Calling all bike riders!

I only ride April to November (bikeshare program months) so I can't really help you. But I know lots of winter cyclists here in Montreal. The key is to gear up properly.

This might help: http://www.mec.ca/AST/contentprimary/learn/cycling/introtocycling/wintercycling.jsp

BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »

http://barmitts.com/

I have big hands...would they come out quickly like if I was hit my a car?

I have a pair of gore tex socks that I can wear under regular cycle shoes.

Full finger gloves that fit under cycle mitts.

Skull cap under the helmet, all make a huge difference.

I always ride my bike to work, 5 days a week (about 4 miles each way). It's about the same temperature here this week. What really helps me is thermal clothing like this:

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/womens-thermal-socks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Womens-New-Black-Thermal-Leggings-Stretchy-Winter-Super-Thick-Foot-Warm-Pants-/381056011316?pt=US_Womens_Leggings&hash=item58b8b54c34

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Windproof-Cycling-Bicycle-Full-Finger-Fleece-Thermal-Touch-Screen-Gloves-/301164516853?pt=US_CSA_MWA_Gloves_Mittens&var=&hash=item461ecdd5f5

Hope this helps!

mitch16 wrote: »

Just want to put this out there--if you are die-hard enough to consider cycling in the arctic cold, it's probably time to invest in some clipless pedals and cycling shoes! New pedals and shoes may be slightly expensive, but what you gain in efficiency is priceless! Getting stuck in them was always my biggest fear, too, but my husband talked me out of that and I've been riding clipless for 10+ years now and I've never fallen over because I couldn't get out of my pedals fast enough (my husband, on the other hand ) Many spinning bikes at the gyms actually have pedals that are clipless on one side so you could always test them out in a 'safe' environment when you can't dump the bike. I have Sidi shoes, which are definitely an investment, but they also last a lot longer than running shoes since the soles are stiff and you don't really walk in them. Mine have lasted 5+ years with a decent amount of mileage on them!

mitch16 with all the good advice! I agree with everything she has said, especially the shoe covers. I have mountain bike style clipless shoes and the neoprene covers save my feet on colder days, plus save you on the puddles and wet roads as well. A good clipless pedal with a big pad is great so you can ride in normal shoes as well if you want.

1. proper clipless pedals - normal pedals and straps constrict the bloodflow and your toes freeze, and sans straps they're a waste of time.

2. winter riding shoes/boots - get them a half size larger than summer, so you can wear thicker socks and still have some "wiggle room" in there - again its about keeping circulation going. Northwave do some good ones that are reasonably water-resistant and warm - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-fahrenheit-gtx-boots-2015/rp-prod57566 or even the arctic version if you run cold - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-celsius-arctic-gtx-boots-2015/rp-prod57565

3. good quality merino socks

4. neoprene overboots if all else fails.

5. when you feel your toes are getting a little cold, get off the bike and walk for a few yards, just to get the toes bending a little - did I mention it's all about keeping the circulation going.

6. keep the rest of your extremeties warm too - definitely a warm windstopper beanie under the helmet, better still, get a helmet that either has closeable vents - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kask-infinity-aero-road-helmet/ or even one that has a clip on shell that closes the vents - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/catlike-mixino-road-helmet-2014/ and http://www.wiggle.co.uk/catlike-mixino-aero-shell-cover/ - gloves are a tough one, you need to be able to keep a certain amount of dexterity to change gear/brake, but still keep warm/dry... We don't often get extremes of cold in the UK, mostly 1-2°C and wet, where I find Neoprene gloves are pretty good (at the price of making your hands smell like something long dead when you remove the glove) but for something colder i'd recommend something like the "split mitten" type of glove - such as this - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sealskinz-handle-bar-mitten/

7. as for the rest of the cycling gear, well, there's no real substitute for the good quality kit to be honest - Sportful's Fiandre "no rain" kit's pretty decent - I have a personal preference for Castelli - their Sorpasso Bibs are fantastic, as are their Nanoflex bibs, which are marginally less warm than the Sorpasso, BUT are highly water resistant. The Espresso 2 or 3 Jackets are great warm windproof items, but the ultimate winter jacket for me is their Gabba - I've actually got the short-sleeved one at the moment, but I'm seriously considering treating myself to the Gabba2 Convertible as my "christmas pressie to self" - fantastic bit of kit - the SS version is far and away the BEST piece of cycling kit i've ever bought.

Note - most cycling clothing is not really designed to keep you 100% dry - its designed to keep you warm enough not to notice you're a little damp, and stop you getting frozen by the windchill...

backin3 wrote: »

What are your tips and tricks to riding in cold, wet weather?

Avoid the bears.

Lots of good tips here: http://www.icebike.org.

My top tip: get fenders (aka mudguards) for your bike. They keep cold water off you. Just as importantly, they keep a lot of road salt and sand from getting onto your frame and into your drivetrain (bottom bracket, cranks and chainrings, chain, cassette, and derailleurs), which will make your bike last a lot longer.

If it's cold and dry: layers, as mentioned. Focus on windproof/resistant. If it's cold and wet I recommend an indoor trainer.

All the recommendations for overshoes and booties are great. Unfortunately I can't seem to find any that fit over the shoes I wear with my 'cross bike, which is my primary cold weather training bike. However, what does work regardless of what shoes you wear is to put your socks on, take some aluminum foil and mold it around your toes and the front, upper and lower part of your foot, then put your shoes on. The aluminum foil forms a nice wind stop and helps hold heat in around your toes.