I'm trying to ride this winter. I live near St. Louis, Missouri, so we get more ice than snow usually. We get lots of wind and cold this time of year. Tomorrow, we have a high of 49 degrees, with 20 to 30 mph winds.

I've bought lots of layers, and purchased some cold weather gear at Cabella's. No advice though; I just hate riding in the cold, but do it anyway.

Last year I really couldn't ride outdoors once the roads got sloppy, since I only had my skinny-tired road bike. Now I have a CX bike that can take studded tires and my mtn. bike. I am vowing to get out for at least one outdoor ride every week. I'd like to log at least 10-15 miles/week outdoors, with the remainder of my miles indoors on the trainer.

The lowest I managed last year was -8. The problem isn't keeping warm (4 layers saw to that), but it is having to strip layers off in the car park so not to over heat walking into work!

Thanks for the advice everyone! Unfortunately, I pulled a rookie move and didn't check my tire pressure last night. I was gearing up to ride this morning and noticed they were both pretty flat. I didn't have time to mess with it, so I had to find an alternative. :brokenheart: You live and learn, I guess. However, next week is looking pretty dry, so it's on. Going to make sure my tires are properly inflated this weekend. Who's ready to do some winter riding? Woot! :happy:
I like the idea of taking a route with plentiful coffee shops. Also, @ dcmat, that is pretty hardcore, and I know what you mean. I rode two weeks ago, and I was bundled up so well by the time I got to work I couldn't wait to strip some layers off. Haha.

I've been on rides where I was so cold, getting a cup of hot cocoa down was just like, I dunno, heaven. :blushing:

I hope the weather rocks and that when the time comes, you are properly aired up and ready for battle!

Well, in the UK, having a maritime climate, rather than a continental one, it doesn't really get THAT cold - last winter was considered an exceptional one, with temperatures around where I live barely getting above 0c from late november to early february. I think that my garden weatherstation recorded -16c one of the nights. Problem is, because we don't regularly get a "proper" winter, the local authorites don't have the gear to deal with it when they do - only a couple of snowploughs, and nowhere near enough grit/rock salt to keep the roads clear. So - they concentrate resources on the main trunk roads, and all the b-roads and villages were left unploughed - if they HAD have cleared it, it'd have only ended up with black ice as they'd not enough salt / grit to go around. So - I couldn't get the roadbike out of the village - the first and last mile were 10" deep of hard rutted snow - passable with care in the car, but not on a roadie... I did what I could on the MTB, but not anywhere near enough.

I think the secret of cold weather riding is layering. I always go out dressed that I actually feel a little cool for the first 2-3 miles, and "warm up into" the ride. If I dress warm enough from the start, I'll get sweaty, then remove a layer and get chilled... Modern cycling kit is so good from a point of view of being light and windproof yet breathable, just layer up. A good merino wool baselayer on your upper body is always a help - though for stop-start rides, they can be a bit clammier than the better synthetic kit. Good quality "roubaix" fleecy lycra bib-tights are a must for me - I've also a pair of Altura ones with windproof/water resistant panels on the front of the thighs and across the *kitten* for the real four weather stuff. Im hesitant to recommend particular brands, partly as I'm UK based and some of the kit may be unavailable/relatively expensive elsewhere, but mostly because I'm not exactly a typically svelte cyclist, and anything that fits me, will be like a sack on most people. The other recommendation is to look after your extremeties - good inner gloves, overmits, maybe go for proper winter riding shoes, and a good heavy duty set of Neoprene overshoes, not to mention something under the helmet (i've a roubaix balaclava which is brilliant for real cold stuff). I've lost count of the number of great rides that have been spoiled by the last 20 miles being done with numb toes, so it's an area I refuse to compromise on these days.

First, keep your feet and hands warm, if they are cold, you will really suffer.
Second, most people wear too much when they start out. By the end of the first two or three miles, you should still be cold, if you are nice and toasty warm, you are wearing too much clothing, it takes the body a while to warm up. I used to commute 16Km to and from work in Vancouver Canada and by the 2/3 part of the ride I was comfortably warm, but the first 1/3 especially I was not warm, I was not freezing my butt off either, as Vancouver is not exactly a cold place, but that first bit out the door of a warm house dose feel cold!!

You can start out wearing too much and then take off layers, but then you have to pack or carry all that stuff.

Cheers!

just bought some specialized ex knee and arm warmers and this hybrid jacket http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=65157

I'll ride in pretty much all weathers except for ice. If it snows this winter I will try to commute on the MTB (which I didn't have last winter). Wouldn't even contemplate going in on the road bike if it's snowing / icy!

I've had a few really cold rides so far this autumn but have managed okay except for having really cold feet. :huh: How do you keep your feet warm.
Also, what type of weather would be a definite no ride for you?

Thin thermal walking socks and overshoes work for me. Also, just brought a pair of Grippi lining gloves. OK on their own and mega when inside another pair (also 2 pairs for 1, with 20% off = a christmas present sored :-))

I will ride year round, living in Oregon, its not so much the cold or snow but the rain that's the problem. My coldest was 22 degrees and about 18 miles...hands were hot, body and feet OK, and face was cold.

Best is to layer, base, mid and outer layer, watch so you dont overheat, vent heat early. Thin skull cap / hat under you helmet, depending on the temps, face mask or balaclava. Mittens are warmer than gloves but they will effect shifting. (Pearl izumi lobster mitts work well but were to hot for me)

I am lucky and have the hook-ups for cycling clothing, but it is an investment, and should last you for years.

just some quick thoughts.

What part of Oregon do you ride around? I love riding in Oregon. I have a friend that lives in Lake Oswego, and I fly out and ride around with him.

TD, I am just outside Salem

I browsed the advice and did not see winter tires. I recommend winter tires if you plan on riding through the winter. Even if you do not plan to ride on snow you can still hit unexpected melt off that has refrozen. http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp is a good resource for learning about studded tires. Also, a good light is essential, I recommend ~400 lumen and definitly not less than 150 lumen.

I am ready! Tonite I got studded tires, a wool balaclava, and lobster mitts! I already have shoe covers and lotsa layers. Bring it on, Old Man Winter...I ain't afraid of ya'! :devil:

You go Zoom!! :drinker: