Weather
Summer – Normally quite dry and hot, but cooler than surrounding Central Western towns. Maximum’s in the high 20’s / low 30’s. A drier heat than on the coast. Mild mornings. Every few years we’ll get a cool and/or wet summer. Easterlies bring cooler days.
Autumn – Perhaps the best time to ride. Mild to cool days. Less rain and wind.
Winter – Cold. Frosty mornings. Days often start in the -5°C to 0°C range. Maximum’s often stay below 10°C. Snow possible. Watch for black ice on the roads in the morning if there has been rain followed by a frost, especially on Northern shaded corners.
Spring – Winter weather often runs well in to Spring. Tends to be windy. September and October are cool to cold. November can be hot.
What to Wear on the Road
The eternal question. I spend far too much time making this decision. Here’s a rough guide to my choices based on temperature. To help with the decision I use the app Epic Ride Weather for forecasting the weather on routes and rides. Highly recommended.
The following clothing recommendations are based on the temperature range in which most of the ride is spent.
Note: if you are heading west, the temperature will be around 5°C warmer once you drop down from the Orange plateau, possibly more in Summer.
Above 23°C – short sleeve jersey with no base layer and if it’s really hot some lightweight bibs.
18°C to 23°C – short sleeve jersey & summer base layer. Regular weight bibs.
14°C to 17°C – either short sleeve jersey + base layer + light gilet or thermal short sleeve jersey (Black Sheep SS Elements) + base layer. Regular weight bibs. Light merino socks.
10°C to 13°C – thermal short sleeve jersey + base layer + arm warmers. Gilet. Lightweight full finger gloves. Thermal short bibs (Velocio Thermal Bib Short). Light merino socks. Possible toe covers.
5°C to 9°C – as above with leg warmers, winter weight socks, a second base layer (warmer) & toe covers. Merino glove inners with lightweight gloves. Thermal headband.
Below 5°C – two base layers (summer vest under long sleeve winter weight) + long sleeve winter jersey and jacket / gilet. Bib tights. Winter socks. Neoprene booties. Winter gloves. Merino beanie.
