Living Car Free - Preparing for colder weather

Now that it's September and there is a cool spell, a bicyclist's thoughts naturally revolve around getting some good winter clothing, making sure the bike lights are good and strong and wondering if last winter's balaclava is still in the sock drawer.

Myself, I just bought a pair of long commuter pants which will replace the Dockers I have been using since the Spring. I'm also resusitating my 20 watt halogen headlights.


Have you thought about the cold weather?

Have you made any backup plans, like getting some bus or train information, for days when you don't want to travel by bike?

I plan to ride more this winter. I hate to sweat, so the colder, the better. As long as your skin is covered, you're fine.

Where I live cold weather doesn't really hit until November, however my job is taking me to central Ohio in the next couple of weeks, so will need to pay attention

Aaron:)

I just got rain pants. They should work very nicely as wind pants too, so I'm hoping that I can ride in a bit colder weather this year. I still need to do a giant batch of wool washing, so my mittens, hat and scarf are clean (along with all the other woolies). And I need to finish knitting my backup mittens. Then if I can find a nice thin neck gaiter or good wool pants on sale, I'll grab those and I should be mostly set.

I plan to ride more this winter. I hate to sweat, so the colder, the better. As long as your skin is covered, you're fine.

I agree. I tend to ride quite a bit more in the winter, and I'm ready for it!

I plan to ride more this winter. I hate to sweat, so the colder, the better. As long as your skin is covered, you're fine.

+1. Today the temps were in the fifties, and it was the first time since classes started that I didn't take a shower upon returning home. Looking forward to cooler weather, and the opportunities to wear sweaters and such on the bike.

It only gets better from here!

Need to get some fenders for my bike, some off-road or studded tires, and all the warm clothing. I can't wait, winter biking sounds like a lot of fun. I've read pretty much everything on icebike.org.

I love winter, and I ride 365 days a year, but I'll still stretch out summer as long as I can--especially a summer that's as beautiful as this one has been.

I hate switching from shorts to long pants. To me, losing the freedom of bare legs on a bike is the worst thing about winter.

Today I had a rainy chilly ride, the first of the season (although the rest of the week looks really warm and sunny). And I gave some thought to winterizing my bike:

1) Replace brake pads, and possibly brake cables
2) true wheels
3) adjust the angle of my brake levers. They are currently at a 90 degree angle and my wrists are feeling a wee bit strained
4) New tires. I have 2" wide tires on them now and would like to get narrower ones. Whatever size they are I'd like them to be as bullet proof as possible -- I haven't had a flat yet, and my bike is 3 seasons old (crossing fingers, knocking on wood, will light a candle next time in church). I doubt I'll ride in snowy weather so studded tires will be overkill.
5) General cleaning, lubing, greasing, adjustments as usual.

My question is: how hard is it to number 1, 3, and 4 myself? Other than pumping air in my tires, lubing the chain, allen key spot checks on my rack and fenders, once changed my grips and saddle, I haven't had much to do with repairing my bike.

I'm not going to touch truing since I haven't the tools, and I'd like to be able to ride my bike again after fiddling with it.

I'm thinking that the salmon coloured Kool Stop brake pads would be good, and I can at the same time buy brake cables. Or should I just let the LBS do it and wait for course?

1) Replace brake pads, and possibly brake cables
2) true wheels
3) adjust the angle of my brake levers. They are currently at a 90 degree angle and my wrists are feeling a wee bit strained
4) New tires. I have 2" wide tires on them now and would like to get narrower ones. Whatever size they are I'd like them to be as bullet proof as possible -- I haven't had a flat yet, and my bike is 3 seasons old (crossing fingers, knocking on wood, will light a candle next time in church). I doubt I'll ride in snowy weather so studded tires will be overkill.
5) General cleaning, lubing, greasing, adjustments as usual.

My question is: how hard is it to number 1, 3, and 4 myself?

Well, I have absolutely no mechanical aptitude, but even I can do 1, 3, and 4.

1. Brake pads are self-explanatory, but you have to fiddle around to get the position and angles right. It'll take you more than an hour the first time, probably. the only tools you need are allen wrenches and a small phillip's head screwdriver to adjust.

