What's the right clothing setup for March in the Bay Area?

by **beej** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:16 pm

Question from an out-of-towner... Is it warm enough in March in the bay to go with a 5/3 suit, gloves, boots, and a hood?

Up here in Oregon it's still a bit iffy, so I thought I would check. I keep having to travel to SF so frequently I figured it was time to start lugging the gear and getting some time behind a kite...

Also, any tips on forecasting, and wind reliability this time of year would be awesome.

Thanks!

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by **behindThePeak** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:24 pm

you'll be toasty with that setup.

wind has been fun lately all over the place

by **Ron** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:32 pm

4/3 with boots no hoods in the bay
add a hood for ocean riding

by **wjb** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:52 pm

It seemed to me it was colder kiting the Oregon coast in the summer than kiting the winter here. I never need hoods or booties in the ocean but it could be my nordic blood :mrgreen:

YMMV. A 5/3 will be plenty

by **ddubwinokur** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:45 pm

In march, I ride a 4/3 inside the bay, with no booties, no hood. But, my feet do get a little cold. YMMV.

As for reliability, the spots I know best are Sherman, Alameda, and 3rd Avenue (San Mateo). Sherman and 3rd, once they "turn on" due to the temp differential between the central valley and coast, are super reliable. But I don't know if that really happens in March. Maybe right at the end.

Alameda is more finicky - not as reliable. It hits just for spring and shuts down for the summer (when everything else is going crazy).

If you're not using ikite for forecasts, there are webcams, the NOAA forecasts, twitter/FB feeds for schools. I'm a beginner still so I like iKite.

Other folks will have to speak to some of the many other awesome spots we have here in the bay!!

by **sc-surfer** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:16 pm

It you are from Oregon (as am I) you will likely find a 4/3 fine. I ride one all winter and no booties or hood except on the coldest days.

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by **WindMuch** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:52 pm

sc-surfer wrote: winter and no... (snip)... hood except on the coldest days.

No wonder you just had your ear(s) drilled, Monte! Do you wear earplugs?

by **le noun** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:44 pm

I just wear a thong.

by **Rob** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:57 am

I just wear a poncho

by **Aloha** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:38 am

Just wear a good attitude and you can't go wrong :]