Best strategies for coping with single digit commutes

The title says it all. It seems like when the temps begin to dip into sub-20F then all of my so-called "technical apparel" seems to be almost useless, not that it pretty much all sucks at just about any temperature anyway. I've gotta bike 11.5 miles all on the LFP - out there completely exposed for pretty much my entire ride. I didn't ride the last couple days because I was a bit concerned about ice on the LFP, mainly because it doesn't seem to get salted very thoroughly. I was also concerned because I don't have any gear for super-cold weather unless I start dipping into regular people clothes which are not necessarily breathable, don't have pit zips, not made of wool, etc. I have a 100 percent wool commando sweater that would probably work well as a mid layer under a winter coat and I was thinking I could double up with my thinner tights underneath my thicker windproof/waterproof tights. Feet are a problem though. If I keep riding clipless I can only fit a thin pair of wicking socks under some Wigwam Merino wool socks, all crammed into my cycling shoes with some neoprene booties over the outside. My feet can get cold even on days in the higher teens or even low 20s, let alone single digits or minus single digits. I don't want to have to keep riding the bus and train because I REALLY HATE THE BUS! Once I get my car fixed that's always an option, but I would prefer to ride if only I can just find some way to do it an not be miserable.

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Permalink Reply by Madopal (16.5 mi) on January 20, 2012 at 11:48am

+1 for goggles (they actually do something), and I have a Bern as well, but when it gets crazy cold, balaclava + snowboarding helmet is great.

notoriousDUG said:

For the head I use a Bern helmet with a winter liner and a fleece head band from the bike winter folks for my ears and for head.  Up until this year I just used a scarf and safety glasses but my new longer commute showed that to be insufficient so I have gone and picked up some special gear.  I got a face mask and some ski goggles.  With that setup I have a warm head and face and it rocks.

Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on January 20, 2012 at 12:05pm

I'd recommend a fleece-lined neoprene face mask to solve the problem of cold-weather fogging.  I've been using one for years, even down to -17° F, with no trouble.  

Joe Studer said:

...But on really cold days, I need something that covers my nose without covering my mouth and nostrils (if I cover my mouth and nostrils, my breath ends up fogging up my glasses so that I can't see).  So I have took a couple of the underarmour balaclavas and cut holes in them so that when I pull it up over my nose my nostrils and mouth are exposed.... 

Permalink Reply by Jay Sebastian on January 20, 2012 at 12:06pm

Cheap ski goggles, lobster gloves, balaklava, head band.  I'm as snug as a bug in a rug.  

Permalink Reply by Melissa on January 20, 2012 at 12:09pm

Huge props to that whole crew who came out last night at 7 degrees!  It had dropped to 5 by the time they kicked us out.  Bar Night bandits were ready.  

Permalink Reply by Yaniv on January 20, 2012 at 12:16pm

I've mentioned these, as have others, in previous posts, but i am a huge fan of Bar Mitts. My hands get unbearably cold when biking, even when wearing wind break gloves with a liner, and i don't like wearing big bulky gloves/mittens. Bar Mitts do a great job of blocking the wind/rain/snow/lightning and everything else. You still need to wear gloves to stay warm but i've found that i can get by mostly with just wearing liners or at most my thin gloves with liners. I highly recommend. Plus when you need to grab your keys or do something with your hands you don't have to take off your gloves completely.

And for my feet, two pairs of socks. Well pretty much two pairs of everything when it's really cold. 

Permalink Reply by Evan Arena on January 20, 2012 at 12:23pm

It really is not difficult. That being said...I only wear "regular people" clothes when I ride. I'm not concerned about speed. Basketball shorts in the summer, ski pants in the winter.

I bartend, and go about 5 miles each way. The gear I have has kept me perfectly warm and comfy down to ~5 degrees so far (i often ride home at 11pm or later).

I'll go from the top down

Head - lightest weight balaklava + a lightweight stocking hat. Cheap safety glasses to protect eyes

torso - dress shirt (or sub t-shirt...whatever...cotton/lightweight), fleece, single ply cheap windbreaker

pants - dress pants (again.....bartending uniform...jeans work too) lightweight ski-pants

feet - dress shoes (sub anything leathery/windproof), thin socks

remember....you are exercising, even if it is a mellow pace. You will generate more than enough heat to stay warm. You need only be concerned about trying to cover every square inch of your body with something windproof. I've found the biggest challenge is with the face....my glasses fog up terribly and then literally become coated with a thin sheet of ice. Breathing with the balaklava is a pain. Moisture builds up in there. But as far as staying WARM...just wear regular indoor clothes + a completely windproof layer from head to toe and you will be toasty warm without sweating.

Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on January 20, 2012 at 12:37pm

Best thing ever--vist any Army Surplus store and get a few pair of "Trigger Finger Mittens." They're cheap, mostly wool and on the single-digit days you can double them up for perfect comfort and still be flexible enough to change a flat.  

