What to wear

[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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