Cold weather riding?

I tend to run cold so 56 degrees would be a wicking undershirt and a long sleeve jersey or if i was doing some climbing a ss jersey and arm warmers.  Maybe stick a thin vest in my back packet.   Probably wear thin tights but it depends on my pace.  Ride safe!

If it could only be 56 here...  To us midwesterners you sound like you're bragging!  The biggest factor I found when riding in the cold (between 35-50)  would be the wind.  A windproof jacket, and pair of gloves will keep you VERY comfortable.  Otherwise I would suggest leggings and/or under armor.  I LOVE wearing underarmor under my short sleeved biking jersey's.

If you have to deal with any rain in the cold weather, my toes always get cold, so waterproof covers on your feet are a big plus.

2-3 layers of polyprop shirts, cycling shirt, waterproof jacket, arm warmers, leg warmers, head band/beanie, winter cycling gloves with other thin gloves underneath, thick socks and shoe booties.

It's quite expensive to buy so try find deals, cheaper alternatives, 2nd hand etc.

I rode yesterday morning when it was 55 degrees and windy at the start of the ride. I just wore bib shorts, a jersey, arm warmers and my open finger bike gloves. I was chilly until it warmed up into the 60's, but it wasn't too bad. Running felt great this morning on my long run and I was fine in running shorts, a wicking t-shirt and gloves on my hands.

OK, I won't get into the "56 is cold" issue because I know it's all relative to what you're used to.

Remember that if you are comfortable when you start out, you will be too hot and stripping off layers after about 20-30 minutes (or less). And if you over-dress, you will sweat more and it won't evaporate away as easily, which will leave you colder when you have to stop or go downhill.

I once read the following advice, and it works quite well for me: When running, dress as if the temperature was 20 degrees warmer than it is at the start of your run. When cycling, dress as if the temperature is 10 degrees warmer (although I tend to use 15 degrees for cycling.)  So, if it's 56 degrees out (including the windchill), I will dress like it's 71 if I'm cycling, or like it's 76 if I'm running.  Which for cycling means shorts, jersey, arm warmers (just because it's Colorado, and the weather changes a lot). For running, it is just shorts and a t-shirt. Every time I think I need more, I end up taking it off and having to put it in a jersey pocket or tie it around my waist (if running.)

The only other thing I wear when cycling is knee warmers if it in less than 60 degrees, just because my knees get achy in the cold (probably from having a screw in one knee.)

As always, YMMV. 

I ride down to 20. I doubt in FL it will get that cold but I'm used to colder weather then you are. A friend was riding long in FL and said it was windy. What I'm getting at what I wear at 50 will probably be less than what you would wear.

Key is to keep wind off you and allow the sweat to dry and evaporate.

Cheapest way to go is to buy some leg warmers and arm warmers as when or if it warms up during your ride you can take them off and tuck them in your jersey pocket.

You need gloves I really like Pearl Izumi Gavia gloves for the 45-60 degree range.

I like to wear something on my head..I have things like skull caps and also something from Pearl Izumi that is a headband...differnet weight for different temps.

You will need a jacket and at 45-60 I can go two ways one is wind proof jacket my favorite is Bike Gore wear their wind proof stuff is really wind proof. So if it is windy and overcast I'll opt for one of my Gore jackets. If it is sunny and not windy I would probably go with my Pearl Izumi jacket that is softshell and they claim windproof but it isn't but it breaths well.

If you don't want to go with leg warmers get some tights. You can get bike tights with chamois in them or ones that go over regular bike shorts...I like Pearl Izumi stuff best.

Socks invest in some smart wool socks and either Pearl toe warmers or booties.

Top you can wear long sleeve wicking shirt you have or get a LS jersey. You can add a layer of maybe under Armour or wicking undershirt.

Women's bike stuff I like Shebeest that is often sold at Sierra Trading Post..they have long sleeve jerseys and often tights that have chamois. They also have good deals on jackets. Also check out Performance Bike they often have good deals on jackets and other PI gear.

Investing what you need to ride in winter can be expensive but most of it will last for years.

Thanks so much for the replies.  I wasn't bragging...but considering our high 2 days ago was 94 and today was 60 + windchill....I dont think my body adjusted as quick.  I taught the motorcycle class this AM and was in jeans plus a long sleeve shirt, polar fleece pull over AND a windbreaker if that explain how cold I get. 

I will look into leg warmers and underarmor.  I did see a nice reflective windbreaker jacket at my LBS that had removable sleeves for such occassions when it gets warm.  I dont want to spend too much on cold gear since the cold only lasts 2 weeks (now that bragging)

Ebay...here I come!

Well, I rode fairly long this morning at about 50 degrees (ish).  I wore a windbreaker (not cycling) and a pair of sweats over bike shorts with knee warmers.  All of it wound up in the pannier after 20 minutes.  (I do still, however, keep several layers of insulation subdermal)

THAT.  Mercy, did I ever make all the wrong choices for my 54-55 deg ride this past weekend.  I was soaked though by the end of the ride.  This being my first season, I don't have all the proper wicking clothing yet.  But you can believe I will before my next ride!

Mary - I feel ya on the mid 50 temp!  That ride was cold, cloudy, windy, rainy, hilly... and I nearly got blown off my bike by a wind gust!

Thanks for the thread.  It was helpful to me too!!!

This thread makes me giggle........
I am Canadian and have a completely different definition of "cold".
Its a balmy 27F out this morning..........and I think I will ride my bike cause its a beautiful day!

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Lots of good advice above. Where I live how you dress makes the difference between warm/comfortable and dangerously cold and miserable. IMO, the most important part of knowing how to dress here is simply trial-and-error and keeping notes on temp/wind/weather, what I wore, and how well it worked.

It is very interesting to me how tourist skiers dress on the slopes. It's like they think we have just one type of winter weather and so they'll wear the same ski clothes regardless of the conditions.

I try to cycle commute all year and end up riding down to about -25C with no windchill or -10C with windchills down to about -20C.  Depending on the temperature I have a variety of cycling gear that I will pull out.

Above 15C - shorts, jersey
10C - 15C - knee warmers, light weight jacket/long sleeve jersey
0C - 10C - leg warmers, long sleeve jersey + light weight jacket, full gloves, light toque/ear warmer
-10C - 0C - shorts + tights, long sleeve jersey + windproof jacket, cross country ski gloves, balaclava
Below -10C - shorts + tights + windproof cycling pants, long sleeve jersey + windproof jacket, windproof ski gloves, balaclava + windproof toque

Shane

For my ride yesterday, it was upper 40's. I rode a long sleeve tech shirt, tech running pants, a cheap pair of poly/cotton blend work gloves, helmet, and sunglasses. Oh, and socks and running shoes.
The socks were the only "underclothes" (TMI?), and I was fine.  Went for short run afterward, no problem.
The ride was about 49 minutes, with a very strong headwind on the return trip (of course!),and the run only about 12 minutes

^^^^^
Now here is a guy who speaks my language!!! 

I didn't read all the replies, but Nashbar.com has some great leg warmers (or just knee warmers for you Floridians). Using leg warmers and arm warmers are great, because if you get too warm, you just take them off and stuff them in your pockets.

Also- toe covers, or some form of booties are key. Anything below 60, and those are on- my toes are always cold.

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I try to avoid any hamster machines at all costs. Been in the high 40s/low 50s here in PA. Today I wore tights, a moisture wicking undershirt, and a jersey. Colder weather, need a wind-blocking jacket and tights, good gloves, and booties/toe covers. If it's really cold (like 20's) and/or windy I take out the mountain bike to climb some hills and play in the mud. For me it's alwyas better to get outside.