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Permalink Reply by mat defiler on January 20, 2012 at 12:51pm

Iagree with folks who reccomend integrating non-biking gear for winter.   It's a different mind set, but I think it's worth the ability to ride through winter.  I have a winter bike (single speed = less parts to get gummed with wintry mix) with old fashioned flat pedals.  I ride them with a pair of waterproof -25 degree rated lace up boots which i wear with a combo of wool and wicking socks.  The boots were pricey, but have lasted me for 3 winters so far and look to have 2 or 3 left in them.  My other not-so aerodynamic and totally dorktastic trick is buying pairs of those fine weave wind resistant athletic pants with ankle zips or velcro (in horrible team colors if neccessary) 1 size too big from the Village Discount Outlet (or Unique if you prefer) to throw over other layers (eg. wool long underwear and pants).  I wear a balaclava and then i have the straight tube face covers out of the same thin wicking cloth.  That way i can layer over my nose in a way  that facilitates breathing, works under a helmet, and gets two layers over the ears.  Those are my tricks; i'm not winning any races in this stuff, but it at least keeps me out and about all year. 

Permalink Reply by mat defiler on January 20, 2012 at 12:56pm

That's why i use the straight tubes over the balaclava.  You can pull down the balaclava to cover your chin and use the tube over nose and mouth.  When moisture builds up you just rotate the tube to a dry section. 


Evan Arena said:

I'll go from the top down

Head - lightest weight balaklava + a lightweight stocking hat. Cheap safety glasses to protect eyes

Breathing with the balaklava is a pain. Moisture builds up in there. But as far as staying WARM...just wear regular indoor clothes + a completely windproof layer from head to toe and you will be toasty warm without sweating.

Permalink Reply by Carey Wintergreen on January 20, 2012 at 7:17pm

Here's my winter mix of bike and regular clothes for this year. I moved back here from Miami and I have no complaints about winter.

Giro helmet over Gore Windstopper Soft Shell balaclava, with an Under Armour skullcap, when needed.

NordicTrack polyester spandex long underwear, top and bottom. On sale at Sears, $16.00 each.

Zipped mock-turtle merino light-weight wool sweater. On sale at Macy's, with coupon, $29.00.

Invicta waterproof/breathable shell. Bought it in Rome. Don't ask.

Not-too-skinny jeans for an air layer.

Redwing work shoes over Craftsman wool socks.

Trek lobster-claws. Ten years old and still toasty.

I regularly ride 6 miles each way to a 1-2 hour appointment, and so far, at a low of 17-degrees, I was totally comfortable and not sweaty. But I do have two questions: How do you keep your nose from running in your balaclava? What are the best goggles to go over my glasses, and where do you get them?

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 21, 2012 at 3:09am

You can find them cheaper elsewhere, but you can get the idea here:

http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Rechargeable-Heated-Ins...

Just google Rechargeable Heated Insoles.

kiltedcelt said:

Gene - what do you mean by rechargeable insoles? Are these something that you heat up in the microwave or the battery-powered type? Brand and where you bought them?

Gene Tenner said:

I have been riding in the winter for over 20 years and I currently wear no clothing that came from a bike store. Much of it came from Marshall's. What touches my skin is moisture-managing. Breathable gore-tex-like fabric covers the outside and it is all baggy, providing an added layer of air as an excellent, insulating buffer between. I wear dorky, fur-lined slippers - they are light and roomy - with gore-tex and moisture-managing socks and light wicking gloves under breathable, gore-tex-like outer mittens. I have 5 different thicknesses of balaclava that I can layer interchangably. I have never missed a day due to the cold in the past 5 years.

I ride a trike, so my feet and hands are pointed up, slowing the flow of blood. Therefore, I cheat. On those polar bear days I have rechargeable insoles - expensive, but worth it if you ride 52 weeks per year - that provide enough heat to combat the cold.

Permalink Reply by Eric Puetz - Smart Bike Parts on January 21, 2012 at 5:17am

I find that by making sure my head is warm, my brain does a better job of directing blood to extremities. If it is below 20 degrees, I wear a full face BMX Helmet with Goggles. Wool cycling socks and on real cold days Grabber Foot Warmer Insoles in my Lake Cyling Boots and I'm good to go. Can't begin to explain how well Bar Mitts work in cold, wet weather. I just wear a glove liner and stick my digits in these neoprene caves and I'm impervious to cold or wet. Last but not least, Pearlizumi AmFib Tights are all that I need down to 10 degrees. They are 2.5mm thick and nothing gets through them. This whole set-up is pricey but not when you factor in that it allows me to keep riding in from the burbs in almost any kind of weather. Hope this helps. Ride on. Eric - Smart Bike Parts

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