Cold weather
 

Hi all.

I'm looking to continue riding through sholder seasons in NY area (so through November, prob take a break Dec - Feb, and start up again in March). Should I be investing in a pair of thermal tights and polar jacket - links below? Is this overkill? Do I wear this alone or with base layers and wind jacket? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

http://www.hincapie.com/custom/produ...spx?id=C402M11
http://www.hincapie.com/custom/produ...spx?id=C601M11

I know that up East, it gets pretty cold. I dont know how cold it is in November, but I can assume it gets colder than where i live.

With that said, i can tell you that You should probably invest in something like this, instead of packing on arm warmers, leg warmers, skull caps, etc.... what i mean is sometimes its impossible to ride in the cold, because its so cold, and even though you're excersizing, you still need the warmth.....the cold temps feel like you cant move. That's my opinion.

40s is probably the lowest I would realistically ride in. So your view is that its better to get some serious winter clothing as opposed to trying to layer on warm stuff?

Dress for success, you'll need wind-proof/resistant clothing with a bit of fleece backing at 40-30.

Layering is best, specialization is for ants. ;)

Personally, when my extremeties are warm, my core is warm too. So I have booties, good pair of gloves, and a beanie.
Every persons physiology is different but you should have some idea of how you react to extreme temperatures.

Use your experiences from camping/hiking/football, outdoor activities/sports that you may have done in the past.

Think about that before you invest heavily in more expensive items, such as thermal bibs (which you may not need).

I ride my bike when it's 18 degrees ( F ) out, which is as cold as it's been in a few years in my neighborhood. I go kayaking when it snows, too; it's a pretty spectacular thing to sit in a small, low boat and watch the snow flakes land in the water all around you. Better yet, I wear mostly the same clothes whether I'm doing either of these, or hiking above timberline in the mountains.

Get a soft merino (wool) base layer, which means long underwear and a long sleeve tee shirt. Wear these against your skin, with wool hiking socks and glove liners, plus a hat. Then, add layers as appropriate. If you won't ride below 40 degrees ( F ) you won't need a mid layer, just a shell. It might need to be waterproof or windproof, depending on the circumstances.

Uh oh here we go.

In best auctioneer voice. "I have 18 degrees, do I hear a 10 degrees?"

+1 seattle forrest.

Depends on length of your ride. I wear base layer, wool socks, lobster claw gloves, baclava. Makes you feel alive to ride in the cold.

Ski suits would probably works too if you can keep it away from the chains.

Haha, i don't think will degenerate into another cold-weather pissing contest... besides it is so cold here the stuff is frozen before it hits the ground! (BEAT THAT) :p

Nope can't beat that. :) I ride my 5 mile short rides regardless of the temperature in the winter. It gives me just enough time to feel like I rode my bike, (while not freezing body parts) when most of my time is spent on the trainer. There is a guy that I see commuting to work through winter here. He rides a road bike and I have seen him in temps below 10 F with snow blowing around. I feel like a wuss everytime I see him out there.

If this is anything like the first winter I decided to HTFU and ride outside, you will spend about $300 buying stuff that people recommend. Then you will keep 75% of it in your closet full time because it doesn't work for you personally. So you'll spend that money once over again to buy stuff that you know will work for your body.