Newbie lessons learned about biking in the approaching cold weather

[Grog]

I have put plastic bags in my shoes for running, not for cycling. But I guess it would work.

[lph]

I remember growing up with no winter hats, or elderly bobble winter hats that I wouldn't be caught dead in at school, a thin autumn jacket that I wore all winter, and yep, pastic bags in my shoes or folded newspaper to add to the soles. And I remember going to one skiing class and being so cold I could hardly move. My parents weren't really stingy or poor, just clueless about how to dress well in winter to actually do something outside, not just survive moving from door to door, and they were very big on non-consumerism, jumble sales and recycling everything. Which is fine when you're an adult and can make your own decisions about what you want to wear, a little harder for a 14 yr old in the 80's.

My son has the most functional winter clothing I can lay my hands on. And nothing expensive or high-fashion, but clothes that no-one will ever point out don't fit in.

Pardon the hijack, this sort of hit a nerve

[xeney]

This is not really my discussion since I live in California, after all, but thank you for making me feel a little less ridiculous about my kid's winter wardrobe, lph. I have a bunch of friends with babies the same age who are already planning all the indoor activities they'll need to keep their toddlers occupied all winter, while I am thinking, dude, this is Sacramento. Sometimes we have a rain and wind storm bad enough to keep us inside all day. Sometimes it freezes. Sometimes it's foggy and gross. But except in the worst of the windstorms, you can go outside. And I am not raising a hothouse flower here.

So she has itty bitty base layers, a fantastic fleece jacket from REI that allows her to move her arms and play, another Smartwool hat (we learned how great that was last year -- I could take her out in the pouring rain and the hat sheds water so well that only her face would get wet, which she LOVED), gloves and plenty of Smartwool socks. She hated being inside when it was hot and smoky all summer, so I have no plans to stay indoors all winter. That is why we pay exorbitant housing prices, for pete's sake, so we can bike and hike and run around all winter.

And for when it's actually cold, I still have my Mamacoat. Nothing like extra body heat to keep everybody warm. Won't work for cycling, though!

[Crankin]

I can't imagine staying inside all winter...
Those moms must have never played in the woods. But, seriously, I can't imagine not having boots or a winter coat in New England. I had a lot of wool as a kid!

[pardes]

So she has itty bitty base layers,

That line, "itty bitty base layers," just CRACKS me up every time I read it. Please PLEASE post some photos of these itty bitty base layers.

Do you remember the scene in "Three Men and a Baby," where they took the baby to a construction site in a tiny tiny hardhat. Same idea, it just makes you smile and smile.

[xeney]

I will, if it ever drops below 80 degrees here!

[beccaB]

I will, if it ever drops below 80 degrees here!

That's not nice to brag!

[pardes]

EEEKS! Forecast for tonight in Newark and tomorrow's bike commute: 39 degrees, rain, wind! I'm breaking out the CuddlDuds and rain pants!

[lph]

That line, "itty bitty base layers," just CRACKS me up every time I read it. Please PLEASE post some photos of these itty bitty base layers.

There's a Norwegian brand called Janus that makes inexpensive but functional merino wool underwear for kids. My son has literally spent every winter since he was born encased in first a navy blue wool "bodysuit", then a navy blue polo sweater. He hasn't started wearing it yet, but once he does he won't take it off until spring

Oh - and great lateral thinking, Catriona!