As I toyed with riding or not, I kept thinking of the woman who rode to the South Pole. Now *that* was impressive. If she could do that, what's a commute to work?

It is funny, the colder I successfully ride, the more I realize that the bike really is year-round vehicle now that we have LED lights and studded tires. Sure, it is cold, but at those temps you can't ride very fast so it doesn't get colder by biking. I admit, tho, that if there is a more than an inch or two of snow I'll take the bus -- I just don't feel confident riding in the snow.

As for what I wore...
Core: 3 layers of wool (Ibex Shak-weight) + winter cycling jacket for wind protection
Head: Wool beanie + hood of one of the Shaks + wool Buff over the chin; for the nose, the LPH patented "nose buff" -- best tip I ever got; safety goggles
Legs: Boure thermal knickers and Showers Pass thermal pants
Feet: 2 pairs of SmartWool knee socks + thermal hiking boots (I switch to flat pedals in the winter)
Hands: Shak-weight glove liners and Bar Mitts (seriously, just glove liners, the road bike Bar Mitts are crazy warm)

Sometimes in the winter I think I spend more time gearing up than I do the actual riding.