Winter
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15,315
Likes: 903
From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Winter
I'm sitting here wearing the fleece jacket, over my sweatshirt and thermal bike shirt, and a wool stocking cap. And wool socks. It's 63 degrees. I'm ready for summer.
#2
Shut up and ride.
It's nice too see you at least get a taste of what we get up here.
The past 7 years I have been to the peninsula in August and it's always 90 with 100% humidity. I still threaten to take my kids with another Chitzen itza trip, the last one was 110 degrees and very humid.
It's nice too see you at least get a taste of what we get up here. The past 7 years I have been to the peninsula in August and it's always 90 with 100% humidity. I still threaten to take my kids with another Chitzen itza trip, the last one was 110 degrees and very humid.
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84 Bridgestone 400. 90's Basso Highway, 07 Rivendell AHH, 16 Clockwork All-Rounder , 22 Rivendell Roadini
84 Bridgestone 400. 90's Basso Highway, 07 Rivendell AHH, 16 Clockwork All-Rounder , 22 Rivendell Roadini
#3
At 63F, I normally wear arm warmers with my regular shorts and jersey.
It will be a while before I see 63F, though... it's 3F right now, although it should get up to 16F or so by mid-day.
This is a good season to wear some of my vintage jerseys. A couple of them are fairly heavy, help keep me warm, and take less effort to care for than my wool jerseys.
Steve in Peoria
It will be a while before I see 63F, though... it's 3F right now, although it should get up to 16F or so by mid-day.
This is a good season to wear some of my vintage jerseys. A couple of them are fairly heavy, help keep me warm, and take less effort to care for than my wool jerseys.
Steve in Peoria
#4
What??? Only 2 wheels?


Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13,496
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From: Boston-ish, MA
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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jimmuller
#5
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Dude. It was colder than that in my house this morning. Outside, it's -9°F with a wind chill of -20°F. Warmer than yesterday, though…
#7
-8f here which is warmer than the last few days. I'll take it because when the days are long here it is beautiful outside. Better deal than gallons of sweat and huddling in the AC at 8pm in June. Taunt away...
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15,315
Likes: 903
From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
No taunting here. I find it amazing, actually. I once walked among you and worked outside year round in SE Ohio. But with 14 years in the tropics under my belt, I've adapted to a new paradigm. Mid 90s and high humidity don't bother me anymore. Win some. Lose some.
#9
At least we are supposed to get to 69 today in Phoenix. It's horrible out there. ;-) JK, The weather and riding are great, cool enough to not get too hot but not cold really. On the flip side, ride here in July and it's 105-115 and you better lug a backpack of water.
#11
We're raining with expected high around 47 today, and personally, I find the darkness more heavy as a ride spoiler than the wet. When it's dark out I just want to hybernate and it requires great, extreme effort to even go out. Ugh.
Sixty three degrees is perfect for me. Enjoy and nice to hear learned the art of wearing layers.
Sixty three degrees is perfect for me. Enjoy and nice to hear learned the art of wearing layers.
#12
Senior Member


Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 36
From: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
I had to start wearing socks a few days ago.....it's in the mid 60's......brrrrrr
#13
Senior Member


Joined: May 2008
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Around here you don't get to acclimate. Wild swings in temperature and humidity. I find 65-68 perfect temp for riding.
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
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#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,396
Likes: 1,140
From: Norman, Oklahoma
Bikes: Too many to list
I'm in Oklahoma - where this time of year it can approach 70 degrees F some days followed up the next day by temps in the 20's and 30's ---
I know thats not serious cold for some of you --- but if it was 65 the day before --- it really messes with your head -- and the wind never ever stops
I know thats not serious cold for some of you --- but if it was 65 the day before --- it really messes with your head -- and the wind never ever stops
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
#17
Family members lives in Key West, when it hits the 60s they bust out the fleece and moan about no heating systems.
No kidding around here you know winter is waning when it hits the 40s and you see people walking around in shorts! Nice XC skiing last 3 weeks so not missing the bikes too much.
No kidding around here you know winter is waning when it hits the 40s and you see people walking around in shorts! Nice XC skiing last 3 weeks so not missing the bikes too much.
#18
Bike Butcher of Portland


Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,444
Likes: 7,978
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Wool socks, wool t-shirt (long or short), wool undies when I'm feeling Rivish, standard first layer from 20-85F. Cycling over-shorts and a nylon button-down, vented shirt (REI-type) as next layer, good till under 55F. Tights if really cold, and another layer of wool, typically a sweater. Really cold, or cold and rainy, rain paints and rain jacket. Gloves vary by weather, ear warmers if it's below ~35F. Anything over 40 miles I'll wear cycling shorts with a chamois.
Portland winters are relatively mild compared to the rest of the US, cold compared to SoCal, Arizona, and Florida. YMMV
Portland winters are relatively mild compared to the rest of the US, cold compared to SoCal, Arizona, and Florida. YMMV
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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#19
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
I've ridden the last 3 days, temps from 20's to low 30's.
Kind of takes the pressure off of keeping a pace.
Varying my attire to avoid excess laundry, but something always gets sweaty.
Under 40 degrees, I only go an hour. Over 40, business as usual, try to dress smart.
Today, I looked a lot like an alien. With a runny nose.
It's supposed to snow tonight but be in the 40's tomorrow, so I'll go again.
Just like running, the first 10-15 minutes are a PITA, then you're fine for 30-35 minutes, then you'd better head for home, because you're wet and it's only going to get worse.
I'm liking Pearl Izumi's shoe covers, some great arctic gloves I have, and keeping my ears warm. I think I may get a larger helmet for layering that stuff. I get everything, and I mean everything, on sale or through a co-op on CL that sells new donated gear to raise operating capital. I'm about to meet a guy who is giving up winter cycling, so I should be expanding my scheduled stuff, maybe even dropping the allowable temps to the teens.
I also wear a Giro Air Attack Shield helmet. My opinion is this helps a ton.
Plan A, low 30's:
Fleece-lined bib knickers by Capo, full Pearl Izumi shoe covers.
Under Armour base layer, , long-sleeve (heavy) fleece-lined jersey.
Head cover (incl ears) and helmet, Brooks knit gloves in New Balance mitten shells.
Pro: Ease of movement, still feel like a cyclist.
Con: You sweat in those bibs if you even slow down, then you get cold.
Plan B, upper 30's:
Fleece-lined bibs by Hincapie, almost too warm, the shoe covers.
Riddell base layer, Chicago Marathon long-sleeved running top, Livestrong anorak.
Headband with ear flaps, Headsweat over that, helmet.
Giro winter riding gloves.
Pro: quick to put on, and warm.
Con: Gloves are too cold, anorak flaps in the wind, no pockets.
Plan C, mid-upper 20's:
Performance riding underwear, In-Sport running tights, Hincapie wind pants, shoe covers.
Riddell base layer, Bellwether long-sleeve jersey, Pearl Izumi wind vest, then a windbreaker jacket.
Headband with ear flaps under full-head cover.
Arctic gloves not designed for riding.
Pro: You will not get cold, anywhere.
Con: I rode 55 minutes and the tights and base layer were soaked. that's bad news if I'd gone too far.
My hands sweated on the cuff area.
Plan D, low 20's:
Any pair of bibs, lined Asics running/wind/rain pants, shoe covers.
Descente long-sleeve base layer, loose Livestrong cotton long-sleeve base layer.
A fleece-lined long-sleeve jersey that's loose, and XL wind vest.
LG fleece cap with ear flaps and visor. Head cover w/open face.
Arctic gloves.
Haven't tested it yet.
Most of my rides, if my chest, fingers, ears and feet are fine, I'm fine.
I generally don't worry if my arms or legs are cold, if my core and extremities are warm.
Bare legs never bothered me, but they get wind-chapped and itch/burn.
I plan to add a couple more of the open-face head covers, plus the larger helmet to fit over it all.
I've got toe covers but once I rode in whole shoe covers, that was the end of them.
What I don't like about winter riding:
1-By the time you get dressed, you're sweating. Solution: get dressed in the garage.
2-Not real crisp shifter feel. Solution: don't hurry, anticipate hills.
3-Doing laundry. Solution: ride clean, let things dry between rides, go twice per laundering anything that didn't get wet.
4-Can't really do long mileage because of the sweat factor and having to change clothes to stay dry.
What I like about winter riding:
1-Chances of meeting other riders and wasting time talking is slim.
2-Chances of stopping at convenience stores for water is slim. I never carry water in the winter.
3-No pace pressure. I just finish the route, get my miles/time in.
4-No one else wants to ride, so it's on my schedule.
Kind of takes the pressure off of keeping a pace.
Varying my attire to avoid excess laundry, but something always gets sweaty.
Under 40 degrees, I only go an hour. Over 40, business as usual, try to dress smart.
Today, I looked a lot like an alien. With a runny nose.
It's supposed to snow tonight but be in the 40's tomorrow, so I'll go again.
