Fall/winter riding gear and tips

[shewhobikes]

I've searched for past threads and didn't come up with anything (I bet someone here will know a link, though), on fall/winter riding now that the days are shorter and the nights will be getting chilly. I have a good headlight, nice & bright, and a good blinky tail-light. Also have tights, arm and leg warmers, and just ordered a long-sleeved base shirt that wicks from Patagonia. I'll be tracking down a band or something to cover my ears and something for inside my helmet, some toe covers and gloves with full fingers.
Anybody have any other items of clothing or gear they find really helpful?

Also, please share whatever lessons you've learned about riding at night that might be helpful. I've gotten a lot of miles in since the spring when I started riding, but don't have any experience in the winter months.

Thanks!

[Crankin]

It depends on how cold it gets where you live. Below 52 or so, i would wear bike shorts under thermal tights, instead of leg warmers. I wear anything from a regular long sleeved jersey with a wind jacket, to wool tops that are wicking with a jacket, or thermal tops. Also, you need full finger gloves. I wear Wooly-Bully socks (both light and medium weight) and I have neoprene booties for my shoes for when it gets in the 40's. I can't stand having cold feet. I have a cap that goes under my helmet to cover my head, too.

All this gets me to the end of November in New England. Then it's just too cold for me.

[traveller_62]

I live in Maine on the coast so am pretty used to riding in damp cold weather. Gloves (I use "lobster" gloves with three fingers), neoprene booties, and head/ear covering is key for my comfort. You are smart to layer your core with an undershirt and then one or two additional layers depending on the weather.


For visibility I would get an outer shell that was made with reflective threads so that it "explodes" with reflected light when a car headlights hits it. I think Perl Izumi used to have such a shell. They were expensive as I recall. I'm looking for something like that myself now. I wish I had purchased the one I saw at the time I saw it! I don't find the standard reflective piping on most biking jackets sufficient for visibility in near dark conditions.

traveller

[DeniseGoldberg]

For visibility I would get an outer shell that was made with reflective threads so that it "explodes" with reflected light when a car headlights hits it.
traveller

I have both a vest and a shell that uses illumiNITE fabric - it's amazing when you see it lit up by headlights. I got mine from Performance a number of years ago when they were having a sale if you bought both pieces. I also have a Pearl Izumi screaming yellow wind vest that I use in the daytime. The others I also use for walking at night - I prefer to have the extra visibility.

--- Denise

[KSH]

Here's my question... when looking at jackets... how can you know what will perform in what type of weather.

For example, how will I know if a jacket will keep me warm when it's 50 and I am riding 20 MPH? I don't want to "test" a $120 jacket to find out it doesn't keep me warm.

BTW... I am a whimp. When it's 70, here in Dallas, I wear sweaters. When it's 70 and I am riding, I have my leg warmers on, with a long sleeve top and a jacket.

So, what does a whimp like me get in the way of a jacket... to stay toasty warm?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Here's my question... when looking at jackets... how can you know what will perform in what type of weather.

For example, how will I know if a jacket will keep me warm when it's 50 and I am riding 20 MPH? I don't want to "test" a $120 jacket to find out it doesn't keep me warm.

BTW... I am a whimp. When it's 70, here in Dallas, I wear sweaters. When it's 70 and I am riding, I have my leg warmers on, with a long sleeve top and a jacket.

So, what does a whimp like me get in the way of a jacket... to stay toasty warm?

I'd recommend wearing layers. For example, one of my layers is a mid-weight long underwear tank from REI. When it feels too chilly for a jersey and a wind vest or even a jersey and a wind jacket, then I add the long underwear tank. Three relatively light layers, comfortable to wear, and it takes me down to lower temps... As it gets colder then I switch my jersey for a long-sleeved shirt, sometimes a heavier layer like a Patagonia R.5 shirt, or when it gets really cold an R1 shirt. Or combinations...

I wouldn't recommend relying on a single jacket layer - plan on adding layers underneath too.

--- Denise

[KSH]

I'd recommend wearing layers. For example, one of my layers is a mid-weight long underwear tank from REI. When it feels too chilly for a jersey and a wind vest or even a jersey and a wind jacket, then I add the long underwear tank. Three relatively light layers, comfortable to wear, and it takes me down to lower temps... As it gets colder then I switch my jersey for a long-sleeved shirt, sometimes a heavier layer like a Patagonia R.5 shirt, or when it gets really cold an R1 shirt. Or combinations...

I wouldn't recommend relying on a single jacket layer - plan on adding layers underneath too.

--- Denise

Layers. Got it.

Now... what is a "R.5" or a "R1"? Not sure what that means.

Honestly, I doubt I will venture out on the bike once it gets cold. I hate the cold.

