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winter warriors

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Old 11-19-07 | 06:19 PM
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From: youngstown, oh

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winter warriors

So iit's getting pretty cold. What do you do in this weather? I get out long underwear and high wool socks. Put knobbie tires on? Use a different bike? What clothing works for battling out there? What do you guys do?
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Old 11-19-07 | 06:31 PM
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From: under bridge in cardboard box
long underwear
wool socks
layered sweatshirts
raingear if its gonna be wet out--and under 35 degrees and pouring rain I add plastic bags on feet tween layered socks
gloves, big spaceman like winter gloves
knit hat
neoprene facemask for sub freezing weather
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Old 11-19-07 | 06:36 PM
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From: Colorado Mountains/New Mexico highlands

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I dress in layers and up where I live, I wear ski gloves. Mostly though I'll definitely fall on my a** quicker than I can say yikes! But it's all good when it's squeeky cold. Oh yeah, the clips come off and the boots go on.
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Old 11-19-07 | 06:43 PM
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Bikes: 76 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 86 Pro Miyata, 80s Schwinn World Sport

so far a thermal shirt, hoodie, tshirt, jacket,
wool army socks, and wool army glove inserts
have been working. still need a winter bike though,
not riding any of mine in the salt.
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Old 11-19-07 | 06:44 PM
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definitely layers for warmth, and a light windbreaking shell for the wind. I like a few thin layers, just cause sometimes you can get weighed down with thicker clothes, and besdies, once you get going, especially if the wind can't get to you, it can be like a furnace in there.

though I did recently move from WI to CA so I'm still out in t-shirts.
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Old 11-19-07 | 06:49 PM
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Nothing beats a union suit in my book. Eyewear is also a way underrated piece of winter riding gear. Frozen tears suck.
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:06 PM
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From: Lexington, KY

Bikes: Masi Speciale Fixed, Surly 1x1, 2 70's Bianchi folders, Swingbike, Columbia Cruiser 3 spd, Specialized Big Hit and P.2, Cove G-Spot, Xtracycled Bianchi San Jose.

Here in KY where the lows are in the 20's, sweater and a hoody, maybe a light winter jacket over top, jeans, and gloves with a beanie. Back in ND where it could be -40 after windchill? Hoodie, snowboarding jacket, liner gloves, snowboarding gloves, snowpants, beanie, lower face ski mask (very warm) ski goggles, insulated socks over normal socks.
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:09 PM
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layers...
long underwear (in real cold situations).
wool high socks (two pairs if it's real cold).
jeans.
thermal shirt / t-shirt.
track jacket / hoodie (two or more if it's real cold).
wool gloves.
hat / hood up an tied tight.
bandana / scarf over the face.
ski goggles if it's really bad out.
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:13 PM
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From: Minnesota

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone, Trek 6000SS, Zebrakanko FG

Any other Minnesotans out there?

Jeans
a t shirt
army glove liners
helmet
thin jacket or wind breaker
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:18 PM
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I found that just longjohns are not enough. My ass and surrounding vitals are always cold after sitting on frozen saddle. Potential trip to the glove doctor. So i am still trying to find a method to keep the "plumbing" from freezing.
Maybe making inconspicuous shorts out of snow pants and wear them on top of jeans?
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Alzonder
So i am still trying to find a method to keep the "plumbing" from freezing.
Maybe making inconspicuous shorts out of snow pants and wear them on top of jeans?
My Brother The Biker said once that he used a sheet of bubble wrap stuck in his pants.
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:36 PM
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Depending on the temperature and length of ride, I wear either merino wool long underwear or wool cycling tights underneath whatever pants I would normally wear (usually BDUs or Dickies). I also have wool long-sleeved shirts and a rain jacket for up top, with more layers in between depending on temperature. Thick wool ski/snowboarding socks and my normal clipless shoes down below. Full finger PI Cyclone gloves keep my fingers warm and a balaclava or wool cycling cap and glasses for my head and face/eyes.
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Old 11-19-07 | 07:39 PM
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I need to make it to the army surplus store to invest in some good wool, mainly socks and sweater.

Snowboard outerwear is a godsend because it's meant to be perspired in heavily, and is therefore not only heavily waterproof but also breathable. Only problem is it's expensive and the pants are usually way too baggy to avoid getting caught in your chain, even if you try to roll them up.

I'm realizing that clipless is much better in the rain than GR-9's to single straps.

