What to Wear for Spring & Autumn Mountain Biking

Scottish conditions can be notoriously fickle all year round, but during the transitional seasons of Spring and Autumn it’s more often than not a bit tricky to know what to wear for mountain biking. Our technical bike clothing partner Endura have some tips on how to choose the right kit, whatever kind of wild Scottish weather you’re riding in. They provide gear for our MTB Instructors, and customers on our Trail Riding courses can borrow Endura waterproofs and helmets from our Stores to protect them from the changeable conditions of the Cairngorms.

Most riders are aware of the basics of layering their riding gear to achieve an outfit (or system) which can protect you from the elements, provide the relevant level of insulation and effectively wick sweat away from the body to keep you dry from the inside. The challenge in changeable climates that one single outfit is unlikely to do all of these jobs in the range of conditions you find in spring and autumn and it’s always worth having a think about what you have in your riding wardrobe and how you could mix and match your outfits to the weather.

Inside out – all about the base

It goes without saying that a good base layer is the keystone of any technical apparel system and can make or break an outfit. Knowing what works best for you is essential so think about what you need most – wicking should be the priority if you sweat heavily, while insulation needs to be the focus if you really feel the cold.

Merino base layers provide excellent insulation and temperature regulation, even when wet, but they don’t dry as quickly as a good synthetic fibre meaning they work well for low to medium intensity riding, but are not so well suited to all out, high tempo blasts.

Stuck in the middle

The term mid-layer is a little bit of a misnomer for these times of year, as if things change when you’re riding then it can become an outer layer too. A long sleeve jersey is perfect here adding warmth whilst allowing body moisture to move outwards. Again, choose a mid-layer that suits your physiology – if you run warm then you can get away with a thinner jersey or go for something with more insulation if you need it.

Keep the outside out

This is the layer that keeps the outside out – wind and rain are the enemy, and a good jacket can save a ride if the weather takes a turn for the worse. For adaptability, choose a waterproof shell jacket that packs down small and that way it can be stashed away in a back pocket, hip bag or frame bag when not needed.

When you know it’s going to be raining heavily and cold all day then a full-on waterproof shell jacket is always the way to go. The days of boil-in-the-bag waterproofs are fortunately long gone and with modern high performance breathable fabrics, vents and good old front zips you can ride hard all day without getting wet from the inside, rather than the outside. The only downside is that these come at a cost in terms of packability (and cash).

On better days, a good quality packable shell supplies a “best of both” solution providing protection from the elements that can be deployed when the weather turns or for a bit of extra warmth when you stop for a lunchtime macaroni pie.

There are some other bits of kit that we love for spring riding in Scotland that mountain bikers sometimes overlook – gilets and warmers. The gilet is an item that the apparel obsessive will covet, often owning a selection of different weights to ensure the perfect core body temperature in all conditions. Gilets provide warmth and insulation where you need it most and the lack of sleeves means no restriction on the shoulders when things get techy.

Arm, leg and knee warmers may appear somewhat strange to the non-cyclist, but these simple thermal tubes are arguably the ultimate in versatile bike wear and once you start using them, you’ll never look back.

Don’t forget to accessorise

Gloves- the hands are one of the most vulnerable areas of the body to the cold and at this time of year its always worth taking a spare pair for changeable conditions.

Multitube – a super-simple item that can make a huge difference to how warm you feel. A large amount of heat escapes through the collar and neck area, so blocking this off can really help keep you comfy.

Endura have 30 years of experience in creating kit for mountain bikers and all of their gear is designed in Scotland, with a crew of in-house testers riding in all conditions. Find their kit in stores, online retails and at endurasport.com

Join us at Glenmore Lodge for a trail riding course that’ll give you the opportunity to develop your technical riding skills, build your confidence, enjoy the amazing natural and manmade trails on our doorstep, all while having a blast with like-minded people.