Warm Winters
Way back in my first winter in Massachusetts I commuted by car. It sorta went like this:
It was easy to never be dressed for weather. And easy to misplace things like gloves.
Once I moved into the city that changed. Even before I started biking I found myself walking an average of 4 miles a day to get to public transit and everywhere in in between. It was horribly cold. Then I realized the weather wasn’t bad. My clothing was. All my disposable fashion was just that, disposable.
However, it’s not always easy to find good winter wear these days:
I suspect many fashion designers are drivers. And live in Los Angeles. They’re not designing for my lifestyle.
I need functional fashion. And it doesn’t have to look like this:
There are some warmer winter options out there if you really look. I still make sure to pay attention to the details:
Because there is a difference between looking warm and being warm.
So after several winters in the city I have finally built up a quality winter wardrobe of quality winter items and approach that works for me:
Winter is much warmer now. And I no longer lose my gloves.
How does your face not FREEZE OFF? I am a Floridian and have no idea what real cold is, but when it gets “cold” here, my ears and nose get so frigid that a balaclava seems appealing. I can’t imagine riding without one in real cold.
I started biking in Florida about 45 years ago, I have distinct memories of riding a 10-mile time trial in just-freezing weather and thinking it was incredibly cold. Now I live near Boston, same neck of the woods as BikeyFace.
After a few weeks of cold, especially if you stay out in it instead of dashing from warm to warm, you adapt somewhat. So, I eventually get to the point where I’m too lazy to put on shoes before going outside for a quick errand, and just slip on some clogs, and try to avoid stepping in deep snow. But if it’s below 20F and I’m riding a bike, and I’m otherwise barefaced, I find I need a balaclava. The last few years I’ve grown a beard in the winter instead and it’s a huge help.
And you may not believe it, but for any ride that’s long enough to care about the cold, I generate enough heat that I have to worry about the sweat instead. For a long ride, down to about 20F, if I wear base+middle+outer layers, I get very sweaty.
On the other hand, people up here, they think it gets “hot” and “humid” in the summer. They have no idea.
Chase, that’s a good point about adapting. Since it never gets cold and stays that way here, there’s no real getting used to it.
We’ve had highs in the mid- to upper 80s here the past few days, and it’s been humid as all get out. This is normally the time of year when it’s *nice* out! I really hope this doesn’t portend an unusually warm summer.
And no, I totally believe you about the sweat thing. Core warmth and extremity warmth are two very different things.
I’m with Dr2Chase, you somewhat get acclimated. For those who aren’t blessed with the ability to grow beards, I find that a good layer of face cream helps, and then a scarf that is big enough to wrap around your face if needed. When I ski, I often use a neck gaiter that can be pulled up over your nose when you’re cold and still, but pushed back down when you’re moving and breathing harder.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed that my winter street-wear have evolved over the years to mirror my winter bike-wear: now everything is sleek and form-fitting, with no bulk to restrict movement on the street or on the bike.
Old school wool knickers – and I don’t mean bike knickers. I mean knickerbockers, sometimes called plus 4s. I have several pair, matched with wool sweaters. The knickers can be hard to find but worth the money.
I live car-free in Toronto. Yes, it has been known to get a little bit cold in Canada.
The amount of clothes that I have bought for winter cycling is exactly zero. I simply dress the same way that I would for any other outdoor activity. Activities such as going to the park, watching a hockey game or the Santa Claus parade with my kids or anything else that I am doing outside.
Indeed, for going to work I require less clothing since cycling is mild exercise that generates some warmth.
It seems to me that the same logic also applies to Boston or other milder climates. Why not just wear the exact same clothes as for any other outdoors activity?
Ah, Kevin, did you not notice the first two panels at the top? Around here, people wear cars for their outdoors winter activities.