need to keep the coooold wind out of my ears! and giro helmet ?

[southtxrider]

should I go with a hoody or one of those headband things?

I rode today and the wind was pretty nippy (and I am getting sick-blech-so that didn't help), so I wore one of my "street" (i.e. regular everyday clothes) hoodie jackets to keep the wind out of my ears. Well, it saved my ears BUT, of course I didn't look as "cool" and I started to get really hot. Was wondering if a hoody made of the right material (wicking, drying, etc) would be a lot better. Or maybe one of those earband things?

Sidenote: This was a LBS group ride (first one) and I managed to make it out of the shop without spending a dime after we returned. First time I've EVER gone in there and walked out empty handed! But I did try on a Giro atmos helmet (was admiring the other riders who ALL had one - my trek helmet looked very bulky compared to theirs) and loved it, so I resisted the temptation and am now shopping around looking for a good deal on one! Is this a good helmet? It felt so light. I know there are lots of different Giro helmest...

So far $139 at performance with a $20 off coupon is the best I've found.

[SouthernBelle]

I go with one of those beanie type hats that pull over your head and ears, usually made from fleece or wool. I also have a neck gaiter for coldest days.

[SadieKate]

For most of our winter weather around here I like the light headbands from PI and Shebeest (sold right here on TE in fabulous colors). I also bought a Buff on yellow's recommendation. I'm anxious to try it. It looks like it should fit under a helmet better and can be used like a gaitor also.

I have a Castelli windproof headband but it is too warm except at less than 35 degrees and then it muffles sound too much for my comfort.

[sbctwin]

It depends on how cold it is as to what I wear covering my ears. If it is 35 - 45 F, I find I am comfortable with my PI thermafleece headband; below 35F, I need a neck gator pulled up over my head and ears. For 45F +, I use a regular sweatband. I tried the head cap for 35 to 45, but found I would sweat too much with my head covered completely. The problem with headbands are the size, they usually are one size fits all and I have a small head. For anything above 50, it has to be breezy for me to wear anything under my helmet....

[SadieKate]

Found the link for a Buff. One layer is fairly thin and it can be used in so many configurations that it should be adaptable for a wide temperature range.

http://www.buffusa.com/index.html

[Trekhawk]

I use a Smartwool liner in winter and it keeps me toasty warm. The nice thing about it is that although it keeps my head and ears warm it is thin enough to fit under my helmet without my head feeling squished.:)

Oops forgot to add if its raining I use a helmet cover as well. These are great (make you look like you have an alien size head):D but they keep you nice and dry.

[crazybikinchic]

I also use the PI headband.

As far as the Atmos, my husband bought me one earlier this year to replace my Trek helmet. I absolutely love it. In the toasty Texas climate, it keeps my head much cooler from all the vents.;)

[DeniseGoldberg]

I wear Ear Bags (http://ecom1.sno-ski.net/earbags.html) when the temperature dips into the 40s. When it drops into the 30s I still wear my Ear Bags, but I usually also add a Pearl Izumi skull cap.

--- Denise

[Triskeliongirl]

I also live in south texas, and here the most I usually need is a pearl izumi headband that has those larger areas that cover my ears. Today I didn't though. I find the most versatile piece for windy days like today is a wind vest. I wore my shebeest wind vest the whole ride today (road from Boerne to Waring to Sisterdale to Waring to Boerne). I started with arm and leg warmers and removed them at the half way point for a ride starting at 9. If its dead of winter and a lot colder (or I am traveling), I have a thin cycling balaclava I got from terry. Under those conditions I'll also add shoe covers, and a goretex jacket. I don't like the skull caps, I have too much hair. Where do you live in south texas?

[southtxrider]

Thanks everyone for your input :) Those buffs look cool! I have lots of options now :)

Triskeliongirl: I live in the San Antonio area too :) I thought today was COLD though, so I am a wimp! LOL But also, I already had earaches from a sinus issue, so that didn't help.

My lbs is Bike World and I rode with them today (the short ride) and looked at the ear cover options at the store after we got back - I dont have tons of hair, but I know I would not like or even necessarily need the skull cap. I tried on the band, but wanted to see what else was out there before I bought one.

I layered today - sports bra, then a champion dryfit tank top, then a sheebest ss jersey, then a "street" hoodie and then my PI windbreaker (see, told you I was a wimp :p ). Funny thing is I grabbed my bike SHORTS instead of my knickers LOL But my legs really weren't that cold thankfully.

So you wore your vest with arm warmers and a SS jersey I presume?

I am anxious to try some riding up in the Boerne area. Do you ride with a group?

[postiechic]

Earbags??!!
how cute.....gotta get me some for next winter....in red

V

[Rai Sue]

I use a hard-hat liner. It covers my ears and keeps them warm, and is thin enough to go under my helmet. For really cold places you can get warm packs to put in the ear flaps. Also, they're really really cheap ($3 to $5), and mine has a reflective stripe. If it's raining, this is water-resistant, and will eventually get wet. But I've ridden through heavy rain for hours and not had real problems. (I have a Bell X-ray helmet)

I think this is the liner I have, but there is a wide variety out there:

http://www.gosafe.com/prodDetails.asp?prodID=ERGW6850&retURL=browseProduct%2Easp%3FcatID%3D1039

The boyfriend (who regularly wears both hardhats and bike helmets) has this one, and it is very cute and stylish, methinks (I like the green quilting):

http://www.gosafe.com/prodDetails.asp?prodID=OCCWRQ300%20%20%20&retURL=browseProduct%2Easp%3FcatID%3D1039

[Crankin]

I bought a headband from Terry, thinking it would be cooler than my skullcap. I specifically bought it from Terry, because I have a little head and their stuff tends to fit me better. I wore it once and I couldn't hear at all and it seemed much warmer than my skullcap, which I generally put on in the forties or low fifties if it's windy. The headband looks thin, but it must be made of some super material, because I don't think I can wear it and safely ride. The skullcap I have is a cheaper one from Performance that used to be my son's. It really doesn't mess up my hair and it's really thin.