What are you guys using for pants/underwear in the rain? When it's really wet I get chaffed fast in cotton, and bike shorts work better but I'm not able to not wear jeans over them (too cold) and I only have one pair...
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Old 11-19-07 | 08:12 PM
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A fleece scarf to wrap over the face and neck is essential for me. Leather gloves, too. Oh, and clear wrap-around safety/shooting glasses are great too (and cost $5 or so). I have these:
https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/smitwescod4c.html
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Old 11-19-07 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by iamarapgod
So iit's getting pretty cold. What do you do in this weather? I get out long underwear and high wool socks. Put knobbie tires on? Use a different bike? What clothing works for battling out there? What do you guys do?
Tights + booties + UTW sit'n'spin shorts. Base layer + jersey + waterproof/resistant outer shell + hat + sunglasses.
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Old 11-19-07 | 08:38 PM
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From: Sudbury, Ontario

Bikes: Px-10 singeld, 2007 KHS filte 100

temp right not lows -3ish highs 8 or 9 (oC)
So far,
Top:
long sleeve t-shirt
MEC Arm warmers
wool long sleeve
some t-shirts When it gets a bit colder The t shirts will be replaced by a heavy wool sweater and a water proof windbreaker

Pants:
Mec seamless boxer briefs a must for any long distance riding, but more especially in winter as they are tight fitting and fit under both long underwear and snugish jeans
Wool Long underwear
Jeans
Wool almost knee socks
Regular length wool socks
Chucks- Thinking of how i can waterproof these i was thinking about boiling them in some WAX

Last edited by Kol.klink; 11-19-07 at 08:50 PM.
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Old 11-19-07 | 08:50 PM
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absolutely nothing..

sup california bay area :]
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Old 11-19-07 | 08:58 PM
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I didn't see anyone else mention this, but back when I was riding through Boston winters I'd usually go with two tshirts, which made more of a difference than one might imagine (plus a thermal top, and a wool sweater, plus something reasonably waterproof/resistant if there'd be precip or a hoodie; with thermal bottoms under wool army short pants, wool socks, and my sidis plus a wool hat, with thermal balaclava for the really cold days, ski googles if it was snowing). If you're only going on short rides I'd wear more... if you'll be out for awhile keep in mind how warm you'll get from your bodyheat under sufficient layering. In my experience below 20 degrees (F) you need to keep pretty well covered-up.

I didn't find knobbies made that big a difference but others will probably tell you different.

Now that I'm down south I don't really have to deal with "real" cold.
 
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Old 11-19-07 | 09:03 PM
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2 t-shirts?

Cotton kills. Doubly.
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Old 11-19-07 | 09:45 PM
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Layers are the key, but to be honest I don't really get that cold when I ride in winter. Wool socks are a must, but I often wear jeans. I usually wear a thin wool top and a windproof jacket, and this is when it is -40 celcius. Right now it is -10 celcius and I just wear a hoody, nothing special.

Studded tires are key if you get ice and snow.
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Old 11-19-07 | 09:54 PM
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LS baselayer, regular jersey, wind vest, regular shorts, knee warmers, and regular socks.
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Old 11-19-07 | 10:02 PM
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From: Boston

Bikes: '80s Chimo Garbage fixed 36/14, Centurion fixed 42/17

I wear gators to keep my shins from getting wet. I look like a goon, but they work.

I'm also hoping to get my Rob Roy before the snow gets too deep in Boston. I'm not worried about the cold because, as far as I can tell, it doesn't get cold here. (I've been in WI for 4 years. It gets cold there.)
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Old 11-19-07 | 10:26 PM
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From: Yay Area! SatanRosa, CA

Bikes: One bike one gear fixed.

Originally Posted by kidtwisty
absolutely nothing..

sup california bay area :]
Werd.

It's getting chilly out here but nothing to write about. Got to commute, I do layers. A bandana on the face in the fog and wind chill/night.

Gonna be up in Portland this weekend to remind me what the rain's like.

I feel for you east coasters and mid-west-ish-er's? And up in Canada. **** guys. You are ****ing core.
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Old 11-19-07 | 10:33 PM
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From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: small Alpha Mercury with flatbar

How do you guys deal with the whole body temperature change thing? I find either I'm nice and warm going out but damp with sweat when I get where I'm going...or I'm freezing when I get out of the house but am okay once i work up a good heat.

I usually pick being warm for most of the ride rather than just when I get outside....but on seriously cold days sometimes its worth it to be uncomfortably hot just so you arent freezing for 5 minutes. What do you guys do?
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Old 11-19-07 | 10:37 PM
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wool wool wool
layer layer layer

Barba makes an excellent point. When your eyelids start freezing shut, you need goggles. It is unpleasant.
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