what I wore on a cold ride today

[Crankin]

I give you credit, it's freezing out there today. We have gone from October to January weather in a flash...

[Pedal Wench]

I'm bummed. I remembered everything for my cold ride tonight except my buff. Debating whether I need to run home first and get one. 42 degrees, real-feel 37 degrees.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yep it was cold all right today.....28F and wind chill of 17F here!
I did my first major grocery haul on my bike today and survived.
Thank goodness for wool.

[mudmucker]

I worked at home today. Now ideally it would make sense to try and go out around noon or 1 pm when it is warmest. But I kept saying I gotta get this one thing done. So I look up and it's 3:30 and I say, if I don't go out now I'm not going to. So of all possible times, I decide to go out when the sun is down (behind the hills already in my area at that time). So no warmth.

I knew it was going to be a short ride but I had to get out. It was the most painful bike ride I think I ever had. Pain from the cold. The entire time. It was 22 degrees when I went out. But the wind was around 5.5 mph and the wind chill was about 9 to 12 degrees (depending on ascent vs. descent). How do I know this? I'm using the cool Sport Tracks weather plug-in - very cool if your unit doesn't have a temperature sensor.

Anyway, I couldn't walk on my feet when I got back they were so cold. I dressed mostly fine - I would do something different with my feet and hands next time, and cover my face more. Even though I was cold, I liked the weather challenge part of the ride.

[PamNY]

Interesting, redrhodie. I am working on cold weather riding so it's good to find out what people wear.. Are the bamboo socks something you chose especially for cold weather?

I rode tonight with 35f temp and 18 mph wind. 'Twas fun, and the bike path surely is less crowded.

Pam

[Velobambina]

Wednesday was the coldest morning so far this season. When I left the house, it was 29 degrees w/a 21 degree wind chill. I stayed warm, much to my surprise and I expect this layering system will work for colder temps because my feet got a bit too warm:

Torso:
Smartwool MidWeight Baselayer (Zip Tneck)
LLBean Power Dry Expedition Wgt Zip Neck
EO Winter Jersey
Patagonia R3 Fleece Jacket
NorthFace Soft Shell Jacket

Lower Body
LG Tights
Descente Coldout Knee Warmers
Smartwool snowboard socks

Extremities
Sidi Toaster Insoles
Chemical Toe Warmers
Lake Winter Boots
Smartwool Glove Liners
Seirus Therma-Lux Glove Liners w/chemical hand warmer in pocket
PI AmFib Lobster Gloves
Two Buffs -- one snood style & a polar buff cap style

[7rider]

Wednesday was the coldest morning so far this season. When I left the house, it was 29 degrees w/a 21 degree wind chill. I stayed warm, much to my surprise and I expect this layering system will work for colder temps because my feet got a bit too warm:

I'd be sweating buckets if I wore all that at 29.
This a.m. was 35 (no wind to speak of).
I wore a buff low and around my face, a Headsweat thermal cap and a Illuminite helmet cover on my head. I could have done without the helmet cover, I think.

Upper bod, I wore a UnderArmor wicking t-shirt, a windblocking SportHill Pursuit II top and my Descente Shelter jacket. I was way warm, and could have done with my lighter jacket, I think. That SportHill top is amazingly warm.

Lower bod, Castelli bib shorts under PI Thermafleece tights. That was okay.

Smartwool sock (I need to get XL shoe covers to fit over my commuter shoes...too mesh-y and let in way too much air, but my feet weren't too cold. Heavy PI gloves on the hands, and DANG! I forgot my lighter gloves, so my hands will be soaking wet for the ride home tonight.

eta: oh...and my DH's old Smith glasses with clear lenses.

[redrhodie]

Are the bamboo socks something you chose especially for cold weather?


Pam

No, I got them to wear under my Frye engineer boots, which most socks fall down with. They're really thin and very high, so they're good for layering, and they go all the way up to my knickers leaving no skin exposed.

I'm lucky because my face, hands and feet don't get cold when I ride, so 2 pairs of socks is usually enough. I can wear fingerless gloves until the mid 40s, then I'll add a pair of those cheap stretchy magic gloves over the top. For really cold, thinsulate winter gloves.

Wow, VB, you were really bundled! I'm still wearing the craft jacket you sold me! I love it. Do you wear the wool closest to your skin, then a tech layer over that? That's what I've started doing. It seems the wool is good for wicking sweat, and the tech stuff keeps out wind.