Commuting - Ready for winter NYC??

This will be my first winter commute by bike. I live in NJ and commute to NYC... about 40 miles, (hop on the train for most of it though) ANy advice on handling the winter here? I’m really dreading those ice cold mornings, i bought a few winter riding clothes like face masks and gloves etc.. anything else I should anticipate? I’ve also thought about locking one of my old bikes in NYC and keeping it there, I hear bikes are less likely to be stolen in the winter...

Our winters are mild compared to other places so just dress in layers and wear one layer less than you would if you were out walking. You'll heat up more by riding than walking so you'll end up taking off an extra layer anyways so just wear one layer less. For riding in wet weather, you might want some shoe covers or gaiters to keep your shoes dry. You could also wrap your foot in plastic wrap before putting your shoes on.

I had on a long sleeve base layer, fleece jersey, shorts, and leg warmers.
Beyond that, add a layer of tights and a vest.

Here's a little guide I made up.

130+: Wuss out.

115-130: Shorts, loose white long sleeve mesh jersey, ride slower. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

100-115: Shorts, loose jersey. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

55-100 degrees: shorts and jersey. Skull cap. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

40-55 degrees: long sleeve top, jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

30-40 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Full finger gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh.

25-30 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers. Skull cap, ear warmers. Windproof gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh.

15-25 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers, windproof vest. Balaclava. Windproof gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

10-15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, amfib windproof tights, windproof vest. Balaclava. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

0-10 degrees: fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ear warmers. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves with liner. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

-15-0 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, goggles. Down gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

-45 - -15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater (down sweater near -45), windproof jacket, tights, fleece pants, windproof pants. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, ear warmers, goggles. Down gloves (with liner near -45). Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

Below -45 F: Wuss out.

But I usually push pretty hard so I warm up. If I'm going a bit slower, bump everything up by 1 layer. Also, this is in the city, where I'll be drafting heat off cars and doing a lot of stop and go (which means the wind isn't continuously sucking heat off my body). It'll usually be a few degrees colder on the open road vs. the city so dress appropriately.

I had on a long sleeve base layer, fleece jersey, shorts, and leg warmers.
Beyond that, add a layer of tights and a vest.

Here's a little guide I made up.


I can't remember it being below minus 15 in R.I. Has it been below that cold down there?

I wouldn't worry about the temperature too much, just be smart and wear appropriate clothing. slvoid's list is a-ok to go by.

I tend to worry more about the slush/sludge, rain, snow, ice and all the stuff the city does to make it safer (arguably) for cars, but not necessarily for bikes. Fenders can only keep so much at bay...

Great thing about the city though, you can take your bike on the subway if things turn too foul.

Do NYC messengers still operate in the winter with the snow?

Do NYC messengers still operate in the winter with the snow?
of course. snow isn't that bad in NYC but even in places where it snows more (like Toronto) the messengers always work. can't let the weather stop you from making money.

You'll figure it out pretty fast, but one tip: cold + water is a bad, bad combo for the extremeties. Get yourself something water proof for the hands and feet, and you'll be glad you did.

A balaclava is great once it really starts getting windy & cold, but make sure you get one with air holes for the nose. Otherwise your glasses will fog up immediately.

I had on a long sleeve base layer, fleece jersey, shorts, and leg warmers.
Beyond that, add a layer of tights and a vest.

Here's a little guide I made up.

130+: Wuss out.

115-130: Shorts, loose white long sleeve mesh jersey, ride slower. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

100-115: Shorts, loose jersey. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

55-100 degrees: shorts and jersey. Skull cap. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

40-55 degrees: long sleeve top, jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

30-40 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Full finger gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh.

25-30 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers. Skull cap, ear warmers. Windproof gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh.

15-25 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers, windproof vest. Balaclava. Windproof gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

10-15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, amfib windproof tights, windproof vest. Balaclava. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

0-10 degrees: fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ear warmers. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves with liner. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

-15-0 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, goggles. Down gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

-45 - -15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater (down sweater near -45), windproof jacket, tights, fleece pants, windproof pants. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, ear warmers, goggles. Down gloves (with liner near -45). Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

Below -45 F: Wuss out.

But I usually push pretty hard so I warm up. If I'm going a bit slower, bump everything up by 1 layer. Also, this is in the city, where I'll be drafting heat off cars and doing a lot of stop and go (which means the wind isn't continuously sucking heat off my body). It'll usually be a few degrees colder on the open road vs. the city so dress appropriately.



Excellent post. I might print it off and distribute it to some friends after being converted to degrees Centigrade :) .