From: jdu@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (john.d.unruh)
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Clothes?
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 12:24:42 GMT
Keywords: clothes

In article <BuIuG5.Fyz@andy.bgsu.edu> klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu (Bruce Klopfenstein) writes:
>I have wanted to keep riding my bike for exercise when the weather
>turns colder but haven't done so since I was a kid.  I suspect that
>there are now outfits made for cyclists to be worn in cold weather.
>I'm completely clueless about this subject, so any responses (posted
>or made directly to me) would be much appreciated.  What's available
>at what cost?  Are the fabrics easily washable?
>
I have found that Polypro/Capielene/etc synthetic long underwear is great
for winter riding.  The REI expidition weight T neck is really good under
a jersey and perhaps a jacket in really cold weather.  In warmer weather
a normal weight long underwear shirt works well.  

You really want a cycling specific jacket.  A sweatshirt might work when
it is fairly warm, but most of the jackets not designed for cycling I have
tried have funneled cold air over the body.  Get one designed so that wind
won't penetrate.  I have a Bellweather that is good.  I have seen a really
beautiful and expensive Pearl Izumi cycling jacket, too.

For the legs, you need tights when it gets cold.  I like the ones with
nylon sewn over the front for really cold weather.  Bibs (ones with straps
that go over the shoulders) are warmest.  My Bellweather warm tights 
have a polypro back and nylon over fleece on the front.  They are very
warm.  Lycra or polypro tights work fine when it is warmer.  Personally,
I have found that I like Bellweather and Pearl Izumi the best.

On the head for cool weather a wool headband designed for XC skiiers under
the helmet works well.  When it gets cold, I have not found anything better
than a "Headgator", which is an overpriced medium weight polypro sleeve
that you put over your head.  It is very flexible and does a great job.
It probably costs $0.15 and sells for $12.

On the hands, I use XC ski gloves.  When it gets really cold, I use some
climbing overmits.  If it is truly cold, I replace the XC ski gloves with
polypro liners and wool mittens.  With the overmits, this is almost too
warm for any conditions in Chicago.  On the other hand, when doing 20 MPH
at 0 deg F, you need warmth.

The feet are the real problem.  The only way I have found to keep them
warm is using ski boot heaters.  I use some rechargable ones I got from
REI, but they are really expensive.  The manufacturer is hotronics.  They
work.  Make sure you have plenty of room in the shoes for all your socks.
Tight shoes will make the feet cold for sure.  The next best thing I have
tried is vapor barrier socks.  They work fairly well.  You can experiment
using plastic bags.  I always had trouble with breaking the bags, so I 
bought some coated nylon VB socks.  THey hold up well and cost less than
$15.

With all this stuff, you can ride for 1.5 hrs at 0 deg F and not be too
cold at the end.  I tend to have a really hard time staying warm when it
is cold out.  I will wear many more clothes than friends when skiing and
just barely stay warm.

>I also assume the mountain bikes are better equipped for cold weather
>riding.  Any recommendations on bikes for riding on semi-snow-covered
>roads?  Are fenders back "in" for such purposes?
>
We usually use mountain bikes in the snow.  Road bikes are pretty useless
unless you were to put on some sort of knobby.  Even a mountain bike with
a good tire will slide around a lot.  I would not recommend fenders for
snow.  In snow, things tend to clog with snow during the ride.  I would
say fenders are required in slush.  One of the worst rides I ever did was
going home in 1" of slush after an unexpected storm.

>Bruce C. Klopfenstein             |  klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu

John Unruh