Posted in Cycle

The 'White Roads' of Tuscany provide a contrasting 'Spring Classic' to the cobbled climbs of Flanders (Belgium). These limestone roads historically linked vineyards and remote settlements, but they have become an iconic challenge for the pro peloton.

Dusty and loose in the dry, paste-like and slippery in the wet, the surface presents a technical obstacle to all riders. Add in the unstable springtime weather, and you have a race that is unpredictable and very interesting.

Team Wiggle's Tim Wiggins rode the Strade Bianche Grand Fondo in 2017, in torrential rain and strong winds. The Grand Fondo followed the same route that the women's professional race had taken the day before - 130 kilometres long, with 30 kilometres of Strade Bianche.

The length of the ride gave Tim enough time to reflect on the best kit choice for these weather conditions. Here's what he recommends…

Kit selection for a 'Spring Classic'

It took much deliberation and multiple checks on the weather forecast to settle on my kit for the Strade Bianche. Despite praying that the weather forecast of thunderstorms and wind was inaccurate, it turned out to be spot on… so this was my kit choice for many wet hours in the saddle.

Cotton Cycling Cap

A simple accessory, but arguably one of the most important. A casquette will keep the rain off your head, and its peak will shield your eyes from the spray and grit thrown up from the road.

Sunglasses

Even though there were glimpses of sunshine on the Strade Bianche Grand Fondo, the main reason for wearing sunglasses is to protect your eyes from the elements. Wind, rain and earth do not aid vision. Particularly consider glasses with good wrap-around cover, like the Oakley Flight Jacket Prizm Road.

Mesh Base Layer

A base layer is essential in all conditions; helping to move moisture away from your body, and keeping you warmer and more comfortable as a result. I opted for a simple mesh base layer - the Sportful BodyFit Pro Sleeveless Base Layer.

Summer Jersey

Although the weather in Tuscany was far from summer-like, I did wear a Sportful Bodyfit Pro 2.0 Classics Jersey as a mid-layer. My reasoning was that it was an extra layer of insulation, an extra set of pockets for storage; and if the weather did heat up, then I could always peel off my outer layer leaving the summer jersey on (it didn't, by the way).

Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Top

The highlight of my foul weather kit selection. The Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Top is one of the best out there. Protection from the wind and spray was provided by the innovative Sportful NoRain Light fabric; whilst the self-draining rear pockets and long drop-tail rear hem helped to avoid water infiltrating my layers beneath.

Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain 2 Bib Shorts

The Sportful Fiandre No Rain 2 Bib Shorts provide you with an incredible advantage if you're cycling in wet weather. The NoRain fabric repels rain and wind like a shield layer. Fitted with Sportful's BodyFit Pro seat-pad, they kept me comfortable for 6+ hours in the saddle (my ride included riding to and from our hotel to the Grand Fondo event).

Sportful NoRain Arm Warmers

To protect my limbs, I used Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Arm Warmers. These have long been a favourite of mine; with their fleece-brushed fabric backing providing insulation, and their shield-like fabric outer making water bead-up and run off, instead of soaking in.

GripGrab Neoprene Gloves

However good waterproof gloves are, once they get wet, they get cold. With water running down my arm warmers and onto my hands, it wasn't going to be long before any normal insulating fabric became saturated. Instead, I opted for GripGrab Neoprene Gloves. Neoprene, as used in wetsuits, provides insulation even when there is a layer of water between glove and hand. These worked a treat - avoiding frozen digits, and allowing me to keep shifting gears.

dhb Aeron Light Weight Merino Sock

The Aeron Light Weight Merino Socks wick away moisture and provide insulation so my feet stayed warm and comfortable. 

GripGrab Race Aqua Overshoes

Finally, to protect your toes… the GripGrab Race Aqua Overshoes are a fantastic pair of shoe covers. The Kevlar base means they stand up well to use and abuse, whilst the fabric coating and close fit help to shield your feet from spray and mud.

Tim placed 85th on the Strade Bianche Grand Fondo - the top British rider in the event, with a riding time of 04:16:42.

Next year, he's hoping for a dry and dusty Spring Classics event…

About the author

tim's picture
Tim Wiggins
Published on: 19 Mar 2019

Tim Wiggins is an avid cyclist, who is involved in all aspects of the sport. Whether it is mountain biking, road racing or riding non-stop for 480km; it is all about life on two wheels.