How things have changed in seven years of bicycling during the rainy, chilly and sometimes freezing season, often at night.
$20 water-resistant pants —> $100 Gore-Tex pants (these days, more like $130). I made the switch a few days into my first season, after several soakings. I still wear the Gore-Tex pants and they still keep me dry.
Ear flaps attached to helmet straps —> thin earband —> thin balaclava —> slightly thicker balaclava. The balaclavas are thin enough to fit under my helmet and do a good job of keeping the wind out of my ears. I wear both balaclavas when it’s especially cold and windy. The ear flaps were lousy at keeping the wind out. Downside of balaclava: messy hair.
Running shoes --> running shoes with waterproof covers attached with Velcro --> lightly-insulated boots with rubber bottoms plus two pairs of socks. The boots are clunky. But my feet are warmer and drier. The shoe covers were a hassle to put on.
Light that came with the bike —> 1 watt LED —> 2 watt LED. It’s really dark on the Galloping Goose at night. In the early days, with a dimmer light, I nearly rode off the trail once because I didn’t see a curve.
Mini-mirror with plastic arm attached to my glasses (bought two) —> mini-mirror with plastic arm clipped to helmet visor —> mini-mirror with metal arm clipped to helmet visor —> mini-mirror with metal arm clipped to helmet visor and secured further with a piece of electrical tape. Those plastic arms kept breaking; I am hoping for more longevity from the metal arm.
Cloth gloves —> waterproof gloves (they made my hands sweaty) —> insulated cloth and leather gloves that are water resistant.
Bright yellow rain-proof, breathable jacket with reflective stripes —> still wearing the same jacket; it was a good investment
Helmet, sort of aerodynamic, two-tone blue —> helmet with visor, sort of aerodynamic, two-tone blue. I replaced the first helmet after a slow-speed fall and the side of the helmet smacked the pavement; the helmet cracked. The helmet did its job.
On particularly cold days, I pull a fleece tube onto my neck; it's also known as a neck gaiter.
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My colleague Bryna Hallam has also reflected on what to wear when cycling in freezing weather. Read here.
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Vancouver to Toronto by train: we are hours late and we shrug
