Winter cycling wardrobe recommendations

[Duck on Wheels]

Illinois may be in the foothills of Mount Flat, but is there a climb equivalent to the wind chill effect? Doesn't it blow headwind in all directions at once? That must count for somethin' too.

[nuthatch]

Illinois may be in the foothills of Mount Flat, but is there a climb equivalent to the wind chill effect? Doesn't it blow headwind in all directions at once? That must count for somethin' too.

Maybe so! But I don't think we'll out-wind the Plains states or Mountain states or maybe even Norway!

My winter wardrobe "head-scratcher" is what to use on my face when it's below freezing. I have a polypro balaclava and a regular knit balaclava but I feel all smothery when I wear them....must...have...air!!! I'm thinking about a hat/gaiter combo so I can pull it down when I need to. I LOVE merino as a base layer! No more "cold-sweats" feeling. Do they make a merino bra???

[Squirrel 2]

Protect your hands!!! Frostbite is not pretty, you can lose digits. When it's really cold, pay attention to your extremities (hands & feet). If your brain starts sensing your body is getting too cold, it will go into core-survival mode & divert bloodflow to the extremities. First clue that this is happening is numbness in the fingers & toes. So when it's really cold, which is freezing or below, keep checking on them. Wiggle your toes & move your fingers around. I take my hands off the handlebars (one at a time), clench & unclench my fist & move it in & out towards my chest a few times.

My hands sweat terribly too. I use glove liners. If the weather is changeable, I can take them off as it warms up. I also sometimes take 2 pair with me. I wear the warmer pair out & change to the lighter pair if the temps go up enough. Also, try a pair without windstopper. The windstopper material is great for keeping out cold wind, but for cooler days it will get clammy. There are some mid-weight gloves made out of roubaix-type fabrics that should keep you warm enough but still breathe.

[Lise]

Illinois may be in the foothills of Mount Flat, but is there a climb equivalent to the wind chill effect? Doesn't it blow headwind in all directions at once? That must count for somethin' too.

Yeah, there's wind...! Last weekend was unseasonably warm, in the 50s, and really windy (then yesterday, the temp was 16, with a wind chill of *1*). I went running with some friends, and would've loved to ride my bike next, but the wind makes it thoroughly unenjoyable. Not just riding against the wind, that sort of thing, but the fact that it seems to blow from every which way. It was kind of fun, running through the swirls of leaves pulled up by the wind, but it is not fun to ride in that. (Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!)

Cold toes, fingers, and face are my problems so far. I've got a baclava and shoe covers on order, and I own a variety of gloves and liners to try out in combination. BTW, I love Sports Basement for their prices, but they're not what you'd want to call speedy in delivering the merchandise!

Looking forward to it warming back up to something a little more seasonable (especially since I'm running the Turkey Trot 8K in 6 days!) so I can try out my new winter biking clothing combos.

L.

[DirtDiva]

I wear merino all the time in winter (that's not hyperbole)... I love merino... But then, I am a Kiwi... A Cantab, no less... I'm going to shut up now before someone starts making sheep jokes...

[Trekhawk]

I wear merino all the time in winter (that's not hyperbole)... I love merino... But then, I am a Kiwi... A Cantab, no less... I'm going to shut up now before someone starts making sheep jokes...

Baa Baa - seriously though I agree with tlkiwi merino is great. Check out www.icebreakernz.com their stuff is great my husband got me some on his last trip back to Aust and their website lists retail locations world wide. They have some great reviews on their site including one by Kym McConnell author of "Tibet Overland" - mountain biking bible on biking the worlds highest plateau. He says he wore his icebreaker gear continuously day and night for 90 days and only needed one set. This stuff isnt cheap but it rocks.

[DirtDiva]

Actually, and oddly, my large stash of woollies does not contain a single IceBreaker item. Plenty of Untouched World stuff though - go the Snowy Peak factory sales!

[Selkie]

Maybe so! But I don't think we'll out-wind the Plains states or Mountain states or maybe even Norway!

My winter wardrobe "head-scratcher" is what to use on my face when it's below freezing. I have a polypro balaclava and a regular knit balaclava but I feel all smothery when I wear them....must...have...air!!! I'm thinking about a hat/gaiter combo so I can pull it down when I need to. I LOVE merino as a base layer! No more "cold-sweats" feeling. Do they make a merino bra???

For your face, how about a hat/beanie and one of those polar buffs? Terry and Sahalie both sell the latter.

