Road Cycling - winter clothing

I am going to start buying winter clothing, what i am most concerned with is when i ride in the cold the cold air kills my throat after a while, i have read that you should try to warm the air you are breathing, but how? I have seen people riding with these giant face cover things. Other than that i need to warm my feet up, i guess toe covers will work? what do you guys use?? I was looking at this for my earsPearl Izumi (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=23&iProductID=3063&iProductColorsTB=6365) and maybe thesetoe things (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=23&iProductID=3125&iProductColorsTB=6461)
for the fall like weather.

i found this thing, but it's kind of scary looking, i think someone might call the police on me check it out here (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=23&iProductID=3065&iProductColorsTB=6371)

That or the thin Blacalava (sp?) version. I use the thin one.

Joe

I think the facemask would be over kill for fall riding.I only use a facemask when the temps get below 20F.But everybody is different when it comes to how much cold they can handle.
The mask does get you more respect from drivers that are blowing there horn at you.All you need to do is give them THE LOOK.:D

It took me years to finally get to where I feel like I can ride in most kinds of weather. I have full neoprene booties for really cold and/or wet conditions, plus some nice warm socks to wear under my shoes. My toes still get cold. I have lobster claw gloves that I'll put a very thin liner under; they keep my hands as warm as mittens without keeping me from shifting and braking comfortably. I'll layer a thin ear band and a thin balaclava in the real cold, and that's usually enough for my face. A gore tex cycling suit serves as a great outer layer; I've also got Pearl Izumi amfib tights. I've got all the warmers (arm, knee and leg) and tights to layer on. Remember that your base layer is key; it's worth it to invest in something good. I've been using Craft stuff and have had great luck.

That's what's worked for me. Like I say, it's taken me a while to get everything together, but it's been worth it when I've found myself in southern Colorado in January.

Originally posted by djbowen1
i found this thing, but it's kind of scary looking, i think someone might call the police on me check it out here (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=23&iProductID=3065&iProductColorsTB=6371)


I bought on like this from Performance. Trust me on this one, unless the temprature is below 0 degrees, your head will burn slap up. The coldest I've used it was like 20 or so, and after a mile, my ears were burning. At the 10 mile point I had sweat running down my neck! I barely made it to the finish without stopping and ripping the thing off!

A friend told me he had a neopreme one that divers use around the throat, but I never saw it to see the brand.

Yeah djbowen1 I have one of those things also, and use the facemask only for the coldest of rides, probably temps under 40 degrees, but as was said each person has their own personal temps for things...But yeah you're on track with the booties and shoe covers, there are different weight and warmth ones out there, you shouldn't need them probably in your area till around october though..

Happy fall riding!

Benjamin

Originally posted by djbowen1
I am going to start buying winter clothing, what i am most concerned with is when i ride in the cold the cold air kills my throat after a while, i have read that you should try to warm the air you are breathing, but how? I have seen people riding with these giant face cover things. Other than that i need to warm my feet up, i guess toe covers will work? what do you guys use?? I was looking at this for my ears.

Free advice: When you ride in cold weather, dress as if it were 15 degrees warmer. If you don't, 15 minutes into your ride, you will be sweat soaked. The voice of experience speaking here.

I have both an ear warmer and a balaclava I bought at Eastern Mountain Sports. They are great. The balaclava covers my neck and fact and I can adjust it to leave my mouth and nose exposed or cover up everything but my eyes. It fits very well under my helmet.

Layer up, too. I start with Intera-wear underwear. It wicks sweat away while keeping you warm and cool. I wore them umpiring in 100 degree heat and they kept me relatively cool. I also wore them as a base layer riding in the winter, 25F and a hefty wind chill and they kept me warm.

On top of the Intera-wear, I wore a long sleeved Nike Dri-fit, then a Gore-Tex Windstopper Vest, topped with a breathable rain suit jacket. I wore two pair of socks, one base pair of cotton, then a pair of Smart-Wool, topped by the pants to the rain suit.

On really, really rotten, wet days, I wore Columbia insulated winter boots. (No clipless!). On normally cold days, I used my cycling shoes and neoprene booties.

I also bought a pair of cycling winter gloves. They are too hot above 40F, but below that they are super.

I rode nearly every day last winter, except when the streets were covered in snow or there was ice. I also did not venture out if the windchill was below 15F.

But, if you dress correctly, and it is an individual thing and takes a few times to get it right, you can ride very comfortably.

sorry, i should have been more specific, i am not too worried about the coming season , i am worried about the wintertime. i am pretty new to road biking, so i dont know what to expect. But i cannont see not riding in th winter, this past week of rain is absolutely killing me, i need to pedal.

Hey, it's good to plan ahead.

Oh, and don't let the Arizona in my Location: fool you. I live at about 7000 feet and we do, indeed, have a winter in northern Arizona.

A rather nasty one at times. :D

I lived in the valley for a few years.

WOOL!!

George!

icebike.com has all you need to know about winter cycling.
I find that using a cheaper helmet works well, fewer air vents means more insulation. Ive never used any sort of headcover, but I do use a long tubular neck-warmer, which I can pull up over my face and ears if it gets too cold.

To avoid cold feet - Good woollen socks and neoprene booties. But the booties can be improved enormously by wearing a thin plastic grocery bag as an "underbootie". The end result is much warmer and a good deal more water resistant. Just pull out a hole to allow the cleat through the bottom of the bag once everything is in place. It may sound daft, but I assure you this works and is practically free to try out!

Cheers,

Ed

Does a "skull cap" work well in cooler days of the autumn?

I too am new to cool weather riding. This is my first year on a bike in over 10 years and tehn I limited it to summers.

I usually just bust out the ear band in the fall. I've found that a skull cap is too much unless it's pretty cool (under 40 for me, but it will vary).

Check outTurtle Fur (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/manu_list.d2w/report?manufacturer=98&manuname=Turtle%20Fur) at Campmor; it's inexpensive, and has worked very well for me. I pull the turtle neck gaiter up over my mouth and/or nose when needed. I also use a thin skullcap to prevent heat from escaping thru the scalp. In very cold weather, I use thin balaclava instead of the gaiter and skullcap.

Winter gloves and fleece socks are also a must in my case, because once my hands and feet get very cold, I feel MISERABLE. I also use thin liner gloves and socks in very cold.

In any case, dress in layers so you can remove and add, as needed.

The best investment I made in winter clothing is a pair of Northwave winter road shoes. Much more satisfactory than booties, plastic bags, etc. Gaerne and and Sidi also make winter shoes. My shoes are fine down to the low 20s. Below that, I put in the chemical toe warmers.