[shewhobikes]

First, thanks for the good advice on clothing. I had already ordered a couple of things from Patagonia-the long-sleeved light weight Zip-T ($38) and the women's r.5 top ($79). The former for coolish weather, the latter for the cold. They came today--hooray! They both fit very well and are comfortable as all get out, flat seams etc. So I think I have the upper-body handled! Now moving on to headband/ear covers and toe covers...

So don't forget, you more experienced riders...tips for riding in the dark! Thanks, ladies!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Layers. Got it.

Now... what is a "R.5" or a "R1"? Not sure what that means.

Honestly, I doubt I will venture out on the bike once it gets cold. I hate the cold.

They are in Patagonia's regulator family of products. R.5 is the lightest weight, R1 a little heavier, then there are R2, R3, and R4. If you look on the Patagonia web site, the R.5 is listed under performance underwear, and the others are under jackets or vests.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Now moving on to headband/ear covers and toe covers...

On the toe cover front - in the cool but not cold weather I use toe warmers - Pearl Izumi Calientoes. When it gets colder I switch to Pearl Izumi AmFib shoe covers, and when it gets colder yet I add Heat Treat Toe Warmers. These are supposed to be placed inside your shoes, but my shoes are too tight to fit anything besides my feet & one pair of socks. So I stick the toe warmers to the top of my shoes and put my shoe covers over the warmer. Toasty!

And for my ears, I bought a pair of Ear Bags. They are kind of like ear muffs without the band. They just slip over your ears. And then on cold days I add a Pearl Izumi Microsensor skull cap under my helmet.

[Helen]

What happened to the good old fall/winter jackets ?
Do we really need all those new products ?

[SadieKate]

I've always dressed in layers with shoe covers, toe covers, base layers, etc. all the stuff above is just improvements on stuff I used for 20 years. I'll take the new microfibers over the original old wool and polyprolene products any day!!!

Remember the original polypropelene? Peee-uuuuu!

And shoe covers that didn't stretch or breathe? I felt like a duck on a bike but not the cute children's book version.

[roughingit]

Don't forget fenders! I just ride in bike shorts and a bunch of flannels on when it gets chilly since I can't afford all the nice stuff and throw on one of those cheap plastic raincoats from sets in the camping section when it's too wet for that. Ain't elegant, but it works!

[Bike Goddess]

I have a GoreTex cycling jacket that has been a life saver for me in cold damp weather. Since it breathes but doesn't let cold air in, I can layer inside as much as I need and not get too sweaty! It's almost waterproof so I'm in good shape if I get caught in the rain, God forbid!

Wool socks are a must for me winter, summer, all year round. They keep my feet warm or cool as they wick well. I have PIzumi Shoe covers as well. It it's really cold, I cover whatever holes I can underneath to keep the air from coming in from the bottom. I hate cold feet and cold hands!

[newfsmith]

First the cold water: riding at night, in cold weather means you will lose speed. All those layers make your legs slower, and even with 20-30W of light you have to slow down so you have time to react to road hazards that are only visible in your light cone. My winter commutes are anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes longer than my fall commutes.

So why ride outdoors in the dark when you could train better indoors on a trainer? Because it is outdoors, and it brings a new set of challenges and skills. I don't mountain bike, but I do ride across ice covered streets with rain or snow falling. It demands a round pedal stroke. Here in the Boston area it is really only 1-3 months. I regard it as the season I work on improving some of the riding skills I let slide in the summer when I may be thinking more about endurance or speed.

Specific tips on cold night riding:
1 Be sure to check your brakes before you leave, moisture in cables can
freeze, locking your brakes.
2 Have 2 headlights & 2 taillights, so if one fails you still have something.
3 You can not have enough reflectors, it is not possible to overdue it.
4 A loud horn is even more important. I use a 12V car horn.
5 Don't forget to use layers on your hands. Invest in thin underliner gloves,
they will add lots of comfort with less awkwardness than heavier gloves.
6 Pack like you are going on tour. Mechanical problems with sweaty clothes are an invitation to hypothermia. Carry at least a dry top and pants. A spare pair of gloves or mitts can be a finger saver if you lose one while turning a bike over to change a tire in the dark.
7 Be extra careful to keep your cell phone charged. Consider calling for help rather than risking hypothermia dealing with a simple problem you know you can fix yourself. Cold and darkness will make it take at least twice as long as normal.
8 Go to the library and get some books on wildlife at night. Learn what to watch for in your area. Stop to listen. Winter brings a profound silence, punctuated by the owls, coyotes, fox and other nocturnal animals. While at the library check out the star maps too. Winter skies are often less smoggy and if you ride out the light pollution you will see brilliant skies.
9 This is the season to ride for the love of riding. It will reward you in its own ways not easily measured in speed, HR, time, or distance, but hard to measure bike handling ability.