Can't help you with the bra, although I saw that some company in Japan invented a heated bra. I think it has inserts that you can pop into the microwave and then put them in cup area. Mmmm, makes me think you might be able to get those toe warmer/hand warmer things and put those in your bra?

[nuthatch]

For your face, how about a hat/beanie and one of those polar buffs? Terry and Sahalie both sell the latter.

Can't help you with the bra, although I saw that some company in Japan invented a heated bra. I think it has inserts that you can pop into the microwave and then put them in cup area. Mmmm, makes me think you might be able to get those toe warmer/hand warmer things and put those in your bra?

Polar buff, huh? I'll have to look it up - thanks!

Cold isn't the problem with my chest; in fact, it's the hottest part when I'm riding! No, I just like the way the wool feels when you do get sweaty but it's below freezing. It's so much better at holding the sweat away from your skin and not feeling all "slimey cold" like the synthetic material does. Maybe I just want to become a sheep??

[Duck on Wheels]

I just tried another ride. It's 40 out, so not too cold. I thought. 'Course, I'm used to walking. Now I get it. 40 is a lot colder on a bike than on foot! With a light wool layer under windproofs, torso was not the problem. Also fingers were fine in windblocker fleece mittens and ears were fine with a fleece hoody under the helmet. But the knees ached, the toes ached, and I got a splitting headache from the cold on my face. That last one was what convinced me to head home. I was only out there to remind myself what fun I'd had last time, not to do a punishing workout. So I turned homewards while the cold was still an adventure. Dunno if I'm up for a balaclava. Might feel a bit claustrophobic in one. So I guess it's spin classes for the rest of the winter, unless we get up into 50's again.

[traveller_62]

My commute this AM at 31 I wore an REI MTS LS base layer, a LS jersey on top and my IllumiNITE cycling jacket.

CorsairMac,

Where did you find the IllumiNITE cycling jacket? And is it a shell or a more heavy weight jacket?

I'm in desparate need of highly reflective cycling clothing. Since it is pitch black here at 4:30 in the afternoon I need something that makes me highly visible.

I saw a great jacket on the IllumiNITE web site but I can't seem to find a distributer. The TE store carries some nice stuff from IllumiNITE, but I haven't seen the jacket I want.

-traveller

[DeniseGoldberg]

Where did you find the IllumiNITE cycling jacket? And is it a shell or a more heavy weight jacket?

-traveller

I bought an IllumiNITE jacket and vest from Performance a few years ago. They are both shell weight. I'm not a big fan of Performance but at the time they had a special where the price was amazing if you bought both pieces. I just checked the Performance site and they have a woman's illuminite jacket that is on sale. Here's a link to Illuminite at Performance: http://performancebike.resultspage.c...ng&isort=score.

If you want to look elsewhere, check the illumiNite web site. They have both a search for stores that carry their stuff and a list of online sites.

--- Denise

[Carm]

Thank you for answering my question and for all of the great advice! Today it was 45 with no wind so I went for a short ride. A heavier windstop type jacket and fleece tights would have nice to have on this ride. I guess it takes some experience to figure out what works best for any given day and temp. Carmen

[traveller_62]

I bought an IllumiNITE jacket and vest from Performance a few years ago.
--- Denise

Thanks Denise --

Are you happy with how the IllumiNITE fabric works and holds up over time?

Actually, given the amount of touring you do I would be interested to know what rain gear you like, too.

Cheers,

-traveller

[DeniseGoldberg]

Are you happy with how the IllumiNITE fabric works and holds up over time?

Actually, given the amount of touring you do I would be interested to know what rain gear you like, too.
-traveller

The IllumiNITE fabric does seem to hold up over time. I believe I bought mine 3 years ago, and it's still in really good shape.

On the rain gear front - I have a rain jacket that I bought ages ago, back in 1998 before my first solo tour. I believe it's a Bellwether, but I just checked their site and they don't appear to make a rain jacket right now. It has pit zips - which I think are a requirement for a rain jacket, and the back is vented. I find that I don't get along with rain pants though. In my experience they just seem to do a good job of sticking to my legs. If I get stuck riding in the rain in cool weather, I usually wear tights. But I did just order a pair of rain legs after a discussion over on crazyguyonabike.com. You can see the discussion - including some answers from the manufacturer - here. It will be interesting to see if these actually do what they are supposed to!

--- Denise