Winter Cycling - Autumn cycling...what to wear? HELP!

Alright...I am SO LOST! This is how I felt when I first go into cycling and started shopping for a bike. Cycling clothes has me totally lost. I've only biked in warm weather. Easy...cycling shorts...cycling short sleeve jersey...helmet...sun glasses...cycling shoes...ankle or short length socks. Good to go!

But cold weather stuff? OMG. Baselayers. What? And who's do I get? Cheap $20-$30 Giordana? Outrageous $170 Assos? For freaking baselayers?!?!?!?

And even long sleeve jerseys...seems like they have different weight/warmth for how cold you want to ride in. Once I pick a jersey...I wear my baselayer under it? Do I need to get some sort of jacket or vest?

What about bottom. Seems like the only option are long pant sleeve bib style. Right? Do you wear anything like long johns or something under it? Do you wear leg/knee warmers over them? Or are the tights/kickers warm enought by itself?

What about my Sidi Genius 6.6...won't the wind just rip through them? Do I have to get new shoes? And what socks?

Gloves? Any suggestions?

And finally...how about my head? Skull cap? Or a thing that covers my whole head, mouth, nose, ears?

I am so lost...

that "thing" is a balaclava. unless you got a whole "look" thing going on, I just wear my summer gear (bike shorts, jersey) under increasingly heavier clothes as it get colder out. basically warmth is important at the vulnerable points - ankles, fingers, neck, face, eyes, top of your head. warm (and proper) gear doesn't necessarily have to be made by cycling industry manufacturers. For example in February, I wear ski mittens.

As long as it doesn't flap like mad in the wind it's good.

I, too, am in the same predicament. I rode in today with the temp at 42*. My commute is fairly short, clear skies, no wind today.
I wore:
Oakley Compression Shorts
Endura long sleeve jersey
Fox Trooper Jacket
Specialized 1/2 Finger gloves
NB Trainers with 3/4 riding socks (MKS GR-9 w/ PowerGrips)
Bandanna on head

My fingers froze of course but my torso was hot. Jacket was overkill for this temp.

Looking for recommendation for gloves and jersey for these conditions. Is there a heavier jersey that will breath but keep in some warmth?

i personally like silk or light wool baselayers. Although I would imagine one of those PI tank tops underneath your jersey will work fine as well. Don't wear cotton....or you will be drenched in sweat.

Baselayer is essentially to get the moisture away from your skin.
Insulating layer is well.. to insulate... this can be something thin like a jersey paired with arm warmers or maybe a longsleeve jersey. I was asking around about this and this year i'm going to experiment with an old thin/medium merino crewsweater. Any colder.. start layer this stuff...base+longsleeve+armwarmers and maybe throw in a vest.

I usually dont use a shell unless its a vest. If its any colder than that.. i wimp out.

Legs..i just wear shorts and knee warmers..

I, too, am in the same predicament. I rode in today with the temp at 42*. My commute is fairly short, clear skies, no wind today.
I wore:
Oakley Compression Shorts
Endura long sleeve jersey
Fox Trooper Jacket
Specialized 1/2 Finger gloves
NB Trainers with 3/4 riding socks (MKS GR-9 w/ PowerGrips)
Bandanna on head

My fingers froze of course but my torso was hot. Jacket was overkill for this temp.

Looking for recommendation for gloves and jersey for these conditions. Is there a heavier jersey that will breath but keep in some warmth?

Below 42F:
* balaclava
* riding gloves with cotton work gloves underneath
* base layer shirt, polyester long-sleeved shirt, windbreaker
* wind pants with base layer and riding short underneath
* wool socks

Below 32F:
* wool scarf over the balaclava
* wool sweater under the windbreaker
* thermolite gloves
* 2 pairs wool socks
* heavier wind pants (preferably lined)

Below 22F:
* add heavier jacket
*

Below 42F:
* balaclava
* riding gloves with cotton work gloves underneath
* base layer shirt, polyester long-sleeved shirt, windbreaker
* wind pants with base layer and riding short underneath
* wool socks

Below 32F:
* wool scarf over the balaclava
* wool sweater under the windbreaker
* thermolite gloves
* 2 pairs wool socks
* heavier wind pants (preferably lined)

Below 22F:
* add heavier jacket
*

What do you wear for a ride in weather 50-60 degrees?