3. Get a book on bike maintenence and/or check out sheldon brown (http://sheldonbrown.com/brakes/index.html). park tools (http://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp) is good if you want to take a course.

4. I think that every cyclist should know how to fix a flat and change tubes and tires. It isn't hard, and once you've practiced a few times it only takes 5 or 10 minutes. Of course the first time will take much longer!

Today I had a rainy chilly ride, the first of the season (although the rest of the week looks really warm and sunny). And I gave some thought to winterizing my bike:

1) Replace brake pads, and possibly brake cables
2) true wheels
3) adjust the angle of my brake levers. They are currently at a 90 degree angle and my wrists are feeling a wee bit strained
4) New tires. I have 2" wide tires on them now and would like to get narrower ones. Whatever size they are I'd like them to be as bullet proof as possible -- I haven't had a flat yet, and my bike is 3 seasons old (crossing fingers, knocking on wood, will light a candle next time in church). I doubt I'll ride in snowy weather so studded tires will be overkill.
5) General cleaning, lubing, greasing, adjustments as usual.

My question is: how hard is it to number 1, 3, and 4 myself? Other than pumping air in my tires, lubing the chain, allen key spot checks on my rack and fenders, once changed my grips and saddle, I haven't had much to do with repairing my bike.

I'm not going to touch truing since I haven't the tools, and I'd like to be able to ride my bike again after fiddling with it.

I'm thinking that the salmon coloured Kool Stop brake pads would be good, and I can at the same time buy brake cables. Or should I just let the LBS do it and wait for course?

Actually 1 through 5 are pretty easy, although I agree that truing wheels would be the hardest to learn. If you are interested, you should get a little book on bike repair. Also, you can learn a tremendous amount from YouTube.


Brake adjustment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02D2rqAUAPM)
From your home city, a tune up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvOqx7FpeRU)
Truing wheel (which you can do using the brakes...) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svMMaGMsIMw&feature=related)

I'm pretty handy with tools but there is always something not described in the instructions that I manage to foul up :crash:

At least my LBS is accustomed to my flights of repair fancy (the owner looks at me funny when he sees me. I'm sure it's about the time I came in because some part of my front fender was rubbing funny on my tire. Turned out to be a rather abraded raccoon's paw).

Now that it's September and there is a cool spell, a bicyclist's thoughts naturally revolve around getting some good winter clothing, making sure the bike lights are good and strong and wondering if last winter's balaclava is still in the sock drawer.

Myself, I just bought a pair of long commuter pants which will replace the Dockers I have been using since the Spring. I'm also resusitating my 20 watt halogen headlights.


Have you thought about the cold weather?

Have you made any backup plans, like getting some bus or train information, for days when you don't want to travel by bike?


Ummmm ... I hate to break this to you, but summer this year was July and the first two weeks of August. My winter clothing is still hanging where I can get at it (and of course, I've been wearing some of it since mid-August), my lights are always on my bicycle (I have a Schmidt Dynohub), and my "winter" balaclava is in my trunk bag where it always is ... just in case.

Here's Rowan and me on August 24th ... suited up in fall attire. Note the full fingered gloves and tights.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2825934971_49d3de2ecd.jpg?v=0


BTW - if you want to know what to wear in the winter, check out BF's Winter Forum.
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=53
There are lots of threads about what to wear.

I'm sure it's about the time I came in because some part of my front fender was rubbing funny on my tire. Turned out to be a rather abraded raccoon's paw).

Jeeze, what happened? There's got to be an interesting story involved.

Here's Rowan and me on August 24th ... suited up in fall attire. Note the full fingered gloves and tights.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2825934971_49d3de2ecd.jpg?v=0




Awww....

It looks like even their bikes are in love!


:love::love:

But it definitely is coming. We have frost warnings tonight where I'm visiting in northern lower Michigan. But also a forecast for 76F degrees in a couple days. You never know what you're going to get!

No frost warnings here. Yet. But today was a wool sweater for almost my entire ride, and I wasn't lazing about...

But it definitely is coming. We have frost warnings tonight where I'm visiting in northern lower Michigan. But also a forecast for 76F degrees in a couple days. You never know what you're going to get!

