These are fine for recreational riding but don't work so well for commuting when you have to be at work or home by a certain time.

The problem with this hot/cold discussion is that there are extremes of both. In a quick search I was not able to find any stats, but I'd guess that there are more deaths in the U.S. from heat than from cold.

For me I think that in an average year in Minnesota vs an average year in Alabama I'm likely to ride to work or for errands more often in Minnesota. This past year was much colder than usual, but in a normal year there are very few and often no days when it's too cold for me to ride (and some years there may be a day or two when it's too hot/humid). In Alabama though there are likely to be several days when it's too hot/humid for me to be able to ride.

RidingMatthew, you didn't ask for how to keep feet warm, but I'd like to offer what I discovered. I got shoes that are too big for me so I can fit thick socks in. I don't even usually use thick socks. I wear regular (wool) socks. Having the extra space in the toe box seems to make more difference than anything. I wrapped duct tape around the fronts of my shoes. I was fine. It's colder here than there.

According to the CDC there are more hyperthermia deaths than hypothermia deaths in the US per year but that's not the whole story. There are far more people active during the summer than there are during the winter. Although there are a few hardy souls outside in winter, most people aren't going to spend hours out in the cold while they will do so in the heat.

If it's really cold, like below ten degrees, i'll have 2 pair of socks on. I also, when in those single digits, have thermal pants under my jeans plus a PJ pants if it's at the lower end, 3 shirts one long sleve and two short on top, then my north face triclimate, and vest on top of that to cover all the pockets and zippers on the triclimate without adding bulk to my arms. Then up top i'll have my thick n thin headliner (see image below), then a paper mask tucked into that to keep from breathing in the super cold air, and finally either my old snowboarding hat with the pom removed, or my super warm mets hat in place of the helmet padding.

It is very thin up top to fit under helmet, and fleece below ot block wind and keep heat in..
http://www.buckmans.com/cms/store/im...blackhires.jpg


Here it is sans mask. If it's daytime i have goggles (better fitting) or my julbo colorado sunglasses (better quality).
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3kjkqtua.jpg

The biggest problem with being dressed like this is sweat, so if i feel like i'm warming too much, i'll unzip my vest and jacket to let some air circulation & adjust that at each stop accordingly.

- Andy

I was planning to walk home from the store for fun in the 9-10 degrees and massive snow, but this is the other (non mets) hat & my old sun glasses. This is how i'd be if i were biking except trade the ear band for the helmet.

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/a...psscy5hfov.jpg

- Andy

thanks [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION] that is what i have heard but I like to ride clipped in and dont have toe cages so I did not experiment with different shoes this year. I do think i remember reading htat you duct taped them. i thought about it. I tried bread bags but feet seemed warm at first but half way through they seemed colder than without the bags. I am riding about 11 miles one way so I like to be clipped in. but might have to make some changes in i plan to ride in some consistent cold ( like this year)

...and you are right we are not as cold as new york but this still seems like a colder than usual winter. It has also been a warmer than normal spring so far or at least seems to be.

I haven't ridden 11 miles in cold weather in a long time, so I don't know what would work. My duct tape didn't go farther south than my cleats, though I suppose I could have taped the whole shoe and left a hole for the cleat. I use SPD type cleats. In the cold weather, my rides are short. Sorry I can't help any further.