jboyd

A year ago 11/18 to be exact, I wussed out and stopped riding because of the cold (I also gained 12# over the winter). I live in Southern Illinois, so really i should not even be allowed to use the term cold. Sure, we may get the foot of snow, or the -15 temps, but those are rare. Daytime averages are probably in the 40s or higher from Dec-Feb.

So, I tell you that, to tell you this. In an attempt to not repeat last winter, today, I took my first "cool" ride. I have started days in low 40s, but have ended a couple hours later in the 60s. This was my first "in the 40s" ride, and I want to brag up a piece of gear, The Seirus Neo-Fleece Combo Mask/Scarf. What a great product. I rode my first 5 miles without it and I felt terrible. After coming off of Pneumonia this summer, I seem to be a little more sensitive to temps and humidity. The temps were in the mid 40s and I felt like I had a mild ice cream headache and a borderline ear ache. I rode the last 5 miles with the Seirus Clava and I was just as toasty as could be (in the face and head at least).

This is a great product and if anyone is considering extending the biking season, this should be on the list. I have the scarf version, but I will probably get the full hood for when it gets worse, though I think 40 and sunshine may be my limit, which if funny because one of my favorite things in the world is to don a thick pair of Smart-Wool Undies and my Kokatat Gore-Tex drysuit and play in icy cold whitewater, but there is just something different with the biking and cold that does not agree with me. Must be the wind chill.

Here is a link to the one I have. I think I got it at Dick's https://www.backcountry.com/store/SIR...mbo-Scarf.html

My next "NEED" is an affordable (I am being fiscally conservative right now) "Wind Breaker" any suggestions.

Thanks
Jay

Neil_B

Thrift stores are your friend.

cyclokitty 

I have the same neofleece mask scarf and it is very cozy when it is absolutely horrible outside. I also prefer wearing ski goggles instead of sunglasses.

My favourite jacket is a windproof fleece jacket I bought from Lands End. I don't know what they are going for, but check their "overstock" section. The windproof fleece is cozy and actually cuts the wind very nicely, and I can wear it fall to spring and layer up or down.

4SEVEN3

I wear a Frogg Togg jacket over my layers. The Jacket blocks out 100% of the wind and is breathable.....Its also works nice as a rain jacket (it's original use)

bdinger

I got a $30 hardshell fleece at wally world a couple weeks ago. It *rocks*. Rode in 30 degree windy days, and stayed warm, it's all about the layers (base + insulating + outer).

jboyd

All great replies so far. Thanks all.

Historian - I am a big fan of thrift shops, so I will look around. I always forget to go there first. My wife and I are always going there and buying stuff to sell on ebay. You never know what you may find.

Cyclokitty - I know what you mean about the goggles instead of the sunglasses. Today I noticed that when I would breathe, sometimes my breath would rise up from the Clava and fog my glasses.

4SEVEN3 - Frog Toggs....Yes! I forgot about those too. I have been on river paddles with guys who have had those and fared as well as some us with rain gear 5X the price. I will look into that too.

bdinger - I am on your level here. Part of the reason I was looking for economy, beyond the obvious, is because I have the best of the best in layering. I have 3 full sets of SmartWool underwear in two different weights and 2 set of IceBreakers wool/polypro. I probably have over $400 in undies

Thanks again.

Jay

Neil_B

Even in this economy, there are better investment vehicles.

jboyd

Ok Smart Guy I also have a $950 Gore-Tex dry suit, and the undies are for layering under that. I would not just go out and buy $400 in underwear. I have no use for underwear beyond that I know that sounds like a lot to pay for garb, but the first time I came out of my boat after making that investment, it was mid December, Class III river and there were icicles everywhere and I remember thinking "I'm gonna die". When I finally got out i was stunned at how comfortable I was (except for the bruises from the rocks). Next thought was "worth every penny".

I don't cycle as serious as I paddle so that is the reason for the tightwadness

Neil_B

I think you missed my joke. I should have used my alternate punch line:

"Well, that's better than investing 400 in Lehmann."

dahoss2002

Same thing happened to me last winter. First time I ever wore a balaclava and it made a world of difference. Amazing how your attitude changes when your head and face are warm.

jboyd

Yeah, I was considering moving my underwear stock over to GM.

b_young

I found a cheap one at Nashbar. I like it, but I need one that seperates the nose from the eye area. My glasses fog up if I cover my nose and my nose is cold if I don't. Any suggestions?

Tom Stormcrowe

Mine was gotten at Dick's, on sale for $15. It's a full face neofleece balaclava and the mouth and nose area have vents that direct the breath downwards to prevent fogging. Works pretty well, too.

The only problem is that it's Blaze Orange in color. Of course, the other option was camouflage......

lil brown bat

Seirus ftw. They've got so many designs for so many conditions: the facemask, the full-on clava, the gaiter, the gaiter-plus-mask, lightweight, midweight, heavyweight, etc. Great stuff.

Neil_B

Hoosiers don't hunt? Better to be safe than a trophy, Tom.

evblazer

I may have to go to Dick's. I have a black one but blaze orange would be nice since I am sick of digging through the mound of black to find what I'm looking for in winter bike stuff.

BTW: Got my current winter jacket, use to be windbreakder, from XMart back in CT. Just a cheapie two thin layer rain coat type thing it works wonders. Of course I'm cheap up until I bought some seal skin socks yesterday I always used plastic bags between sock layers to keep warm.

jboyd

On the subject of "mound of black", too funny. I have the same thing. Everything I have accumulated in the last 7 years from whitewater kayaking has been BLACK. All the undies and seal skins and gloves and skull caps are BLACK. Looking for one item usually results in pile of BLACK on the bed. I have given up on folding and just place the pile back in the dresser.

As to the Seal Skins, be prepared to wash them in an oxidizing detergent or vinegar from time to time. They can get really ugly smelling. You don't notice it when you wash them regular, but as soon as you put them on and sweat a little, they will activate the ODOR OF DEATH! It is the captive enzymes that react to your sweat. Same thing can happen with polypro undies. You should be in closed car with a 4-5 whitewater paddlers on a wet shuttle ride back and watch everyone looking at each other with that accusatory "Ok, who farted?" look

Jay

lil brown bat

IME, whitewater paddlers all know perfectly where the smell is coming from, and nobody bothers to give anybody else any looks (except the n00bs).

Mirazyme ftw.