Winter Commutes Not Far Off...

[Norm]

I'm more worried about rain than cold.

I think that this is the wrong way round.

Wet is not a problem, the human skin is waterproof and I cycle through summer rains in a t-shirt and poly-cotton trousers, not bothered about getting wet.

Cold is a problem, though, and it is a problem which becomes more of a problem if it is cold and wet.

As a vast over-simplification, windproof stuff, which gets wet but doesn't increase evaporation, can be better in the winter than waterproof stuff which isn't waterproof. The best thing I've found is a windproof / water-resistant shell over a fleece, tight fitting so it doesn't billow around but it traps air close to the body. The thickness of the fleece can be adjusted for different temperatures.

 

[Downward]

This will be my first winter, so no idea how I'm going to handle it. Would like to sound as hard as the rest of you frostbitten old souls, but we'll see...!

I'm more worried about rain than cold. I went out in the rain the other day to test my existing anorak. Disaster. Nearly drowned. As am skint, not sure that buying decent waterproof kit is really on the cards, unless people have suggestions for a v tight budget?

I would imagine that last winter was a freak event and this winter will be the usual milder damp crap.

 

[summerdays]

I would imagine that last winter was a freak event and this winter will be the usual milder damp crap.

It will now I have bought my studded tyres but that could be a price worth paying.

 

[MacB]

It will now I have bought my studded tyres but that could be a price worth paying.

ride them anyway, I don't find them that much slower though the 'snap crackle and pop' sound effect could get wearing

 

[potsy]

ride them anyway, I don't find them that much slower though the 'snap crackle and pop' sound effect could get wearing

Won't hear that with Guns 'n' Roses blasting out of the MP3 player

Still mean to get some studded tyres for my hybrid.

 

[Dilbert]

This will be my first winter, so no idea how I'm going to handle it.  Would like to sound as hard as the rest of you frostbitten old souls,  but we'll see...!

I'm more worried about rain than cold.  I went out in the rain the other day to test my existing anorak.  Disaster.  Nearly drowned.  As am skint, not sure that buying decent waterproof kit is really on the cards, unless people have suggestions for a v tight budget?

Going into my first commuting winter too, although I did some cold training rides last winter.  Try your nearest Aldi, they had winter kit in on the 15th and depending on how much your local store got in and how much demand they had you might find they have stuff left in your size. They had Waterproof Jackets and trousers in.  One of the lads at work got a jacket and he seems happy with it.  TBH in my experience if its raining hard you are going to get wet, trick is as automatic_jon said make sure you get warm and dry when you get there.


Good Luck  

 

[alasdairgf]

Yes, either Aldi or Lidl have some stuff tomorrow... hang on, I'll check my inbox...

[Pause]

Right, it's Lidl, it it was just gloves that I wanted. Link here... And I wonder if those panniers are any good?

 

[fossyant]

I've just put the summer tops in the box on the top shelf of my wardrobe. Dug out my full finger gloves (not too warm) and pulled out a heavier weight top..... it's getting chilly

 

[johnr]

Been wearing my Aldi trousers today. They did a great job in keeping the miserable drizzle at bay. I'm still on the summer tops for day time commutes and am using my rain jacket to keep the wind off at night... but the Ground Effect Baked Alaska is calling to me from the drawer.

When base layer time comes around I'm a big fan of merino - they keep the warmth in even when damp. I also have a Specialized skull cap. It does the job well. I usually wear it over a Buff pulled well up to keep the wind out of the top of my jacket.

 

[potsy]

Been wearing my full finger gloves off and on for a few weeks now,Bikesters have been on since August,
buffs have just been promoted to the cycling drawer from their place in storage,along with my woolly socks.
Think I'll try a micro-fleece this year on top of a Merino base layer with a jacket on top.

 

[skudupnorth]

I'm still t-shirts and shorts....is that wrong ????

 

[Peter10]

I was hoping my new buff would get here today as I am on late shifts as of tomorrow and will be cycling home around midnight. Sticking my hand out of the window at 8:30pm it's already pretty chilly. Oh well, cold ears on the way!

 

[potsy]

I'm still t-shirts and shorts....is that wrong ????

Yes,you're a freak

Just to be clear my winter gear is only on standby at the moment,but the shorts have been in hibernation for quite a while

 

[fossyant]

Winter kit on standby here...............

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I'm still t-shirts and shorts....is that wrong ????

Nope - I'm in T-shirt and 3/4 length knickers (rather than shorts) at the moment as well, so still bare arms and bare legs, I just have my knees covered. I am plenty warm enough if I don't stop - I set out on a rural bike ride at 6:45am so it is dark and apparently cold enough to be in winter kit - my other half is going out in winter tights and winter long-arm tops, and has just informed me that he got a cold head this morning and now want to look at a skull cap for next week when he will next be cycling in.
We set out from the same place at the same time and somehow he was cold and I was not!