What cycling clothes we wear in Crete
How to survive with a mountain bike in Crete
13 March 2016
Motopodilatiki Irakliou Moraitis
14 March 2016
What cycling clothes we wear in Crete
Cycling in Crete is a pleasant outdoor activity even in the winter. The climate in Crete is temperate and is considered as one of the finest, mildest and healthiest in Europe. We can go for a ride with lightweight clothing the most months of the year. Compared with the rest of Greece, Crete is about 4-5 degrees warmer in the winter months. Summers are cool because of the yearly northern wind that brings the breeze of the sea.
Spring: in March and April the days have grown enough but it is still cool. We wear a base layer and a light long sleeve jersey (or a short sleeve Jersey in combination with thermal sleeves).
In April and May we wear summer clothes but do not forget to put in your luggage a windproof and a waterproof jacket which you will take on the mountains if the weather is not good.
Summer: in the summer the temperature is higher. Short sleeve jersey and short pants are enough. If we ride or stay outside after the sunset, at places higher than 800 meters of altitude, it is advisable to carry a windproof jacket. During the summer months, avoid cycling the very hot days, use sun block and do not forget to spread it behind the ears and the neck.
We highly recommend to use UV protection arm sleeves, not only they protect our arms but they are cool also
Autumn: in September and October the weather becomes cooler. During the day we still wear our summer clothes but we carry a windproof jacket. When there is provision for rain put in your backbag a waterproof jacket. Do not forget and your swim wear, the sea is still warm.
In November the days are shortened enough and the temperature is lower, we usually wear long tights and long jerseys and the coldest days a windstopper. Windproof arm and leg sleeves in combination with short jersey and pants are highly recommended.
Winter : we wear warmer clothes and always a waterproof jacket in the backbag. A base layer, a windproof jersey and long tights are ideal. Thick padded jackets are not recommended as they are very warm. Generally we apply the principle of onion, we wear 2-3 slim clothes (one above the other), instead of a thick and very warm, if we feel warmer we put out one or two of them. The warmer days we wear short jersey and an isothermal base layer but once the sun goes down we must wear a long jersey or our rain jacket.
Checklist
1WINTER MONTHS
Always
✔ Rainjacket
✔ Long tights
(or Shorts + leg warmers)
✔ Jersey long sleeved
(or short jersey + arm warmers)
✔ Underwear
✔ Gloves long finger
✔ Shoes + winter socks
✔ Windproof jacket
✔ Bandana winter
The rainy days✔ Rainpants
✔ Wintergloves
✔Winter shoes
✔ Rain cap
✔ Extra socks Extras
✔ waistcoat
✔ Overshoes
✔ Raincap We do not recommend thick shoftshell jackets for your bike tours as they are very warm for Crete
2MARCH
Always
✔ Long tights
✔ Short tights + leg warmers
✔ Jersey long sleeved
✔ Jersey short sleeved + arm warmers
✔ Windproof jacket
✔ Rainjacket
✔ Undrwear
✔ Waistcoat
✔ Gloves short finger
✔ Gloves long finger
✔ Bandana summer
✔ Shoes + winter socks
✔ Socks
Just in case✔ Raipants Extras
✔ Cap
The sunny days do not forget to use sunblock.
3APRIL - MAY
Always
✔ Short tights or shorts
✔ Jersey short sleeved
✔ UV arm protection
✔ Waistcoat
✔ Windproof jacket
✔ Sun block
✔ Gloves short finger
✔ Gloves long finger
✔ Shoes
✔ Socks
✔ Bandana summer
Just in case✔ Underwear
✔ Rainjacket
✔ Leg warmers Extras
✔ Cap
✔ Flip flops
4SUMMER MONTHS
Always
✔ Short tights or Shorts
✔ Jersey short sleeved
✔ UV arm protection
✔ Sun block
✔ Bandana summer
✔ Shoes
✔ Socks
Just in case✔ Windproof jacket
✔ waistcoat Extras
✔ Cap
✔ Gloves short finger
✔ Flip flops
✔ Swimsuit & towel We do not recommend sandals if you come in Crete for mountain biking. If you choose to wear a shleeveless jersey be carefull with the sun.
5SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
Always
✔ Short tights or shorts
✔ Jersey short sleeved
✔ UV arm protection
✔ Waistcoat
✔ Windproof jacket
✔ Sun block
✔ Gloves short finger
✔ Gloves long finger
✔ Shoes
✔ Socks
✔ Bandana summer
Just in case✔ Underwear
✔ Rainjacket
✔ Leg warmers Extras
✔ Cap
✔ Flip flops
✔ Swimsuit & towel
6NOVEMBER
Always
✔ Long tights
✔ Short tights + leg warmers
✔ Jersey long sleeved
✔ Jersey short sleeved + arm warmers
✔ Windproof jacket
✔ Rainjacket
✔ Undrwear
✔ Waistcoat
✔ Gloves short finger
✔ Gloves long finger
✔ Bandana summer
✔ Shoes + winter socks
✔ Socks
Do not forget✔ Rainpants Extras
✔ Cap
The sunny days do not forget to use sunblock.
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