Dressing Tips

Riding in the cold is a matter of proper gear and a little practice / know how. To be comfortable on cold days is a lot of trial and error. Gauging how many layers with how cold it is. 10 degrees up or down from 30 degrees or worse can be the difference between freezing and having a good ride.

Hands: The Bar Mitts of course are very warm and help protect your hands from the wind, rain, and snow. Varying the thickness of the gloves you wear with the “Bar Mitts” depends on the outdoor temperature. I prefer using full fingered gloves but the thickness will vary depending on how cold it is. Partially un-zipping the “Bar Mitts”, will help with ventilation if your hands get too warm.

Upper Body: From 40 degrees or less, I layer with the poly clothes (2-3-4 layers) under an over sized long sleeve jersey (pockets are a must for me). When it is really cold, I add a thin fleece under the jersey.

As with all cold weather sports, getting wet will usually or eventually make you cold. I start out with a windbreaker vest and carry a long sleeve windbreaker in the back pocket. I put that on about half way.

Legs: I wear bib shorts with tights of three different thicknesses according to the temperature.

Feet: I am still a bootie guy. I use a lace up pair of shoes that slide in and out of the booties easily. I have two different thicknesses and sizes of booties depending on the temperature. The thicker and larger pair for cold days. I have a thick sock that slides over my shoe (cut a hole for the cleat). Then put the thicker bootie over that. This increases the insulation layer.

When it is crazy cold, I use a rubber band to hold a heat pack over the shoes on top of my toes. Add the sock and then the bootie. During the winter months, I generally ride 1 ½ to 2 hours. The heat packs can last 2 - 3 rides if I shut them off. I use a baby food jar which is air tight and works really well (no air, no heat).

Head: Use a different thickness size balaclava and a fleece ear headband around my neck. Some days I use a thin beanie hat. I switch to a slightly larger helmet for the colder days to accommodate the extra thickness. Sometimes just removing the padding from the helmet will give you the extra room needed.