The cool shoulder season months are my favorite for tackling epic rides, but sometimes the weather will throw you a few curveballs. Don’t let brisk mornings, early sunsets, or surprise rain showers derail your spring or fall riding plans. Here are the shoulder season riding essentials you need to stay comfortable when the weather starts changing.
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Arm, Knee, and Leg Warmers
My warmers come out once it dips below 60 degrees. I prefer old-school Merino wool arm and knee warmers, but anything that covers your exposed skin and wicks away moisture will do the trick.
They’re easy to slide off when you get too hot, or you can add a vest when it gets colder. Mountain bikers will appreciate the abrasion-resistance provided by Fox Racing warmers.
Arm warmers
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[product-block handle="assos-arm-protector"/]
[product-block handle="7454074437824-specialized-thermal-arm-warmers-black"/]
[product-block handle="ornot-stretch-knit-arm-warmers"/]
Knee warmers
[product-block handle="giro-thermal-knee-warmers"/]
[product-block handle="specialized-thermal-knee-warmer"/]
Leg warmers
[product-block handle="giro-thermal-leg-warmers"/]
[product-block handle="specialized-thermal-leg-warmer"/]
[product-block handle="ornot-stretch-knit-leg-warmers"/]
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Wind Vests
A vest (or “gilet”) is an easy way to add a layer without the bulk of a full jacket. I put one one for cold early morning starts and generally keep one in my jersey pocket/handlebar bag during the spring and fall.
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[product-block handle="specialized-sl-pro-wind-vest-womens"/]
[product-block handle="ornot-micro-climate-vest"/]
[product-block handle="giro-mens-chrono-expert-wind-vest"/]
[product-block handle="peppermint-cycling-gilet"/]
Vests are easy to take off and pack away when you get too warm, but you’ll get some extra style points if you ride with your vest unzipped, flapping in the wind. Sure, it’s not aero, but it looks cool and feels like a cape.
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Lightweight Thermal Gloves
I use light-to-medium-weight thermal gloves that pack away easily, provide a lot of dexterity, and have just enough warmth to keep my delicate fingers happy.
[product-block handle="gore-c3-gore-tex-infinium™-stretch-mid-full-finger-gloves-black"/]
[product-block handle="ornot-merino-gloves"/]
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If you have sweaty palms like me, it’s nice to carry an extra pair so you can swap in dry gloves for cold descents.
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Clip-On Fenders
[product-block handle="ass-savers-win-wing-gravel-rear-fender"/]
During the spring and fall, I keep a simple and lightweight Ass Savers Win Wing mounted on my bike. It weighs nearly nothing and will protect your backside from puddles, damp roads, and light rain showers.
[product-block handle="nc_sks-x-tra-dry-quick-release-fender"/]
For more coverage on really wet days, I'll switch to a larger clip-on fender. It’s easy to mount before a ride and then remove later for that perfect Instagram shot.
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Bike Lights
When the days are shorter it’s easy to get caught out by an early sunset. I keep a small set of lights on my bike just in case my plans go awry and I end up riding home in the dark. For years, NiteRider and Light & Motion have been my go-to brands for quality lights.
If you plan to spend lots of time riding in the dark, especially on mountain bike trails, check out our guide to night riding lights.
Light sets
[product-block handle="specialized-stix-switch-headlight-taillight-2-pack"/]
[product-block handle="7365167579328-niterider-swift-500-headlight-vmax-150-taillight"/]
Headlights
[product-block handle="niterider-swift-300-headlight"/]
[product-block handle="specialized-flux-850-headlight"/]
[product-block handle="4689835458642-garmin-varia-ut-800-smart-headlight-urban-edition-black"/]
Taillights
[product-block handle="niterider-vmax-150-taillight"/]
[product-block handle="specialized-flux-250r-taillight"/]
[product-block handle="garmin-varia-rtl515-bike-radar-and-tail-light"/]
For the last few years, I've also been using a Garmin Varia radar tail light and love the extra awareness the radar gives me.
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Other Bike Essentials
[product-block handle="7449289326784-giro-ambient-toe-covers"/]
[product-block handle="specialized-neoprene-toe-cover"/]
Toe warmers and a good thermal sock let me ride comfortably into the low 40s. When it starts getting cold, I tend to just leave the toe warmers on my shoes until summer returns.
[product-block handle="7449290637504-giro-ambient-winter-head-band"/]
For my head, a thermal headband covers my ears and forehead when temps are above 45 degrees. Any colder than that and I’ll use a skull cap or balaclava.
Also, if you ride on the road year-round, fall is a good time to swap to a puncture-resistant tire. Rain, snow, and a lack of street sweeping mean all the nasty tire-killers start coming out to play.
These essentials will let you add layers and mix and match gear to suit your needs. This combination of products keeps me riding outside until winter drives me into my trainer dungeon. But what works for me may not work for every rider or every place. So what did I miss? What would you add to your list of shoulder season essentials? Let me know in the comments!
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