Conference noted::bicycle

    I wear  polypropolene  tights  over  my normal biking shorts. With
    heavy tights, this keeps me warm to about freezing. For the top, I
    wear  layers  of  wool  sweaters  over  a  polypro  jersey, with a
    Gore-tex  top  layer  to  deal  with wind and rain. If it's really
    cold,  I'll pull some of the foam sizing pads out of my helmet and
    wear  a  wool  cap  under the helmet. I tried Specialized toe-clip
    covers  (which are just a thin layer of nylon) and found that they
    didn't  help at all. I may try putting something warm over the toe
    clips  this  year,  or  I may just use heavy wool or polypropolene
    socks.  I  haven't had much trouble with cold toes yet, and when I
    do putting on a hat has always solved the problem.

    All of  these  clothes  double for X-C skiing (except that I don't
    wear a helmet skiing, and sometimes wear knickers.)

--David

    
    	I had the pleasure of riding a december metric in California a
    couple of years ago.  It was really weird to see everyone out in
    winter gear when it was "all the way down to 60", but they thought
    I was the whacky one to be still riding in shorts.  Calendar watching
    vs weather watching I guess ?
    
    	re .0	Cold weather biking gear does seem to offer unlimited
    opportunities for dressing Ultra_nerdie.  That's just my opinion,
    though I suspect its shared by at least a few others.

    	BTW, don't try to cram too much sock into your shoes, its the
    trapped air that provides insulation and the effect is lost when
    the air is squeezed out.  There's also risk to circulation and you
    won't feel it getting cut off if your feet are numb anyway.

    	Reg
    
        

< Note 458.0 by LUDWIG::DESHARNAIS >
                        -< Cold Weather Riding Attire >-

    
Tights over bike shorts are a must once it gets cold.  Generally speaking, the 
clothes you will need depends on the temperatures you ride in, your speed and 
how you are affected by the cold.  

If you need lots of warmth, try windfront tights and jackets.  These are 
usually polypro with windproof nylon fronts.  The open back, polypro lets your 
perspiration escape and help avoid overheating.  I wear them and am very happy 
with them.  They also work well for xc-skiing, since you're dealing with the 
same conditions.  All the bike shops, as well as the mail order catalogs, 
carry these items.  My favorite piece is a jacket made by and ordered thru 
Performance.  Tho they don't make this particular jacket anymore, I'm sure the 
new one, as well as the other major brands, are quite nice.  Bellwether seems 
to make alot of good stuff.

For you feet, I would recommend booties.  What kind depends a lot on your 
shoes...cleated or not.  There are some new neoprene ones that are probably 
very warm...if they fit your shoe/pedal combination.

Kevin

    
    Good suggestions so far...
    
    For the legs in very cold weather I use, first, polypro underwear,
    like Odlo, Lifa etc; then wool tights, topped off with lycra tights
    over the wool. The lycra keeps the wind out of the wool and offers
    some amount of water resistance.
    
    Cross country ski gloves worked the best for me in cold weather,
    I use Kombi. Plan on wearing out a set every year if you ride tubulars.
    
    Booties...I still haven't found a set that keep my feet really warm.
    
    Re: whoever said they xc ski in everything but the helmet....your
    ski bindings accept your cleats?
    
    CdH
    

    	In the next month or two I'm scheduled to speak to the Nashoba
    Valley Pedalers on Cold and Wet Weather Clothing.  I'll have examples
    of garments, recommendations for various conditions, and expect
    a lively discussion from the floor.  I've compiled a list of suppliers
    for poly, wool, Gore-Tex, etc.  I'll post a reply here when the
    meeting is announced.  - Chris

My favorite cold weather setup was to wear riding shorts, GoreTex jogging pants
(with tights under if REALLY cold), The previously mentioned Specialized
toeclip covers (provide a bit extra when REAL cold - I've seen but not tried
some similar covers that had insulation), and rubber "duck shoes" - the kind
LLBean and others have with leather tops/rubber bottoms. On top, my
jersey and a mtn. parka (usu. GoreTex with pit-zips), and for my head, a 
silk balaclava under my crash hat. Snowmobile mitts for real chilly days.

Above tested over several seasons of winter commuting (10 miles each way,
temp. never below 10 F.)

                                           ken

    
    Many thanks for all the replies.  I certainly have a better idea
    of what is required for cold weather riding.
    
    RE .5  Chris, I'll try to make the meeting for your lecture. 
    
    When looking through the Nashbar catalog this morning, I notice
    the Siere pants and jacket made of what they called Helley-Tech.
    They looked like something water resistant and breathable, yet 
    loose enough to layer clothes underneath.  Has anyone tried this
    Helley-Tech stuff?
    
    Thanks,
    Denis

    REI in Reading sells Helly-Tech.  Its looks pretty good.
    Fit, if I remember correctly, is tight so buy large if
    you need room for layers underneath.  
    
    steve
    

    re Helly-Tech.	At a guess it is probably made by Helly Hanson,
    the LIFA folks.  LIFA Poly Pro is pretty damned good stuff, eh Charles ?
    

    Re:  Where and what to buy...
    
    You might try the Patagonia catalog for multifunctional gear.
    It's a little pricey but they have quite a nice selection.
    
    Call (805)648-3386 for catalog.
    
    Paul
    

    re. .5    Our meeting speaker arranger has filled the winter schedule
           with other topics [...that grass does look greener over
           there...]  so, maybe next year.  Sorry.  - Chris