Need some cold riding inspiration!

[GLC1968]

This is the first year I've committed to riding all winter. I live in a temperate enough climate that it's doable (or at least it was the past two winters when I didn't ride!). For me, the benefits to riding in cold weather are a bit harder to drum up. I have a blast in temps from about 55 to 85 and outside that range, I have to really talk myself into it! When it's cold out, a nice benefit is that there is less bike traffic and those riders that you do come across tend to be friendlier than most just because its nice to see another bike out there! Let's see...what else?

1) workouts in the fresh air instead of a stinky gym
2) a built in reason to shop for fun hi-tech winter clothing
3) your water never gets hot
4) chocolate doesn't melt
5) hot showers feel extra good when you are done
6) other people think you are nuts


So far, I've been commuting as much as I can to get in the miles. I'm hoping to maintain 75 to 100 miles a week (adding at least one longer ride on the weekends). My commute is 14 miles each way. The coldest I've ridden in so far was 35 degrees (and dark). I wore padded shorts with tights over them, short sleeve jersey, bolero and a wind jacket, full-finger gloves, wool socks, toe covers and a buff as a balaclava under my helmet. I was warm enough but had my ride been any longer, I would have needed better gloves.

For me, I am good in bike shorts to about 55 degrees. From 40 to 55 degrees, I'm ok with my bike shorts and knee warmers (with windblock panels) and below 40, I go with tights and shorts. The top layers vary but I MUST have a good wind-blocking but breathable shell and plenty of layers that I can peel off or add as necessary. I do know that I will NOT be riding in any snow or freezing rain. The drivers around here freak-out in adverse winter conditions, so I have no intention of being on the roads with them when it happens.

Oh, the other essential to winter riding (if you aren't able to ride mid-day) is good lighting. I am still looking to upgrade my front light (the one I have is ok for well lit roads which covers most of my commute), but I've got two good blinking rear lights. Not only do you want to be visible, but you need to be able to see!

I'm only just figuring this all out...but so far, a lot of my motivation is my desire to lose some poundage before next cycling season. That and the hope that come March, I'm in better shape than I was this past season!

[sonicmolasses]

Wow, Kali and GLC, very very helpful. You both make me think I can do it. The hot showers and cold water are nice images.

I have: leg and arm warmers, nice Giordana jacket, tights. I need: something for the head, booties, long sleeved gloves, maybe real tights with a chamois.

What would really help is a riding partner! I am lucky in that several days a week I am home by about 3 and can get out when the day is the warmest.

[Kitsune06]

When I was commuting, it was in temps down to 40ish. Waterproof/breatheable jacket with pit zips. Gotta be pitzips. Love the pitzips! Also the 2-way zipper so you can zip 'er up to the middle-ish or top to protect your chest, then zip the bottom up to mid-chest to ventilate your lower torso a little, where the main wind impact is reduced. I wore my regular cargo pants for the commute (it was generally shortish) and rain pants (sadly, not breatheable) over those. Looking into tights and/or knee warmers this year.

I suffer through the summer all year 'long just waiting for the winter. I love winter biking. Cold water, that feeling of invincibility that comes with rain pelting your waterproof/breatheable jacket as you zip down the road, safely protected... Cold water in the vents of your helmet when you're so hot you're steaming, and the crisp smell of cold where others are hiding in their 2-ton fortresses of steel and glass.

...then again, I'm from Wisconsin, and have fond memories of sleeping balled up in snowdrifts as a kid...

[Xrayted]

Ok, I've never gotten used to the cold. I was born and now live in PA but I grew up in FL. I think it snowed one time when I was a kid but it melted upon impact. I used to love to ski but haven't had the guts to try again for a long time. That was my only winter sport. I've never been on ice skates either so don't ask.
I just don't have any reason to be out there when it's freezing. I guess I need the right motivation (or person to share it with) to enjoy the cold these days. In my life, I'm the only one interested in riding at all so...
I love my bike but I think I'll keep it on the trainer for the rest of the winter. Sorry.

Good ideas from the other ladies tho.