Coldest you've ridden in and what do you wear/your gear

[mister]

Coldest temp? I don't know, maybe -5c (23f).

Winter gear: Dririder jacket with rain liner inserted to stop the wind and winter liner to create a buffer zone between the cold rain liner and my clothes. Gloves are Chilhowee deerskin gloves. I can do 30 minutes in below freezing and Not have numb hands. Pants, just normal cargo work pants. Top is singlet, fleece skivvy type thing without that horrid neck and normal work shirt (I wear this around at work cause I work outside so it keeps me warm in the open air at work in winter). This does Not feel extra bulky on the bike. If it's real cold like the coldest, I might also throw on a sloppy joe just for the ride in.

This year, I didn't have the winter lining in, instead I used a parker in conjunction with the rain liner. Worked a treat.

When it's near freezing I also wear a balaclava. This not only keeps the cold circulating wind from whisking heat away from my face but also keeps it from circulating on the skin of my neck. I also have a Thick neck warmer but find it too warm - and a little restrictive with head movement.

Footwear is normal steelcapped boots on workdays and my normal riding boots on the weekend. No extra socks or anything.

One weekend I did put on a pair of tracky dacks under my pants and my legs were quite warm. But I only did this once as I find my legs aren't really the problem, it's the chest.

On the weekends in the cold I will usually have singlet, short sleeve polo, long sleeve kevlar top and then the jacket with both liners. And I'll toss a vest on over that. The vest is great at keeping the wind from the chest. And the arms don't feel too bad.

Before riding below freezing I make sure of the previous night's weather due to the possibility of ice on the road.

==

Rain

It is rare to rain all day. So if I can get to work without getting wet I will. If it is still raining when it is time to come home, then it doesn't matter as I'd be having a shower at home anyways. I will take my jacket rain liner in this case but don't have rain pants. Many many times I have been caught in the rain and gotten totally soaked (no liner) - and loved it. I know the car dwellers must think either "lunatic" or "poor guy" but they don't know how exhilarating it can be.

Only thing I won't ride in is hail.

Michael

[Adfalchius]

I have a Turtle Fur brand balaclava that is long in the front, like a bib, that tucks into your jacket- works very well at keeping your neck warm!

[runabout879]

The coldest I rode in was 18F. About a 1 mile trip to work. Full fairing, thermal underwear, jeans, leather jacket and gloves. That was back when I had an 81 Goldwing, and before I got my truck.