We've had frost warnings here almost every night for about the past 10 days. On the morning of Sept 4th, I had to grab the window scraper from the back seat and scrape my windows!!

We've had frost warnings here almost every night for about the past 10 days. On the morning of Sept 4th, I had to grab the window scraper from the back seat and scrape my windows!!

Do you usually get an Indian Summer? (Have you ever even heard of Indian Summer?)

Do you usually get an Indian Summer? (Have you ever even heard of Indian Summer?)

Manitoba gets Indian Summers. Alberta just has Winter. I miss Manitoba. And I'm looking forward to Australia.

Manitoba gets Indian Summers. Alberta just has Winter. I miss Manitoba. And I'm looking forward to Australia.

Well Australia has winter in the summertime. I don't think I'd like that. ;)

As you know, the longer the winter in your area, the more important it is to stay active outdoors in all kinds of weather. There was a thread in another forum where a guy was asking what kind of sports he could do in the winter when he couldn't ride his bike. You and I were the only ones who said why not just ride your bike outdoors all winter.

I do wonder why it's so hard for people to get into winter activities. They seem to have this idea that being out in the cold has to be uncomfortable, and maybe your ears will even turn black and fall off due to frostbite. You absolutely do not have to be uncomfortable outside. I have more fun riding in the winter than in the summer, if that's possible--although a little more effort and thought is required.

But people should really be inspired by you, Machka. IIRC, you used to do a century every month in addition to other long rides. I think you also did a lot of hiking and skiing in the winter. And this isn't a wimpy winter like I have in Michigan. You were performing these feats in the full-blown winters of the high plains of Canada!

Could you give us a few thoughts on your philosophy of being outdoors in the winter? What does it take--mentally and physically--to stay active in cold weather? And what's so great about it? What do you like about being in the cold winds and snow?

When I sell the car soon some of that cash is going to winter gear and studded tires.

Can't wait!

But people should really be inspired by you, Machka. IIRC, you used to do a century every month in addition to other long rides. I think you also did a lot of hiking and skiing in the winter. And this isn't a wimpy winter like I have in Michigan. You were performing these feats in the full-blown winters of the high plains of Canada!

Could you give us a few thoughts on your philosophy of being outdoors in the winter? What does it take--mentally and physically--to stay active in cold weather? And what's so great about it? What do you like about being in the cold winds and snow?

I still do the Century-A-Month challenges ... I've completed them in 2003, 2005, and 2006 so far (and I've done 8 months this year so far). And I try to get out and active as much as possible all year round. I love the outdoors. I hate being cooped up inside. I'm in University again this fall (last year), and in all my classes, I sit right next to the window so I can at least be near the outdoors.

I've experienced 41 winters, at least 6 months for each one ... so ... at least 20 years of my life has been spent in winter. Canadians deal with that in one of two ways. We either hibernate ... holing up inside, buring ourselves under blankets, with the TV remote, a stack of books, and food .......... or we deal with it by trying to take advantage of it by doing outdoor, snow-related activities.

When I was a child my parents bundled me up and sent me outside to play ... and I always had a blast out there in winter! We built snow forts, sledded down hills, had snowball fights, built snowmen ... there's so much to do with snow! :D I had to walk to school year round from Grade 1 to Grade 12 ... some of the schools I attended were right across the street ... others were quite a distance away. So I got used to dressing for winter conditions. I also learned to cross-country ski in my early teens and my mother and I skied up a storm for years. I've snowshoed on and off since my late teens. And when I was in Manitoba I had trails near me where I would go snowbiking. For me, it's just natural to get outside and do stuff ... even if it's cold and snowy.

In fact, cold and snow makes some activities (such as sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing) more fun! :D The best snowshoeing conditions require quite deep snow, and I like somewhat colder skiing conditions (my skis slide better).

It's not tough to get out there if you think of it as fun. :) And if you dress for it, you can be quite comfortable.


Now all that said ... after 41 winters, I'm looking forward to taking a bit of a break from winter. I'm looking forward to being able to cycle year round without snow! I think most Canadians experience that desire at some point, and as many as can will travel somewhere during the winter to take a break. Winter can get a little old ... especially in about February.

