Freezing Friday

[Jake]

brrrrrrrrrr it was cold this morning, well, colder then expected. So, as it starts to get even colder does anyone have good recommendations of clothing which has proven its weight in gold? Gloves, tops, , not sure what to do about legs yet as not sure if those long lycra things are all that fetching, balaclavas?!?!!?!?

Also lights, blinking, flashing, pulsing, spinning, or just on? Was nearly blinded by someone last night while on the towpath. Must have been on highbeam and lined up to blind/ruin everyones nightvision.

 

[domtyler]

Arm warmers, overshoes, knee warmers.

 

[Plax]

I didn't find it particularly chilly this morning. Managed to cycle in just a long sleeved top and shorts.
What I did last winter was wear a long sleeved top, a jumper and a jacket in winter. Wore Ronhill bikesters as I find my legs don't feel the cold as much.
I have a pair of Milano windproof and waterproof gloves which were okay, but I might invest in some Sealskin gloves this winter.
What I found the worst for getting cold was my nose and ears. I wore a skull cap (which covered my ears) under my helmet and did actually wear a balaclava once much to the amusement of the security guard.

As for lights I have some rechargable 10w and 15w lights and a Cateye EL450 mounted to my helmet - handy to see the computer etc in the dark, and I had it on flashing.
On the rear 2 1/2 watt smart lights. One flashing and one constant.
Both worked a treat for me and I cycle along some unlit rural roads.

 

[Jake]

sounds good regarding the lights, would be nice to put one on helmet, but hte camera weights a ton as it is. Maybe i can get some reflective tape and put on it. May well get another front light and back. got a catseye on the front with 3led, not sure what strength it is.

got a nice goretex jacket, but just was not warm enough ontop of short sleeve top.

thanks.

 

[Plax]

sounds good regarding the lights, would be nice to put one on helmet, but hte camera weights a ton as it is. Maybe i can get some reflective tape and put on it. May well get another front light and back. got a catseye on the front with 3led, not sure what strength it is.

got a nice goretex jacket, but just was not warm enough ontop of short sleeve top.

thanks.

Try a head torch like this one;
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Petzl_Micro_Head_Torch/5360007637/ I borrowed my dads before I got the cateye and it fitted under my helmet fine.

 

[Jake]

looks good, how does it fit under helmet at the front? Could always cover the bike in glowsticks lol.

is there a concencess on lights being on or blinking? or do you think it makes not much difference to drivers?

 

[HelenD123]

Something blinking is more likely to grab a driver's attention but can make it harder to judge the distance. I have a flashing light on the back but I think I'll supplement it with a normal light this winter. It also gives a back up if one fails - you're unlikely to notice this whilst riding.

 

[BentMikey]

My vote is for two bright rear lights, on without flashing. I don't want vehicles behind me to assume I'm a bicycle.

On the 'bent I have one TL-1000 and one TL-600. Both are really bright, and put close together they don't look much like a bike. On the fixed I have two AU100s, one on each seatstay which does unfortunately look a lot more bike.

 

[hackbike 6]

I have flashing and one steady.(on the front)

Three flashing on my rucksack thingy and one steady....rear (one standlight) fixed on the bike as my rear is important.(oooer)

 

[Jake]

will have to save this thread somehow. new gloves are def on the list as only have fingerless, the Sealskin sounds interesting. do they come with a free club? ;o)

 

[biking_fox]

I'd veto a balacava or anything that covers the ears. Yes they'll get cold, but the ability to listen to traffic behind you is far more important.

Sealskin aren't the warmest gloves out there but they are thin, windproof and pretty rainproof too. All qualities you need in a glove.

Only in extreme freezes would I wear more than longsleaved top, jacket and long leggings. The first mile can be a bit chilly but you soon warm up - particularly if you go down a gear and spin a bit faster.

 

[Jake]

ah but its ok as i have full cup headphones on with my iPod ;o)

I guess you do warm up, but that innitial shock can be bad. May just got some warmer lopng sleeve tops then.

 

[Plax]

I can still hear with my skull cap, the material isn't all that thick but it's enough to stop your ears freezing and falling off.

 

[Baggy]

A buff:

https://www.buffwear.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/51

Versatile as a headwarmer, neckwarmer, facewarmer etc

I can hear through this, and also through the fleece earwarmers I have.

 

[snorri]

Another short sleeve day in the north, summer just goes on and on this year.