Newbie lessons learned about biking in the approaching cold weather

[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!

[Cataboo]

I can't say we were deprived or anything as kids, there were 5 of us, so we just tended to wear all the clothing we owned in the snow or cold - so my parents definitely had layering down!

There were a few sizes of snow boots and if you didn't fit those, then there were a couple of pairs of knee high mens galoshes that we'd use.

We weren't particularly cold - but I definitely can stay warmer layering with smarter better clothing choices now.

I keep trying to give my Mother some nice fleece jackets, rain coats, or wool and she always refuses.... So now if I want to give her something like that, I wear them a couple of times, and then I'll sort a bag of clothes to donate to goodwill or the church.... I then give my Mom the bag of clothes and tell her that I want to donate it and she should check if she wants anything out of the bag....

So she of course then takes the nice jackets or whatever, and gives me hell for being so decadent that I was going to give away such nice jackets or clothing...

And a while later I'll hear all about how could i have tried to give away such a warm or waterproof jacket and all about how great it is... And am I sure I don't want it back?

She's cute.

[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!