what I wore on a cold ride today

[redrhodie]

I rode 37 miles today. It was around 25º when I left, and the wind chill was in the teens. There was a steady north wind blowing hard the whole ride. The only thing that got a little bit cold was my left foot. If I had one more light layer on my feet, like a pair of peds, I'd have been perfectly dressed.

upper body:
Sports bra
Cashmere turtleneck sweater
EMS techwick base layer (the kind with holes in the sleeves for your thumbs)
Craft Jacket
PI Barrier jacket

lower body:
Terry knickers
knee high bamboo socks
polar fleece socks
ballet-style leg warmers
mtb shoes

head:
lightweight buff (worn balaclava style, sometimes up over my mouth)
cycling cap
helmet

hands:
1 pair of non cycling winter gloves

My friend Sarah had on a balaclava and tights over shorts, but other than that, we had on about the same amount of clothes. She wasn't cold, either. I thought this would be helpful for anyone thinking about taking a cold ride, but not knowing what to wear.

[Crankin]

I give you credit, it's freezing out there today. We have gone from October to January weather in a flash...

[Pedal Wench]

I'm bummed. I remembered everything for my cold ride tonight except my buff. Debating whether I need to run home first and get one. 42 degrees, real-feel 37 degrees.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yep it was cold all right today.....28F and wind chill of 17F here! :eek:
I did my first major grocery haul on my bike today and survived.
Thank goodness for wool. :o

[mudmucker]

I worked at home today. Now ideally it would make sense to try and go out around noon or 1 pm when it is warmest. But I kept saying I gotta get this one thing done. So I look up and it's 3:30 and I say, if I don't go out now I'm not going to. So of all possible times, I decide to go out when the sun is down (behind the hills already in my area at that time). So no warmth.

I knew it was going to be a short ride but I had to get out. It was the most painful bike ride I think I ever had. Pain from the cold. The entire time. It was 22 degrees when I went out. But the wind was around 5.5 mph and the wind chill was about 9 to 12 degrees (depending on ascent vs. descent). How do I know this? I'm using the cool Sport Tracks weather plug-in - very cool if your unit doesn't have a temperature sensor.

Anyway, I couldn't walk on my feet when I got back they were so cold. I dressed mostly fine - I would do something different with my feet and hands next time, and cover my face more. Even though I was cold, I liked the weather challenge part of the ride.

[PamNY]

Interesting, redrhodie. I am working on cold weather riding so it's good to find out what people wear.. Are the bamboo socks something you chose especially for cold weather?

I rode tonight with 35f temp and 18 mph wind. 'Twas fun, and the bike path surely is less crowded.

Pam

[Velobambina]

Wednesday was the coldest morning so far this season. When I left the house, it was 29 degrees w/a 21 degree wind chill. I stayed warm, much to my surprise and I expect this layering system will work for colder temps because my feet got a bit too warm:

Torso:
Smartwool MidWeight Baselayer (Zip Tneck)
LLBean Power Dry Expedition Wgt Zip Neck
EO Winter Jersey
Patagonia R3 Fleece Jacket
NorthFace Soft Shell Jacket

Lower Body
LG Tights
Descente Coldout Knee Warmers
Smartwool snowboard socks

Extremities
Sidi Toaster Insoles
Chemical Toe Warmers
Lake Winter Boots
Smartwool Glove Liners
Seirus Therma-Lux Glove Liners w/chemical hand warmer in pocket
PI AmFib Lobster Gloves
Two Buffs -- one snood style & a polar buff cap style

[redrhodie]

Are the bamboo socks something you chose especially for cold weather?


Pam

No, I got them to wear under my Frye engineer boots, which most socks fall down with. They're really thin and very high, so they're good for layering, and they go all the way up to my knickers leaving no skin exposed.

I'm lucky because my face, hands and feet don't get cold when I ride, so 2 pairs of socks is usually enough. I can wear fingerless gloves until the mid 40s, then I'll add a pair of those cheap stretchy magic gloves over the top. For really cold, thinsulate winter gloves.

Wow, VB, you were really bundled! I'm still wearing the craft jacket you sold me! I love it. Do you wear the wool closest to your skin, then a tech layer over that? That's what I've started doing. It seems the wool is good for wicking sweat, and the tech stuff keeps out wind.

[7rider]

Wednesday was the coldest morning so far this season. When I left the house, it was 29 degrees w/a 21 degree wind chill. I stayed warm, much to my surprise and I expect this layering system will work for colder temps because my feet got a bit too warm:


I'd be sweating buckets if I wore all that at 29. :eek:
This a.m. was 35 (no wind to speak of).
I wore a buff low and around my face, a Headsweat thermal cap and a Illuminite helmet cover on my head. I could have done without the helmet cover, I think.

