Coldest Commute Scheduled For Tomorrow
11-09-15 | 08:23 AM
#26
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From: Vandalia OH
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Quick 5, 2014 Raleigh Revenio 2.0
Those temps aren't bad. Even down here in SC I find them pleasant. We already had two mornings like that. I was comfortable in insulated cycling pants, wool socks, I can't remember if my jersey was longsleeve or shortsleeve, a jacket, cycling cap and some ear warmers. For colder, I can wear some heavier clothes under my jacket. I have toe warmers that go over my cycling shoes to try out this winter, and a balaclava. Gloves are some sort of hunting gloves I picked up at Dicks Sporting Goods a few years ago for an unrelated event. They are thin, but warm and block the wind.
11-09-15 | 08:24 AM
#27
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From: Vandalia OH
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That's some advice I had read and have done as needed. I find it works. I think I'll need to keep a thin layer with me to handle when I get it wrong though.
11-09-15 | 08:54 AM
#28
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From: Alpharetta, GA
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Regarding shoes, I've found that a plastic bag over the socks helps in extreme cold, or over the shoes and under the booty in cold rain. But you'll probably have to deal with sweaty socks.
11-09-15 | 08:56 AM
#29
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From: Columbia, SC
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Tthere is certainly nothing wrong with bringing some extra layers with you!
11-09-15 | 09:51 AM
#30
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Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-09-15 at 10:04 AM.
11-09-15 | 12:24 PM
#31
Another MN Bike Commuter
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From: Perham, Minnesota
Bikes: 2015 Trek Crockett / 2013 Trek Domane / 2014 Framed MN1.0
Low 30's can be tricky, yet it's a great temp to test gear because you really can't hurt anything if you get too cold. Usually below 35 I start to cover my mouth to heat up the incoming air. I don't use foot coverings or switch to winter boots until 10 degrees or so. Good luck on your ride tomorrow!
This was last year...it's fun to say "I rode today" but realistically it's pretty foolish.
This was last year...it's fun to say "I rode today" but realistically it's pretty foolish.
What kind of face cover do you use? I have to deal with the same cold temps as you (with maybe a little less wind). I rode too many times last year when the temp was hovering at or below zero and the nose, cheeks, and mouth can hardly bare it at times. It is especially difficult adding wind in the face. Generally I use a balaclava and coconut oil or petroleum gel on the nose/cheeks if it is really cold, but that does not temper the air when breathing in.
11-09-15 | 12:33 PM
#32
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From: Vandalia OH
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11-09-15 | 01:09 PM
#33
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From: Minneapolis
What kind of face cover do you use? I have to deal with the same cold temps as you (with maybe a little less wind). I rode too many times last year when the temp was hovering at or below zero and the nose, cheeks, and mouth can hardly bare it at times. It is especially difficult adding wind in the face. Generally I use a balaclava and coconut oil or petroleum gel on the nose/cheeks if it is really cold, but that does not temper the air when breathing in.
Nose and mouth are both covered and I use ski goggles as well so basically there is no exposed skin. What you have to be a little mindful of with ski goggles is that moist breath can find its way inside your goggles and freeze on the lens. You'll want goggles that are vented well.
11-09-15 | 01:14 PM
#34
Another MN Bike Commuter
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From: Perham, Minnesota
Bikes: 2015 Trek Crockett / 2013 Trek Domane / 2014 Framed MN1.0
Nose and mouth are both covered and I use ski goggles as well so basically there is no exposed skin. What you have to be a little mindful of with ski goggles is that moist breath can find its way inside your goggles and freeze on the lens. You'll want goggles that are vented well.
11-09-15 | 01:50 PM
#35
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From: Minneapolis
Thanks, I will check that balaclava out! I do use goggles on the cold days (one finds out pretty quick that goggles are necessary to prevent ones eyes from freezing!!) but my bala does not protect the front of the face, this one looks perfect. How easy is it to breath through?
11-09-15 | 02:07 PM
#36
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Same thing happened to a co-worker of mine. She got to work and realized she had left her pants at home (I was wondering why she showed up at my desk wearing her biking shorts). Her solution was to wait about an hour for the Goodwill store to open then ride her bike over there and get a pair of used pants. I think her boss (who sometimes commutes with us) ended up letting her use his car.
11-09-15 | 04:29 PM
#38
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What kind of face cover do you use? I have to deal with the same cold temps as you (with maybe a little less wind). I rode too many times last year when the temp was hovering at or below zero and the nose, cheeks, and mouth can hardly bare it at times. It is especially difficult adding wind in the face. Generally I use a balaclava and coconut oil or petroleum gel on the nose/cheeks if it is really cold, but that does not temper the air when breathing in.
