A few random lessons from today's commute, which was probably the coldest and wettest I have done -- mid-40s, and raining.

1. There's not much point in owning nice new shoe covers if you and the bike are in the office and the shoe covers are at home.

2. A headband keeps your ears toasty. But a helmet cover might actually keep you dry. It might even stop that distressingly cold rain dripping down the back of your neck.

3. Lightweight bike tights are not even vaguely waterproof. When wet, they are not warm.

4. A wool base layer works. Even when wet, it's warm

5. There's not much you can do about the drips from the rain jacket onto the tights.

and finally

6. A 3-4 ride is not actually half as bad as you think it is going to be.

Hey since you're in Toronto too I just thought I'd mention, its only gonna get colder from here

Though cold + snowy is nicer to ride in than cold + rainy I find.
For fall and rain I like the MEC pants that have the normal spandexy back but the nylon windbreaking and fairly water resistant front.

I have much to look forward to when I arrive in December.

Let me guess, I'm going to have to change out my slicks.

I find a pair of waterproof/windproof track pants good for the wet and cool weather we're having. I have a Goretex pair that are great for warmer weather when you sweat a bit. The nylon ones are ok for now. Look for lined ones for colder weather.
You're right Boudicca, a helmet cover is the only thing that'll keep your head dry, but they surprisingly keep your head warm, too. I wear a Louis Garneau baliclava under my helmet when it's a little cooler out (around +3 or so), nice and thin, but very warm.
My first fall commuting 3 years ago, I became hooked when I realized that I could ride comfortably in some of the most uncomfortable weather I could imagine (temp of +3 and raining!)

You can always keep those chemical heat packs at work or on you, just in case you are stuck out in the cold and wet and say, forgot the rain gear...

Just don't forget that they do expire which means they'll lose some heat production.

Jay

MEC windbreaker pants here also. Windproof/water resistant front, spandex back.
Helmet cover with a polartech powerdry toque.
Raincoat is a whle subject in itself.

BaseLayer. I wrote a thread on what i found good about the different base layers. Wool is one of the warmest and best feeling. Also the wetest. Polartech powerdry was dryest.

Yeah, it was a rough morning in Toronto today. I definetly need some better rain gear and fenders.

I saw a helmet cover w/ a collar that was supposed to cover your neck and divert water from the helmet down to the back of your jacket on MEC's website. That'd solve the water down the spine problem.

I wore my new MEC Whirlwind Tights (Men's) Product Number: 5006-480 on the ride home yesterday. With a 6 degree temperature and strong headwind, my legs were still fine. I bought the pants the day before (after thawing out from my -1 ride into the office). It's the first time in several weeks that my legs have actually warmed up on my 43km commute!

This thread reminds me of a thought I had on this morning's commute. It's a little related to this thread, so I don't feel guilty about speaking off subject. Anyway, it seems like my upper body is always toasty no matter how cold it is. My feet almost always get cold once the temperatures go below 40 F. I wonder if running a tube from inside my jacket, down my tights and into my socks would do anything to "share" my upper body heat with my feet? Maybe a little battery powered pump/fan could be added to the tube to aid the transfer.

OK, maybe it's a stupid, cockeyed thought. But having a thought is an accomplishment for me!

wool socks + gortex socks + wind proof bootie + clipless sandals = warm and toastie tootsies

Yes, I know that one. It's just that in previous years I stopped commuting by bike long before now and joined the crowds on the TTC. This year I'm curious to see how long I can go on. I don't plan to ride in ice or snow, or if the forecast is for ice or snow, but I admit I love the fact that I'm saving 4 bucks a day on subway tokens. A week and a half of that and I won't need to feel guilty about buying that helmet cover with the back-of-the-neck protection.

Hey, this is EXACTLY the way I feel (I too used to switch to the Toronto Transit Commision when the mornings became chilly). Except I do intend to continue to ride in ice and snow... why not? I bet it's going to be fun!

I found that the best thing for extending my riding time in TO was to get some warm gloves, a balaclava, and just give it a shot. I found that anything down to -8 was fine when I had my face covered with a balaclava. I even found that riding on snow and ice was doable, given precautions. You might find that you're leaving the TTC behind completely :-)

Head cover- LL Bean ball cap under hood of driducks or rainshield jacket under petzl meteor climbing helmet.

Foot cover- liner sock under rocky goretex oversock inside salomon tech amphibian shoe.

I'm not sure what MEC has, but I have these on the way right now from Performance.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1121

A rain jacket with a hood will solve the neck problem.

Well, TT, given the ease of other options like heavier socks or waterproof booties, I'm going to counsel you against the fan-driven heating tube down your tights. But, if you do make this set up, please post (non-revealing) pictures...

i find that when it's raining AND windy, my hands are the ones that go numb first. so, don't forget gloves!

mid-40's and raining?

Welcome to my world. All winter long. high 30's and 40's. And it rains for months on end.

Helmet cover. Next on my list of things to buy.

LOL. It's probably a thought that will never meet reality. I'll stick with the wool sock/goretex sock/boot/toe cover combo I have used for a few years.

Mid 40's and rain is prime hypothermia conditions.

Some thoughts:

In an emergency, plastic bags (trash can liners, walmart sacks, etc.) make serviceable booties. Wear them between your socks and shoes and your feet will stay warm. The vapor barrier will hold in sweat so your feet may get wet but they will still be warmhttps://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Mariposa-Standard.html. Tuck the top of the bags into your pants so water doesn't run down into them.

A Helmet cover is OK for short rides in rain, but does not prevent water from going down you neck, Better is a hooded jacket with the hood under your helmet. Just be careful you don't impact your side vision too much.

I wear a technical jacket in cold weather(currently EMS System III). The hood covers my helmet,keeping out wind/cold/rain,and it's adjustable so it doesn't interfere with my vision(even when turning my head). It's bright yellow,oversized so I can wear my bag underneath,and is breathable and has pit zips. It cost about half of what my Gore Brand cycling jacket did,and is much more versatile.

https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1130425863288

Decent helmet cover

I have that one too. It is excellent. The neoprene peak keeps water off my face entirely, which means my glasses also stay dry despite the rain.

And yes, keeps my head warm too.