"Official Winter Riding Gear" : a Recipe from Illinois

Clothing is a science, and you learn little bits everytime you go for a ride ("what was chilly, what can I do better next time?"). One of my favorite rides: heading out against the east wind from the west side, crawling out through east Portland to Springdale in the Gorge, then harnessing the tailwind home on I-84/Marine Drive/Sandy Blvd. I would be two hours in a severe winter 20-45 mph frigid headwind! I learned quite a bit about dressing that way.

Ayleen , thanks for the tips and subject!

The guy says:

....You should start the ride feeling a little cold, because you're gonna heat up once you enter the woods and get your swerve on.

Ah, winter riding! I would caution about starting >feeling a little cold<...this may be ok with a general feeling of outdoors' onslaught of frigidity, but your feet, hands or head should start with warmness, because they aren't going to warm up; this is an issue of maintaining warmth, not creating it once on the ride. Shoes/gloves/helmet should be stored someplace warm, so you start the ride with a reservoir of heat, since you will likely not make up any deficit.
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I would also be hesitant to wear anything made of cotton, if warmth is desired...it's really clammy and cold when wet.
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A lot of this is personal choice, of course...some of us bundle more than others. I'm into pieces of wool placed in the chest, knees, head spots, held in place by stylish-looking outer-wear (forget it..."stylish??" we all look funny on bikes, so let's get over that one! :-)
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I think dressing for winter ride survival is one of the absolute joys of cycling! With all our climate-controlled homes, places of work and cars, this is a chance to take responsibility for overcoming potentially threatening conditions. Cycling takes way more care in this than walking or running...we are in a constant wind, and our feet are whipping along in the air, and don't get that jarring/pounding that walking/running feet seem to heat- benefit by...probably an enhancement of the circulation.
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David

I have ridden in cold weather. Minnesota cold. Throw a pitcher of water in the air and it comes down as snow cold. It really does not get that cold here in Portland, but if you are in need of another stab at what to wear

here it is:
tight silkweight Patagonia t shrit
Patagonia midweight long underwear.
bike shorts
fleece tights
ski socks
neoprene shoe covers
knee warmers
elbow warmers
balaclava
ski goggles
pearl izumi lobster (3 finger) gloves
wool jersey l/s
windstopper vest
protec helmet.

if it is snowing or raining you will need a shell jacket and pants, preferably gore-tex or something like it.

make sure you take plenty of water on any ride in the winter, camelbaks are perfect for the winter. one of their light packs is great, as you can shed layers into it if necessary as you warm up.

nokian studded tires are also great for the icy roads, but really heavy. I road primarily mt. bikes in the winter, but fixed gear bikes are also fun.

David said: "With all our climate-controlled homes, places of work and cars, this is a chance to take responsibility for overcoming potentially threatening conditions."

I was thinking about this riding home last night... wet, cold, all covered up in wool. Most folks I know think that there's something inherently bad about being cold and wet and outdoors. It's something I get over to enjoy my life - I always dry out, I always warm up, but if I didn't get out I would never see that sunrise or how the wet streets look under the streetlamps. I would never get that view of the long line of cars parked on the Banfield in the morning.

Tony