Cool/Cold Weather Gear

[indysteel]

now THAT'S smart! Why don't I do that, too??

I'm going to try to make better note this year. It drives me crazy that I have to relearn this to some degree each year. Last year, I didn't do much road riding after October because of hamstring injury, so now my memory is even rustier. I need to do the same thing with late fall/winter running, too. I almost always end up overheating because I overdress.

[ny biker]

I'm going to try to make better note this year. It drives me crazy that I have to relearn this to some degree each year. Last year, I didn't do much road riding after October because of hamstring injury, so now my memory is even rustier. I need to do the same thing with late fall/winter running, too. I almost always end up overheating because I overdress.

I started to keep a log last spring. I just used a regular .txt file, and for each ride I typed in the date, weather summary (temps, sun/no sun, wind direction and speed according to weather forecast), what I wore and notes on whether I was comfortable or not, including how that changed over the course of the ride.

I also bought a small handlebar bag so I could easily carry extra gear that might not fit in my jersey pockets. So instead of having to decide in advance if I wanted my vest or my jacket, I could wear one and put the other in the bag in case I wanted it later. Plus I could bring both pairs of gloves, and things that I might need later in the ride like an ear band and toe covers.

[shootingstar]

I cycled over 70% of the winter days here in Canada's prairie Midwest down to some days @ -25 degrees C or -15 degrees F and even a bit colder.

I actually wore the same heavy (unpadded) Gortex jacket I wear for snowshoeing with arm vents (yes, I did unzip slightly at times) and layered on fleecy jackets underneath.

Long sleeve jerseys, tights and sometimes (not all the time), windpants.

I wore mountain bike cycling shoes. I didn't need to wear boots/booties. Wore a thicker pair of socks.

Lobster claw gloves plus another thin pair of gloves underneath. Eye protection....always because of the cold and a headband underneath my helmet. I didn't need a beanie.

I would be cycling slowly at 8-15 km. each trip. That was enough at very cold temperatures ..that can cause frostbite if one is not careful.

[velo]

Yeah, I can hardly believe I'm thinking of cool weather myself. Maybe it's a defense mechanism against this horrid summer. Actually, I was going through all of my cycling stuff that I had put away years ago... I was kind of like a kid in a candy store with it all, getting it out and seeing how much I still had. A lot doesn't fit right now, but it didn't dampen my excitement of all this "new" stuff. Even the winter stuff was fun to go through, and it dawned on me that by the end of August, I'll probably need something more when I head out in the mornings.

Thank you to all for suggestions. I have actually written out a list of everything mentioned here in order to mull over it off-line and figure out how to best fill in my gaps. Many things mentioned here, I had not thought of ( or remembered), especially coverage for head and neck. I also need some full-finger gloves for just cool weather. I loved my knickers that I had to throw away, so I think I'll definitely get another pair.

I do remember that I did more mountain than road during the snowy winter. I have since sold my FS Cannondale mountain bike and am not really looking to get back into that (older bones break easier and heal more slowly ). So, I'm not really sure HOW cold I'm willing to go on the road. I'm a temperature wimp, I do know that!

ETA: Won't forget to write it all down, too. Great suggestion!

[shootingstar]

In terms of winter sports cold tolerance, one could initially gauge themselves against another sport they already undertake often -- like cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing or hiking for several hrs. in a day.

For sure, under very cold temp., like the temp. I mentioned earlier, I'm out under 1 hr. each time on the bike. That's enough for me when it is very cold in the winter.

[gnat23]

I have a spreadsheet, too, but I neglected to include what to do when it was also raining. Those waterproof layers can make you overheat like wow.

Until you build your own guidelines, I like this for suggestions:
http://www.bicycling.com/whattowear

Now all I need is to figure out why the outsides of my hips get so much colder than the rest of me. I need short windproof insulated chaps or something.

-- gnat! (seriously, tho, my life changed when I got into merino baselayers)

[kamikazejane]

Great post and feedback!!! Thank you.

Heading into my first ever winter riding season as well and starting to make my ebay purchases for winter gear. I am stuck on what to go with for my footsies. I wear a size 6 so those Sidi Diablos run too big for me .

i managed to find these, but no luck finding them in the US for sale. Might have to give a call into SIDI America headquarters.

http://www.veltec.com/en-us/product/...te-silver.aspx

[pll]

i managed to find these, but no luck finding them in the US for sale. Might have to give a call into SIDI America headquarters.

http://www.veltec.com/en-us/product/...te-silver.aspx

Those do not seem worth the time of day in the midwest winter. Out here, the people I know that cycle year round use these "SUV" boots. They only work with SPD pedals, so there would be an extra expense for different pedals if you don't have them at hand. I may spring for these boots later this year.

[lph]

Now all I need is to figure out why the outsides of my hips get so much colder than the rest of me. I need short windproof insulated chaps or something.

I wear a pair of merino boxer shorts over my bike shorts for that, with winter tights on top.

I used to wear a pair of cheapo white granny style wool panties, to save wear on my nice wool boxer shorts, but my dh could hardly bear to look at me. Must be what a friend of mine calls "clothes that ensure you'll never need birth control ever again".

eta: you could make yourself some windproof chaps the same way I made rain shorts, cut off the legs of a pair of thin pants? They could be badly worn in the seat and knees and still help block the wind past your hips.

[Melalvai]

I used to wear a pair of cheapo white granny style wool panties, to save wear on my nice wool boxer shorts, but my dh could hardly bear to look at me. Must be what a friend of mine calls "clothes that ensure you'll never need birth control ever again".

lol!