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks everyone for your input :) Those buffs look cool! I have lots of options now :)

So you wore your vest with arm warmers and a SS jersey I presume?

I am anxious to try some riding up in the Boerne area. Do you ride with a group?

Yesterday, I started out with shorts, a SS jersey, arm warmers, leg warmers and a light shebeast wind vest. At about 10:30am I took off the arm and leg warmers. Today I thought it was colder, so I wore tights, a long sleeve jersey and wind vest, and wished I had arm and leg warmers to rip off at the halfway point (although I did take off my vest which I don't usually do). I ride with the san antonio wheelmen. Just google us. Its a good group. Bikeworld (broadway) is my LBS too. I live in Monte Vista.

[GLC1968]

Another vote for a Buff!! I have been wearing it in the winter weather (and pulling it down over my ears) and it's great. It fits under the helmet easily.

I also wore it all summer to tame my wild curls under my helmet and it was great. I'd wet it down, put it over my hair and it kept me cool in 100 degree heat.

Buff's are AWESOME!! (LL Bean sells the polar version that has fleece on one end...Terry sells a few styles...REI carries them....) Now...if only TE would start carrying them, I'd be all set! *hint, hint*

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use a Smartwool liner in winter and it keeps me toasty warm. The nice thing about it is that although it keeps my head and ears warm it is thin enough to fit under my helmet without my head feeling squished.:)


I like the Smartwool helmet liner as well. It covers right over your ears and doesn't ride up either. If it's quite cold, though, I'll put on my thin Louis Garneau junior balaclava which protects my ears and neck, cheekbones and chin too.
When it gets SUPER cold I'll add my SW liner to the balaclava!

[southtxrider]

Yesterday, I started out with shorts, a SS jersey, arm warmers, leg warmers and a light shebeast wind vest. At about 10:30am I took off the arm and leg warmers. Today I thought it was colder, so I wore tights, a long sleeve jersey and wind vest, and wished I had arm and leg warmers to rip off at the halfway point (although I did take off my vest which I don't usually do). I ride with the san antonio wheelmen. Just google us. Its a good group. Bikeworld (broadway) is my LBS too. I live in Monte Vista.

I have my wheelmen application all filled out and ready to mail! I did that yesterday after I realized I enjoyed the group ride at Bike World. I live at Medina Lake :) Hopefully I will meet you soon at a Wheelmen event :)

I frequent the Bike World on 1604. My favorite mechanic is Greg. He is the nicest guy! The sales guy that seems to know the most...I always forget his name! Grrr. But I look for him everytime. Abel the manager is nice too. J.D. (the older gal that works there) led our ride on Sunday and she is a hoot :)

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes, Greg is really nice. He use to work at the Broadway shop, and brokered an amazing deal for my husband on a crash warranty replacement trek 5500frameset. PM me next time you are gonna do a wheelmen ride, or look for the women on the terry bike (only one with a 700c rear wheel, 24" front wheel, white with blue designs) and be sure to say hello at the ride start. We do most wheelmen rides on the weekends, although we are travling for thanksgiving.

[Pedal Wench]

Third cheer for Buffs! If it's just cold, I wear it like a traditional headband - back of neck up to top of head. But, if it's REALLY chilly, I wear it under my chin and then up, so front of neck up to top of head. This lets me tuck my chin in, or even wear it up over my mouth to warm my breath. I like that either way, I can easily slip it down as a neck gaiter in just a second if I get too hot. Plus, for some reason, my hair doesn't look as nasty afterwards when I wear the buff -- less helmet-hair.

[TsPoet]

4th vote for buffs. But, on cold days add a 180. These things are terribly uncomfortable for helmetless wear, but for some reason they are comfy wrapped around the helmet straps. I like them better than the ear bags because I lose things, easier not to lose.
http://www2.llbean.com/product/23688.htm

You can't tell from the photo - but the strap goes around the back of the neck, not over the head, so this doesn't get in the way of the helmet.

[postiechic]

But, on cold days add a 180. These things are terribly uncomfortable for helmetless wear, but for some reason they are comfy wrapped around the helmet straps. I like them better than the ear bags because I lose things, easier not to lose.


180 huh you guys have some of the coolest things!!

V

[Looeez]

If anyone knits they may be interested in the free online pattern for bike helmet earwarmers that slide onto the straps of your bike helmet. It's hard to see them in the picture with the pattern here (PDF file) (http://www.menknit.net/mag/MK1.pdf), but there's a good picture on someone's blog who knitted them in orange, here (http://knitknerds.blogspot.com/2006/01/pictures.html) (scroll down to second picture).

[Deanna]

I wear Ear Bags (http://ecom1.sno-ski.net/earbags.html) when the temperature dips into the 40s. When it drops into the 30s I still wear my Ear Bags, but I usually also add a Pearl Izumi skull cap.

--- Denise

Thank you for posting this. I've been looking for them, but had the name wrong. I use a buff also, but this looks like it will keep the wind out better.