-22 is the coldest I've ridden in but I have frequent rides that are below 0. I have two balaclavas that both work pretty well. One is pictured below:
Nose and mouth are both covered and I use ski goggles as well so basically there is no exposed skin. What you have to be a little mindful of with ski goggles is that moist breath can find its way inside your goggles and freeze on the lens. You'll want goggles that are vented well.
Nose and mouth are both covered and I use ski goggles as well so basically there is no exposed skin. What you have to be a little mindful of with ski goggles is that moist breath can find its way inside your goggles and freeze on the lens. You'll want goggles that are vented well.
Thanks, I will check that balaclava out! I do use goggles on the cold days (one finds out pretty quick that goggles are necessary to prevent ones eyes from freezing!!) but my bala does not protect the front of the face, this one looks perfect. How easy is it to breath through?
I perennially post about my winter eyewear for my 14 mile year-round commute, from about 35° down to as low as 0°. I must wear my prescription eyeglasses, and fogging is one of the worst dangers of winter riding. I am entirely satisfied with my system:
…for eye protection is a pair of simple, wide, plastic industrial goggles that I suspend from my cycling cap using Velcro around the nosepiece….The goggles allow sufficient room for my prescription eyeglasses, and are widely ventilated to carry away the exhaled moisture preventing fogging...
I realize now that my goggles and face mask are actually an integrated system of heating and ventilation that keeps my face warm and my vision unencumbered by fogging. The windscreen of the goggles is so effective in keeping my eyes warm that my eyelids actually perspired because my central core body was so warm, and my eyes never got cold, even on those fast windswept downhill runs.
I realize now that my goggles and face mask are actually an integrated system of heating and ventilation that keeps my face warm and my vision unencumbered by fogging. The windscreen of the goggles is so effective in keeping my eyes warm that my eyelids actually perspired because my central core body was so warm, and my eyes never got cold, even on those fast windswept downhill runs.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-09-15 at 07:53 PM. Reason: added PS
11-09-15 | 07:51 PM
#39
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From: central ohio
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
At 32f I'm comfortable with my socks and sandals combo with shoe covers. That's good to about 28f. when the daytime temperatures reach a high in the low 40's I switch to the LL Bean snow sneakers. I wear those throughout the Winter.
11-09-15 | 09:33 PM
#40
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From: midwest
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Gonna be 35F when I leave tomorrow morning. Will wear under armor longies on top of bike shorts, under armor top with a sort sleeve breathable jersey on top od it, showers pass elite ear muff and wool knit gloves and wool socks. hour each way.
11-09-15 | 09:49 PM
#41
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From: Moorhead, MN
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My go-to is the Outdoor Research Ninjaclava. Ninjaclava | Outdoor Research | Designed By Adventure | Outdoor Clothing & Gear
Cheap-ish, easy to find, and works for a wide temperature range.
Cheap-ish, easy to find, and works for a wide temperature range.
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Jason
Jason
11-10-15 | 07:56 AM
#42
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From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Below about 15 F I wear ski goggles and a balaclava also ski gloves with liners. The liners themselves function well on their own down to about 20 F. Down around -4 F I think about jumping in a car.
My commute takes about an hour and wind speed seems to play a large factor in what is an acceptable amount of cold for these 50+ year old bones.
My commute takes about an hour and wind speed seems to play a large factor in what is an acceptable amount of cold for these 50+ year old bones.
11-10-15 | 11:52 AM
#43
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From: Puget Sound
Bikes: 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 (bionx), 2015 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
It was 36 degrees this morning. I can't say that it is noticeably different than a 45 degree commute. I made the switch from clipless pedals to platforms on my commuter a little more than a week ago. I'm enjoying riding in the hiking boots. My feet stay warm with the thicker wool socks. Once the temps do get below 40, I wear a balaclava - it's still to warm at the end of the commute if the temp is not below 32. Once it's below freezing, I also switch to a heavier glove/mitten.
11-10-15 | 12:06 PM
#44
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From: Vandalia OH
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My colder weather gloves arrived and of course tomorrow it will be 50 degrees on the ride in. I was looking forward to using those gloves!
11-10-15 | 12:43 PM
#45
No one carries the DogBoy
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From: Upper Midwest USA
Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem
I have gone down to -17F (no idea what the windchill was). I started having the grease in my free-hub prevent the pawls from engaging. It rarely gets that cold here. For clothing I used a ski helmet with ski goggles, balaclava, underwarmor base layer long-sleeve compression shirt, sweatshirt, Showers pass elite jacket, bike shorts, regular running tights, 3pl thermo wind/pants, ski socks, boots, ski gloves and bar-mits.
I feel like the stay-puff marshmellow man, but it keeps me cozy as long as I don't stop for too long or push it too hard and build up a sweat.
I feel like the stay-puff marshmellow man, but it keeps me cozy as long as I don't stop for too long or push it too hard and build up a sweat.