The only thing I like about the winter is fewer recreational cyclists going the wrong way down the street talking on the phone. I look forward to bringing up my winter bike with the studded tires, disc brakes and new headlights. I already have my winter cycling clothes hanging in the closet. A nice pair of gloves would be nice.

Gas, .69 cents the price of a can of beans

BTW - here's an article I wrote on what works for me to keep my feet warm when cycling in the winter.

http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm


I used many of those techniques last winter for walking to and from the LRT as well. My walk was 1.5 kms each way, and the temperature this past January and February was COLD. And yet ... I never wore winter boots. It's amazing how warm your feet can be using specific sock layers and loose shoes. :)

Check out the Min Temps on these charts ... those were the temps first thing in the morning when I walked to the LRT:
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=AB&StationID=1865&Year=2008&Month=1&Day=8
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html

Especially check out January 29th!! :D At 6:00 am, I'd have been getting ready to head out the door to start my walk!!
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/hourlydata_e.html?timeframe=1&Prov=XX&StationID=1865&Year=2008&Month=1&Day=29

We're just winding down winter here in Australia. Where I live, 300 metres above sea level between two mountain ranges, the overnight temps have been at or slightly below 0 deg C in the past week, but the forecast maximum over the next two days will be in the low 20s. Also where I am, there has been a lot of rain, enough to refill our dams and get the subsoil damp again.

Except for the trip to Canada, I've been cycle commuting every day, rain, hail (yes, a bit of that too), or shine, but no snow. Layering with up to five thin layers on the torso, has been essential (I work outdoors and in the clothes I commute in). But I've not had to resort to leggings under my work trousers this year.

I acquired a pair of waterproof oilskin trousers for work, and took to wearing those on commutes, too, and they are very, very good -- better than the "technical" waterproof fabrics except for their weight. I am looking for a suitably oilskin jacket to complete the waterproof commuting outfit for next year.

I've found several things can help (your experiences and outcomes might be different, of course):

1. Feet -- get oversized shoes and layer up with woollen socks.

2. Tight fit for any clothing -- forget it. For my winter shopping and century-a-month trips, I have taken to wearing loose-fitting microfibre trousers in preference to tights because the "balloon" they form around my legs is an effective insulator. The picture Machka posted shows them (albeit not very well through the bikes). Otherwise, I commute in jeans or similar trousers.

3. Ears are most vulnerable to the cold. A polarfleece headband is the first defence, the second is a single-layer toque/beanie, and the third is a fully-fledge, double thickness toque/beanie.

4. Thinsulate remains my favourite insulator for gloves/mittens. It stays warm even when wet.

5. Wind protection is essential. An outer shell allows you to ride with fewer layers on the torso than you would otherwise need. This applies even more so with hands. Machka gave me a pair of better quality mittens than I had, and they are great for sub-zero C riding.

6. Cover the vents in your helmet with electrical insulation tape, but leave the vents right at the back at the nape of the neck (if you have them) uncovered. It's a trick Sheldon Brown (bless his soul) came up with on his pages, except he used sticky tape. It is brilliantly effective at reducing the airflow through the helmet, but there is still enough to avoid sweat build-up. The tape can be easily removed at winter's end without damaging the helmet, and it's cheap and can be colour matched with the helemt. It also has the advantage of making the helmet almost rainproof, and helmet lights can be fitted very simply

7. Wool reigns, but for me (and I emphasise for me), polypropylene is a fine, cheap substitute, as a base layer.

8. Polarfleece is another fabric that can stay warm even though wet either from rain or sweat (it is a very good outer layer for those "technical" fabrics that need that layer to be fully effective in wicking away water). But it can get heavy.

9. Waterproof pants are a work in progress for me. I have tried many things, including the aforementioned oilskin variety. I have discovered that with some of the cycling-specific pants with full-leg-length zippers water can get in through the zippers, and that can be mighty disconcerting. I have just acquired a pair of MEC rainpants and look forward to trying them eventually -- these have a much better type of zipper, similar to their jacket.

10. Relatively loose fitting overshoes are great for protecting shoes. I have a pair acquired in France, and compared with neoprene booties -- well, the neoprene variety won't be in my closet again.

