Two years ago, I made the transition from calling myself a runner to calling myself a cyclist.  I enjoy cycling infinitely more than running but……I must admit….Cycling is infinitely more expensive than running.  When I was a runner, I blew about $100 once a year on a pair of running shoes and maybe another $100 annually on the latest that Nike had to offer in their coveted “Dri Fit” line.  Running does not have the “wind” factor that cycling does. When you run, you dress for 10 degrees warmer than the actual temp. Heck, you can run pretty comfortably in 5 degrees with just a couple of layers.

Cycling, however, is a whole different ball game. You need to dress, because of the wind factor, for 10 degrees cooler. i.e. if it is 20 you need to dress for 10 degrees. Also, you are typically outside for longer periods of time. Of course, if it gets too cold, you can always ride on your trainer.  I HATE RIDING ON A TRAINER WITH A PASSION.  I would rather have a root canal or bamboo shoots shoved under my finger nails than spend a couple of hours on a trainer.  Needless to say, I was willing to spend whatever was necessary on gear to allow me to ride outside.  The gear accumulation started with base layers…Patagonia capelene…Spyder thermals….North Face’s Apex series. If it promised to wick, I bought it…Mid-layers followed the base layers…L.L. Bean performance wool, Patagonia fleece, Patagonia neoprene with a wind-proof front. Of course, the next logical place to sink some dough was the outer layer…Hub windproof jacket…Marmot outer shell…Can’t forget your hands….a nice pair of Pearl Izumi lobster mittens followed….Feet? Well, I started out with a few pair of SmartWool socks and followed up with a jazzy set of Specialized shoe covers. Holy cow….I’d forgotten my head! No worries…a Pearl Izumi head band paired with a Smart Wool beanie would keep the cranium from getting too cool. Snap! Don’t forget the engine for the bike…the legs! Better get some windproof tights.  Done? Heck no. Let’s throw in a little $25 bottle of embrocation for those really cold days.

I would venture to guess, that I spent more on gear in my first few months of winter cycling than in 10 years of running.  There are a lot of really nice things that I could have purchased with the money spent on this gear.  Heck I think the total would have been pretty close to the GNP of Liechtenstein.  Was it worth it?  Heck yes!  All of this gear enabled to ride in that “under 20” range which equated to substantially more rides outside than on the trainer.  Money well spent.

The winter of 2010 has been off to a blustery start. Further justification for my expenditures from 09. The first sub 20 degree day I piled on my pricey layers and proudly headed out into the elements on my bike. I even rode in 11 degree weather. This was my personal all-time coldest ride thus far. I lasted about an hour.  Hail, Hail cutting edge winter gear.  The folks at North Face and Pearl Izumi are geniuses!

The evening before Frostbike a question burned in my mind.  How much progress have we made in winter gear from where we were 20 years ago?

I rooted around the basement and successfully located Mike’s infamous ski jacket from 1988 that he had purchased for a whopping $50 at the now defunct Omni Sports. Guns & Roses’ Appetite for Destruction was the best selling album the year that this coat came into existence.  Gore-Tex hadn’t been thought of yet. Rubber was the only means of water–resistance.  “Windbreakers” were available but they weren’t exactly wind resistant.   Wool had not yet become smart.  Wicking was only referred to when one was discussing candles.  Mike’s coat was 100% polyester. Poly shell with poly fill insulation. The brand name was Farwest.  Farwest has since gone the way of Kangaroo tennis shoes.  It was red, white, and blue.  Was it wind proof? I guess so.  Did it wick?  Nope.  I paired this jacket up with a slightly newer Obermeyer sweater from maybe around 1990 or so.  The outside air temp was somewhere around 18.  Was I warm?  You bet ya! I was freaking roasting as a matter of fact.  Granted the wind was not as strong as it had been previously, but nonetheless, 18 degrees is 18 degrees no matter how you look at it and the old stuff had performed very well.

Does this mean that advancements have not been made in outer ware?  Heck no. My expensive, cutting-edge stuff performed as advertised and has served me very well. There have definitely been great strides in reducing bulk and improving breath ability.  I guess what I’m saying here is don’t count out your old cheap stuff. Give it a try first.  If it works, roll with it.  If it doesn’t, there is a plethora of options for you to fill in the gaps and ride warmly in just about any weather.

 Have fun out there and be warm before you’re cool,

BR