Yeah, I know - the hearts of those of you from cold climates will bleed for me since it doesn't really get cold here, but . . .

It was 43 degrees on this morning's ride! Even with full finger gloves, the hands are cold. I had on a long sleeve jersey, a visibility colored wind breaker, tights over shorts, full finger gloves - and it was cold! It still wasn't a lot of fun. I still have a little Chicago conditioning left, too. It was worse for my Californian born and bred wife. She was complaining about cold feet as well. Looks like we will have to get some of those hood things and maybe the booty things for her. And maybe insulated gloves. *sigh*

If any of my Chicago friends had said they expected me to get up and on a bike before dawn in 40 degree weather after I moved to California, I would have laughed at them. Maybe the absence of daylight savings time will help.

43 is where the mid-day max now is around here. Drops below freezing every night. Booties anre a must, I'm freezing to death.

our weather in portland is similar to yours, but wetter. i'm getting by with leg warmers (they're a wool blend, so they stay warm even when wet), arm warmers, shoe covers, and a headband. have your wife try a wool/lycra sock and see how that works.

i find that my leg warmers work better than tights because they're heavier. give 'em a shot and see if it helps. (plus, you can ditch them if it gets above 55).

perhaps some heavier, non-bike gloves are in order? i have a pair of ski gloves that i use when it gets really nasty out here.

for me, it's less about the cold and more about the wet. it's way too slick for me to hit the streets at my usual speeds, which is sorta depressing.

There is winter gear for cycling. I use Pearl Izumi's AmFIB gloves and my hands are sweating. Add to that tights that have a windblocking lining along with some good thermal underwear, a gore-text jacket with a thermal turtleneck and winter cycling shoes and I tend to be sweating and drench by the time I get to work (and that's in 3 degree Celcius or about 37 F weather). Remember, layering is a good thing. Might want to visit the Winter Cycling section here.

I can't possibly need the winter cycling section - I live in sunny San Diego!! Commutes are a problem for me. I can either be miserable for the first 30 minutes until the sun comes up or I can have way too many clothes on for the other hour and 20 minutes of the ride. I am hoping day light savings solves this little problem. But we may have to buy winter riding gloves and head covers and toe covers for her. It gets cold (relatively) in the hills at night during the winter - we are just going to have to adjust.

exactly. that's why arm and leg warmers are so perfect for you. just roll 'em down when they're no longer needed.

Yup,
that and layering. As you warm, take stuff off and thrown it in the pannier. It's that or misery (or sweat like mad for over an hour), take yer pick.

I use some light Thinsulate gloves that fit well *over* summer cycling gloves.
Thinsulate is great stuff, and no trouble operating the bike's bits while wearing them.

rwg,
a little trick i've learned with cycling clothes is when i'm making breakfast or something on a VERY VERY cold day, the first thing i do is get hot water into a pretty big pot (like to make stew or something) then turn on the stove. i put my cycling clothes into a grocery bag like you'd get at vons, hang it above the pot, and do what i need to do...brush teeth, shower, pack clothes, etc. bike ready to go, shoes ready, everything ready, minus clothes. (even the dog's in the crate). i change into a set of hot, but dry (thanks to the grocery bag) cycling clothes. with layering, it's usually enough to keep me warm until my body warms up and metabolism keeps me warm.

melloboy

it got up to 78º today in milwaukee, wi! Maybe you should move back to the great white north.

Melloboy, wouldn't it be easier to throw them in the drier briefly (assuming you have easy access to a drier)?

well, i suppose it would
but where i live, it costs 75 cents plus a run in 43 degree weather to and from the drier, and again a little bit later

melloboy

I live in Duluth, Minnesota. We had 43 the other day and, I was in shorts and, a t-shirt.

How long does it take for the stuff to heat up? For like 30F temps what do you wear then? 1 layer less?

Go to Target or whatever and get yourself a small electric heater with fan (about $15). Point it at your clothes and shoes and they will be warm, and you don't have to do the water and bag thing. I got one pointed at my tootsies as I write. Don't have to heat the whole house (it is 28F outside), just my feet!

Cold is 43 degrees below, not above.

I went out last night in shorts and jersey. Was toasty. I dressed as a roadie for the haloween CM...

43 degrees cold, talk to me in a 2 months from now when the mornings dip below 25.