Winter is Coming, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cold

By Jenny Rilling

Y’all, I am that person who’s always cold, brings a sweater to the movies during the summer, and hates to feel cold. This can present a problem for biking during the winter months, even in Texas. Last year, I made it down to about 30 degrees by wearing a bulky parka, but on days the temps dipped below 30, I just couldn’t do it.

However, this year, my goal is to commute all winter, every day, to the greatest extent possible. I’d like to share my winter clothing strategy in case it’s helpful to anyone else.

As Ft. Worth blogger Doohickie has mentioned, layering is key. He’s a fan of Canari windbreakers – coincidentally, I had just ordered one before I found his post on winter layering. When layering, I recommend wool or technical synthetic pieces that will keep you warm even if you sweat or get rained on. It’s also helpful to keep in mind what areas of your body get coldest or feel most uncomfortable in the cold. For me, it’s my torso, my neck / throat, and my hands. So, to summarize:

1. Layers

2. Wool and technical fabrics (Not cotton!)

3. Strategically address the areas that get coldest.

My typical layers right now, for 40 – 49 degree temps are:

Windbreaker (Bonus: the retina-searing color helps drivers see you even when it’s pitch dark at 4 PM.)
Thin wool sweater or cardigan
Knit top or button down
Jeans or wool slacks (because my legs don’t feel as cold as my torso, for you it may be different.)
Or a wool skirt, tights, and boots.
Regular socks (for now)
Closed toe work flats or converse sneakers.
Winter cycling gloves (Mine are neoprene and have a grippy palm surface and velcro wrist closures.)
Cashmere beanie
Wool scarf

Now, if you’re cycling along in all these layers and you start feeling uncomfortably warm, you can take off some of the layers, like the beanie, scarf, or sweater. But don’t take off the windbreaker. That’s what holds all your body heat in and keeps the wind from going right through you.

For 30 degrees and below, I’ll probably add a heavier wool or cashmere sweater instead of the thin sweater, long johns under the pants, wool socks, and boots. I may get a balaclava. If we have an ice storm like last year, it’s a ski bib all the way.

So far, commuting on the relatively few cold days we’ve had in November has been a much more pleasant experience than last year. It’s also easier to get motivated to take a pleasure ride or do some errands by bike when you know you’ll be toasty warm the whole time!