cycling in the snow....

Just wondering what the coldest temp would be to safely ride my bike. I have a week off of class next week and wanted to get in some good riding. However, it is supposed to be in the low 40's. I'd like to give it a shot, but not sure yet.

I was planning to wear a sweatshirt with a windbreaker over it, but I don't really have a lot of options when it comes to pants... I just wear capris when I ride. Should I invest in those leggings so my pants legs don't get in the way? Then I could wear the leggings under the capris.. goofy looking yes, but I'd just like to keep my lil shins and calves warm :) I also have gloves I wear when riding so I'm not too concerned about my hand temp.

Any ideas would be wonderful and very helpful!!

thanks in advance!

There are people who bicycle in very cold, sub-freezing, conditions all the time.  Like anything else you just need to dress for it.  Low 40's isn't really that cold on a bike.  You want to cover skin and wind breaking material is ideal.  The problem cycing in the cold is that you sweat.  There are a lot of cycling specific garments that will keep you warm but let the moisture out.  But I'm sure you can come up with something that will work from your closet.  For me, it most important to keep my hands, feet, and head warm.  Cycling will keep the rest of me warm.  You actually should feel a little cold when you first start out because riding will warm you up.  The biggest danger is wearing clothes that make you hot and sweaty and then having a mechanical problem that strands you somewhere, flat tire, etc., because if you stop when you are sweaty you will get cold quickly.  You will be surprised how warm you get riding when it is in the low 40s.  Enjoy.

If you don't mind looking like a supreme dork, just wear regular sweatpants and then put a rubber band/hair tie around your ankle so they don't get caught . . .

cold weather riding can be very fun if you're dressed for it. i have gear that enables me to ride in relative comfort down to about 45 degrees. here are my thoughts on riding in the cold. oh, and i'm a weather wimp, so these are probably pretty conservative words of wisdom.

if you plan to do it often, invest in cycling-specific gear that keeps you warm, wicks moisture away from your body, and fits without impacting your pedal stroke & without otherwise getting in the way.

good gloves, preferably windproof, and neck coverings are important. covering ears is essential. an earband works great & fits under a helmet. i love my wool cycling socks & usually wear 2 pairs when it's under 50.

i have to wear glasses to shield my eyes from any wind to prevent tearing up in the cold.

windproof jacket is a great idea, but can create the greenhouse effect trhawley discussed if it's not a breathable jacket. i think you'll want tights, or at least a pair of inexpensive sweatpants that cinch at the ankle to cover your entire legs, not just capris.

have fun!!

Yup.  My grandfather is in his eighties and still bikes when it is frosty cold outside ... like in the 20s.  Seriously.  Don't wear cotton because it won't wick the sweat away from your skin and you can wind up getting chilled.  Wear a band to cover your ears, they get the coldest ... a hat might work but watch that you don't overheat.  And gloves.  You're a trooper ... I've gotta wait until it's at least 50 out before I'll brave it!

thanks so much for the information!

here is what I'll plan... *stuff I need to buy

1. *sweatpants with an elastic band at the ankle
2. *under armor shirt made for cold weather, or I'll go up to my local bike shop to see what kind of clothes they have available
3. sweatshirt
4. *head band for the ears
5. my cycling gloves (my finger tips may get a little nippy though)
6. my cycling glasses

my bf has some wool socks so maybe I can borrow those from him even though the heel of them will probably go up to my calf... lol

I'll also take my windbreaker in case it gets a little bit snowy/drizzly

I'm also not going to probably go an insane amount of distance. I think I may try to ride out 7-8 miles and go home, get about a 15 mile ride in.

thanks again, I really appreciate it!

srd, In my younger days I would ride on days that had a wind chill factor below zero. In fact my water bottle would freeze solid. The best I found was the true and tried method of layers however I am not certain the layers you are proposing are correct. You want layers that will breath and wick away the sweat. You may be surprised how much you will sweat cycling in the very cold. Sweatpants, etc. will hold the sweat and you will get cold. The under armour is good but it will wick right to the cotton fabric in the sweats. Your local bike shop can suggest some good layers on cycling clothing for you to wear.

thanks sandy! I'll just toss my original list and opt for the bike shop advice instead!

I know under armor makes sweatshirts, not sure if they are 100% cotton or not. I found one I really liked a while ago that didn't seem to be all cotton, it didn't have that feel... maybe it doesn't and I'll finally have an excuse to buy it! :)

I just didn't want to spend a ton of money for one week of cold weather riding... I'll wear sweatshirts and stuff again, but next winter I'm planning on spinning instead of being outside. I'm just getting stir crazy from all this stupid weather and wanted to get out there! Plus I don't have class next week and thought it would be a good reason to get out there and get in some good exercise.

oh, just thought of something.

there is a consignment shop in my city, play it again sports, they have all used sports equipment and apparel. Do you think it may be wise to check that place out? Not sure how I feel about wearing someones old sweaty gear, but maybe if I found something I like, I could give it a good wash and go with it.... hmmm...

ps. I'll be wearing my helmet, too, but hopefully you guys figured that as a given :)

I commute all year. In the winter I wear my bike shorts legwarmers and then a pair of micro fiber running pants. neopreme shoe covers to keep the wind out of my shoes. Even with those my feet get pretty frosty. Up top I wear long sleeve under armor base layer and a  heavy long sleve jersey. I top that off with a breathable micro fiber running jacket. On my face I wear clear safety glasses and a baclava under my helmet with a cap on it. I wear a pair of microfiber flece lined gloves inside neopreme gloves. The coldest temperature that I have rode in is -1* F. From about 20* - 30* I can take that cold without the microfiber running pants and jacket.   my commute is 15 miles each way.