11. If you want waterproof cycling shoes/boots, I have found the Gaernes to be quite good, although the sole is a little too flexxy for my taste for extended riding with clipless pedals. I lust after the Shimano Gore-Tex boots and will likely acquire a pair before next winter. However, most of my winter commuting has been with workboots, including a pair of Merrell Lazer waterproofs, on platform pedals.

12. Pitzips in jackets are excellent, well, essential for me. I have just acquired another MEC waterproof jacket, as well as another MEC windproof jacket because I was so happy with the designs of the original ones I've had for around three years.

By the way, the bike I used for the wedding century was borrowed from Charlene's father (a steel-framed Maruishi 505). I left my bikes at home to make travelling easier and cheaper this time around. After being a red kind of guy for many years, Machka's influencing me to turn to the blue side!

Ooo noo i hate winter, its cold in maryland
my son can ride the bus to school and i dont need to worry about him
but i still ride to work and to the grocery store in the freezing cold
you would think that being car free all of my life I would be used to it by now, but im not
ill have to start preparing us now, good bye summer :(

Thanks to the newly weds, Rowan and Machka! Such technical and specific information is a big reason why many of us come to BF. It's nice to profit from other's hard-won experience. :)

Ooo noo i hate winter, its cold in maryland
my son can ride the bus to school and i dont need to worry about him
but i still ride to work and to the grocery store in the freezing cold
you would think that being car free all of my life I would be used to it by now, but im not
ill have to start preparing us now, good bye summer :(

I don't know why some love winter and some hate it. But it's great that you get out in it--shows real determination compared to crazy people like me who actually like the white stuff.

:welcome

Cold in Maryland... man, when I was a kid and we'd drive from southern Ontario to Atlanta to visit relatives at Christmas, Maryland was where we could get out of the car without jackets on for the first time. ;)

I have so much energy for riding in this cooler weather. It was about 10 C (50 F) this morning when I went out, and it was beautiful. I'm looking forward to riding as long as the roads aren't too icy and salty.

Cold in Maryland... man, when I was a kid and we'd drive from southern Ontario to Atlanta to visit relatives at Christmas, Maryland was where we could get out of the car without jackets on for the first time. ;)

I have so much energy for riding in this cooler weather. It was about 10 C (50 F) this morning when I went out, and it was beautiful. I'm looking forward to riding as long as the roads aren't too icy and salty.


+1 on riding when the roads aren't too horrible. Yesterday was the coldest it's been in a long while and it was nice not sweating to bits. I actually wished I brought full finger gloves since the rain and chilly air made my hands so cold!

Cold in Maryland... man, when I was a kid and we'd drive from southern Ontario to Atlanta to visit relatives at Christmas, Maryland was where we could get out of the car without jackets on for the first time. ;)

I have so much energy for riding in this cooler weather. It was about 10 C (50 F) this morning when I went out, and it was beautiful. I'm looking forward to riding as long as the roads aren't too icy and salty.

We've got nothing on Canada or any other place north of here but it can definitely get cold around here. I personally love the seasons and welcome all of them with open arms.

So a lot of you guys seem to be wearing pants, I was thinking some army BDU's so I can tie them off near the knee than sport some tall socks to keep my lower leg warm. I am just not into the idea of wearing pants when I am biking, especially those spandex numbers, anybody else feel the same way or have a better idea? Also I would think the face would suffer most in the cold, perhaps a bandana or something.

I've found several things can help (your experiences and outcomes might be different, of course):


A good list. I would like to add
13. A good balaclava. I usually carry one until late in the Spring. It's nice to have one you can reach for if the wind changes. In winter, I use just a balaclava under my helmet down to about 15F (-9C). Below that, I use two balaclavas. :lol:

So a lot of you guys seem to be wearing pants, I was thinking some army BDU's so I can tie them off near the knee than sport some tall socks to keep my lower leg warm. I am just not into the idea of wearing pants when I am biking, especially those spandex numbers, anybody else feel the same way or have a better idea? Also I would think the face would suffer most in the cold, perhaps a bandana or something.

The few times I've ridden with long pants (I've only really gotten into riding this past spring and summer, and it's been hot) I've been annoyed by them.

