was large and there was lots of stopping to regroup after climbs and to repair a few flat tires. Our moving time was 3:30 with an elapsed time of 4:26; that is almost an hour standing around. I find those kinds of rides hard to dress for because you are getting chilled standing around, especially if you overdressed and your clothes are wet from sweat. The breathability of the long sleeve jersey combined with using the double zipper on the vest to regular temps throughout the ride proved to be the best possible way to stay warm (but not too warm) on the bike while moving and standing around on the side of the road.

Velocio

The last piece I want to highlight is Velocio’s Alpha Long Sleeve. I layer in this jersey when the temps dip down into the 20s. I typically wear the Ornot Micro Climate Jacket over it or Velocio’s Signature Softshell Jacket if I am expecting “wintry mix.” The Alpha Long Sleeve features an insulating Polartec material on the front-facing panels and merino wool on the rear-facing panels. Same idea here as with the other pieces I’ve mentioned: warmth in the front, breathability in the back.

The Alpha Long Sleeve is a pull over with a quarter zip and a high collar. The pull over is a great idea for the middle layer between your base layer and outer shell because you don’t have overlapping zippers bunching up at the bottom. This long sleeve jersey also includes three rear pockets. The only time I ever use the pockets on a middle layer is for storing a water bottle that I am trying to keep from freezing. But, that is increasingly rare as I now spend more time riding indoors when the temps dip below freezing.

Velocio is another company that values sustainability. They use recycled and natural fibers to produce clothing that is designed for durability to counter the tendency in the clothing and cycling industries to produce disposable and single-use products.

Layering Tips

In summary, I have found the Ornot Micro Climate Jacket to be the most versatile piece of kit in this overview. It is my go to wind shell in temps in the low 30s, and I tuck it into my short sleeve jersey pocket when I’m expecting the temperature and/or wind chill effect to dip into the low 60s or even lower.

In the 50-60 degree temperature range, the Shimano Evolve Merino All-Season Jersey is perfect with a merino wool or Coolmax short sleeve base layer. If the temperature dips into the 40s, then adding the Shimano Evolve Prima Wind Vest is my go to. That combination will work down into the 30s.

If I am facing temps in the 20-30s, then that typically means three layers: wool base layer (typically no sleeves), middle layer like Velocio’s Alpha Long Sleeve, and an outer layer for wind like the Ornot Micro Climate Jacket or for precipitation like Velocio’s Signature Softshell Jacket.

Think Investment

None of these pieces are inexpensive. I am often in conversation with friends who want to extend their outdoor riding beyond warm summer temps. They have sticker shock when they first consider the amount of gear required to ride outside in the cold. My suggestion is always to start slow and pick up gear that extends their riding 10 degrees below what their current gear allows. I encourage them to think about these pieces as investments that they can use for years to come. Think about quality, think about durability, think about layerability, think about temperature range, and think about sustainability.

And if it’s truly cold weather, here’s more depth about winter riding in the 20s and below.

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