Upper bod, I wore a UnderArmor wicking t-shirt, a windblocking SportHill Pursuit II top and my Descente Shelter jacket. I was way warm, and could have done with my lighter jacket, I think. That SportHill top is amazingly warm.

Lower bod, Castelli bib shorts under PI Thermafleece tights. That was okay.

Smartwool sock (I need to get XL shoe covers to fit over my commuter shoes...too mesh-y and let in way too much air, but my feet weren't too cold. Heavy PI gloves on the hands, and DANG! I forgot my lighter gloves, so my hands will be soaking wet for the ride home tonight. :mad:

eta: oh...and my DH's old Smith glasses with clear lenses.

[lph]

I'll play. (I love talking about bike wear :p)

0 deg C (32 F), light breeze. 1 hr. Starting at the top:

helmet, Gore helmet cap
Buff for neck and mouth
sports bra, thin merino/silk T-shirt, Gore jacket
Six-six-one Storm Watch gloves
bib shorts, PI Amfib tights
mediumweight wool socks, Shimano winter mtb shoes

A few degrees colder I switch the T-shirt for a longsleeved one, add a wool boxer between shorts and tights, and switch gloves to PI Lobsters.

edit: yup isn't that annoying, 7rider, having to ride with too warm gloves!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

There's a lot of ongoing posts of what people wear for cold bike rides on this "winter clothing" sticky thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=26867

[divingbiker]

I'd be sweating buckets if I wore all that at 29. :eek:
This a.m. was 35 (no wind to speak of).
I wore a buff low and around my face, a Headsweat thermal cap and a Illuminite helmet cover on my head. I could have done without the helmet cover, I think.

Upper bod, I wore a UnderArmor wicking t-shirt, a windblocking SportHill Pursuit II top and my Descente Shelter jacket. I was way warm, and could have done with my lighter jacket, I think. That SportHill top is amazingly warm.

Lower bod, Castelli bib shorts under PI Thermafleece tights. That was okay.

Smartwool sock (I need to get XL shoe covers to fit over my commuter shoes...too mesh-y and let in way too much air, but my feet weren't too cold. Heavy PI gloves on the hands, and DANG! I forgot my lighter gloves, so my hands will be soaking wet for the ride home tonight. :mad:

eta: oh...and my DH's old Smith glasses with clear lenses.

We were clothing twins, today, Regina! I wore the same #/type of layers, except I wore two pairs of socks.

And I agree, I can't imagine wearing all the layers VB wears, but she's out for a lot longer than I am.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And I agree, I can't imagine wearing all the layers VB wears, but she's out for a lot longer than I am.

For me, there seem to be 3 phases the body goes through when biking in cold weather. When you first start out you are cold and need all or most of your layers. Then your body warms up and you need to remove stuff or else you get too hot and sweaty. But after another hour or two or three in the cold biking wind, your body starts slowly losing the fight again and you get colder despite actively biking. Then you need all your layers again and then some. I bet VB is out there long enough for that to happen. :)
I remember this vivdly a couple of years ago when my DH and I went for a 3 hour ride on Christmas day at 25F degrees. Oooh, my hands and feet were hurting bigtime when I got home!!

[Geonz]

Yesterday I did just the undies baselayer and sweats... but that makes my skin get all dry and flaky. So today it was tights and floofier undies and sweats. On top it's the really warm undie layer and sweatshirt, and my vest-and-coat that I got from steepandcheap.

I have foudn that my wonderful ORANGE IN YOUR FACE shoes (which get more comments, I swear, than if my hair were orange) ... are not warm enough for the 30's :( I gotta wear those squall shoes. Need to find some solid sneakers...

Yesterday it was the skinny balaclava and the ear-flap hat, tho' I am really just wearing it so I know where it is, since it's not really cold enough to make exposed skin hurt (today was 32; Mon 21). Wind chill makes me warmer 'cause I end up working harder.

I have a cannondale glove on my left hand and an orange lands-end $6 glove on my right, both of 'em underneath my Liz Claiborne Christmas Elf and Reindeer Finger gloves. Must find a way to get over to Meijer for some spare pairs.

Also starting to get the decorations on the tree... I mean bicycle. Can't find my pink tree!?!? so I ordered some $4 cheap and tawdry fiber optic "centerpieces" from a party site. Dang it, they were out of the hot pink fiber optic rope light, so I had to settle for blue :( I also got a "base light" that is sort of like a spotlight... I'm not sure just what I'm going to do with that. Wish I had a more creative mind for decorating :)

[TucsonTriGirl]

I'm new to the TE forums. I just have to say...your discussion reminds me of why I love living in Arizona! When I'm too hard on myself for having a bad training ride, I say to myself, "Self, there are people freezing their butts off, so appreciate your venue and lighten up." :D

I did commute to work today, but the low was 50, with no wind. Just needed a light cover up over the jersey and some thin tights over the riding shorts.

