Cold morning ride - what gear?

**george formby** · 28th May 2014, 23:36

Originally Posted by haydes55

No one else rocks a onesie under their gear?

When I lived in sniffing distance of the Arctic circle I used to wear a onesie woolly bear over my poly props but under my bike gear. A woolly bear is the thermal under suit North Sea oil rig divers used to wear under the dry suit. Think a cross between fleece & felt, 10mm thick. Protective bike jacket & pants, one piece waterproof suit on the outside. Normal clothes somewhere in the mix. No heated grips then so Damart under gloves, girt huge leather gauntlets & wool lined handle bar muffs. Boots a size to big & 3 pairs of socks. Silk balaclava with a thermal expedition one over that, under me helmet.
Getting caught short was a nightmare, the wee fella is not big enough to broach the garments & the bladder not strong enough to wait until the wee fella is out.
Also carried stout rope to wrap round me rims when the snow froze solid.
True story.

I must have been 'kin insane.

**unstuck** · 29th May 2014, 05:07

Originally Posted by NNN

Ha ha ha. Never thought this thread would go north vs south.. perhaps you guys can share some wisdom on how you deal with it on everyday basis. ..
We could do the same on how to ride in traffic. ..

How I deal with it is by not crying about it and complaining about it, but instead embrace it as a wonderful part of the rich tapestry of life. Love and accept the cold as your friend. Without the cold, there is no appreciation of the warmth.

And then there is the real life version..........Heated grips, the best gear you can afford. And most importantly, well for me anyway, if I am riding in below freezing conditions
Is having a hot feed before setting off, make sure you are warm before even getting on your bike. But there is also a lot of truths in the zen answer above.

**george formby** · 29th May 2014, 09:46

Originally Posted by unstuck

But there is also a lot of truths in the zen answer above.

You must be right. I think back fondly too those winter months when I had a permanent scab on the end of my nose where the dew drop would freeze.

How well a bike could handle ice & snow was a major factor to consider when thinking of buying a new one. MZ's were popular.

**Devil** · 29th May 2014, 11:01

Rain gear is good for keeping out the chill. Since waterproof overjackets and pants are typically windproof too, it stops the cold at the outside layer and leaves your inside layers to get toasty warm.
I have a separate rev-it overjacket and pants which i'll chuck on for super cold touring and it makes a huge difference. Don't need it for commuting because my jacket and pants are very good (Rev-it Defender Goretex).

You also need to remember a critical concept: If you start cold, you'll stay cold. Get your jacket and pants on in the house and warm them up a bit before you actually go out.

This is pretty much what I have, and its even on special right now!
http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rvjkwindh20.aspx

**BMWST?** · 6th July 2014, 18:03

Plus one for heated grips,far more fhan just hand warmers.

**FJRider** · 6th July 2014, 18:42

Originally Posted by NNN

Ha ha ha. Never thought this thread would go north vs south.. perhaps you guys can share some wisdom on how you deal with it on everyday basis. ..

Down in the southern south ... we call below -5 C ... "a tad cool" ... above zero is normal riding weather ...

If you choose to ride during the cooler periods ... get good gear. Hypothermia wont kill you as fast as a Red light runner ... but it can kill you just as dead ...

Originally Posted by NNN

We could do the same on how to ride in traffic. ..

If we wanted to know how to ride in your traffic ... we would live there ...

**PrincessBandit** · 6th July 2014, 19:35

Possum fur nipple warmers and an extra thermal "sock" for the blokes....if ya get my drift

**unstuck** · 6th July 2014, 19:40

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Possum fur nipple warmers and an extra thermal "sock" for the blokes....if ya get my drift

possum fur cock sock.

**NNN** · 6th July 2014, 19:42

Ha ha.. you guys are good..a tad sensitive. . I just wanted to check what works for most.

**pete376403** · 6th July 2014, 19:46

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ebreaker-stuff

**Berries** · 6th July 2014, 20:34

Originally Posted by unstuck

possum fur cock sock.

Do you kill it first?

**ikov** · 6th July 2014, 20:57

yeah, I just have a work fleece under the riding jacket a cheap hand-me-down balaclava if need be. Warm pants under wind-proof stuff for commuting weekdays, but riding pants over jeans if longer distance.

I have the blessing of being too cheap for my own good, so buyin new gear is outta question... 1 x jacket, 1 x pants, 1 x winter gloves.

although heated grips are fully finding a way for savings into the weekly smoke budget.