On Tuesday, I want to ride to work but the temp is 16 degrees with a little wind. I am a bit nervous about what to wear and if I should go for it or not. I know it is about layering and all but I am not sure if I am ready for 16 degree weather. Coldest for me has been 26 degrees the first day I started commuting to work.

They're calling for a high of 13°F here on Tuesday with NW winds of 15MPH. That'll kick off some lake-effect snow too.

What I've found is that cold and layering hit me in steps. It's not a smooth curve. For me, there's not much difference between mid-20s and the middle teens. So ordinarily, I wouldn't be worrying over 13, maybe just stepping up to my lobster gloves.

However, with as warm as this season has been, I've not had the opportunity to acclimate to the cold. I'll probably wear what I usually do for the single-digits, which ordinarily gets me down to the minus single-digits without much problem.

But, you've also heard me harp on sweat management in the cold. Sweating in the cold is the first step towards hypothermia. And the colder it gets, the more important it is that I don't sweat. So I'll be giving it a good think before I leave for work on Tuesday as well. I'd rather err on the side of slightly too cold, which I can compensate for by pedaling harder. The colder it is, the harder it is to compensate for dressing too warm and sweating.

What that translates to is that I'll make sure my feet and hands are warm with an extra pair of socks, and my lobster gloves. But instead of a whole extra layer on top and a whole second pair of tights like I would in the single digits, I may add just armwarmers and kneewarmers under my other stuff. And I may close my pit-zips.

It's the first workday of the week for me, so I'll have the panniers on and can carry extra layers with me for the ride home in case I misjudge on the way to work. Then again, the ride home will be with a tailwind.

I know it's not much compared to you guys, but Tuesday it'll be in the 20s and 30s all day. I'm hoping to ride, as it'll be the first bicycle commute since March and I want to ride more in 2012...Riding the first day will set the tone, I hope.

I'm working on screwing up the courage, but may wimp out...

Hate to be the party pooper but im in Palm Springs California and my car outside temp reads 79f sunny and no wind.
I went to the store and saw at least 15 cyclist on the road. dam I wish i was on my bike. end the year on a good note .

If you are up for the trip in feb 10 there is the anual tour de Palm springs ride.

average temp 75-80 f.

Was in the 70's here today. Heh, I actually like riding in the cold.

I would say go for it. The only way to do it, is to do it. Until I rode when it was colder, the coldest i had ever ridden in was 60 degrees, now I can say that the coldest i have ridden in was -20 F.

Somewhere, I remember reading the best way to get used to riding in cold weather, is to ride in cold weather.

Just do it; you'll be fine! The hardest part about commuting when it's cold is dealing with co-workers who think you've lost your mind....

Jim