cold weather winter riding tips

[br...@onenaturellc.com]

I'm curious to know what old time riders used to do to ride in sub 40 degree f weather. I figure my fellow riv superfans here might have some experiences to share. I'm writing from 12508 zip code. We often get a precious few sunny hours mid-day when the temps slip into mid-thirties in the winter and the heavily salted country roads are for the most part ice free. For the record, I already tried this "zwift" thing and it isn't for me ha ha.

[Brian Campbell]

Fenders, lights, removable layers of clothing and a place to hold them on the bike. I am in SE PA

[Ben Mihovk]

I can go as low as the upper teens (if the windchill is not down in single digits) on my work commute with the following items...

-base layer (top and bottom) that wicks moisture (wool is the best, but I have cheap Costco thermals that work ok)

-Normal work attire (khakis, button shirt)

-wool socks and liner gloves

-insulated leather mittens

-wool gaiter 

-thin wool beanie 

-light wind breaker

I'm a little cold right when I start, but warm up pretty quick once I start pedaling. That's the sweet spot...if you are not cold when you start, you're overdressed and you'll likely overheat and sweat a lot, which will make you cold and clammy.  If you never warm up, you're not wearing enough and you'll be uncomfortable the whole ride. I know I'm doing it right when I'm feeling fairly thermo-regulated on climbs and flats and a little chilly on descents and when I'm stopped at a light.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

My favorite thing winter items are split finger mitts that allow for my pointer/middle and ring/pinky to have skin to skin contact. The split allows for good braking while holding tight to the bars. Also known as Lobster mitts. Everything else is just more clothes, but my hands...

-Kai

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 8:56:19 AM UTC-5 br...@onenaturellc.com wrote:

[Patrick Moore]

+1 . 

I also learned when I had to ride across town to work on winter mornings at temperatures occasionally below 20* that wicking and ventilation are most important, especially if you sweat a lot. I'd get to work with my jersey soaked, tho' the wool still insulated. I quickly found that any shell without ventilation will make you sweat even on a very cold morning, and that layers of wool keep you just as warm and much dryer. Tho' shells are ok for =< 10 miles especially if they have pit zips.

Gloves: very important. I have a stackable system, starting with DeFeet knit wool gloves, then lobster mitts, then a thick nylon shells to fit over everything. I've not had to use more than the wool knits under the lobsters, though. 

Feet: 2 thin layers of wool; perhaps plastic bags over socks and under shoes if it gets a bit colder (my feet don't seem to sweat and the plastic does help a bit to block the wind); and for under 30*F, insulated riding shoes. A cheaper alternative which I've tried is a cheap pair of summer cycling shoes a size or 2 big that let you get layers of socks inside, and Shoe Goo smeared over the mesh.

Don't wear tight shoes!

Ears: mine get cold. Baclavas, even better faux-Peruvian wool hats, (with or without tassles), and last winter, a state trooper winter hat out of Fargo, the movie. Thick nylon shell, plush lining, flaps that pull down and fasten under chin, or else velcro up on top. 

Getting back to shells: Can anyone recommend a full-zip, high-collar, thick wool knit cycling jacket with sleeves cut long? Not a hoodie or a pullover. If it has pockets in back or on the sides, all the better. Just knit wool, no lining or outer shell.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 7:58 AM Ben Mihovk <bjmi...@gmail.com> wrote:

...

I'm a little cold right when I start, but warm up pretty quick once I start pedaling. That's the sweet spot...if you are not cold when you start, you're overdressed and you'll likely overheat and sweat a lot, which will make you cold and clammy.  If you never warm up, you're not wearing enough and you'll be uncomfortable the whole ride. I know I'm doing it right when I'm feeling fairly thermo-regulated on climbs and flats and a little chilly on descents and when I'm stopped at a light.

--

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[ascpgh]

+1 on Brian's list.

I would add a generous mudflap for your front fender and in that place to hold removable layers of clothing, have one more insulting layer on hand in case you stop. Your self heating while riding is never more evident than when you aren't. Stash a couple pair of nitrile exam gloves in a pocket closer to your body in case you have to do something dexterously like put an overshifted chain back on the rings or change a tube. It beats bare handing bike parts in the cold and is cleaner (turn inside out when removing).