What do you wear for a ride in weather 50-60 degrees?

50-60F? That's not Winter Cycling!

Actually that range is a mystery to me. I have lately been wearing my aforementioned wind pants, with a long-sleeved polyester shirt (and maybe a base layer shirt if it is windy..) However, the wind pants are too warm. Maybe I'll dig out my polyester/cotton Dockers with elastic bands on the legs. They actually worked pretty well, although I also got a few stares...

When it's in the low 50's to low 60's (like today), I wear the following:
Summer socks and cycling shoes
Knee warmers
Padded cycling shorts
Short sleeve base layer top (like a Nike Dri-fit compression shirt)
Wool pullover sweater
Long-fingered cycling gloves
Wind shell vest, mostly for visibility, left unzipped almost to the bottom

What do you wear for a ride in weather 50-60 degrees?

Ah ... summer conditions.

You wear a short-sleeved jersey, light windbreaker, shorts, and leg warmers ... some of which you might remove if it happens to go over 60 degrees.


Now for fall ... here in Alberta this year ... you'd wear shorts and short-sleeved jersey. We're having nicer weather this fall than we did over the summer!! :D


Oh, and it's all about trial and error. Get some inexpensive stuff ... that's all I use ... and experiment with it.

Below 42F:
* balaclava
* riding gloves with cotton work gloves underneath
* base layer shirt, polyester long-sleeved shirt, windbreaker
* wind pants with base layer and riding short underneath
* wool socks

Below 32F:
* wool scarf over the balaclava
* wool sweater under the windbreaker
* thermolite gloves
* 2 pairs wool socks
* heavier wind pants (preferably lined)

Below 22F:
* add heavier jacket
*

Wow! You must be from Florida;) I don't wear what you wear for temps above 30F.

Everyone is different, celerystalksme, and you have to find what works for you. There isn't one way to do it. For example, I wear for around 40F

-shorts
-short sleeve jersey
-short bicycling socks
-arm warmers or light long sleeve jersey
-wind jacket
-tights, either bibs or waist. Bibs are a bit warmer

For my extremities, I wear long finger mountain bike gloves and an ear warmer. I'd be dripping sweat wearing what gerv is wearing (not that there is anything wrong with his choices;))

For 35F, I add

-a long sleeve jersey with the short sleeve jersey. No arm warmers
-definitely bibs
-a little heavier glove
-over the calf wool socks
-neoprene shoe covers
-vent blockers in my helmet

For 30F down to around 20F, I add to the above

-long sleeve jersey (now wearing 2 of them with short sleeve)
- over the knee wool socks
-maybe a heavier glove

Below 20F, I change a few things

-heavier long sleeve jersey
-Pearl Izumi Amfib tights
-balaclava

Much below about 15F, I add

-a car:D

I could go lower - and I admire those crazed individual who go way low - but, damn, it hurts to ride that cold. I'll wuss out, sorry.

When it's in the low 50's to low 60's (like today), I wear the following:
Summer socks and cycling shoes
Knee warmers
Padded cycling shorts
Short sleeve base layer top (like a Nike Dri-fit compression shirt)
Wool pullover sweater
Long-fingered cycling gloves
Wind shell vest, mostly for visibility, left unzipped almost to the bottom

I would be 'well done' if I wore this on a 15 - 20 mile road ride or a 5 -8 mile MTB ride. 50 - 60 I consider warm in the fall and just plain hot in the spring.

fall weather isn't bad, and you don't really need too much more stuff until it gets down to under 40 degrees.

Arm warmers are one of the most important things. You can wear your regular summer stuff and just add the armwarmers. Push them down or take them off if it gets too warm. Or you can wear a long sleeve baselayer something out of Polartec or Patagonia capilene, or wool, just a silkweight. Not warm enough with just the long sleeve, add the armwarmers. That's why they're indispensable.

