Riding in Palm Springs, it may seem like you’ll never encounter temperatures low enough for more than arm warmers, but don’t let the sweltering summer heat fool you, Winters in the desert can get down right chilly, and add some wind or rain to that and you’ll be bundled up like Randy in Christmas Story.
Part of my pre-ride routine are several trips out the front door to stand on the doorstep evaluating the temperature and make my own personal weather prediction for the following several hours. The following list has always shortened that part of my ride.
| Temp | Suggested Clothes | |
 |
80º(26.6C) |
Shorts and light short-sleeve jersey |
 |
70º(21C) |
Shorts and short-sleeve jersey. Feeling extra cool. Add a light wicking sleeveless base-layer under your jersey |
 |
60º(15.5C) |
Shorts and long-sleeve jersey or short-sleeve jersey with mid-weight arm warmers. Perhaps a vest some mid-weight knee warmers when 60º feels extra chilly |
 |
50º(10C) |
Tights or leg warmers; heavy long-sleeve jersey with sleeveless or short-sleeve wicking undershirt; or lightweight long-sleeve jersey with long-sleeve undershirt |
 |
45º(7C) |
Tights or leg warmers; long-sleeve wicking undershirt and lined cycling jacket; thin full-fingered gloves; headband covering ears; wool socks and shoe covers. |
 |
40º(4.4C) |
Tights or leg warmers; long-sleeve heavy mock turtleneck and lined cycling jacket; medium-weight gloves; headband covering ears; winter cycling shoes, shoe covers, wool socks. |
 |
35º(1.7C) |
Heavyweight tights; long-sleeve heavy wicking turtleneck undershirt and heavy cycling jacket; heavy-weight gloves; headband covering ears; winter cycling shoes, shoe covers, wool socks with charcoal toe warmers. |
 |
30º(-1C) |
Heavyweight tights; long-sleeve heavy wicking turtleneck undershirt and heavy cycling jacket; heavy-weight gloves; lined skullcap; winter cycling shoes, shoe covers, wool socks with charcoal toe warmers. |
 |
25º(-3.9C) |
Winter bib tights; long-sleeve heavy wicking full turtleneck undershirt. long-sleeve jersey and lined cycling jacket; mittens or lobster claw gloves; balaclava; winter cycling shoes, wool socks, plastic bag, charcoal toe warmers. |
 |
20º(-6.7C) |
Winter bib tights; long-sleeve heavy wicking full turtleneck undershirt, long-sleeve jersey and lined cycling jacket; mittens or lobster claw gloves; balaclava; winter cycling shoes, wool socks, plastic bag, charcoal toe warmers |
