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.

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Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 5:41am


well I know you have good taste in Panniers so I figured you'd appreciate it. :)
David Altenburg said:

Ashland, Western, and Fullerton are streets I avoid at all costs. You would think that additional lanes would make drivers ok with you taking the lane, but in my experience, the opposite is true, on those streets anyway. 

Thanks for the reviews of stuff. I find that sort of thing really helpful. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 26, 2013 at 6:30am

I feel the same way, whether I'm on the north side or south side. The south side tends to be worse, as traffic speeds are higher.

Jenny T said:

I cringe whenever I see cyclists on Ashland.  I have never ridden on Ashland and have no plans to.  There are other streets that are easy alternatives and much more suited to biking.

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 6:41am


That was an amazing and interesting review you wrote. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in..including photos!
Michelle Stenzel said:

I don't use Clybourn for my commute but I agree it's a pretty nice ride now that they re-paved and added buffered bike lanes. I wrote up a full review of the lanes with pictures on Bike Walk Lincoln Park and then I posted a video of it as well, if anyone's interested.

Bonus: On Twitter today it was reported that a cop pulled over a driver on Clybourn for driving in the bike lane. Progress!

Permalink Reply by JeffB on November 26, 2013 at 6:56am

Have you ever tried going over the Damen bridge and taking Elston to Milwaukee to Kinzie to the Merch Mart, rather than Clybourn?  You might want to wait until the Milwaukee construction is done, but Elston is a good route, relatively wide, and with protected lanes south of North Ave

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 7:57am

that's a good idea...Orleans is a pain for the last quarter mile as it becomes one way and I have to cut over to Franklin or Wells. Where is this Damen bridge you speak of? 

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Have you ever tried going over the Damen bridge and taking Elston to Milwaukee to Kinzie to the Merch Mart, rather than Clybourn?  You might want to wait until the Milwaukee construction is done, but Elston is a good route, relatively wide, and with protected lanes south of North Ave

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 7:58am


do you mean continue going south on damen - and somewhat west - to pickup elston? If so I wonder how that compares timewise.
JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Have you ever tried going over the Damen bridge and taking Elston to Milwaukee to Kinzie to the Merch Mart, rather than Clybourn?  You might want to wait until the Milwaukee construction is done, but Elston is a good route, relatively wide, and with protected lanes south of North Ave

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on November 26, 2013 at 9:52am

You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it.
 
jolondon30 said:


That was an amazing and interesting review you wrote. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in..including photos!
Michelle Stenzel said:

I don't use Clybourn for my commute but I agree it's a pretty nice ride now that they re-paved and added buffered bike lanes. I wrote up a full review of the lanes with pictures on Bike Walk Lincoln Park and then I posted a video of it as well, if anyone's interested.

Bonus: On Twitter today it was reported that a cop pulled over a driver on Clybourn for driving in the bike lane. Progress!

Permalink Reply by JeffB on November 26, 2013 at 9:54am

Yes, that's what I mean.  Make a left on Elston from Damen at the 3-way intersection with Fullerton. I'd guess its quicker.  And its nearly all protected lanes from North Ave southbound (at least it will be after the Milwaukee project is done).

jolondon30 said:


do you mean continue going south on damen - and somewhat west - to pickup elston? If so I wonder how that compares timewise.
JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Have you ever tried going over the Damen bridge and taking Elston to Milwaukee to Kinzie to the Merch Mart, rather than Clybourn?  You might want to wait until the Milwaukee construction is done, but Elston is a good route, relatively wide, and with protected lanes south of North Ave

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 11:35am

curious why you think it would be faster. from looking at Google maps it seems that Elston zigs and zags a bit more than Clybourn and taking it would move me farther West. I know it's a great street for biking (I've used it for commuting from the west loop) but isn't it a longer ride than Clybourn? I do like it brings you up Kedzie and you miss the near north traffic..or at least most of it.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on November 26, 2013 at 11:54am

Google Maps directions has the Elston route as 0.1 miles longer. I just like the protected lanes

jolondon30 said:

curious why you think it would be faster. from looking at Google maps it seems that Elston zigs and zags a bit more than Clybourn and taking it would move me farther West. I know it's a great street for biking (I've used it for commuting from the west loop) but isn't it a longer ride than Clybourn? I do like it brings you up Kedzie and you miss the near north traffic..or at least most of it.

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 26, 2013 at 5:53pm

I'll try that route. I've never ridden those protected lanes on elson.  There's a lot of long stretched on elston with no lights which I like.

Permalink Reply by Verly on November 26, 2013 at 6:27pm

your gear recommendations are pretty minimalist- at a minimum, i'd add smart wool socks, if you buy the ones made for skiing you can get great deals on excellent socks that go up to your knees, and a balaclava is a pretty cheap way to really increase your comfort, even a thin one reduces heat loss from your coat, as well as protecting your neck and face from wind. you can get one for less than twenty, and they make a hell of a difference. personally, i'll pay extra for lobster claw gloves as well, as i feel like they are much more agile for shifting and braking. mine are fine all the way to zero fahrenheit, and were fifty dollars. 

beyond that, i have a vest i wear inside my coat when it drops below twenty, and smart wool tights at about the same temperature. it's a little bit of a safety issue, and a little bit of a comfort issue- sometimes you are out longer than you planned, and sometimes the temperature drops a lot during the work day, and i don't want to get caught short. my two cents!

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