himebaum

I did a century (my first) last Saturday and at the start it was 52 degrees. So, I had on a light PI jacket to start and at mile 50 the day had heated up to where I had to take the jacket off. What works for storing the jacket and not adding to the discomfort of the ride? I looked at larger saddle bags and even handle bar bags today but most are not big enough for the jacket.

Thanks for your ideas. Jim

zonatandem

A nylon or tyvek or other light jacket can be rolled up tightly and put into jersey pocket.
Or if too big for pocket roll up jacket lengthwise and wrap/tie it around your waist.
Or onvest intyo a nylon sleeveless vest and arm warmers.

sd790

Congrats on your first century!

rdtompki

At that starting temp light arm warmers and a vest are a more practical approach.

Scummer

52F is nylon jacket weather. Roll it up tightly and stow into one of your jersey pockets. Done.
Once it hits 40F, add some arm warmers underneath.
Once it hits 30F, then use the jacket and it most likely won't get any warmer anyway during such days, so you won't have to worry about taking it off.

himebaum

Good stuff. Thanks. Anyone store in saddle bag or handle bar log style bag?

Jim

JoelS

I just use a jersey pocket as was mentioned.

That said, winter here has pretty big temp swings. I'm thinking about a rack for one of my bikes with a trunk bag so I can stash stuff without the pile in my pockets. I know it's fredly, but it will be more comfortable.

StephenH

Lighter layers help. I use a trunk bag for some rides. If you carry a bungee cord, then in an emergency, you can wrap something around the top tube or seat post or wherever. Be careful it can't get in the wheel.

Myosmith

I ride centuries on a light touring bike that has a rear rack. I have a waterproof stuff sack and some small bungies for keeping extra clothes and the like. If it's really hot, it makes a good place to carry an extra water bottle as well. Most of the long rides I do are for charity or at least are non-competitive, so I don't worry about sacrificing a bit of speed in exchange for some creature comforts.

10 Wheels

Trunk bag or pannier for me.

Busta Quad

Light jacket goes in jersey pocket.

thinktubes 

Was it the Harmon Hundred?

Tricky to dress for this one, since it was in the 50's with a north wind. I went with arm and leg warmers. Still got a bit toasty by the end. The sun is still pretty strong at this time of year.

I seem to remember that at the Harmon, you can leave your extra stuff in a plastic bag at a rest stop and they'll tote it back to the start for you.

datlas 

Another vote for lightweight vest in jersey pocket. Simple and easy.

thechemist

I can put my jackets in my jersey pocket. That being said any century ride I do is heavily supported. So I will leave it with the bike shop guys at the rest stops or if they have several pace cars i will ask to put it with them. I mean I got to atleast look pro if I can

TrojanHorse

In the 50s I think you could get away with just a set of arm warmers, which are easily stowed in a jersey pocket. Add a vest or a wind shirt under your jersey if that's not enough. I also have a variety of base layers I'll crack out and use that are comfortable well into the 70s if I"m feeling particularly chilly.

Last time I miscalculated and had a jacket after it warmed way up, I basically rolled it up and tied the thing around my waist. Not flattering or cool, but it worked.

John_V 

If the jacket isn't very thick or bulky, keep a set of shoelaces in one of it's pockets. Roll up the jacket and use the shoelaces to tie it to the back of your saddle. Kinda like a blanket roll on a horse saddle.

carpediemracing 

^ interesting idea, the laces. In fact I could put them in whatever pockets right now and leave them there until I want them.

At 50 deg I'm wearing a wind vest and SS jersey with armwarmers (and LS base and shorts and booties). If that's the high for the ride then I'll wear knickers and wear an LS jersey. I'd also wear some kind of head cover under the helmet.

It's important to keep core warm - wind proof the torso, some kind of head cover. Both those things are easy to stash in a pocket.

RollCNY

I did an organized century last Saturday, and left my rain jacket in the car. Figured it was too bulky for jersey pockets. Two torrential downpours, one hail storm, and several hours of drizzle later (even without thinking about the steady wind and 25 deg temp swing), I wished I had put it in my jersey pocket, even if it was bulky.

himebaum

Yes, it was the Harmon Hundred in Wilmot, WI. In fact, the Eagle Lake rest stop is within one hundred feet of my house so I was able to drop my PI jacket at home, but I was wondering what to do for the next century. Looks like I will need some more gear for fall riding in WI. Thanks again for the storage/warmth ideas. Jim

Banded Krait

Be very, very careful in doing this. In 2011, a cyclist was killed during the Ride the Rockies event in Colorado when a jacket he had tied around his waist came undone during a descent and became entangled in his rear wheel, causing him to crash.

znomit

No, just don't do it at all. Asking for trouble.

A lightweight shell will easily fit in a pocket, some vests scrunch up to not much bigger than a fistfull. Knee warmers, arm warmers and a thin hat and you're covered.
If you're fredly like I am sometimes you can get a large seatbag that will take a jacket and thick thermal arm/leg warmers with lots of room to spare.

yochris 

52 degree mornings are just arm warmers for me. I heat up quick so I rarely carry a jacket in the summer. Northern California winter can be a different story...

E.S.

At that temperature I wear short sleeves. srsly.

Machka 

For a century ... I put things like my jacket into my Carradice Pendle which is on a rack on the back of my bicycle.

diverguy

There are some good options above. One that wasn't mentioned was to stop by Home Depot and pick up a couple of very small bungie cords, the elastic things with hooks on the end. (some people call them shock cords) A couple of them wrapped around the handlebar, right by the stem, are lightweight and unobtrusive. When you get too warm, carefully fold up your jacket so sleeves or drawstrings aren't dangling and use a couple of the cords to secure it to your handlebars. Works great. You can do the same thing with a rain jacket when the weather is iffy. I've also used a couple of them to secure a lightweight pair of beach shoes under a saddle bag if a rest stop could involve some light hiking. Lots of uses for little bungie cords.