Erm... I'm not sure if you're a guy or a girl. :) I'm the latter and capri-length pants are in this year (below-the-knee shorts), and I find they're perfect -- my thighs and knees are covered, but there's nothing to interfere with pedaling even if they're not tight, and they're not too warm. This week it's been cooler out and I've been wearing knee socks with them.

If you're a guy army pants may be the way to go. I also recall cargo pants that had zip-off sections, so that they could be worn as above-the-knee shorts, knee-length surf shorts, or long pants. That might have been a '90s fad as I can't remember the last time I saw a pair, but if you can find them they might be practical.

The most underrated piece of cycling equipment for general cycling in ordinary clothes is the pants guard ring on the crankset. You see them quite often as plastic rings on cheap cranksets, and quite a few of the older style of cranksets incorporated them.

There are, however, some practical difficulties with pedalling with long-leg pants -- one of which is getting the cuff/hem caught on the BB end of the crank.

I have a pair of reflective ankle bands that serve very well as general purpose cuff protection on a bike, but it is always a mental challenge to remember to remove them, especially when at a social gathering. Likewise with just tucking the cuff into the tops of the socks. The looks are not particularly chic.

Those cargo zip-off pants Indie mentions are like those I am wearing in the picture. I have three pairs bought some time ago. I think they are still alive and well in the outdoor shops.

If you're a guy army pants may be the way to go. I also recall cargo pants that had zip-off sections, so that they could be worn as above-the-knee shorts, knee-length surf shorts, or long pants. That might have been a '90s fad as I can't remember the last time I saw a pair, but if you can find them they might be practical.

I bought a couple pair of these about 2 years ago. Check out Sierra Trading Post and MEC. They are often in the "travel pant" section.

The few times I've ridden with long pants (I've only really gotten into riding this past spring and summer, and it's been hot) I've been annoyed by them.

Erm... I'm not sure if you're a guy or a girl. :) I'm the latter and capri-length pants are in this year (below-the-knee shorts), and I find they're perfect -- my thighs and knees are covered, but there's nothing to interfere with pedaling even if they're not tight, and they're not too warm. This week it's been cooler out and I've been wearing knee socks with them.

If you're a guy army pants may be the way to go. I also recall cargo pants that had zip-off sections, so that they could be worn as above-the-knee shorts, knee-length surf shorts, or long pants. That might have been a '90s fad as I can't remember the last time I saw a pair, but if you can find them they might be practical.
I think I will go with some BDU's and soccer socks. I actually work P/T at a retail store that has every single kind of shorts/zip off/thigh length etc etc etc. I am personally not a fan of zip offs and feel long shorts will still allow a draft soooo I guess nevermind, lol. BTW if anyone wants to barter with me I can get really good deals on really expensive apparel online.

The best pants I've found are hiking pants from the diferent outdoors outfitters. I look for polyester with at least on zip pocket.

I usually just roll up the right leg. Or, as my stepson always says, "Just cuff 'em up and go!"

The best pants I've found are hiking pants from the diferent outdoors outfitters. I look for polyester with at least on zip pocket.

I usually just roll up the right leg. Or, as my stepson always says, "Just cuff 'em up and go!"

Well with the one right leg up you look either confused or like LL Cool J and when you cuff em you get lines on them when you unroll them. With the tie strings you can just bunch them up and be on your way rather easily. Also they make new military gear with 50% poly which isnt too bad, plus the butts are double stitched.

Well with the one right leg up you look either confused or like LL Cool J and when you cuff em you get lines on them when you unroll them. With the tie strings you can just bunch them up and be on your way rather easily. Also they make new military gear with 50% poly which isnt too bad, plus the butts are double stitched.

This is true. I like the leg bands too, but I'm always losing them, giving them away or just forgetting them. I've had a pair of hiking pants now that have lasted me for two hard winters of cycling, and I hope they make it through a third. Another thing--they dry fast, which is important at work.

For cooler weather, I use something like "wind" pants. These are normally a nylon shell...great for fitting over other layers. I just bought a pair of these... called commuter pants from REI. They are bike specific, so you don't need leg bands and a little cool over bare legs, but they should work great over a pair of nylon long john's.