Then, a pair of light tights, knickers, or knee warmers, just the same stuff the shorts are made of, no insulation. Long finger gloves, some light or midweight wool socks, maybe a windbreaker or lightweight vest, again, no insulation necessary. At these temps, I prefer an earband to a balaclava, that's for the colder weather. I just overheat with my head totally covered.

As it gets closer to 40 degrees, you can start adding heavier tights with fleece insulation, a midlayer or heavier weight jersey like the PI Kodiak and Kodiak light, windproof vest with fleece insulation, heavier gloves like PI Cyclones, or my fave, Garneau windstoppers, the balaclava, booties or winter cycling boots. But now we're talking about spending a bunch of money.

I would be 'well done' if I wore this on a 15 - 20 mile road ride or a 5 -8 mile MTB ride. 50 - 60 I consider warm in the fall and just plain hot in the spring.

Me too for the most part, although this year for some reason, I've been liking it really hot, and anything below 70 starts to feel chilly to me.

But I think I'm adjusting to the fall temps, and usually I don't start adding too much more other than tights and armwarmers until it gets below 50.

When it's in the low 50's to low 60's (like today), I wear the following:
Summer socks and cycling shoes
Knee warmers
Padded cycling shorts
Short sleeve base layer top (like a Nike Dri-fit compression shirt)
Wool pullover sweater
Long-fingered cycling gloves
Wind shell vest, mostly for visibility, left unzipped almost to the bottom

Wow, I'd be drenched in sweat with all those clothes! So much for geographical stereotypes.

50s and 60s for me: bibs, jersey, kneewarmers, armwarmers, glove liners.

Wow, I'd be drenched in sweat with all those clothes! So much for geographical stereotypes.

50s and 60s for me: bibs, jersey, kneewarmers, armwarmers, glove liners.

knee warmers and arm warmers. why not just long sleeve jersey and long pant sleeve bib thingy's or tights? is that too harm? are long sleeve wear warmer than knee warmers and arm warmers?

knee warmers and arm warmers. why not just long sleeve jersey and long pant sleeve bib thingy's or tights? is that too harm? are long sleeve wear warmer than knee warmers and arm warmers?

Flexibility if it warms up. If you get hot, you can easily push down the arm warmers or take them off and stuff them in your pocket. Long sleeved jerseys tend to be made of heavier material than short sleeved jerseys so you're kind of committed. Same with tights or knickers (3/4 length).

Also, typically here it's cool in the morning but warm in the afternoon so if I rode into work with a long sleeved jersey, I'd be stuck with it on the way home.

Much below about 15F, I add

-a car:D



I have a lot of trouble under 15F too :( I travel 7 miles to work and I have never been able to dial in something for my feet. I could wear 7 pairs of wool socks and would still have two cold junks of ice when I arrived.

I think the balaclava is essential under 40F. I wore one this morning with 38F. It makes the whole ride so warm and comfy, particularly if there is any wind.

I have a lot of trouble under 15F too :( I travel 7 miles to work and I have never been able to dial in something for my feet. I could wear 7 pairs of wool socks and would still have two cold junks of ice when I arrived.

I think the balaclava is essential under 40F. I wore one this morning with 38F. It makes the whole ride so warm and comfy, particularly if there is any wind.



Have a look over my article on cold feet ... perhaps something there might help you with yours:

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

We've been riding in great fall weather lately and it's all about layers right now. At night it's been getting down to about 25 F so everything is frozen when we wake up. Fortunately, we have warm sleeping bags so we're toasty while camping out. But getting up in the morning and taking down the tent is tough!!

As for what we're wearing - we are four people and have four completely different levels of tolerance for cold. My husband has only put on his tights two or three days so far, while me and our sons are wearing ours every day (at least in the morning). We've got plenty of thin layers that we pile on together for the morning, and then do our onion act as the day progresses and start peeling off the layers.

I've found that I really don't like a balaclava - I have no flexibility with that thing. I use a hat and a neck gaitor, which accomplishes the same thing as a balaclava, but I have the flexibility of wearing one or hte other or both. Works a lot better for us!

I also really like wool (I'm sold on Ibex - I think I'll buy stock in that company since I personally will drive it to success!!). Wool just seems soooooo comfy on cold mornings!

CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my all giordana fall weather gear down to about 40 degrees is gonna run me like $900!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'd rather put that towards a SRAM Red groupset!

As others pointed out you realy don't need that much gear to ride into the Fall or Winter.

For temps down to about 45 I wear the same short and T shirt I wear all Summer. I have a Performance long sleeve jersey and a Performance Illuminite Vest. Depending on the temperature I'll mix and match the two top with what ever works for that day. For my legs I add a piar of Illuminite tights. These are not super tight and medium thickness. The tights realy keeps the wind out and that helps keep your legs and especially the knees warm. They breath very easily so that you don't get all sweaty. For gloves I just wear a cheap pair of full fingered Schwinn gloves I got at Target. Temps here in Western NY swing quickly from warm to cold in the Fall and the reverse is true in the Spring as well. Therefore a cheap pair of gloves will work for those 30 days or so that they hover in the 40's to 50's in the morning in the swing season. Once the temps drop more I switch over to an old pair of Gotex winter gloves. I do want to get something more Water proof this Fall for those rainy days. 40F and raining just hurts your hands.

For temps close to Freezing I add a beanie cap to my head. Once the temps get well below Freezing I was adding my rain pants as an additional wind barrier. This worked OK, but the legs get a bit sweaty. I will get a pair of tights made by www.foxwear.net this year. For a Winter coat I got the Foxwear E-Vap coat. It is very wind tight, yet breaths amazingly well. Once the temps got realy cold I added a wind breaker to help keep me warmer. When the temps dropped into the single digits I added an XPolar face mask to make breathing easier (it pre-heats the air), and when the temps dropped to 2F with -26 wind chill I wore my ski mask to protect my eyes and the skin around my eyes from frost bite.

For foot wear I switch over to Winter boots. I just can't justify spending tons of money on cycling boots. I used to use toe clips, but I am going to try power-grips this Fall and see if I like them better.

Happy riding,
André

My planned Gear for Fall / Winter / Spring

- Sunglasses / Skii Googles (depending on temperature)
- Face warmer for Winter (i don't like balaclava)
- Use my head warmer (it came with my Giro Iono) if it gets really cold, which i doubt my head is always over heating.
- Water & Wind proof gloves, if necessary, i just add an extra layer of thin gloves.
- Winter Boots, make sure they are water proof, some are not.
- Good pair of socks for winter, or wear 2 pair of socks on top of each other.
- Layer 1 jacket - my usual reflective bike jacket for rain (waterproof)
- Layer 2 jacket - my soft shell jacket
- Layer 3 jacket - any soft sporty jacket
- Layer 4 sweater or long sleeve shirt / tshirt - just anything that feels warm
- Layer 5 any non cotton tshirt to keep moisture away on Layer 4
- Layer 6 optional
- Layer 1 pants - my usual waterproof pants overlay
- Layer 2 pants - whatever you are comfortable with
- Layer 3 pants - leg warmers
- Layer 4 ... your underwear / boxer whatever you use usually.
- Winter tires with studs
- Hot or Warm bottle of water / it will be chilled to cold / ice water after a few miles ;)
(if you are planning to go long distance fill up with hot water, if you are for short distance, then warm water)
- clean up your bike at least once a weekend, to keep Salt away
- Lights, blinkers, Batteries, Spare tube, air pump, the rest of your usual gear.

- optional a rear rack.

A rear rack becomes quite handy in Winter, since you'll probably be overloaded with too much stuff on you, so it's better to have your back pack, laptop, or whatever you normally carry on the rear rack.

You'll need all the attention on the roads for any random black ice, or some cars not being able to stop on time, and slide right into you, etc...

I have a lot of trouble under 15F too :( I travel 7 miles to work and I have never been able to dial in something for my feet. I could wear 7 pairs of wool socks and would still have two cold junks of ice when I arrived.

I think the balaclava is essential under 40F. I wore one this morning with 38F. It makes the whole ride so warm and comfy, particularly if there is any wind.

