BigGuppy
Elite Member
As mentioned elsewhere, yesterday it was in the low 30s in NJ. To try out cold weather riding, I put on every piece of wool I could find and for the most part I did ok:
I covered it all with Kilm Goretex pants, Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket, leather boots, and regular riding gloves.
Biggest findings:
All in all a good ride. Back of the neck got a little cold, arms got a little cold, palms roasted, and the feet went numb. But I did fine and felt it was a success.
- Icebreaker 200 wool leggings
- Icebreaker 150 wool t-shirt
- Woolrich wool pants
- Wool sweater
- Bombas wool socks
- Polyester balaclava
I covered it all with Kilm Goretex pants, Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket, leather boots, and regular riding gloves.
Biggest findings:
- My regular riding gloves have tiny holes, and since they're wrist length only, the wind tended to go up the arms. I velcroed my jacket tight at the wrists, but I'd rather have gauntlet style gloves for these temperatures.
- The handgrip heater was not a good way to keep my hands warm. My palms roasted but my thumb and fingertips froze. I found myself holding my handlebars differently for heat rather than for the best controlling grip--not good. Heated gloves, maybe
- The icebreaker long sleeve undershirt would have worked better than the short sleeve (I just couldn't find it)
- Bombas wool socks were not warm enough, and my feet went a little numb. Maybe I just needed a thicker pair of wool socks. From my road cycling days, I know that cheap grocery store plastic bags make good windbreakers for feet, which I might bring along next time.
All in all a good ride. Back of the neck got a little cold, arms got a little cold, palms roasted, and the feet went numb. But I did fine and felt it was a success.