There are tons of people on the road at this time of year in Tucson due to the El Tour, which is this Saturday. I'm not riding, because I just completed my first Half Ironman and have been training for a PR in the Tucson Half on Dec. 7th. However, I will be up at 4:00 a.m. sitting with my husband's bike so he can get a good start. This is his first year for the El Tour.

[indigoiis]

Heya,

I didn't ride today, but riding yesterday in RI was definitely cold. I wore less than you and did feel colder.

What about ALPACA SOCKS? :D Fuh. BAMBOO!

[indysteel]

This is an interesting thread. I haven't gotten out for a cold weather ride just yet this year for one reason or another. In general, I hardly ever wear more than three layers on my upper body (base layer, jersey, Gore Windstopper jacket) and two layers on my lower body (tights and knickers). I also never double on socks because it would decrease my circulation such that it would be counterproductive. Instead, I use toe or shoe covers and charcoal inserts. I also use gloves and a glove liner. I hate wearing a balaclava and instead usually just stick with a hat and a neck warmer.

I think it's important to factor in how fast of a ride you're dressing for. I don't like slower rides in the cold because I don't warm up enough otherwise. I also don't usually go longer than 25 to 30 miles in the cold. Anything over two hours and my body gives up.

[redrhodie]

What about ALPACA SOCKS? :D Fuh. BAMBOO!

Oh, YES, YES, YES! When's the open house this year? I want me somma them!

[7rider]

edit: yup isn't that annoying, 7rider, having to ride with too warm gloves!


Welp.....for the record....the wind picked up for the ride home and it stayed pretty cool, so the heavy gloves were fine. Not too sweaty (I even kept the Shelter jacket on :cool: - but did unzip it some).

[Velobambina]

Red - Glad you're enjoying that jacket! It's toasty. Yes, I've been wearing the wool baselayer against my skin, and it works best in below freezing temps. I'll sometimes wear an UnderArmour mock t (cold gear) as a base. They are warm, too, but nothing beats the wool.

Lisa is right. I'm an endurance rider, so I'm generally on the bike anywhere from 2 to 3+ hours (depending on whether or not it's a work day). I end up being reasonably comfortable for most of my ride, but as time goes on, the cold can't help but penetrate. If this evil January cold weather continues and/or worsens, I probably will end up shortening my rides and cross training on the rowing machine. If it snows/ices, I do NOT ride outside. Then it's time for Coach Troy.

[indigoiis]

Oh, YES, YES, YES! When's the open house this year? I want me somma them!

next weekend!!! 11/29-30 paradisefarmalpacas.com

[redrhodie]

next weekend!!! 11/29-30 paradisefarmalpacas.com

Cool! Maybe I'll ride out!

[tulip]

Today was a 48-mile ride in eastern Virginia, and it was chilly! It started out at 30F and I don't think it made it up to 40F, although it was sunny. It was also windy. I wore a skullcap under my helmet (a must!), a long sleeve wicking shirt, my Sugoi longsleeve jersey, and on top, my Pearl Izumi jacket (don't know what model, but it has fleece on the inside and windbreaker fabric on the outside. Shorts and wind-front tights, wool socks, and shoe covers over my shoes. I coulnd't find my PI lobster gloves in the mess that is my house, so I went with some cheap ski gloves, which were not as good as the Lobsters. All in all, it was a good setup.

I'm alot slower in the cold!

[redrhodie]

It was in the 20s for today's ride, and I added a layer to everything I've been wearing thus far. Over my knickers, I wore a pair of black non-cycling tights. Luckily, they don't have that white fabric at the crotch, so they looked okay. Well, I hope they looked okay, and not like I was wearing pantyhose :p! I liked them better than my cycling tights that make me slide forward on my saddle, and they were totally warm.

[Jo-n-NY]

I just got an Under Armour hood that also covers the face. It worked great yesterday, temps in the 30's. I didn't need to pull up the part that covers the bottom of my face, but I felt no cold air on my ears & neck. It is amazing that something so thin can be so warm.

~ JoAnn

[Sgritn]

I am so sorry that I will not be a cold weather rider. I cannot stand the cold breezes and NYC drivers do not expect or "see" me in colder weather so my bike will not be out there this season. I will be using my BIKE-O-VISION dvds for my elliptical.

[redrhodie]

I am so sorry that I will not be a cold weather rider. I cannot stand the cold breezes and NYC drivers do not expect or "see" me in colder weather so my bike will not be out there this season. I will be using my BIKE-O-VISION dvds for my elliptical.

Hey, I understand. I never rode when I lived in NYC. I did rollerblade, though, up Madison Ave, of all places! Ironic, because I'm a much better cyclist than rollerblader.

Here, the cold weather means less traffic, more fun riding.