Neoprene is your friend;) I have a very old pair of Performance neoprene shoe covers (and a pair of shoes one size too big) that I use all winter. Add in a pair of wool socks and, lately, a pair of thin bicycle socks under them and my feet never get cold. In fact, I'm usually end up pouring sweat out of my shoes:eek::eek:

Personally, I don't need the balaclava. I'm kind of a hot head...wait, that didn't come out right:rolleyes::D

Let's see.... it was 40degF this morning. I wore, long sleeve T-shirt, under a short sleeve T-shirt (both
cotton), baggy shorts, socks, sneakers, helmet, no gloves. A bit of head wind.

I over dressed. I was too hot. Interesting.

I've been exploring the "winter" ride issue trying to develop a plan. I've been somewhat interested
in all the different temperature tolerances of all the many bikers in the various regions around the US
in the discusions & information.


Dr. Joe

Do you think this will do for down to 40 degrees? My shopping cart so far:

Giordana Forma tights $200
Giordana Skullcap $25
Giordana Jersey long sleeve $200
Giordana baselayer long sleeve $30

I think I probably needs some gloves...and maybe a bootie/shoe-cover thingy? I don't think I need a jacket for 40 degrees????

Feedback please! Thanks!

Do you think this will do for down to 40 degrees? My shopping cart so far:

Giordana Forma tights $200
Giordana Skullcap $25
Giordana Jersey long sleeve $200
Giordana baselayer long sleeve $30

I think I probably needs some gloves...and maybe a bootie/shoe-cover thingy? I don't think I need a jacket for 40 degrees????

Feedback please! Thanks!

Why do you need Giordana stuff?

My fall collection consists of:

Nashbar tights $20 (and I really like the pair I just got last month, very comfortable!)
$ Store headband $1
$ Store neck gaiter $1 (I don't wear this until it gets well below freezing)
MEC Long sleeved jersey $30
Baselayer ... well, I've got a whole bunch of long sleeved jerseys and base layers ... some wool, some polypro, some fleece, and the grand total of them all might add up to the $230 you've allotted for one jersey and one baselayer.

I use MEC booties and recently picked up full-fingered gloves from MEC as well. Most winters I just wear $ Store gloves. And I splurge on the Kodiak socks - $8 for 2 pair. :)

If you don't want a jacket (I would, but then I'm cold when I ride) you might want to get a vest ... and you can acquire one quite inexpensively at Nashbar.

Why do you need Giordana stuff?

My fall collection consists of:

Nashbar tights $20 (and I really like the pair I just got last month, very comfortable!)
$ Store headband $1
$ Store neck gaiter $1 (I don't wear this until it gets well below freezing)
MEC Long sleeved jersey $30
Baselayer ... well, I've got a whole bunch of long sleeved jerseys and base layers ... some wool, some polypro, some fleece, and the grand total of them all might add up to the $230 you've allotted for one jersey and one baselayer.

I use MEC booties and recently picked up full-fingered gloves from MEC as well. Most winters I just wear $ Store gloves. And I splurge on the Kodiak socks - $8 for 2 pair. :)

If you don't want a jacket (I would, but then I'm cold when I ride) you might want to get a vest ... and you can acquire one quite inexpensively at Nashbar.

well...giordana is the only brand i'm familiar with...it's my summer gear. i know it fits, i know it's comfy, i know it lasts.

i'd like cheaper stuff...but it scares me. will be fit? will it be comfy? will it last? i need someone to go shopping with me! someone hold my hand! waaahhhh!

well...giordana is the only brand i'm familiar with...it's my summer gear. i know it fits, i know it's comfy, i know it lasts.

i'd like cheaper stuff...but it scares me. will be fit? will it be comfy? will it last? i need someone to go shopping with me! someone hold my hand! waaahhhh!

Head down to your local thrift shop ... try on several merino wool tops ... pick the one you like ... pay $5. I've got 2 or 3 like that. Who cares if they last more than a season or two ... you paid $5 for them.

Same with my Nashbar tights, for example. I paid $20 for them. Even if they hadn't been quite right, I'd have made do with them for a season or two and then tried something else ... or I would have exchanged them for something else. As it happens ... they're great! But I do have one other $20 pair of tights which fit me, except that they are a bit short. I still wear them now and then, so it isn't like I wasted my $20.

