Spring Riding (and Dressing)

For cyclists in the Northeast, spring can be a confusing time.

The weather changes rapidly from cold to warm. One day you’re pulling on tights, leg warmers, thermal tops, long-sleeved jerseys, jackets, neoprene booties, and mittens to go for a bike ride—that (despite all your layers of clothing) will inevitably end with you freezing and struggling to control the bike as your shivering arms send it careening around the shoulder of a country road.

Then, almost without warning, the snow is melting and you’re wearing just shorts and a short-sleeve jersey. Sweat pours down your face as you claw at the zipper on your jersey in a futile attempt to catch a dewy breeze that might help you cool off a bit.

Along with twittering birds and budding flowers, spring is marked for me by my bulging jersey pockets, as I stuff my (unnecessary?) arm warmers, leg warmers, vest, and even gloves into my pockets during the course of a ride.

It’s easy to overdress in these confusing times.

Then there’s another sign of spring: cyclists who live in denial of warmer weather. The temperature outside might be 60° or 65° F. You might have spent your lunch break sprawled on a lawn, basking in the sun, wearing only a T-shirt … but these cyclists still think it’s January and 20° F outside.

I showed up for a group ride last week when the thermometer read 65° F. I was wearing a vest and my arm warmers and gloves were in my pockets—just in case it got colder when the sun sank lower in the sky. Glancing around at the other riders, I noticed several questionable equipment choices. One guy was wearing fleece tights. Two riders had wool caps on under their helmets and almost everyone was wearing full-finger gloves and booties. Hmm ….

Now, don’t get me wrong; I hate being cold. I’m the first person to drag my trainer out of storage when it gets even a little chilly: better to be bored than cold, I always say. But for Pete’s sake! If it’s warm, peel off those winter layers and feel the warm air on your skin, finally. Work on your tan. Do a little less laundry at the end of the week. Riding without all those heavy layers for the first time in a season is a singularly wonderful feeling that I wouldn’t miss for anything.