new here

[XMcShiftersonX]

It sounds like it's cold where you're at, so for cold weather stuff I would recommend the all weather (rain, wind, and snow) jacket and pants from Craft, along with their baselayers that come in different ranges such as 0-30 degrees, 30-60 degrees, etc..., if you have cycling shoes, shoe covers are a must in the cold weather and craft makes a good pair of those as well.

Here's the pants I have (to be worn over cycling shorts, no pad): http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_193363.html

And the jacket:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_193425_0.html

As for all weather stuff - I adore assos cycling gear, but it's expensive. My friend likes pearl azumi, although I've never tried them, it's more reasonably priced. And you can pretty much count out all new Castelli shorts since they started making their stupid kiss pad (you might as well not have a pad at all!). Jerseys are pretty easy, it's hard to mess those up, so any brand will do. I would recommend some tank top jerseys for the hotter months, my favorite brand of these are Descente. My biggest pet peeve is jerseys that are short! Descente makes them nice and long!

Welcome and good luck!

-Jessica

[newtobikesmama]

Do I have to have shoes? I think I will get shoe covers at least because I've heard it gets pretty messy otherwise. I live in the Omaha, Nebraska area.

[annielynn]

Welcome to the addition! I am a new road bike momma just since August. You have gotten some good advice so far. I know for me I walked out of the LBS with my bike, new shorts, jersey, shoes and pedals. I wouldn't say that you have to get shoes unless you were doing a lot of climbing. COvers wouldn't be a bad thing especialy riding on the trails through slush. The internet is a great place to find accessories for cheap. I rarely buy anything at the LBS anymore. They are all overpriced IMO.

Enjoy yourself! Have a great time.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Do I have to have shoes? I think I will get shoe covers at least because I've heard it gets pretty messy otherwise. I live in the Omaha, Nebraska area.

As far as I'm aware, the shoe covers are only for cycling shoes. They have a little hole at the bottom for the cleat to clip in, and that's it. You don't have to get cycling shoes. I road my bike for the longest time with regular pedals and tennis shoes. I would double up on socks when it was really cold out though and that usually helped, but it's nothing like having the actual shoe covers, they're amazing in how warm they keep your feet.

-Jessica