It's time to pull out the winter stuff. For those who ride 15mph or faster, at what temperature do you add your favorite cap and gaitor? If you use something else to keep your noggen warm, what's your secret??

vrkelley, im almost same temps as you, colder since im 3 hours north :)

Summer : Headsweats do-rag (worn untill ears get cold)
Fall : Headsweats do-rag + 180's earmuffs made from polartech fleece (the ones with built in headphones for my mp3)
Winter : Beanie made from polartech powerdry + the earmuffs.

When raining i put a helmet cover on. The warmth increase by adding the helmet cover is huge. So usually if I put on the rain cover I go back 1 level in head wear, like just wear the headsweats and the earmuffs.

beanie : http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619047&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302698795&bmUID=1157507465198

In looking at last year's commute log, I learned *very late* in the season how wear wool shirt and a cap. My head always felt OK, so I didn't bother. The temps are already below 60F each morning and sometimes my feet are cold on the decents. Maybe I'll try your cap idea at below 60F and see what happens.

Does your "heavier model" look like Jarery' cap? or what?

I'm a baldie so I put on my PI skullcap below ~60. I move to a heavier model around 40*f. Keep in mind I'm also running a Bell Metro with the fitted cover which helps a great deal. At about ~15 I switch to a thin balaclava and zero gets me into the heavy duty stuff.

It's just a heavier skullcap. Windproof with a fleece-like lining. A bit more coverage as well. Some Cannondale job I bought on closeout. I'd give my left arm for a good Smartwool softshell model that would work well with a helmet, though. Their simple wool beanies are God's gift to a bald man in the North.

I'll be. I just looked and they DO make one. $16.

I have a very thin Polartec cap that I picked up at EMS last winter, and a wool cap, from the Gap, that my daughter gave me. Both are good for days when the temp's below 40 and above freezing. Anything heavier than that makes me overheat.

I ride in southern Wisconsin and like to ride down to at least 20 F.

Last winter I bought a Giro skiing/snowboarding helmet with a pair of goggles. It is much, much more comfortable and warmer than a balaclava under a regular helmet. With goggles, I need to only protect the lower part of my face. Since I let my beard grow longer in the winter, I need to add that only below 25 F.

At warmer temperatures, 30-40 F, my regular helmet with a rain cap and skull cap is often enough.

Gordon

I add a thin gaitor and plug the front holes in my helmet with foam below 20F. Cover my ears with some home-spun fleece flaps below 30F.

I have a sweat cap, I wear all summer. Made of coolmax. COnsturcted like a baseball cap, keeps the sun out of my eyes. I start wearing heavier caps for the cold, at about 50. On descents, I get cold quickly. Lived too long in the sunbelt , I guess.

go with a head band a bike shop can order you one or you can, mine is made by turtle fur, very thin and very warm can be worn under my helmet with no problem. i add the windblocker in my laser helmet when it gets to 60 degrees.

30F I'll put on my headband ear warmer.
20F I'll put on the gaitor