cold weather clothes?

[Saxa82]

I agree with the ladies above- you need layers and special clothing. This is the first winter season I've gone out, thanks to my husband who got me into winter riding (he's been doing it for years). You do have to buy a couple items- AmFib tights by Pearl Izumi are the best- expensive but worth it. You only need 1 pr and just wash them, 2 if you ride every day. Also purchase a good tight fitting cycling jacket made for the cold weather. You want it tight because the wind is your biggest enermy out there- loose stuff just flutters and makes it harder to ride. But since you'll be wearing at least one or two layers under the jacket, make sure the jacket is sized right to fit with those other layers. Lots of them out there- I have Sugoi Inverter (can't remember what my DH has). Also essential is neoprene booties and windproof gloves and overmitts. I prefer the Goretex gloves, but any windstopping fabric will probably work. Colder than 40 and I' also wear a goretex overmitt- very thin so as not to compromise on hand movement. The rest you might already have as part of cold weather gear anyway, like a thin balaclava, polypro shirts, cycling shorts, polypro tights, polypro thick socks, etc. A helmet cover is optional. I like it a lot b/c I don't have to put anything else on my head besides the balaclava. Otherwise, you'd have to put on a hood or hat of some sort- really too bulky for most helmets.

I ride my bike with smooth tires on most days. Only use the knobby bike when there is obvious snow or ice on the roads or road margins. One thing you will definitely have to accept is road grit all over you. Be sure to wear glasses regardless or you'll get an eyeful of sand!

Otherwise I am a total winter bike convert! I used to absolutely HATE the thought of riding in the winter and hung up the bike, but now I'm out there whenever it is above freezing (and thank God we've been blessed in NY the last two weeks!!!)

[Geonz]

I have one pair of heavy duty wick-out-the-water thick warm somethings. WOre them under sweatpants today, stopped to feed my friends' cat and *almost* went back for the car when the weather channel informed me that things had turend to freezing rain (and the metal guard rail down the steps confirmed it). The roads were still warm, though.
My feet got a bit damp and cold (sneakers over socks... they're soaked and leaning against the computer to be dry by the time I leave... as soon as office mate is gone I'll lean dangle the sweats but I don't want to totally gross him out - you can't see 'em once they're dangling behind my desk but it's the process...
Other than that, though, it was fun! I was thinking maybe it *wasn't* really freezing rain until I arrived and looked down at my jacket and it was all crunchy and covered with ice, and my handlebars, too... I figured that I was going to give a 15-mile present to the planet with a half-gallon less of fossil fuel consumption ... but it was a present to me, too. (Okay, and I stepped on the scale... I need to get back under 150... )

And don't be afraid of below freezing! It's not that different. If you went from 50 to 35, you can also go from 35 to 20. Layers, Layers, Layers :-)

[nuthatch]

(Okay, and I stepped on the scale... I need to get back under 150... )

And don't be afraid of below freezing! It's not that different. If you went from 50 to 35, you can also go from 35 to 20. Layers, Layers, Layers :-)

You've inspired me to ride on Friday, Geonz. That's the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's Winter Bike to Work Day. Layers and lots of lights! (I need to get below 150, too. I sure don't want to haul it around this summer! )

[CorsairMac]

WOOOHOOO NUTTIEE!!!!! I'm so excited to hear you're gonna try a winter commute - ya'll gonna have to give me an update!!

Geonz: uggghhh on the freezing rain! It was supposed to snow here yesterday but I decided to ride anyway and it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. Ok...Cold and very windy - but beautiful nonetheless!

So here was my morning commute thought of the day:

Wonder how these drivers feel when they see me all bundled up on my bike riding to work, and see me again at the next red light, and see me again at the next red light etc etc and realize THEY aren't getting to work driving in their car any faster than I am riding my bike!


CMac loves these little commuting thoughts of the day - when it's 14 out, sometimes that is ALL that keeps me going! lol

[nuthatch]

Aww, Corsair, it's just one day!

I'm planning to start back up cycle commuting full time when the sun is above the horizon at 5:15 p.m. I'm just not a night cyclist - I get too scared!!

[CorsairMac]

Aww, Corsair, it's just one day!

I'm planning to start back up cycle commuting full time when the sun is above the horizon at 5:15 p.m. I'm just not a night cyclist - I get too scared!!

Just checked the weather and todays sunset is 5:19 - so there ya go!

(ain't I the helpful one!)

[nuthatch]

All right, all right!! When there's still enough light that the cars can tell the difference between me and the shoulder of the road - I was thinking mid-February???

[CorsairMac]

hmmm - sunset today is 5:21



I mean - just in case you needed to know that!

[DeniseGoldberg]

hmmm - sunset today is 5:21

You apparently are on the right side of your time zone. Here in the Boston area, sunset today is at 4:40...

I thought this was fun (even though it's really off topic), so... if anyone is interested, you can see sunrise and sunset times for your location at this US Naval Observatory page: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html

You can lookup times in the United States by location name, or worldwide by longitude/latitude.

--- Denise

[nuthatch]

Sunset is 4:50pm here in the Chicago area. By February 15, it will be 5:25pm. That sounds much better!

"Scared of the dark" Nuthatch

Sorry, back on topic now....