Do you think this will do for down to 40 degrees? My shopping cart so far:

Giordana Forma tights $200
Giordana Skullcap $25
Giordana Jersey long sleeve $200
Giordana baselayer long sleeve $30

I think I probably needs some gloves...and maybe a bootie/shoe-cover thingy? I don't think I need a jacket for 40 degrees????

Feedback please! Thanks!

Jesus, that stuff's expensive.

Ok, here's my recommendations. You can get cheaper by buying non-cycling specific stuff, but I prefer clothes designed for the sport. It's the poser in me. ;)

You don't need a skullcap above 40 degrees. Just keep the ears warm. $15
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=76&product_id=681

armwarmers, $25.
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=76&product_id=514

long sleeve silkweight baselayer. $30
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620703&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699185&bmUID=1223073963121

midweight layer $37
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627286&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699205&bmUID=1223074078484

wind resistant vest $45
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000137&subcategory=60001215&brand=&sku=23713&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Outerwear

tights $45
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25958&subcategory_ID=1121

couldn't find a lightweight or heavy winter jersey at a good price right off. You can look for a PI Kodiak light or Kodiak jersey.

you can probably get by with any old full finger glove down to 40 degrees, but why not keep the fingers warm?

Garneau Windtex gloves $40
http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=1482095/444.0.17669.4795.23346.0.0

or PI Cyclones, but I like the Garneaus better.

and cold feet are my nemesis, so I wouldn't skimp on a cheapie pair of booties. $45
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000137&subcategory=60001219&brand=&sku=18652&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Accessories%20%2D%20Cool%20Weather



heavy wool socks $18 for 2 pair
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___19482

Midweight wool socks $16 for 2 pair
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___19480

Add a long sleeve jersey and for less than $400, you can mix and layer all of the above to get by in pretty much any temps. The long sleeve baselayer and a shortsleeve jersey should be good when it's nice out. Gets a little colder, add the midweight layer along with the silkweight, the armwarmers, or the long sleeve jersey. Windy? Put the vest on top. Tights might be a bit warm above 50 degrees, but I figured I'd go with a set with some insulation. Add the wool socks, then add the booties when it gets colder. Real cold, add all of the above.

With the addition of a windproof, waterproof outer jacket, you could easily ride into the lower 30's without being uncomfortable with this stuff.

Head down to your local thrift shop ... try on several merino wool tops ... pick the one you like ... pay $5. I've got 2 or 3 like that. Who cares if they last more than a season or two ... you paid $5 for them.

Same with my Nashbar tights, for example. I paid $20 for them. Even if they hadn't been quite right, I'd have made do with them for a season or two and then tried something else ... or I would have exchanged them for something else. As it happens ... they're great! But I do have one other $20 pair of tights which fit me, except that they are a bit short. I still wear them now and then, so it isn't like I wasted my $20.

In addition to this ... a couple months ago, Rowan and I visited a somewhat local bicycle shop and spotted long-sleeved merino wool jacket/jerseys on a rack near the door. They were $20 or $25, on sale, so Rowan bought us each one. They are very nice ... very soft and comfortable, and warm. So you can check out the sales in your LBS and see what's there.

I see that MEC has some sale items on, including a merino wool jersey for $70 if you still want to spend a lot of money.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692363&bmUID=1223080635558

Sierra Trading Post has some decent stuff for reasonable prices. I've picked up almost all my polypro from there. Here's the page with the wicking tops:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/189_Men's-Wicking-T-Shirts-and-Tops.html
(you can get cycling gear from them too)

I've just acquired a large collection of inexpensive cool-cold weather gear of all sorts from all different places, and I experiment with it to see what works and what doesn't. And I've got a pretty good idea what will keep me comfortable out there.

I just went out and bought the IP headband today. 45 degrees seemed really cold this morning. I have lots of running gear I plan to try before spending lots on bike stuff. and I have long PI bike pants. I was thinking about bike shorts with sweat pants. would I slide off the seat?

