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Old 09-09-20 | 05:39 AM
  #7  
Prowler
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia

Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes

Originally Posted by big john
When your feet are cold you're not having fun anymore.
OP, big john raises an important point. We're all different and you're unique. You need to find how so. Go make mistakes and adjust over time. Ex: my feet don't get cold. Two fingers get cold but otherwise my hands are fine. My legs generally do fine but my torso gets cold. We're each different. I often think of my winter cycling choices as slowing heat loss vs keeping warm. I can be very comfortable riding at 30degF but rapidly get cold when I stop. So, experiment then adjust.

I have no "cycling kit" but have numerous breathable shirts and pants found at Target, Lidil, Costco, REI and EMS. Pants with wind proof fronts and breathable backs. Wind resistant soft shell jacket. Windproof gloves. All sized so I can layer up then remove if I get too warm. I get great benefit from protecting my neck and carotid arteries. I fit a handlebar bag or trunk to hold layers I shed if needed.

Hard won experience - it's ALWAYS colder when you get started than at the car or in your driveway. You will always be cold for the first 15 minutes. "UGH! I've gotten it wrong. Better go back, too cold." No matter what, do not quit and turn back. After 20 minutes you'll realize that you're fine and it just took some warming up. Enjoy. Maybe if you're still too cold after 40 minutes then rethink it all.
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