What to wear

[Trekhawk]

I have been thinking about getting some winter gear for cycling but being a newby and not having cycled in the cold before I have no idea what I should buy. What is really necessary? Do lots of people use arm and leg warmers or go for the long jerseys etc?

I live in a part of Nevada County that only gets snow about 5 times a year but it can still get a bit chilly.

Any guidance you wonderful crew can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Surlygirl]

Layer, layer, layer. You want something that wicks next to your skin, then maybe a warmer fleece layer and then a shell to keep out wind. That way if you heat up as you ride you can peel layers off and put them back as the temp changes. I like smartwool socks and you can add shoe covers. TE sells lots of cool weather gear, so take a peak.

[RoadRaven]

Hey Trek... I'm not riding in snow country, but Nevada makes me think snow... am I right?

Invaluable things we use in this house...
arm warmers ... can be worn with short sleeved jersey, or over a long sleeved , and just pushed down as you warm up
Some thermal water resistant gloves - essential in icy air.
Fleecy long johns to keep thighs and knees warm
Knee warmers - can be worn over long johns, or with normal shorts
A sleeveless wind proof vest is probably the single most valuable piece of cold weather gear we have

My fave combination on a cold day (read heavy frost and maybe 2-3' below (celcius) is...

My fleecy longjohns (with chamois in - my partner tends to use noramal cycling shorts with an un-chamoised longjohn over the top)
Short sleeved jersey
Thick arm warmers
Fleecy bike gloves
Sleeveless wind-proof jacket (if its raining I wear a long-sleeved jacket)
Headband under helmet to keep temple/ears warm
...and the corner of a plastic bag over the toes inside the shoe to stop the wind freezing my toes..

[CorsairMac]

Howdy Trek: I bike commuted all last winter here in Abq where we don't get much snow either but the temps can go to the teens once in awhile. The coldest I rode to work was 9.
What worked for me was: UnderArmour top, L/S Jersey, and PI Zephyrr Jacket. On the really cold days I wore 2 L/S jerseys. I also have full-fingered gloves and the Lobster Gloves for the really cold days. SmartWool socks and toe covers, leg warmers and REI wind/water proof all weather pants.
What do I want to do different this year? I would like the full cycling pants just so I don't have to deal with the legwarmers/shorts thing and UnderArmour leggings, plus the shoe booties. Other than that: I'm planning on riding all this winter too.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks guys for all the useful tips. Im hoping to ride all winter so all this info will really help.

Do many of the long cycle pants have chamois? I have looked and most I have seen dont seem to. I definitely need the chamois.

Do you guys change your tyres for winter? I dont want to end up face first on the road so if you also have winter tips for your bike I could sure use those too.

[RoadRaven]

We have never had a problem shopping for the long tights with chamois in...

We shop usually on line, or by catalogue...

In the shorts with chamois page/sections... there are almost always choices of...
- normal length shorts,
- below knee/calf length long-shorts and;
- the full down-to-the-ankle length pants
... all with chamois

If you are going into a bike shop, ask - they may not stock out of season stuff, and may have to order in for you.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks guys for all the useful tips. Im hoping to ride all winter so all this info will really help.

Do many of the long cycle pants have chamois? I have looked and most I have seen dont seem to. I definitely need the chamois.

Do you guys change your tyres for winter? I dont want to end up face first on the road so if you also have winter tips for your bike I could sure use those too.

I was going to look into the tight with chamois. I just hate taking forever to change clothes at work! LOL
as for the tyres: I was riding a 26" comfort bike which has nice fat commuter tires on her. I haven't decided which bike I'm going to ride this winter but it'll either be the comfort bike again or the mountain bike. The trail can tend to get icy due to the shade plus I have to cross several wooden plank bridges which in the mornings are frost-covered and slick so the thought of riding that on skinny tyres has me a little concerned.