Any tips for cycling in the cold ... ?

[Trail Child]

It was -27 c WC last night on my commute home (coldest this year here), and on the return home was a headwind coming from the north (ugh). It wasn't fun at all.

I changed up my normal commute gear a bit. Still wore ski socks. Instead of my normal cycling tights, I wore light xc ski tights (a bit of thermal on the inside). Wore my normal cycling shorts on the outside. Wore a LS wicking shirt and overtop that, wore a xc ski thermal turtleneck. Wore two buffs (one over my ears & back of neck and one on just my neck). Wore my merino wool beanie over that under my helmet and my normal hi-viz wind jacket.

I wore my normal polar-tec gloves but had covered my hands with Vicks menthol before putting on my gloves. This worked fantastic on the way to work, but coming home was crap because I had washed it off & didn't bring any to work, so couldn't reapply.

I was only coming in to the hospital for 4 hrs for staffing coverage, so my clothes weren't fully dry when I left, but I didn't notice it once I got moving. My hands (again!) we're the only problem (the gloves are only rated to -20C), but the Vicks did help on the way to work.

 

[Boris Bajic]

DON'T!

 

[Lanzecki]

It was -27 c WC last night on my commute home (coldest this year here), and on the return home was a headwind coming from the north (ugh). It wasn't fun at all.

I changed up my normal commute gear a bit. Still wore ski socks. Instead of my normal cycling tights, I wore light xc ski tights (a bit of thermal on the inside). Wore my normal cycling shorts on the outside. Wore a LS wicking shirt and overtop that, wore a xc ski thermal turtleneck. Wore two buffs (one over my ears & back of neck and one on just my neck). Wore my merino wool beanie over that under my helmet and my normal hi-viz wind jacket.

I wore my normal polar-tec gloves but had covered my hands with Vicks menthol before putting on my gloves. This worked fantastic on the way to work, but coming home was crap because I had washed it off & didn't bring any to work, so couldn't reapply.

I was only coming in to the hospital for 4 hrs for staffing coverage, so my clothes weren't fully dry when I left, but I didn't notice it once I got moving. My hands (again!) we're the only problem (the gloves are only rated to -20C), but the Vicks did help on the way to work.

That makes us in Northern europe such wimps. Some people here stopped when it got to +5. I salute your cold weather cycling prowess.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

It was -27 c WC last night on my commute home (coldest this year here), and on the return home was a headwind coming from the north (ugh). It wasn't fun at all.

I changed up my normal commute gear a bit. Still wore ski socks. Instead of my normal cycling tights, I wore light xc ski tights (a bit of thermal on the inside). Wore my normal cycling shorts on the outside. Wore a LS wicking shirt and overtop that, wore a xc ski thermal turtleneck. Wore two buffs (one over my ears & back of neck and one on just my neck). Wore my merino wool beanie over that under my helmet and my normal hi-viz wind jacket.

I wore my normal polar-tec gloves but had covered my hands with Vicks menthol before putting on my gloves. This worked fantastic on the way to work, but coming home was crap because I had washed it off & didn't bring any to work, so couldn't reapply.

I was only coming in to the hospital for 4 hrs for staffing coverage, so my clothes weren't fully dry when I left, but I didn't notice it once I got moving. My hands (again!) we're the only problem (the gloves are only rated to -20C), but the Vicks did help on the way to work.

Respect! What do you do about shoes/boots/overshoes?

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Two merino layers and a Gore cycling jacket do the trick, with Buffalo mitts on the hands and a fleece helmet liner. Has been zero C or slightly below here for about 10 days now, with snow on the ground and usually windy, so far so good. Recently bought some neoprene overshoes and so long as they are put on indoors seem to extend the comfort level quite a bit. Keep a decent pace and dont brake on the icy bits, if you fall, fall to the left.

 

[HLaB]

Jimmy Doug. If it looks at all wet and you don't have studded tyres, give it a miss, there's always tomorrow. If you are good to go be smooth, stick to main road, dont lean into turn or turn hard and favour the back brake but gently (anticipate problems). Generally for me at least if I'm too busy thinking about that and getting to my destination I don't get too cold but I've only been in -8degC (I think it was colder in 2010 but I couldn't be certain). In 2010, iirc I had long johns, casual trousers, seal skinz socks over plain socks (sealed with bicycle clips) and I certainly had overtrowsers and might of had overshoes. Up top I had a winter base layer, tee shirt, armwarmers, jacket and gilet. On the head/neck, buff, skull cap, and helmet (it actually saved my life that day, it stopped me dying of hypothermia ). On the hands were thin winter running gloves, a pair of track mitts over them and a pair of ski gloves with built in liner and gauntlet cuffs. It may have been overkill for 5 miles but I was toasty and never sweated.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I am very grateful for the EDZ motorcycling balaclava which keeps my bonce ears & throat warm.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EDZ-Climate-Thermal-Motorcycle-Balaclava/dp/B005S6145Q

That and overshoes !

I got a similar one from Aldi in the summer, it only cost £2.50 in the sale. I find it very warm and the covered ears cuts out unnecessary noise. If it's really cold i'll wear a scarf as well.

 

[Trail Child]

I'm wearing trail shoes on flat pedals. Hard to get in clips when their caked in snow & road salt.

I don't drive a car, so I don't really have a choice. I either have to walk (much colder), or I can ride. We have cold & snow for months, so you just get used to it. I'd rather this though than pouring rain & damp. That just sounds miserable - power to you!

 

[markharry66]

It was -27 c WC last night on my commute home (coldest this year here), and on the return home was a headwind coming from the north (ugh). It wasn't fun at all.

I changed up my normal commute gear a bit. Still wore ski socks. Instead of my normal cycling tights, I wore light xc ski tights (a bit of thermal on the inside). Wore my normal cycling shorts on the outside. Wore a LS wicking shirt and overtop that, wore a xc ski thermal turtleneck. Wore two buffs (one over my ears & back of neck and one on just my neck). Wore my merino wool beanie over that under my helmet and my normal hi-viz wind jacket.

I wore my normal polar-tec gloves but had covered my hands with Vicks menthol before putting on my gloves. This worked fantastic on the way to work, but coming home was crap because I had washed it off & didn't bring any to work, so couldn't reapply.

I was only coming in to the hospital for 4 hrs for staffing coverage, so my clothes weren't fully dry when I left, but I didn't notice it once I got moving. My hands (again!) we're the only problem (the gloves are only rated to -20C), but the Vicks did help on the way to work.

All I can say is respect where its due

 

[Crankarm]

Stay indoors if you can.