Looking for cheap suggestions for cold weather riding clothes

[owlice]

Plus-sized body, petite-sized wallet, and I know nothing about cold weather riding. Please help! Thanks!

[redrhodie]

Good news! You probably already own everything you'll need. Old wool sweaters are perfect for cool rides. As it gets colder, add another layer. Layer everything. I sometimes wear 3 pairs of gloves, 3 tops, 2 pairs of socks. I usually get by with just knickers on the bottom, but if it's much below freezing, I'll wear a pair of tights over them. Nothing really needs to be cycling specific. You can get really cheap arm and leg warmers in places like Target or Old Navy. Oh, and most important, cover your face and neck. I use a Buff for that.

[Trek420]

I'm hearing so many reports from TE'ers of getting wonderful merino wool finds at thrift stores I'm off to look. Well, after work and such also of course check the sale section right here on TE

[Jolt]

Since things don't really have to be cycling specific, why not check thrift stores for clothes that would work? Sometimes you can find some nice things, for very cheap.

[OakLeaf]

Wind protection is key, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Wool alone is wonderful, but when cold air blows right through it and you're not riding hard enough to generate enough body heat to counteract that, it doesn't do you much good.

Depending on how cold your legs get, wind pants may be the hardest thing to find inexpensively. Some gusseted denim jeans, a size or two too big, over wool or knit polypro tights, might be a way to go.

Do you plan to commute through the entire winter? What kind of weather conditions are your limit?

[ny biker]

Owlice just completed a century: 100 posts!!

[owlice]

HA!! ny biker, thanks for pointing that out; I hadn't noticed! My first century, and my sit bones don't even hurt! w00t!!

redrhodie, I hear you on the layering. I'll look like a clothed sumo wrestler as I ride!

Knickers??

OakLeaf, I have jeans that are too big on me (for now, anyway, but once I start baking pumpkin bread again, all bets are off!), so that'll work. Tights under them. Do people wear bike shorts under tights under jeans? Or forgo chamois and padding altogether?

I'm just outside DC. I'm sure there will be many days that I will not ride in the winter because of weather. I plan to avoid ice and snow; I ride mostly trails, and though I don't fear falling, it'd likely be a good idea for me to not set myself up for slippery conditions in cold weather when the trails will have few people on them. (That said, I often use a trailkeeper -- someone who knows where I'm going to ride that day -- so when I don't show up after my ride, someone knows which river should be dredged for my body. )

We have cold, clear days though, and though I've not ridden through the winter ever, would like to this winter if I can. The short days are a problem (oh, how about riding a deserted trail when it's icy and dark! ), so I'm hoping I can take my bike to work some days and take a ride during the workday (as I sometimes do now).

Jolt and Trek, I haven't tried thrift stores; will have to do so and hope there is someone of my great height and width who has fabulous taste but gets bored with her clothes frequently!

~~~

Re: arm warmers, these are basically sleeves, yes? I see some places online which have some for not a lot of money, but it seems to me these are something I'd need to try on initially.

I have a windbreaker -- not a great one, but it's big and will go over other layers easily. I don't have gloves other than my regular biking gloves, so I'll have to do something about that. I don't have wool sweaters; I love wool, but have had issues with wearing it in the past. Can try again, though; I know it's great for warmth, wet or dry.

I've ridden in sweat pants recently when it was chilly out, and those with tights under them might work for chillier days. Tights. Hmmm... I haven't worn tights since I was eight, I'd bet.

The shopping list so far:

• tights
• gloves
• arm warmers
• wool sweater
• buff

Could I knit arm warmers?? I have plenty of yarn in the house!!