Just like running, the first 10-15 minutes are a PITA, then you're fine for 30-35 minutes, then you'd better head for home, because you're wet and it's only going to get worse.
I'm liking Pearl Izumi's shoe covers, some great arctic gloves I have, and keeping my ears warm. I think I may get a larger helmet for layering that stuff. I get everything, and I mean everything, on sale or through a co-op on CL that sells new donated gear to raise operating capital. I'm about to meet a guy who is giving up winter cycling, so I should be expanding my scheduled stuff, maybe even dropping the allowable temps to the teens.
I also wear a Giro Air Attack Shield helmet. My opinion is this helps a ton.
Plan A, low 30's:
Fleece-lined bib knickers by Capo, full Pearl Izumi shoe covers.
Under Armour base layer, , long-sleeve (heavy) fleece-lined jersey.
Head cover (incl ears) and helmet, Brooks knit gloves in New Balance mitten shells.
Pro: Ease of movement, still feel like a cyclist.
Con: You sweat in those bibs if you even slow down, then you get cold.
Plan B, upper 30's:
Fleece-lined bibs by Hincapie, almost too warm, the shoe covers.
Riddell base layer, Chicago Marathon long-sleeved running top, Livestrong anorak.
Headband with ear flaps, Headsweat over that, helmet.
Giro winter riding gloves.
Pro: quick to put on, and warm.
Con: Gloves are too cold, anorak flaps in the wind, no pockets.
Plan C, mid-upper 20's:
Performance riding underwear, In-Sport running tights, Hincapie wind pants, shoe covers.
Riddell base layer, Bellwether long-sleeve jersey, Pearl Izumi wind vest, then a windbreaker jacket.
Headband with ear flaps under full-head cover.
Arctic gloves not designed for riding.
Pro: You will not get cold, anywhere.
Con: I rode 55 minutes and the tights and base layer were soaked. that's bad news if I'd gone too far.
My hands sweated on the cuff area.
Plan D, low 20's:
Any pair of bibs, lined Asics running/wind/rain pants, shoe covers.
Descente long-sleeve base layer, loose Livestrong cotton long-sleeve base layer.
A fleece-lined long-sleeve jersey that's loose, and XL wind vest.
LG fleece cap with ear flaps and visor. Head cover w/open face.
Arctic gloves.
Haven't tested it yet.
Most of my rides, if my chest, fingers, ears and feet are fine, I'm fine.
I generally don't worry if my arms or legs are cold, if my core and extremities are warm.
Bare legs never bothered me, but they get wind-chapped and itch/burn.
I plan to add a couple more of the open-face head covers, plus the larger helmet to fit over it all.
I've got toe covers but once I rode in whole shoe covers, that was the end of them.
What I don't like about winter riding:
1-By the time you get dressed, you're sweating. Solution: get dressed in the garage.
2-Not real crisp shifter feel. Solution: don't hurry, anticipate hills.
3-Doing laundry. Solution: ride clean, let things dry between rides, go twice per laundering anything that didn't get wet.
4-Can't really do long mileage because of the sweat factor and having to change clothes to stay dry.
What I like about winter riding:
1-Chances of meeting other riders and wasting time talking is slim.
2-Chances of stopping at convenience stores for water is slim. I never carry water in the winter.
3-No pace pressure. I just finish the route, get my miles/time in.
4-No one else wants to ride, so it's on my schedule.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 01-20-16 at 06:16 PM.
#20
Senior Member




Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
#21
I rode to work yesterday. It was -21 degrees C / or -6 F. The shimano hydros start to get stiff at those temps. I also rode for about 1.5 hours on singletrack last night around -16C.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#22
Family members lives in Key West, when it hits the 60s they bust out the fleece and moan about no heating systems.
No kidding around here you know winter is waning when it hits the 40s and you see people walking around in shorts! Nice XC skiing last 3 weeks so not missing the bikes too much.
No kidding around here you know winter is waning when it hits the 40s and you see people walking around in shorts! Nice XC skiing last 3 weeks so not missing the bikes too much.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#23
63 is a pretty nice summer day here. for sure.
https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...rritory-Canada
https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...rritory-Canada
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#24
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
I will say that the few times I've winter mountain biked with friends, it doesn't seem near as cold and it's pretty fun, plus no cars. A lot of the local road guys go straight to the off-road trails when it gets cold, stay there all winter, get back on the road in the spring.
#25
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,478
Likes: 4,884
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
it's not cold unless it is 40 below zero (same Fahrenheit and Celsius). which is why i live in California and not my home state Montana
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
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