Originally Posted by seeker333
Besides sleep gear, I recommend neoprene booties when it gets really cold. They fit over your shoes. Bike shoes are made to ventilate so they make poor winter footwear. Neoprene is not real heavy. In a pinch you can use walmart type plastic bags and duct tape as over-shoes (i have). They don't breathe and are one-use-only. Plus gives you that homeless look that makes folks keep a safe distance away.
Also gore windstopper fabric is excellent for gloves, hats and jackets. Its a porous polyurethane layer lamiinated to a base fabric. Windproof, warm, lightweight, breathes a little more than coated nylon. Outdoor Research makes some excellent windstopper hats and gloves.
I've got the cycling clothing! I've been cycling in the Canadian prairies year round for many years now. I'm already onto my second pair of neoprene booties because I wore out my first ones.
Originally Posted by Bekologist
as a Canadian, I'm assuming you already have a good down coat, Machka? this will become your best friend around camp. maybe bring the down longjohn bottoms for sitting around in camp with. using a winter down coat to thaw your shoes in the morning if you don't bring them in the sleeping bag with you, while doing breakfast and melting water chores.
I used to have a great down coat that came right down to my mid-calves, but that was many years ago, and I haven't been able to afford one since then. But if I am going to seriously consider cycle-touring in the middle of winter, I think purchasing a down coat would be a very good idea! There have been some spring/fall tours where I wished I had one!