Biking ladies: How do you keep warm?

[beachygal]

So I'm coming from a running background (well, sort of), where I eventually warm up. But I'm NOT warming up AT ALL during bike rides. These past two weeks I've been SO cold. Today I wore a long sleeve compression shirt, a jersey layered over top, bike shorts, and Costco capri tights layered over top. And gloves (the type with openings on the end). And still so cold, even with a hot chocolate break halfway through our 20 mile ride. Granted it was chilly, but it only going to get colder (I'm in the DC area).


Do you have any suggestions for gear to help make my ride more bearable? I'm thinking gloves that fully cover my finger are important (my finger were coldest fo all). But what else? I'd prefer to keep it on the inexpensive side.

[trigal]

Full-fingered gloves, toe covers or even booties, beanie hat under your helmet (you lose a lot of heat through your head), a jacket or vest to break the wind.

[kams]

I have to have closed finger gloves and a jacket - the wind will slice right through your clothes. Trigal's suggestions are spot on of course. You might also think about a gaiter/buff or something for your neck/face.

[allez]

Arm, leg and knee warmers. I have found some decent inexpensive one at Nashbar in the past. Also as pp suggested I wear a thin Smartwool stocking cap under my helmet and a gaiter.

[beachygal]

Okay! Thank you for your ideas! I'm heading to a LBS tomorrow, and will grab some full fingered gloves; also planning on getting a Buff that I can use on my head for both cycling and running. If anyone has a suggestion for a jacket/vest that is <$100, I'd love to hear it. I have an Athleta jacket that might do the trick, but I'd love to hear what else is good (since H will also need all of these things too...cycling is even more $$$ when it's a couple's hobby!).

[chw57]

Toe covers make a big difference for my feet!
I have a cycling jacket and the sleeves zip off so I can turn it into a vest if it gets warm.
I wear a buff over my head and sometimes my mouth (when it's below 40)
Fleece-lines arm and leg Warmers

[sadlebred]

I'd also invest in a good wind jacket. They can make all the difference. Cycling jackets are cut for riding on the bike when you are leaned over. I've found that running jackets like to ride up. Everyone else has had good suggestions. I'd also invest in a pair of cycling tights. You can buy ones with and without a chammy.

The real key is layering. Below 60, I wear several layers. I vary them depending on the temperature and windchill. Have 2-3 different pairs of gloves. Get a long finger pair you can wear down to about 50 degrees and a pair of "winter" gloves for anything colder. Wool socks are useful as well.

[emilyj]

I would invest in a good wind jacket as well. My H and I both have Columbia Gore Tex wind stoppers, and they are amazing.

[katinthehat]

wind jacket/vest. breaking the wind will do more than just all the layering in the world.