cold weather cycling

[momof4greatkids]

Today it was 36 degrees with 10-20 mph winds here in Ohio, the wind chill was at 26 degrees. I was surprisingly extremely comfortable for the entire ride (26 miles) except for my saddle, but that's another story.

Here's what I wore on the bottom;
leg warmers
wool socks and trail running shoes
athletic capri pants under long cold weather running pants
On the top:
arm warmers
long sleeve jersey
performance fleece jacket
gore wind-stopper jacket
glove liners and fingerless cycling gloves
and earband and of course, my helmet.

When my fingers got cold, I just alternated sticking my hands in pockets (not yet coordiinated enough to ride no-hands, especially in the wind!) and they warmed right up.

It sounds like a lot doesn't it? I feel like I could be comfortable in this gear even at lower temps if there were no wind.

One thing I think I would add if it got much colder is a smart-wool or merino wool midlayer.

And, the good thing is the headwind was on the way out, and the tailwind on the way back, how sweet is that?

Is there anything you can do to take hot drinks with you on the bike using the bottle cage?

Colleen

[mimitabby]

you planned your wind strategy well. Unfortunately the wind turns here!

I was going to suggest you get some fleece mittens to wear over your gloves. They make some excellent glove products that can help you. YOu don't really
want to be riding one handed!

[SouthernBelle]

Earlier this year we discussed the possibility of carrying warm drinks in Polar bottles. (Nashbar has them). We decided it would work short of boiling since they are dishwasher safe. Probably even better if you could find some kind of neoprene bottle cover.

[TsPoet]

Is there anything you can do to take hot drinks with you on the bike using the bottle cage?

Colleen

I do! I do!
After a multi-year investigation into the best way to carry coffee on my commutes in the morning I found the Nissan Leak-Proof BackPack Bottle! Not intended for bikes, but perfect. It even has a divot around it that fits in the waterbottle band. It flips open to drink out of with one hand - perfect, love it.
Gave one to a friend and her objection was that it kept her coffee too warm and she couldn't drink it until after she was at work :eek: to that I suggest either starting cooler, or leaving the lid popped :D

I roast my own coffee, so here's where I bought mine from (scroll down):
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.travelmugs-bottles.shtml


Also - I have found the most vital part of my winter wardrobe is either a buff (for >60 deg F) or Turtle fur (<60 deg F) around my throat and potentially ears. Does more to keep me warm than anything else, except maybe my storm socks.

http://www.buffusa.com/

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=6076905&parent_category_rn=40003633


http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=74243&memberId=12500226

[momof4greatkids]

I do! I do!
After a multi-year investigation into the best way to carry coffee on my commutes in the morning I found the Nissan Leak-Proof BackPack Bottle! Not intended for bikes, but perfect. It even has a divot around it that fits in the waterbottle band. It flips open to drink out of with one hand - perfect, love it.
Gave one to a friend and her objection was that it kept her coffee too warm and she couldn't drink it until after she was at work :eek: to that I suggest either starting cooler, or leaving the lid popped :D

I roast my own coffee, so here's where I bought mine from (scroll down):
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.travelmugs-bottles.shtml



]


cool, or shoudl I say, hot! I am definitely going to get one. Thanks for doing the research.

Hey I home-roast too. Amazing the difference a fresh roast can make in the flavor of your morning brew. Right now I am enjoying a honduran organic, really good stuff.

Colleen

[chickwhorips]

I do! I do!
After a multi-year investigation into the best way to carry coffee on my commutes in the morning I found the Nissan Leak-Proof BackPack Bottle! Not intended for bikes, but perfect. It even has a divot around it that fits in the waterbottle band. It flips open to drink out of with one hand - perfect, love it.
Gave one to a friend and her objection was that it kept her coffee too warm and she couldn't drink it until after she was at work :eek: to that I suggest either starting cooler, or leaving the lid popped :D

I roast my own coffee, so here's where I bought mine from (scroll down):
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.travelmugs-bottles.shtml


is the inside of that plastic or metal like?

[momof4greatkids]

you planned your wind strategy well. Unfortunately the wind turns here!

I was going to suggest you get some fleece mittens to wear over your gloves. They make some excellent glove products that can help you. YOu don't really
want to be riding one handed!

Thansk, Mimi, yes it's dangerous, 'specially for me. There was not one other person cycling on the trail today, I felt like the lone ranger. One brave soul was jogging and a couple maintenence workers was all that was out there.

I'm really looking forward to my Brooks arriving, should be here on Wed!

Colleen

[TsPoet]

is the inside of that plastic or metal like?


Metal, I think SS. It's just like every other Nissan-brand thermos. The special thing about it is the lid, meant to be drunk from, and the size/shape that makes it fit in a water bottle holder.
I've been using it for coffee for a couple of years with no bad taste or cleaning troubles. Not sure I'd put alcohol in it, but then who wants warm alcohol on their bike ride (I'm sure it keeps things cold, too). I have also used it for hot chocolate a couple of times.
I should also note that my friend finds the bottle to vibrate in her bottle holder and it annoys her, so she cut off the top of a sock and wraps it around the bottle to stop the rattle. I don't have a rattle, my water bottle holder must be different. Works for both of us, though.

[chickwhorips]

I've been using it for coffee for a couple of years with no bad taste or cleaning troubles. Not sure I'd put alcohol in it, but then who wants warm alcohol on their bike ride (I'm sure it keeps things cold, too). I have also used it for hot chocolate a couple of times.

im a tea drinker and occational coffee. i try to use seperate cups for that reason. the plastic ones seem to hold a bit of taste.

warm alcohol drinks: hot toddy and who doesn't like a little baily's in their hot chocolate or coffee now and then?

[wannaduacentury]

I bought some full fingered gloves and headband today too. Ready for my 36 degree group ride in the am. I have shorts, then tights over them. long sleeve jersey, w/ fleece jacket or wind jacket, not sure, I'll bring both.It should warm up to about 70, so I want to be warm, but not overdress. Jennifer

[uforgot]

Just this morning I thought it would be great to have some coffee as I got to school, so I emailed my lbs and he has some Trek Soho Coffee mugs. Not available on the Trek website, but apparently some stores have them. Picking it up on Monday, but it's made to fit in a bottle cage and holds about 18oz of coffee. $15. Review to follow...

[TsPoet]

Just this morning I thought it would be great to have some coffee as I got to school, so I emailed my lbs and he has some Trek Soho Coffee mugs. Not available on the Trek website, but apparently some stores have them. Picking it up on Monday, but it's made to fit in a bottle cage and holds about 18oz of coffee. $15. Review to follow...

Claudia,
Had a chance to try this out yet? Even though I love what I've found, always looking for other choices. Also, this might hold more, and I can never get enough.
Anyone else try the Nissan thermus, I'm wondering if everyone loves it as much as I do, or if there are problems with it I hadn't noticed.

[Geonz]

There's always this setup at http://www.bicycle-gifts.com/cmugs.htm :
http://www.bicycle-gifts.com/jpg/sm1.jpg

on the side it says "my other legal stimulant is my bicycle" and apparently a light will also go on the same holder. That's practical!