this is the first winter i've commuted by bike. i've been commuting by bike since 2011.

- it was cold. like seriously cold. 5 degrees and 10 degrees and 15 degrees were the norm. i just dressed for it and rode.
- i got sick late-mid Jan. that's when it started snowing. skipped out on a week
- trip in early Feb to mid Feb. got sick again
- sick the week we were in town in Feb. also it was snowing cats and dogs.
- trip back in late Feb.
- got back and began riding again on Mar. 2

we got more snow and such. but i rode the day after as all the city cycling paths were typically cleared! yes! awesome. i didn't know it until i just ventured into the unknown. for example, the brooklyn bridge bike path was clear, and the pedestrian path had a pile of snow. i don't know what brilliant mind thought it, but it was great for me and the few others cycling. no one was really walking or cycling b/c it was just too cold. it was pretty freeing to commute by myself and be fast. my Moves app kept thinking my cycling was "transport" and not "cycling" b/c i was going so fast. lol.

dressing for winter commuting boiled down to:
1 don't layer too heavy on the top and bottom. maybe 2x each, or 2x lower and 3x top, max.
2 make sure you layer your face (balaclava) and hands and feet (double mittens/gloves) and (double wool socks)
3 wear your baffin boots from REI. heck, you have so many layers you may as well have warm-ish feet

some other notes:
be prepared to have your small shifter freeze on you and not shift. other things like my bell became completely frozen. that bell did not work for a good part of winter due to the freezing temps. that's fine. no one was on the roads anyway. just be aware things on your bike can and will freeze.

i really wanted to get studded tires in Jan. i should have. i will be getting them for sure for next year.