If you layer up properly, you can ride in almost anything ... well, maybe not Fairbanks type cold, but your area isn't quite as bad.

OK, I used to post about this on another forum ... I invested in a lot of battery heated clothing as well as really good thermal underlayers, etc, a few years ago. My part of the Midwest gets between 0 and -20 F pretty regularly most winters, and the past two it was EXCEPTIONALLY cold. I've been able to ride very comfortably in those conditions with the right gear. Up to and including Columbia snow pants, heated base layer, heated vest and coat, heated gloves, heated boots. Just be sure to pack extra battery packs (Li Ion rechargeables, I ordered extra at the time) for longer rides (over 2-3 hours). Plus great hats, neck warmers, etc (Under Armour, Smartwool are my favorites). I even went so far as to order a pair of heated ski goggles since I got sick of fogged up lenses.

It allows me to get out there in the worst of conditions. Cruising the web, I see that several companies are expanding their range of batter heated clothing, including Milwaukee Tool (I have ONE of their coats, like the coat, like the heat, but the battery is WAY bigger and more cumbersome than the Columbia system).

Seriously, bundled up like that, I step outside on a -5 degree morning and turn on the power buttons ... and it feels like being wrapped in an electric blanket on low or medium - not extreme heat, but enough to make me go "ahhh ... this feels nice."

Not everyone needs that extreme by any means - I am ALWAYS cold due to a blood/bone marrow disorder and the medications I have to take on an ongoing basis. But, it's an option for extreme conditions.