In a recent article on cold-weather riding, I discussed my strategy of layering up for frigid days. On my quick 20-mile ride yesterday, which started with the temperature at 43 degrees Fahrenheit, I did just that. I took pictures at every stage, so you could see how I stay warm on those types of rides. (BTW, if you want to see my rides, I’m on Strava, and you can follow me there.)
I wore three-quarter length bib shorts. I wanted to see if these Gore bibs were good for these conditions. I find that my legs aren’t a problem if the rest of my body is warm.
My first base layer is this Castelli shirt (and no, I don’t have affiliate links here; this is the stuff I actually wear). I’m a big fan of Castelli clothing, as you’ll see. It wears well and performs well. Just remember that they *always* fit tight. Size accordingly.
Next is a long-sleeve base layer, also from Castelli. I don’t like three long-sleeve base layers, so I prefer a short-sleeve then two long-sleeve layers.
My final layer was a jacket, similar to this one. Since it wasn’t particularly windy, I didn’t wear a windbreaker. If it was windy, I would have replaced this layer with the windbreaker.
I got some new Woolie Boolie socks. These are simply the best for keeping my feet warm.
I then added my secret foot weapon: Hot Hands Toe Warmers. I stick them on my socks (do NOT put them on your bare feet), near the front of my feet. They’re like magic.
Next, I put on a new cap that I hadn’t worn before: a Gore windproof cycling cap. I wanted the ear coverage, and I’ve started wearing cycling caps more often lately. I like the way they block the sun. The cap worked well—my ears never got cold, and my head stayed warm.
Long-fingered gloves are a necessity, of course. But it can be tricky to know which ones to put on. When my hands get sweaty, it’s no fun. These Pearl Izumis are thinner gloves, as I wanted to see if they’d keep my hands just warm enough, but not too warm. In this case, they were perfect. Any colder, though, and go with something thicker.
To complete the feet warming, I donned these shoe covers. I have heavier ones than these, but these seemed good for the temperature. I was right again, but just barely. My perfect body temperature on the bike is “cold enough that I don’t sweat, but warm enough that I don’t shiver.”
Here you can see the Gore cap under my helmet, just as I’m about to leave for the ride.
Here’s the full kit. Lotsa layers, but not so many that I overheated. Having all those layers makes for a snug outfit, but it worked great for this ride. When I finished, the temperature had risen to 48 degrees. At no time did I feel like I needed to shed layers, and I never felt too hot or too cold. It’s a balancing act and sometimes I don’t get it right. Today I did.
Let me know how you dress for winter riding in the comments below, or ask any questions you’ve got about my gear or prep.
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