Originally Posted by
JustaJoe
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One odd thing: I cannot stand sleeping bags and don't use them, although I have one. I prefer the thermal poncho I kept from the military, a small wool blanket, and a Thermarest blanket I got years ago. Thankfully this all packs down much smaller than a sleeping bag and works very well for me.
You're all quite inspiring, thank you again!
It helps when you know the limits of the equipment that you already have, that is great.
Originally Posted by
JustaJoe
Very sage advice, thank you
djb !
I intend to do these little trips within the next few weeks. I'm in central NC, yes it's winter, but for me this is prime riding season - it's obviously mild here, snow is rare, and I'm ok camping with what I have down to about 20*F.
Funnily enough: several years ago I signed up for a canoe-camping trip through a local park system. Never did that before, never really even went canoeing, but it was cheap and sounded like a great time. Had the same gear I have now. That 4-day paddle down the Allegheny in northern PA was absolutely incredible, even though it was chilly and rained!
Have you biked in 20 degree weather?
In that weather, I leave my bicycling shoes at home and use hiking boots or hiking shoes, ones that are big enough in size that I can wear thick wool socks inside them.
If you slept outdoors in the military, then you probably have the knowledge and skill to avoid frostbite, etc. But, hanging on handlebars when it is really cold can be difficult. On a windless day you will have a 10 to 12 mph wind. In winter you are only rarely too cold or too warm, instead you usually are sweating and too warm on parts of your body while other parts of your body are too cold.
Is your helmet big enough to put on a thin stocking cap or ear band without being too tight. I use a rain cover on my helmet in cold weather to keep teh wind off the top of my head.
Ski googles are really nice when it is in the 30s or colder. Will your helmet and a ski goggle fit well? Some goggles do not work well with bike helmets.
Shifters and mittens do not always play well together. Even for just an hour and a half ride in the cold weather, I bring three pair of gloves or mittens so that I can try to get just the right amount of insulation, fingers not too cold but also not so warm that I am getting my gear to sweaty.
Sometimes I have worn rain pants, simply because they are great at breaking the wind so any insulation I have on my legs works.
I am sure you get the idea from your military experience. Anticipate what will go wrong before it does.