Bracing for Winter
It will not be my first New England winter, but it will be my first biking winter. Currently the weather is unusually fall-like but I am trying to wrap my head around approaching cold and snow. After some research and talking to people it sounds like I am supposed to buy a lot of stuff until I look like this:
However what I have learned so far in my years of biking is that no matter what I always take the wrong advice and I always buy the wrong stuff.
So I have been very concerned about researching, being cautious, and making the best decision about the right gear for my commute style. I expected a long process ahead of me. I made a trip to the local sports equipment store to review my options starting with gloves. However I discovered that my gear decisions may not be that hard after all.
Apparently they don’t expect women to go outdoors until spring.
Yes, pink does tend to clash with the blond Scandanavian beard balaclava!
You should ride this Sunday ! The ride is out of Arlington called the ‘Jingle Ride’. It starts at Jamn’ Java on Mass. Ave. @ the bike path. It is sponsored by Ciclissimo Classico (not sure if that’s spellrd right…) a bike tour company based in Arlington. Check out their ‘Facebook’ page for video and info. on the ride !
I’ve done it the past few years, it’s a blast !!!
Gary from Dracut…
I saw that was happening but can’t make it, though I see it goes on for a while so I may run right into it as I’m out and about.
Ha, ha… (not sure if that’s SPELLED right…) LOL
I’m a complete temperature weenie, and I’ve found that the only gloves that can keep my hands adequately warm in really cold temps (20 and below) are the Pearl Izumi “Lobster” gloves. They’re bulky, but they’re the only gloves up to the task. Also, they’re sized really small. I normally wear an XL, but only the 2XL lobster gloves fit me. Try to get a glove fit that’s not too tight, as it will restrict blood circulation through your hands.
PI lobster mitts FTW!
My hands actually sweat in those if it’s not below 20 degrees
Hilarious! So true… Since I’ve taken up biking again this year, I have been a tad bewildered by so-called “cycling specific” clothing. With the exception of padded liner shorts (which don’t seem as important now that I think I have successfully acclimatised to biking, and adjusted my saddle), I am more than fine with all my hiking gear.
There is a much better range of gear in the outdoor/hiking retail world. The principle of layering and close fitting garments is the same anyway. I am a small woman, and the outdoor world offers much more choice. Close fitting merino wool garments: the New Zealand “icebreaker” brand is particularly good (for undergarments and socks as well as other base and middle layers), and bargains can be found in the numerous outdoor online retailers. And right now I am even cycling with my gore-tex ski jacket; it has zips in the armpits which are much better at venting than a lighter weight jacket. I also wear merino wool leggings under my hiking trousers. The merino wool leggings (which are “specific” to hiking) have flat seams to avoid chafing, and my synthetic hiking trousers, while not waterproof, are lightweight and shed water nicely. Even if I get wet (which happens in the UK a lot), I don’t feel clammy, the trousers dry off quickly and the merino wool keeps you warm even when wet. Merino wool, besides being thermal and highly breathable, also does not stink, so even if perchance you overheat and perspire heavily, you’ll still be quite respectable enough to mingle with other humans! You can also wear a lightweight fleece jumper over the merino base layer and under your outer shell if you get cold. And if it becomes exceptionally cold (though personally, I can’t see myself cycling in such extremes) you could even put on a down inner jacket( inside the gore-tex shell. Both the lightweight fleece and down inner jacket are fantastically light, and easy to pack into even a bag the size of a Carradice Barley. And even with it all on, you still don’t look like the Michelin man!