Winter is Coming

[Guest notmyname]

I bought a can of Volvo life paint. Brilliant stuff. Have a squizz.

What did they rush you for the life paint. I seem to remember Hubbers not liking the idea...I might be wrong.

[J∆kk∆ls]

Normal jersey, sleeves and wind jammer. Never leggings. Ride in rain to its Lekker. Get a winter cycling cap for rainy days.

Additional winter shoe covers and gloves will make a huge difference.

[Thomo]

Layer your clothing to keep your core warm without overheating and keep your extremities warm and dry.
 

[Starvin' Marvin]

What did they rush you for the life paint. I seem to remember Hubbers not liking the idea...I might be wrong.

R200. I like the stuff, highly visible at night, invisible during the day. I use it on my motorbike aswell.

[RexFuzzle]

Thanks for the replies. Most helpful indeed.

[Cruz Addict]

i absolutely hate cold hands, i have tried several different types of full finger gloves, even bought a pair of winter cycling gloves and was still cold( they are also very thick and make my grip a little cumbersome), best solution i have ever used is a set of First Ascent thermal glove liners, even with my summer full finger gloves my hands are warmish, my hands are still cold but dont get that debilitating almost paralyzed feeling in them. they are the best thing i have ever bought for cold and are very cheap for what they are, last pair i bought from cycle lab was R140.

i would go so far as to say that if you use any thermal base layer with a wind breaker you should be ok, i find the thermals breath and are great at wicking sweat away so you dont overheat, they are also not restrictive or too thick.

[nomoregravity]

Welcome!

 

 

[Kirst01]

So with winter approaching and with an eye on commuting no matter what I have a few questions on gear for the cold.I've tried a big jacket and works great for the first few km but then its a sweat box, so any advice- what do you use?Gloves?Leggings? Or just man up?Booties? or man up some more?Lights are a no brainer and have recently kitted out the rig with some yellow replective tape stips on the bike which make it feel more visible- any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Where do you buy the reflective tape strips from? Need that.

[Fat Boab]

Adhesive yellow reflective tape is sold at Builders Warehouse, and probably most hardware shops.....

[WrightJnr]

"Man Up" works for the first few days / weeks. Then the cold gets to you and you happy to be called a woes. For me it's layers, lots of layers I can vary depending on the cold/wind/time/length of ride/type of ride. Trial and error is the only way to figure it out. I use a buff when it's cold to keep my mouth covered and keep the cold air out my lungs but pull it down when not going downhill or puffing up a hill. Fingers and Toes must be kept warm and dry.

 

If you ride road and MTB, try using the MTB more to keep the speed down. An ave of 20km/h is warmer than a 30km/h average. I also change my weekly ride route in winter to try head up first and not downhill and try using a route that doesn't include those "cold" dips or wide open crosswinds roads etc.

[No Hare]

Where do you buy the reflective tape strips from? Need that.

Builders Warehouse in Sunningdale got yellow, silver and red reflective tape in 10 meters roles. About R150 per role (can't lekker remember the price). Makro got roles up to 20 meters in the same colors for a about the same price per meter.

 

Initially put red tape on my silver bike, but it was MOER ROOI! Changed to silver on silver for a more muted approach during day light hours, but it works kwaai at night.     

[BSG]

KZN has the biggest climate variations of any province over such a small area. You can be lying on the beach in Durban or trapped in a cave in a blizzard in the Drakensberg.

Martin, have you ever been to George, we must have the worst weather opposed to anywhere in SA, really if you go to the mall in the morning you can be sure that 80% of the time you will need a jacket in the afternoon.

[madbradd]

R200. I like the stuff, highly visible at night, invisible during the day. I use it on my motorbike aswell.

 

Is it a permanent spray or is it like sunscreen and needs to be applied to bike/clothing after every wash/ride?

[Lurch the stalker]

So with winter approaching and with an eye on commuting no matter what I have a few questions on gear for the cold.

I've tried a big jacket and works great for the first few km but then its a sweat box, so any advice- what do you use?

Gloves?

Leggings? Or just man up?

Booties? or man up some more?

Lights are a no brainer and have recently kitted out the rig with some yellow replective tape stips on the bike which make it feel more visible- any other suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance.

I guess it depends on each individual and how they handle the cold in their part of the country.

Personally, I prefer cooler temperatures, so I will commute in the same kit as summer and just add arm/leg warmers and maybe a buff to keep the wind chill off.

[keithbe]

Best item bought last year for winter - MR PRICE sleeveless base layer top. Thick as hell, and almost as warm, but great for keeping the chill off the chest. Then its layers over that that.

2 x MAXITHERM® Thermal Socks from weardirect ROCK.

Trying the glove inners this year. Cheap from Sportsmans.

 

Plenty snot rags. The colder it gets the more my nostrils drip...even wearing winter head gear. Very annoying!!!! Then if my nose stops dripping, on the odd occasion, my bloody lenses start to mist. #@!#$%^&*()&&%%

[Barend de Arend]

Armwarmers are for the misty mornings.

 

Legwarmers and thermals are for when your cheeks feel cold.

 

The really good jackets are for when your water bottles freeze during the ride.