The only problem is that they made an awful scrapy noise as you crank the pedals, a problem I don't have with my cotton/polyester baggy wind pants.

http://www.rei.com/features/zoom.html?img440=/media/500936%26style=724558%26sku=7245580019&imageServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&productInfoServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&TB_iframe=true&height=513&width=700

For cooler weather, I use something like "wind" pants. These are normally a nylon shell...great for fitting over other layers. I just bought a pair of these... called commuter pants from REI. They are bike specific, so you don't need leg bands and a little cool over bare legs, but they should work great over a pair of nylon long john's.

The only problem is that they made an awful scrapy noise as you crank the pedals, a problem I don't have with my cotton/polyester baggy wind pants.

http://www.rei.com/features/zoom.html?img440=/media/500936%26style=724558%26sku=7245580019&imageServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&productInfoServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&TB_iframe=true&height=513&width=700

I don't like those except for rainy or bitterly cold weather. They don't breathe well, and I end up soaked by the time I get anywhere. Plus they bind over the knee, and I find I slide on my saddle.

I prefer to go with a more breathable material in cool weather.

I like wool knickers (http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_wool_knickers.html) for cold weather riding. I usually make my own from old suit pants or uniform pants that I buy at the thrift store. Wind pants aren't bad either when the weather is a bit crappy. I used to have one old pair of hunting pants that had waterproof nylon on the front of the legs, they were wool and very, very comfortable for cycling. Wore the seat out and have never found a replacement.

Aaron:)

Wow, talk about retro retro. But impressive! You do raise an interesting point about wearing out the seat on wool/wool-mix suit pants -- it's something that I did on more than a couple of pairs.

I wear long wool socks (that goes up and over my calf) and roll up my right pants high enough to clear the crank.

Also you should check out your thrift store. You can find a lot of wool sweaters for cheap. I found this thick outdoorsy wool shirt that weighed like 5 lbs for like $2 once. I would of gotten it, but man it was such an ugly color.

I wear long wool socks (that goes up and over my calf) and roll up my right pants high enough to clear the crank.

Also you should check out your thrift store. You can find a lot of wool sweaters for cheap. I found this thick outdoorsy wool shirt that weighed like 5 lbs for like $2 once. I would of gotten it, but man it was such an ugly color.

What I always look for in resale stores is very light and soft wool sweaters. Cashmere and merino wool are the best. I wear them mainly as a base layer in the winter. The wool must be very soft, so it doesn't scratch when you wear it against your skin. These can cost hundreds of dollars when they're new, but good used ones might be less than $5.

Jeeze, what happened? There's got to be an interesting story involved.

On one of my routes to work was a rather squished raccoon. The next day a construction site started up and the trucks dropped dirt and gravel all over the road near the raccoon. I guess when I road up the street my wheel must have somehow scooped up a raccoon paw along with some gravel because I remember hearing the gravel ricochetting down the front fender. That's about the time my front wheel felt like it was slowing down. I thought it had something to do with my front brake since I had added fenders and it needed a far bit of adjusting. So I brought it to my LBS.

When I picked up my bike the lbs guy looked at me kind of funny and asked me if I had run over a raccoon. I said no but there is one on my route, why? (So innocent). He said there was a raccoon paw wedged at the top of the fender under the fork and that along with a hunk of gravel were causing drag. He said it was a good thing I brought in the bike because the gravel was holding the paw pretty snug over the tire. That and my bike would smell like dead critter. He asked me if I wanted to see it. I said no thank you. Paid my bill.

Since then he's given me a look that says "Weirdo alert!" but has always been very nice. I'm pretty sure he'd refuse my home made cookies...

Just make sure my long sleeve liners aren't too musty and the gloves are in their same place.

I actually almost always wear shorts even in really cold weather, but I wear warmer socks, so make sure those are ready too.

Other than the layers on the upper bod and hat/gloves not too much else!

all my wool is nearby/accounted for, ready to go for winter.

dynohub is attached to the bike, so nothing changes there, i just turn it on earlier. (~4:15 PM at the peak of winter!)

fenders being installed soon.. (new bike).

last winter was good, but this one will be better!