I鈥檓 not a big fan of commuting to work during the summer.听It鈥檚 too damn hot, especially in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I live. I have to bring a full change of clothes, because I sweat听through whatever I鈥檓 wearing, and it takes听a full hour to cool down at my desk. But when falls rolls around, I鈥檓 all about pedaling to work. Cooler temps mean I can wear just one outfit and step into a nine听o鈥檆lock听meeting without听overheating. Yes, I have to bring a jacket and use a light (thanks to shorter days), but these are tradeoffs I gladly make. Here are some useful pieces of gear that let me ride听through the fall and into early winter.
Velocio Merino 210 Long Sleeve Shirt ($120)
It鈥檚 no surprise that my first pick is a merino wool shirt. Merino is the ideal material for cool-weather riding: it鈥檚 warm but breathable, and because of its natural moisture-wicking properties, bacteria doesn鈥檛 linger and cause a stench. does a particularly nice job with its version. The inside is brushed for a soft feel against my skin, and the outside is reinforced with polyester to make it more wear-resistant. The cut is also perfect鈥攕velte enough for the bike, but not so tight that it looks silly at a lunch meeting.听
Beryl Burner Brake Speed-Detecting Bike Brake Light ($55)
I ride with a rear light throughout the year (and during the day), but this piece of gear becomes even more important when I鈥檓 commuting home in the dark. is my听favorite. With a built-in accelerometer, it intensifies its brightness as I slow down, signaling to motorists that they should watch out for me. The Burner can also be seen from 180 degrees, thanks to the orientation of the bulbs. It also has a bright听blink mode, lasts 17 hours on a charge, and is waterproof, so I can ride through the rain. For a front light, which you鈥檒l need, check out the 听($100).
Green Guru Upshift Frame Bag ($40)
If you鈥檙e not commuting with a laptop, most of your daily essentials (wallet, keys, water bottle, jacket) will fit in that quickly and securely attaches to almost any kind of bike frame via Velcro straps. Made from upcycled nylon scraps that would otherwise go to听the landfill, each bag is unique听and handmade in Boulder, Colorado. The bags aren鈥檛 waterproof听but they鈥檙e still highly water-resistant, so you鈥檒l be fine in a drizzle.听
Abus Pedelec 2.0 Helmet ($150)
Two things make my favorite commuter helmet. The first is an integrated blinker light that鈥檚 built into the rear, which I turn on to complement听the Beryl. (Or use by itself if I ever forget the Beryl on the charger.)听Second is the integrated rain fly that听pulls out from the back听to cover the top vents. I听use it to stave off icy air from听my scalp听when I commute home at night. Other features include a deep shell that provides lots of coverage for the sides and back of my head, and a magnetic chin strap that can be operated with one hand.
Ottolock Cinch Lock 30-Inch ($50)
At just 0.4 pounds, weighs almost nothing and takes up very little room in my bag. It looks flimsy, but it has听bands of stainless steel and kevlar that make it听ridiculously hard to hack through (we tested it with bolt cutters) and significantly more durable than a traditional cable lock. You pick your own three-digit combination to open it, and the outside is coated with an antiscratch cover, so I never have to worry about the lock marking up my bike frame.
Rapha Explore Hooded Gore-Tex Pullover ($345)
Yes, $345 is听a lot of money for a rain jacket.听But 听has a long hem that covers my back when I鈥檓 leaning forward on my bike, and听it鈥檚 roomy enough that it can double as my everyday rain jacket. Made from Gore-Tex Active, I鈥檝e found that the jacket keeps out every drop of October rain, but it鈥檚听also fairly breathable, so I can dump heat and sweat when I鈥檓 pedaling hard. The large chest pocket is great for everything from my cell phone to snacks, and reflective stripes and dots are another听way to ensure motorists see me at night.
Giro Privateer Lace Bike Shoes ($140)
Bike shoes and clipless听pedals aren鈥檛 overkill when you鈥檙e commuting. The reinforced nylon sole听of , matched with the clipless pedals, helps make each pedal stroke more efficient. That means I can get to work faster听and don鈥檛 have to sprint as hard. I鈥檓 also a big fan of Giro鈥檚 lace-up style, which is simple听to use, far easier to fix than a Boa system, and a breeze to dial in for a snug fit. When I鈥檓 not commuting, the Privateer听also makes great mountain-bike shoe.听
Norr酶na Fj酶ra听Windstopper Gloves ($80)
Windstopper is the perfect commuter material because it dulls icy air听but is breathable enough that my hands don鈥檛 get clammy when I鈥檓 sweating. have听a huge temperature range鈥擨鈥檒l wear them from about 50 degrees all the way down to听freezing鈥攁nd they come with a reinforced synthetic-leather palm that guards against wear from my handlebars. Off the bike, the Fj酶r氓 also doubles as a great cross-country and uphill-skiing glove.听