Like you, this is my first winter riding in the midwest -- in Chicago. I've been pleasantly surprised that anything above 0 or so is working fairly well for me. I went out for a while in the single digits yesterday and was very warm. My biggest challenge is not overdressing and making sure to preemptively unzip or remove layers--sweating is no good. Also finding ways to drink water and snack . . .
My favorite things: Outdoor Research lobster gloves (Hi-camp three finger) thin wool balaclava (can't believe how effective this is) ski googles (though the fog/ice thing is tough if you get too warm) thin & thick wool socks (two pairs) in boots marathon winter plus tires (riding on ice is not a problem now) For what it's worth, riding through the snow on a bike that shouldn't be there is kind of fun, and definitely an insane workout. Adam On Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11:08:29 AM UTC-6 David Hallerman wrote: > One main thing I've found to keep my head warm when it's really cold, 45° > and below, besides a thin wool watch cap and a Chrome hoodie is a helmet > one size larger. My winter helmet. Because I dunno how it works for others, > but more than a thin item underneath my normal size helmet is too tight. > Doesn't work for warmth, gives me a literal headache. > > One size up. For my helmet, and it's the same way I keep my feet warm. > Winter cycling boots, but one size up from normal. And then I wear > super-thick Smartwool or Darn Tough hiking socks with lots of cushion. > Again, not tight, which means air circulates, which keeps my feet warmer. > > Dave, who notes temps right now here in the lower Hudson Valley are in > the mid-20s which is kinda below his winter cycling comfort zone > > ========== > On 1/27/22 11:55 AM, Ben Mihovk wrote: > > I have the ear-flap cap from Randi Jo, and I'm going to go on record and > say it's one of the best purchases I've made. I'll ride in "feels like" > single digits and this cap under my helmet with a Smartwool neck gaiter > pulled up to my chin keeps me warm enough for a good 25-30 minutes in the > coldest temps. The cap is an absolute dream to have all the way up into the > 40s and 50s, too. It never gets too hot up into that range. > > Ben in Omaha > > On Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 10:28:14 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding > Ding! wrote: > >> [image: 2C86C1A3-551B-48AD-A438-D54540285CBC.jpeg][image: >> 8E1C820E-0ADB-4618-B460-58A921CC44F4.jpeg][image: >> 34FA3E14-5115-45F4-9F66-4FCFE8E72434.jpeg][image: >> 28C51ED9-A92F-45A3-9AD4-314350A05BE3.jpeg]All this talk here and there >> on the threads about Who Is Wearing What for cold weather riding made me >> start a dedicated thread. There are certainly some archived threads on cold >> weather gear, but offerings change so here’s an updated thread. I am >> interested in this topic because I now live in Southwest Michigan and >> cannot bring myself to bike in temps below 35. But I miss riding so much, >> and if the roads are clear of snow and ice, I’d like to go. But what to >> wear? >> >> Last night I attended a Zoom with the famous Betty Foy rider and Cycling >> Savvy instructor Pamela Murray, and this was our very subject. There were a >> lot of good ideas presented, the common denominator being WOOL. Today I >> looked around online for some clothing that would help me out. Until >> December, I had been living in the desert so I’ll have a few pieces I’ll >> have to purchase, but most people won’t have to buy so much. Here are some >> things I found (and some of which I did order): >> >> REI jacket is not, admittedly, wool. But it gets wonderful reviews and it >> does have pit vents, reflectors and is made from recycled nylon so it’s not >> contributing to the landfill problem. The hood is meant to fit over the >> helmet - a huge plus. >> >> The helmet is because my Nutcase is between 9-10 years old and >> disintegrating inside, so never mind that. (But won’t it be cute with my >> jacket?) >> >> The leg warmers were recommended by Pam, and after looking around online, >> they seem to have no rival. They are wool and made in the USA. Sustainable >> this and that, all the good stuff. >> >> The cap is wool and from our Randi Jo out of Elkton, OR. My ears have >> been freezing when I’m out running because stocking caps creep up and >> expose my ears. Headbands don’t keep your head warm. This cap does double >> duty and I’m excited to try it. >> >> Analog has some really promising “pogies” by their 5th Season house >> brand, but they are for drop bars and they have not yet said whether they >> will work for swept back bars like most of us ride - I’ll find out. I think >> these could be a great option for keeping hands warm. >> >> I don’t have a plan for shoes yet, but I have tons of Smartwool socks and >> lots of boots, so something will likely work. >> >> I’m sending photos of the new gear in case it helps anyone else. The >> jacket comes in men’s as well. >> Leah >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0a0d9e79-bfb9-4034-b383-d2fd087bc6ean%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0a0d9e79-bfb9-4034-b383-d2fd087bc6ean%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c6973ba3-c162-4183-9a95-7c89aa0dfd7fn%40googlegroups.com.
