Riding year round in the NW

[Katie]

My car was stolen this summer, didn't get enough from insurance to make a new purchase. After much thought I have decided to be a four season rider. So anyone have some advice for cold weather riding? Also any great tips on what gear has worked well for them.
Thanks,
Katie

[scratch]

Just be smoother in your riding, easy on the bars, try not to turn too quickly. Make sure you are seen in others mirrors and allow a bigger safety zone.

TourMaster Tour III gloves (2nd set in 17 years)
TourMaster Standard two-piece rain suit to wear over your jacket & pants (also 2nd set in 17 yrs, was a med now a lg)
Raintote booties (XL or bigger(?) so you can pull them over your hightops)
You already have a helmet

[V8Pinto]

Gloves and real leather (not textile) will be your saving grace.  If you get GOOD gloves that are made of thinsulate or something similar you will be allright.  A swath of suede or something on the backhand of the glove helps to clear your windscreen but isn't totally necessary.  

I made a trip through Truckee last year and it was 13 degrees and snowing.  It was definitely the coldest I have ever been on a bike but my gloves and leather jacket made it bearable.  

Just take it easy in the rain, allow lots of stopping distance between you and the dummy on the cellphone with a coffee and cigarette on four wheels and you'll be cool.  Don't brake while turning and don't @#$ around.

Besides, who else do your friends know that rides all year round?  Wait till' the first time you (I'm getting ready to make some people mad, sorry about that ahead of time) wait until the first time you come into work standing proud in your wetness while the other wimps are getting out of their cars propping up their umbrellas to protect their hair in their $100 shoes complaining about the weather and you walk in squishing in your wet boots, plop down with a cup of coffee and start the meeting.

off my soap box now.

rain riding ROCKS.  

Nature was meant for us to ride in, not hide from.  It's a gift from whatever you believe in.  Gear up and enjoy it.

[Delta88]

I live in the Seattle area and averaged 4 days a week on the bike the last 2 winters. I have a TourMaster Cortech Sport jacket, a pair of First Gear overpants,(insulated liner and hip/knee armor), First Gear winter gloves and AlpineStars riding shoes/boots, (they're shorter than boots and don't have that "Ricky Racer" styling). That gear kept me warm and dry all winter long. The only time my jacket let any water in was last February when I took an MSF class and ended up out in the rain/sleet/snow all day Sunday. As others have said, you just need to take it slow when it's wet out and watch out for crosswalks and other painted pavement. It's very slick. Rain riding is mostly mental. If you can remain relatively warm and comfortable, it's actually quite enjoyable - if your in the right frame of mind.

[JohNLA]

Whatever you do, do not try to use reguler rain cloths. The seems pull apart at like 35mph.
A $30 (JCWhitney) rain suit and booties(or trash bags) can keep your toasty dry.

[Mat]

get those heated grips.  i had no idea of how much they worked till i took them off

[dmp221]

Hey, Katie, heres a bunch more info for ya....

Don't forget security stuff (cable locks, disc locks...your car was stolen, right?

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4765

[Katie]

Thanks for all the good advice. I also got one of those head things that keeps your neck warm. I even used it Saturday night.

Yeah I have a disk lock and this winter the bike gets to sleep in a garage, so I am not worried about someone taking it.

Katie