OMG...you two rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!! I might have to ditch the pose in me and be sensible! No Giordana or Assos for my cool/cold weather gear! :)

Here's a great tip for those of you are are smaller than me (doesn't take much to fit in that category). I've done this for my sons a lot, and it works great for very warm wool gear.

Pick up some 100% wool sweaters at a thrift store for a buck or two. Make sure they are at least a couple sizes too big. I find the women's large works great for my 10-year-old boys, and they tend to fit women's small or extra-small normally. The sweaters MUST be the "dry-clean only" variety - otherwise the wool has been treated so it won't felt.

Take the sweaters home and throw them in the washer on hot water with a bunch of of soap. A short while later, take them out - voila! You've got a very nice, indestructible wool felt sweater!

The only problem with this method is that you can't control the shrinkage and you might end up with some pretty odd-proportioned sweaters. But - for a buck each, throw those ones away and try again with another one!

Have a look over my article on cold feet ... perhaps something there might help you with yours:

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

Cold feet have to be the downfall of many a plan to bike thru the winter. I've actually read and implemented some of your strategies in this article. Good stuff. Maybe I need to try your suggestion about the Sorels... a serious solution!... forget the booties!

Cold feet have to be the downfall of many a plan to bike thru the winter. I've actually read and implemented some of your strategies in this article. Good stuff. Maybe I need to try your suggestion about the Sorels... a serious solution!... forget the booties!

It has to get pretty cold before I break out the Sorels!! But I know a lot of commuters switch to winter boots of some sort (and platform pedals) rather than trying to use cycling shoes.

Well, I finally joined the forums. After about a year of peeping in here every once in a while I have decided to become a member.

I am a 12 months a year bike commuter and the Winter Forum will be my primary stop on these forums. Some stuff I picked up last year helped me out so I want to contribute to those who may need help just like I did.

This is going to be my third winter commuting. I live in Indiana, so winters aren't as harsh as in Canada (Hi, Machka!!) or wet (Seattle, Portland?) or warm (Texas). We get a nice mix of everything here.

The temps have been in the 50s at night (I bike at night a lot -- I leave the house around 4 am -- no cars! I love it even though I am in a fairly high traffic suburban area. I love my morning ride (about 12 miles to work). I listen to podcasts of radio shows -- this is how I spend my time while riding).

October is a transitional time and just like March-April it is hard to figure out what to wear and when and what to bring with you so as to change later (For example, it has been as low as 44 one morning and then it shot up to 77 on my way back home.)

Most of us probably do our winter shopping in October just like we do summer shopping in April or thereabouts.

I have biked in as low temperatures as 0F so winter and snow isn't something I am scared of. My number one concern are my toes and my fingers so I make sure I have sufficiently covered those areas. Other then that:

60+ -- summer clothing -- jersey, shorts

50s (no wind) -- shorts, long sleeve shirt (biking or non-biking -- I even wore a long-sleeve bright-colored lacrosse shirt the other day)

50s (with wind over 10 miles per hour and most likely in my face) shorts, a poly shirt (compression or not, sometimes I like the heavier ones -- Under Armor or some Champion from Target). When I do have wind in my face I do like a light tech jacket with wind inserts on the front. Currently I have one made by Under Armor for runners but it works great for cyclists in my opinion.

40s (no wind) -- Running pants (I don't like tights -- sometimes I have other things to do -- go shopping or whatever and running pants look more versatile). I do wear underwear with chamois inserts -- those really help on more than hour-long rides and if I have to bike 5 days a week or more. I have stopped having sore butt problems long time ago).

I like thin wool or wool-like socks (I threw out all my cotton socks and most cotton T-shirts when I started biking about 3 years ago). These sometimes can be had at 8 dollars a pair at Wal-mart. I love them. My feet never sweat in them.

As far as gloves I love Descente Gloves. The storm gloves I usually wear if it's below 40. (full-fingered). In temps above 45 I wear normal bike gloves.

As far as rain protection I have a Trek Galway jacket that I think I paid around $140. It leaked a bit in very heavy rain -- but in light to moderate rain it hasn't let me down. When it rains and it is also cold I usually put on a mid-layer that is water resistant at least, so I sort of have a double-layer.

