I wore cycling shorts with a long-sleeve t-shirt. Over that I had a pair of baggy sweat pants (all I have). On top I wore a heavy jacket with a hood. I was just fine, perfectly warm except for my feet. The Chuck Taylors I was wearing didn’t insulate a whole lot.

It’s supposed to be in the mid-70′s by the end of the week.

In total from polypro baselayer and shirts, ending with fleece sweatshirt under a windbreaker shell, I had nine layers on the top. That sounds like a lot, but with the exception of the fleece, the layers are all very thin, so I didn’t look too bulky.

The bottom was AmFIB tights, polypro baselayer on top of that, then loose workout pants.

For feet I had wool socks, handwarmers on top of the toes, then cotton socks, plastic bag corners, then sneakers. The chemical handwarmers on the feet quickly quit working, as they need air to sustain the chemical reaction.

Hands were kept warm polypro glove liners with handwarmers on the back of the hand, then Louis Garneau lobster claw gloves. My hands never felt cold.

On my head I had a fleece balaclava over head and mouth (nose exposed), then polopro balaclava over top of head and ears. I taped up the vents on my helmet.

Except for the cold feet, it was an exciting and refreshing ride.

I’d say yesterday was one of the first cold days here (Fort Collins, CO), and it was great to be out in the cold, crisp air when I had to do some biking around town.

Baselayer tights over my AmFIB tights kept my legs warm. A balaclava covering my face and neck (but with the hole positioned so that eyes, nose and mouth remained uncovered) worked well.

My worst problem on the half-hour ride was with my fingers. The PI Gavia gloves, as nice as they are, just aren’t cut out for < 20 degrees. I think my left ring and pinkie fingers suffered mild frostbite, as they still feel funny an hour after my ride. (Maybe I’m exaggerating: I’ve never had frostbite, so I don’t really know)

Other than the cold hands, I found the ride refreshing. It’s remarkable that the right clothing can enable us to continue riding in these cold temperatures.