Although it was -4C this morning with a 8km/h E wind, after having ridden as much as I have this fall, I no longer feel it necessary to call it cold, just cool. A slow ride in, my legs were half awake. Decided to try another head covering: light balaclava but an UnderArmor lycra skull cap underneath. At first, I thought it would not be enough and I was kicking myself for not bringing a warmer balaclava as a backup but after about 5-7 minutes, my body had warmed up and my head was nice and toasty.

It was +1C yesterday afternoon when I rode home, the first 20 minutes or so into a slight headwind. I decided to go naked (no balaclava, hat or any other head protection, just the helmet) and after about 5 minutes of feeling cold wind through the vents on my helmet, I was beginning to get a "brain freeze" headache. I slowed down and also, the next portion of the ride was in a bit of a wind-protected area so the headwind became negligible, resulting in the warming of my head and the elimination of the headache. I should carry even a light head covering so that I don't have to go through that again.