I am thinking of buying a second rain jacket, however I really love the Trek one. It's lime color, fits nicely, and is quite light and packable. I am looking at Marmot and North Face rain jacket right now to see which one I can add as my secondary jacket for heavy rain.

On my feet I just wear Gore-Tex velcro booties that work VERY well for water protection and wind protection. Usually I put them on in heavy rain or when it's below 30.

30s and wind Usually I wear a skull cap, sometimes earmuffs. I find earmuffs cumbersome when worn on a daily basis, so I got a new North Face hat that covers the ears completely -- really looking to this hat this winter -- to be worn under the helmet. I wore a thin Under Armour Running skull hat under my helmets all last winter -- even in single digits. Under Armour really does have some great stuff they make for runners.


Below 25 I wear one of my several Columbia or Northface ski jackets. They are form-fitting and non-bulky, yet there's room to put on a wool sweater. I have a cashmere wool sweater I have worn for the past 4-5 years and it still looks/feels brand-new due to the way it was made, I think. I got it at TJ Maxx for maybe 50. I am guessing it was around 100 originally. Really nice, mid-weight, as if made for me.

Sorry for the first rambling post. I hope to see you all here as we go into the winter months.

start with inexpensive stuff to see what you like. i have $10 walmart jerseys as a base layer and they work fine. I also use a lightweight fleece long sleeve jersey from REI on clearance, a fleece headband I got at the Gap ten years ago, cheap sweatpants, etc. Upgrade as you go.... I bought some decent $50 rain/wind pants from REI last year; a $50 windbreaker, Pearl Izumi balaclava for colder weather, will probably do a pants upgrade this year.

Also, keep a log so you don't forget what works and what doesn't work.

One other thing i noticed is that everyone is different. One of the top posters on this thread wears a wool sweater in 50 degree weather. I'd collapse from heat stroke! I can't even wear my wind breaker unless it is below freezing! I don't even wear a balaclava above 20 F.

Gloves are the hardest part for me. I ended up with a somewhat stiff combination of cycling gloves+ lightweight wool or primaloft + Trek windproof outer shell. The biggest help is the windproof layer.

oooh... and booties over my summer shoes. I bought some cheap neoprene booties from BikeTiresDirect last year. After one winter they are just about shot so will likely get another pair this year.

(actually, to be fair, they aren't in too bad of shape; just the zipper on one is messed up, and the bottoms are getting worn)

I don't use specialized cycling clothing for fall and winter cycling.

In warm weather, a shirt and shorts and light socks are adequate. When it cools down a little, I'll add either a long-sleeved shirt or a light jacket. The next step is adding cheap sweat pants, about $10 or $12 at a big box store. After that, I'll use the light jacket over the long-sleeved shirt or sweater.

When the temperature is a few degrees above freezing or colder, I'll add wool mittens, a toque and wind pants over the sweat pants. I'll also swap out the jacket for something a little heavier. Below freezing, I'll add the liner into my jacket.

When there's snow on the ground, I'll use my winter bike. That means I'll also use boots and wool socks instead of cycling shoes and lighter socks.

For the really cold temperatures, I'll wear an old pair of army pants over the sweat pants. For my hands, I'll have leather mitts over the lighter wool mitts.

My system works well for me and it's quite cheap, but it has a few drawbacks. When I use the wind pants, I need to use pant clips to keep them from flapping into the chain. Also, at warmer temperatures, it's easy to overheat my legs with the wind pants. The leather mitts and wool mitts serve to keep my hands warm past -30C, except for my thumbs. Also, mittens do not allow for the same range of movement as gloves.

The wind pants (also double as rain pants) -- I have a couple -- Asics and Bellweather -- are narrower at the bottom - that was my one requirement when I was looking for them. This way I don't have to use clips. You can actually customize your existing pair of pants that way maybe? Or sow velcro onto them?

I wear a showers pass jacket and pant,they are wonderful for winter, anything you chose to wear under this is up to you,what ever works, as long as you have the out side gear,the rest is personel preference..maybe i'll see you at the hilly hundred in a couple weeks?? joe