Cold weather gear

Can you get Sealskinz products over there?

Waterproof and warmth in one convenient package.

Socks, gloves and thermal liners. They do the biz for me but then we don't get it quite as cold as you!

i sometimes go touring in december and january here in japan, and it's pretty d_mn cold ( maybe i should have said nippy) though maybe where i live, not quite as bad as colorado. here's what i use for coldest scenario, layer by layer:

close-fitting polypro or coolmax underwear
close fitting fleece
looser fitting wind-stopper fleece
gore-tex shell

about the same for hands and feet: polypro glove liners, wind-stopper gloves w/ leather palms, gore shells ; and for feet, coolmax socks , alpine socks, and sometimes add gore cycling shell over the shoes.

for the head, again polypro close fitting balaclava, windstopper or fleece shell made for fitting under climbing helmets, earwarmer, waterproof helmet cover.

you can still count on being cold when you start, but i find that this keeps me warm enough all day except after stopping too long for lunch, etc.

plenty of ventilation options are also good. look for (or sew in) pit zips(the longer the better) and full length side zips on the pants. especially on the rain gear, full side zips allow you to keep your shins covered when there's a lot of water on the road, but ventilate your thighs when it's not or hardly raining.

this is the most versatile system, allowing you to really tweak your comfort level, but it's also pretty pricey. you've probably got fleece. where you might need to shell out some clams is in decent raingear. i've been through my share of cheap stuff, and i can tell you from experience the good stuff is worth spending your money on in the long run. i've found that with down, you can overheat and start sweating too easily.

lol u guys can ride in the winter!?!?!?!?

i use underarmor, some times with leg/arm warmers overtop..

i find with the underarmor for the legs, best result are to where ure bike shorts first then the underarmor over top.

awesome thanks, I'll check it out

Ere in Yorkshire we have been known to zip our shirt up to t chin when it gets right cold.

beltabout said:

Ere in Yorkshire we have been known to zip our shirt up to t chin when it gets right cold.

does it really get that nasty!? :eek: remind me not to visit. lol

depends on how cold it is.

and it's funny how this works. 15C/59F is standard temperature, and it seems my clothing decisions--what to wear, how many layers, etc.-- start there.
And I factor in wind-chill into it when it's windy enough. So if you know the WCF that helps. Also when it becomes the time of year when most rides require layering and toe booties/full shoe covers, i tape over the holes in the bottom of my shoes. simple scotch tape lasts all winter long.

15C+ -- usually don't need anything other than toe booties when it's 15-17C. i have bad toes plus SPD pedals still make my toes go numb sometimes. i swear i'll switch back to Look or try Time soon.

10-15C (in the 50s)--
1) In the upper part of this temperature range: coolmax bandana under the helmet seems to still work, winter weight short sleeve jersey with coolmax layer underneath (long sleeve) or with arm warmers (and coolmax initial layer underneath--tank top or t-shirt. i have even gone with a 100% cotton undershirt occasionally, but only if i know i'm not stopping for any length of time during the ride, cause cotton just doesnt do the wicking job like the synthetics, and wet torso equals rapid core body temp decline when less than 15C). lightweight full finger gloves (polypro under or over regular cycling gloves; I also have some Gore windstopper gloves which are good down to 10C). for the legs/feet, bib shorts or bib-knickers; toe booties
2) In the lower part of this temperature range: cover the head and ears with coolmax beanie (or whatever the heck it's called, i have a Louis Garneau that works great) or coolmax bandana with the type of headband that covers your ears, coolmax long sleeve initial layer with with long sleeve cycling jersey (light-to-medium weight). for legs/feet: full length lightweight tights (with bib shorts underneath), or bib tights with chamois, for legs. full shoe covers.
I havent had the occasion yet to wear shorts or knickers with full shoe covers. depending on the observer, i either look gay(nttawwt)* or dreamy enough already.
*not that there's anything wrong with that (just in case someone's not seen that before, george costanza)
but i digress...
5-10C--now it's time to bring out the heavier weight tights, fleece (top to bottom), socks (i have some wool ones which work great), go from two layers up top to three, heavier weight gloves, balaclava or BACLAVA as i like to call it, under helmet, of course.
less than 5C--if it's not snowing and the roads are dry, and it's not windy, much the same as 5-10. otherwise, the lifecycle or spin bike at the gym looks mighty good about now (or your trainer at home if you have it). Plus all that layering we know takes up to 30 minutes of prep time, then of course when all layers are on, you have to take another BM. works every time.
:p

i stock up on new stuff when the online stores put winter gear on sale or clearance, if i can get my size.

oh one other thing. you'll be doing lots of climbing there i hope. so don't forget not to sweat too much on the climbs because the descent will be rather unpleasant. as your body temp really increases in the climb, open up the zipper on the jersey. having a full length zipper is bonus!

also an extra head covering in a rear pocket to put on for the descent might come in handy since the initial head covering might be a tad moist at the top.

...and i NEVER slice!