Question for the bike riders here

[Scott Douglas]

I'm not a 'serious' bike rider. I go to the beach and ride the bike path down there to avoid being in traffic and to get out of the house. I usually wear cargo shorts, mainly for the pockets to hold my keys and phone and an ID in case I crash and burn.
My question is this, What do you guys wear or suggest wearing to keep my legs warm now that the temps have dropped?
I was thinking a pair of REI base layer pants might be what I'm looking for. I'd wear them under my cargo shorts. I usually just put on a long sleeve tee shirt with a short sleeve over that then a sweat shirt on top of that if it's coolish. Since my heart operation I've lost 30 lbs and most of it seems to have been that layer of blubber that used to keep me warm.
I guess what I'm looking for is a pant that isn't going to be baggy at the ankle so it won't get caught in the chain ring.
Thanks for any advice you guys might have.

[Zeke]

I guess you don't want to look like you just came from the bike store with touring tights and all the gear. Slim cut jeans work for me.

Remember ankle clips?

[stevej37]

Cargo shorts in the summer....slim-cut jeans in the early spring and fall work here also.

Nice car.

I have to laugh when on a bike trail I see the full spandex suits trying to ride through all the dog walkers and others.

[ramonesfreak]

unfortunately patagonia capeline lightweight is no longer available so would recommend the mid weight…then put on some shorts over them so you don’t get arrested. before you complain about the price, my first set of these lasted me 20 years of hard use

https://www.rei.com/product/155316/patagonia-capilene-midweight-base-layer-bottoms-mens

[hcoles]

I use something like these....
Men's AeroReflective | Thermal WindStopper Pants | Softshell Material for Cold Weather
110 reviews
$119.99

[Zeke]

BTW, congrats on the weight loss, intended or not.

[LWJ]

I am a fan of polypropylene tights with shorts over.

Not a super fashionable look but it is great for what you are wanting.

[herr_oberst]

When I'm on a road ride or a gravel ride, I wear cycling stuff. There's a reason it looks the way it does; it works. Padded tights in 3 lengths for different weather.

BUT, if I'm riding the commuter bike in long pants weather, (closest to what you describe here) I find that nylon tactical pants fit the bill between comfort and convenience. I roll the cuff so I don't get caught in the chain, they have a lot of pockets and they're way more comfy than jeans - they move better and they dry pretty fast if I get caught in the rain. Polypro long johns under 'em if it's way cold.

[Flatbutt1]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I'm not a 'serious' bike rider. I go to the beach and ride the bike path down there to avoid being in traffic and to get out of the house. I usually wear cargo shorts, mainly for the pockets to hold my keys and phone and an ID in case I crash and burn.
My question is this, What do you guys wear or suggest wearing to keep my legs warm now that the temps have dropped?
I was thinking a pair of REI base layer pants might be what I'm looking for. I'd wear them under my cargo shorts. I usually just put on a long sleeve tee shirt with a short sleeve over that then a sweat shirt on top of that if it's coolish. Since my heart operation I've lost 30 lbs and most of it seems to have been that layer of blubber that used to keep me warm.
I guess what I'm looking for is a pant that isn't going to be baggy at the ankle so it won't get caught in the chain ring.
Thanks for any advice you guys might have.

How cold? In the fall when it's in the 40's here I just wear wind breaker pants. Any colder then I wear silk under that. REI has some good stuff.

[Scott Douglas]

I guess it's not so much the cold as it is the humidity with the cold. When it's 'foggy' down at the beach it can get really cold.
I went to REI and picked up some long bottom under layer pants. I think they'll work just fine.
Gives me enough of an unrefined look to not be approachable.

[porsche tech]

When I golf on days that start chilly and then warm up, I wear a pair of real light nylon warm up pants over my shorts. They have a zipper on each leg that is about 12 inches long coming up from the ankle. When it warms up, I can take them off right over my shoes and they roll up real small to put in my golf bag. Days that aren’t going to warm up, I wear toasty flannel lined long pants.

[Tobra]

You can put a little strap around your lower leg to keep the pants out of the chain

[Otter74]

If you're just toodling up and down the bike path, there's no need to wear anything other than the clothes you would normally wear in that weather. You don't need anything special. Put a strap around your right cuff, roll it up a few inches, or put a chainring guard on the bike.

[look 171]

Cheap way is to get a pair of sweat pants that run a bit tight down by the legs. If not, use Velcro to keep pants from getting caught in the chain. My other suggestion is to wear a pair of BMX pants

https://planetcyclery.com/troy-lee-designs-sprint-pants-burgundy?gad_source=1

I wear Spandex knicker (some has a flees type fabric on the interior) to keep warm. It doesn't get that cold here. You can wear your shorts on top of that. You will look just like some of the postal delivery man with that tights under their shorts.

Check it out, you may like it. I suggest tights under your shorts. They have a padding and go commando so there's no whitey-tighty going up your butt or bunching up under there. It makes riding so much more enjoyable.

these will work for you under shorts. Something similar will do it doesn't have to be this brand. I happen to like then and found them comfortable. The bib will keep them from showing crack in front of the pretty girls at the beach
https://www.performancebike.com/castelli-entrata-bib-tights-belgian-blue-w-chamois-xl-m20524424-5/p1519145?v=1505509

[CurtEgerer]

Don't be a mamil (middle age man in lycra).

[CurtEgerer]

Looks like you've found a solution. Another option would be some mountain bike trail pants. I've got some similar to this for cooler trail riding. Mine have an elastic cuff, some have velcro or zippers.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Now THIS is how you do it!

[Flatbutt1]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Don't be a mamil (middle age man in lycra).

I'd bet he thinks he looks hot. I always wear baggy shorts over my spandex.

[stevej37]

^^^
I wonder if he has pedal cleats on those sandals?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Bet he rides 700x19c