It's wet and cold

[staceysue]

I do need to wear a reflective ankle band to keep them out of the chain, but one more reflector is a good thing.
Deb

I'm so glad you posted this! I was just using electric tape and wondering "where could I find some sort of band?"

[indigoiis]

+1 on thrift stores. I get all my running /cycling gear (except pocketed jerseys) there. You want combinations of:

Top
1. Long sleeved wicking or sports/performance material shirt
2. Short sleeved jersey on top of that makes for added core warmth
3. Old, thin (easy to pack) wool sweater on top of that
4. Wind-resistant jacket on top of that
5. Make your own balacava - buy a stretchy, tightly woven fabric turtleneck at goodwill (black is good), cut it out "dickie" style and you've got yourself something for under the helmet that also protects the neck.

bottom
1. Bike shorts
2. Long smartwool (make the investment) or alpaca socks over a pair of peds, or long acrylic socks with sandwich bags over the toes, inside the bike shoes.
3. Yoga capris (for non rainy days), athletic "gym" pants (wind/rain resistant) for rainy days, and ski pants for snowy/icy days. All can be found at Goodwill. Pants can be cinched with velcro from heads of romaine lettuce, or rubber band.

Hands: I use my regular cycling gloves under a pair of polarfleece mittens. But my hands get hot easily.

Don't overdress. It's worse than being a little cold.

[Shara]

Those are some great tips. I never thought about putting a band around my pants. I don't get cold that easily, mostly I want to stay somewhat dry. Will let you know how it goes

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm so glad you posted this! I was just using electric tape and wondering "where could I find some sort of band?"

Any bike shop or sporting goods store should have one. They're pretty cheap. I use one instead of a rubber band because I like the added reflection. I keep a couple in my bike bag because I'm not always wearing tights.

Deb

[staceysue]

Any bike shop or sporting goods store should have one. They're pretty cheap. I use one instead of a rubber band because I like the added reflection. I keep a couple in my bike bag because I'm not always wearing tights.

Deb

I'm getting one ASAP!

[missjulied]

I wear glasses too, and I find that a standard cycling cap works well for me to keep most of the rain off. There will still be some, but it won't be as bad (unless the wind is blowing the rain directly in your face).

The caps are thin cotton, made to fit well under helmets and can be easily combined with earbands or full-coverage insulating head coverage.

On another note, I had a couple of pairs of blackbottoms shorts, and I didn't feel that they held up very well.

[ginny]

it has been snowing here since yesterday afternoon. The roads were icey and the temps in the 20's. It was very slow going without studded tires, but I made it It's fun riding in different kinds of conditions. Though, I think I may wear goggles in this sort of weather for the rest of the season...

[blackhillsbiker]

Studded tires are on order. Sigh. I hate winter!

Deb

[Tri Girl]

On another note, I had a couple of pairs of blackbottoms shorts, and I didn't feel that they held up very well.

Drats! Oh well, I figure for $15 if they last me a season on the trainer (what they'll be worn for during the winter mainly), I'll have gotten my money's worth. I only wear tri shorts on the bike outside, but inside on the trainer I have to have a HUGE padding or my bits and pieces get angry.