Planning ahead for the Alps in September-what cold weather gear?

FrankGrimes

So I'm planning to do La Marmotte route in September and by all accounts it'd be smart to be prepared for very changeable weather given the height differences covered on the route.

I have this medium weight jacket and I find it excellent. I actually wore it for most of the Wicklow 200 and found it surprisingly breathable. I never overheated but I'm wondering if it would suffice for descending when wet with sweat or rain for long periods or do I need something heavier.

I have BBB Waterflex overshoes, Dhb Findchean bib shorts (which aren't particularly heavy but the torso and thighs rarely get cold anyway) and a long sleeve thermal base layer. I have wet weather gloves which are pretty decent but you do feel it when it gets very cold.

So I reckon I'd through on the base layer for descents under the jacket and I pretty much always wear my overshoes anyway due to the amount of vents in my shoes.

So if all that does its job, am I right in thinking the last thing I need to consider is leg warmers? I do have waterproof leggings and I reckon they might do the job but I'll bow to experience on this one as when descending for over an hour last thing I'll want to focus on is being cold, so if thermal leg warmers are the way to go, show me the way! The CRC 10% discount might give me a good opportunity to pick them up at a decent price, hence the planning ahead.

niceonetom

The best bit of gear I used over there for the first time (and has since become a staple of my winter wardrobe, both on and off the bike) is a buff. That'll stop the wind getting down the front of your jacket when you're in the drops and keep your lips and nose from falling off. You'll need a hat that covers your ears too. I was wearing a merino wool beanie thing and a cotton cap as well to make it a bit more windproof. Decent glasses are a must too.

That jacket looks ok, the high collar is a good move - wind proofing is more important than tog value.

Get good windproof gloves and a good pair of glove liners (merino or silk are best). Your hands are the parts that will be hardest to keep alive. Without their cooperation death will be swift and spectacular.

Any exposed skin will become raw and painful quite quickly so make sure you're covered from head to tow. This pic was taken in the first week of Oct, at about 2000m (a lot lower than the top of Galibier) so this is what you've got to be prepared for. Next day it was totally clear and sunny btw, but still cold at altitude.

If you're prone to overheating shorts + legwarmers is the way to go. I have specialized ones that are very good - they're very windproof on the front which is nice.

The is a mountain lodge/coffee-house thing near the top of Galibier (never was a coffee more appreciated). There is a little french man who will provide you with news paper to put up the front of your jersey next to the skin. It soaks up a bit of the sweat and makes a first layer against the wind. It actually helps. It's not in the rules, but I'm pretty sure that stuffing a newspaper up my jersey and descending an alp is the most euro thing I have ever done.

I quite jealous of you now...

TinyExplosions

niceonetom wrote: »

It's not in the rules, but I'm pretty sure that stuffing a newspaper up my jersey and descending an alp is the most euro thing I have ever done.

I quite jealous of you now...

I agree there, that was possibly the most euro, and also the best moment I've had on the bike. That descent off the Galibier, myself and Tom taking turns to pull, hardly any traffic -was bliss!

Other than that, he's spot on: it's all about layers. I used the following, and was ok though a little chilly at times (and I'm not far off your sorta size)

Merino baselayer
SS Jersey
Arm warmers
Boards Training Jacket
Bib Shorts
Leg Warmers
Over Shoes
Winter Weight Gloves purchased in decathlon (a great place to stop and stock up on cheap kit!)
Buff (as Tom says, essential!)

FrankGrimes

Cheers for that advice lads, great to get info from people who have done this route (hats off to ye by the way....when going up Stocking Lane tonight I realised that the Galibier is at least 6 times longer and probably more consistently tough....not a happy realisation and increases my awe for anyone who manages it).

I invested in a bit of the kit you suggest both to protect against the possible extreme weather changes on this route (though hopefully it'll be nicer in September) and also cos I figure the more comfy I am on the bike when winter comes the more likely I am to keep it up.

Got a Buff and a skullcap, these Castelli leg warmers, these windproof gloves and these glove liners. Think it was Tiny that recently gave me the tip of wearing merino cycling glvoes inside sports socks to avoid the problem with sweaty feet getting cold on descents - that worked a charm so hope those merino glove liners do the same.

That should be me all kitted up now....just gotta worry about getting up the hills in the first place to be worried about the cold descents now....