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh 

[Mark Roland]

As noted in another post above (quoted below), in cold weather, the trickiest thing other than fluctuating conditions is heat put out by the engine. I find wool layering, from long johns on up, to work well down into the 40s while doing a good job of dissipating extra heat. (Rivendell sells lots of useful wool goodies.) Colder and or windier, and a vest or jacket to break the wind. Something for the head/ears always. On rides of more that five or six miles in more extreme cold, feet and hands need special attention. Frigid temps with bitter wind make sure you have something like Riv's possum neck gaiter to pull over the face.

Perhaps the most important cold riding accessory is some type of luggage on the bike, so that you can take off stuff if you get overheated, and put stuff on if you start to get chilly. I'm not a fan of starting out cold these days. Much happier warming up while warm, then shedding a layer if necessary.m

From Mark in Beacon to Bryan in 12508 ;^)

P.S. Didn't google previously keep hidden the email addresses on these threads unless you received it via email itself?

Brian wrote: I'm a little cold right when I start, but warm up pretty quick once I start pedaling. That's the sweet spot...if you are not cold when you start, you're overdressed and you'll likely overheat and sweat a lot, which will make you cold and clammy.  If you never warm up, you're not wearing enough and you'll be uncomfortable the whole ride. I know I'm doing it right when I'm feeling fairly thermo-regulated on climbs and flats and a little chilly on descents and when I'm stopped at a light.

Me in my WoolyWarm vest, vintage Pendleton, merino skins (not shown) and wool beanie.

(Yikes, the photos post differently as well!)

[Coco Menk]

A good thermos and a good vest! If you can find a rain jacket with the armpit zippers, those are great too.

[ascpgh]

I'm carefully preserving my two Patagonia vests (circa 1995?) with Windstopper fronts, stretch fleece backs because I've had such good effect with them in layering over the years. Hard part of good stuff is that when asked about the solution they provide you're always ending your response with ",but they don't make them anymore."

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Todd G.]

What to wear is very subjective. With that said, when I start out on a ride, if I feel a chill when I start out I’m generally dressed appropriately. If I feel cozy and warm right away, I’ve overdressed and am going to be looking to shed layers in a few minutes. All in all, be chilly for 10 minutes and most likely you’ll be set.

[Mark Roland]

Unless it gets colder. Luggage is your friend, especially in the cold months.

[rlti...@gmail.com]

I try to teach my wife that but I haven’t been successful yet. She hates being cold and will start off every activity severely overdressed. Ten minutes in and we’ll be stopping for her to shed some layers. And I go back to being slightly cold...

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 19, 2020, at 8:12 AM, Todd G. <phoen...@gmail.com> wrote:

What to wear is very subjective. With that said, when I start out on a ride, if I feel a chill when I start out I’m generally dressed appropriately. If I feel cozy and warm right away, I’ve overdressed and am going to be looking to shed layers in a few minutes. All in all, be chilly for 10 minutes and most likely you’ll be set.

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[Ben Mihovk]

A lot of people have mentioned wool layering on this thread, and I concur. 

Here's a hot tip for you...if you want to stock up on some wool goodness at a discount, I highly recommend shopping for Smartwool products on Sierra Trading Post's website. A lot of times at about 50% off if you can find your size and you're not picky about colors. They have other wool brands, too...I'm just partial to Smartwool. 

Ben

[Shoji Takahashi]

To keep my hands warm, I use "Pogies" (aka Barr Mitts, etc.). The challenge might be finding a pair that fits your hbars and controls well. 

I also like the Riv half mitts. They work well with light gloves underneath, too. 

In both cases, blocking the wind goes quite far in providing comfort.

Good luck!

shoji

Arlington MA 

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 8:56:19 AM UTC-5 br...@onenaturellc.com wrote:

[Ian Dickson]

I used to live in Fairbanks, and it’s not hard to dress for anything down to about -20. If it’s in the 30s, you don’t need much. Light fleece gloves, helmet liner, fleece vest does it for me. You want to feel a bit cold when you start out. If it’s much colder than that, sporthill makes nice stuff geared towards runners and xc skiers that works well on a bike.