What to wear

[Geonz]

When it gets down to four or so here (Fahrenheit) I have to really layer for the commute. Fortunately I'm not really prone to cold digits so just regular wintery gloves will do, but some of my buddies need a double layer there. I wear the heavy socks and my hole-less shoes (or two pairs of lighter socks)). One of my two pairs of genuine wicking long-underwear ski-type thingies underneath (top & bottom), tights over that, sweats over that.
For tops its a wicking layer and t-shirt and long-sleeve something (sweat or T shirt), and two windbreakers. (I have a serious coat but it's too warm even on its own once I get pedaling and it's too bulky.) If htat wicking layer is hiding from me, then t-shirt, long-sleeve T and sweat-shirt will do it.
I get alligator ankles if I'm not careful to keep that area covered and lotioned.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=Geonz]
I get alligator ankles if I'm not careful to keep that area covered and lotioned.

Thanks for the tips. I think (looking down at legs) that I wish it was only my ankles that look like alligator hide. Must get that lotion out.

[newfsmith]

For the winter I don't worry about jerseys much; back pockets are useless if you have a jacket over them. Instead I mostly wear a coolmax tee, LS if below 20F/-7C, topped with either a light Merino sweater I got at Costco for $20, or if it is very cold (below 10F/-12C) a polarfleece jersey from Old Navy, passed on by my duaghter. Most of the time I wear some Dryfit pants from Moving Comfort that happen to be available in short inseams. Cycling shorts under that unless it is so cold (below 5F/-15C) that I want to wear longjohns as well. Too many layers in the crotch just gets uncomfortable. Feet are 1 or 2 layers of thin Smartwool socks until it is down to 5F, then I go with a heavier pair of snowboarding socks. After November, when I switch to my Snow & Ice bike, I give up my clipless pedals and use some of the MTB mini clips (no straps) and a waterproof pair of insulated boots. Under my helmet I wear a very thin coolmax beanie most of the winter and add a Balaclava below 10F. This winter I will be trying an EMS techwik hoodie as a base layer. Handcovering is the most individual aspect. My hands are arthritic and get cold very fast and stop working. The first stage of the winter I wear wool gloves with leather overgloves. At about 35F2C, I switch to a pair of PI lobster mitts, however, I absolutely must have liner gloves with these. Other wise they are no warmer than my pair of $8 WalMart hunting gloves. When it is below 5F, I switch to heavy wool mittens with leather "chopper" overmitts. These are clumsy, but they are the warmest. Usually, around 10F, depending on the wind I switch from glasses to ski googles. I have never covered the vents on my helmets as I sweat too much on my head and need to let that escape. The final layer of course is a windproof. I use a Jackson-Gibbens jacket because it gives good wind and water protection but is well vented, and was cheap. I also use my O2 jacket well into the fall, down to about 40F/5c.

[anaphase]

I have some toe... they're not warmers, per se, but they're a neoprene toe cover thing, and I wear them for snowshoeing over Smartwool socks. They works great, and I imagine they'd be good for extra warmth during cycling, too. They were cheap, and are not disposable. Might be worth a look. I think I got them at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports), so REI would probably have them too.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have some toe... they're not warmers, per se, but they're a neoprene toe cover thing...

Oh, I use toe warmers too, for the days that are cool but not so cool that I need the full shoe covers. My toe warmers are from Pearl Izumi, called CalienToes. As anaphase mentioned, they are available at REI.

--- Denise

[Trekhawk]

Thanks again to all you girls from Massachusetts. That is some serious cold weather you guys get it would seem barmy here in winter for you.

This question is a little off apparel so hope you dont mind- Im seriously thinking of buying another bike to ride in winter (my road bike tyres look a little thin to me) and my husband has even offered to buy me one. What sort of bike would be the best for winter riding and perhaps a little trail riding.

Any advice you can give would be appreciated - Thanks all.

[CorsairMac]

Hybrid or Entry Level MTB if you're thinking of dirt trail riding. If they're some serious trails, switch that "entrylevel" to something more in keeping with the trails. If everything is paved - a hybrid should work just great for you and not be tooo heavy after your road bike!

[newfsmith]

This question is a little off apparel so hope you dont mind- Im seriously thinking of buying another bike to ride in winter (my road bike tyres look a little thin to me) and my husband has even offered to buy me one. What sort of bike would be the best for winter riding

Because winter riding here includes ice, I chose a MTB. I also got the smallest frame I could get and ride with my seat a half inch lower than on my hybrid. Since I don't ride off-road, mine is permamently mod'ed for winter riding: I replaced the front suspension fork with a rigid fork; I use Nokian Mount & Ground studded tires both front & rear; I have a truck tail light on my rear rack; I have reflective tape on the wheels; truck side marker lights on the front forks; & multiple headlights. I chose a MTB for 2 reasons: it is easier to get 26" studded tires than in other sizes and the main reason is that it was disc brake ready. Disc brakes are the single best thing you can put on a wet weather bike, and in slushy weather they are the only safe alternative. Don't let someone tell you you only need a front disc brake. If you plan to ride in slush or icy conditions you will not want to touch your front brakes, use the rear brake carefully. You can ride your way through a rear skid, you will go down on a front wheel skid just as surely as you will with a front wheel overlap and touch. Winter riding is fun, just very different.
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