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!
I did my first major grocery haul on my bike today and survived.
Thank goodness for wool.

[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