Random musings on recommended cheap winter biking stuff & Clybourn and Ashland Avenues.

I decided to restock my winter biking clothes and accessories given that I am pretty much carless these days. I commute from Lincoln Square to Merchandise Mart every weekday so I need clothes that will keep me warm and hopefully dry. In past years I did not do the layers thing but instead wore a heavy coat and an Underarmour base layer. I stayed warm but sweated to much so got to work damp. 

So this year I'm determined to do the layers thing.  I ldon't want to wear "biking" clothes both because I think they are overpriced and I go to events where I need to look semi polished (not like I biked in).  So for what it's worth I offer  few clothes/accessories reviews below. The Amazon links are not affiliate links; I don't get paid. I just like shopping at Amazon for cost and convenience reasons.  Much of this stuff I found recommended on various biking sites.

Gloves - These Wells Lamont Gloves are great for winter riding down to 26 degrees for me.  My hands get hold easily.  I have been using them for two weeks and am extremely happy with them. They appear to be very well made and are only $17.00

Mittens - I am incredibly happy with these Gordini Gore Tex mittens.  I needed something for cold weather biking - for example on Sunday my hands were starting to get cold in the Wells Lamont gloves. I switched to the Gordini's and what a great product! They are waterproof and appear to be exceptionally well made.  So far my hands are toasty warm and I am hoping these will carry me down to zero degrees. Often I had to pull over last winter when the temp. got below 5.  I did not want to spend $85 for lobster gloves..these are only $34 plus shipping.  

Thermal Jersey - I bought this Pearl Izumi thermal jersey for $50 2 weeks ago but now I see it is up to $100. The interesting thing is it was shipped from the UK. Bought off Amazon.  It's almost two warm..you can't wear it indoors but should be great as a cold winter base layer.  I was wearing it in the upper thirties weather we had in recent weeks and it was fine.  I would not pay $100 for it though...nothing to do with the shirt just not what I spend.

I am very big on the Underarmor cold weather gear. I have two cold weather compression shirts and they are only $50 each.  They are a tight, thin fit so you can actually wear them under a casual shirt if you are going to a place that isn't too warm. For example I am writing this at Whole Foods and I am not overheated.  

For my outer layer I got the Mountain Hard Android II. I was luck enough to get this half off for $75 as my friend's friend is a distributor.  The jacket is waterproof and a good, lightweight outer layer.  It looks really sharp and fits well.  It is very breathable and I actually still feel the cold through it.  I believe this will let me sweat less on my rides.  If you can spare the $ it's a great jacket.  The sleeves fit really fight as does the neck area. It has a very elegant fit.

Now for a few observations.

About a year I switched my morning  route  from Lincoln Square to the Merchandise Mart. I switched from Lincoln Avenue, which I find rather dangerous and confining, to Damen/Diversey/Clybourn.  I just want to state what a joy it is riding on Clybourn. I know there was a death on the lower end of Clybourn (I understand he was hit after the driver hit another car) but I must say I find Clybourn extremely safe and pleasant to bike on, at least in the am.  Starting at Diversey around 7-8 am, you pretty much have a very easy ride in the dedicated bike lane south bound.  Because Clybourn on the West side has a huge number of big box stores - almost all that aren't open before 10 - I rarely have to stop on this ride for cars entering/exiting.  Really the only stops are at  a couple of big intersections and the timing is such that often i missed those.  

So unlike Lincoln - and Clark for that matter - I find Clybourn a total delight to bike on. The street is in great shape (recently repaved?), the bike lane is very wide, and very few stops or cross traffic.  I am surprised how few other bikers I encounter on Clybourn. Any ideas why?

I did try a ride home on Ashland from Divison (to Wilson) a few weeks ago.  I avoid Ashland because I never felt it was so safe to ride on.  I rode it at around 7:30 pm. I would not call it terrifying but it was uncomfortable. The cars are not going to give an inch and there is very little room between the parked cars on your right and the cars on one's left.  So I would not recommend it or do it again but it can be done.  Curious if any of you bike Ashland.