Do you give up on riding your bike once the thermometer dives for the bulb? I don’t blame you, but if your bike is transportation, not riding when the weather’s cold might not be an option. It IS possible to be comfortable in frigid temperatures, but that takes the right wardrobe. With traditional wool and modern synthetics, you can stay warm when underway. In my case, the problem comes when I stop pedaling. That’s why I take along a cold weather cycling survival kit. Here’s what I carry in addition to the usual gear which accompanies me on a ride:

• • Fleece vest or jacket, depending on temperature
• • Warm hat
• • Winter gloves or mittens
• • Neck gasket or “headover”
• • Hand warmers (the disposable ones)
• • One-pint thermos with hot cocoa or hot tea inside

Whether I’m shopping, taking an exercise ride, or doing other chores, I chill quickly when I stop. And if there’s a mechanical failure or flat tire, I just know how easily it would be to begin to slip into the early stages of hypothermia. But with my survival kit aboard the bike, I immediately pull off my helmet, put on my hat, pull on my fleece and gloves, and if it’s cold enough, the neck gasket as well. The goal is to retain all that heat I’ve built up when cycling.

But doesn’t this stuff take up room? Yes, it does, though most of the bulk is in the fleece, which can be crushed into a smaller package by shoving it into a stuff sack. It’s not a problem to carry the kit. I just put it into a small pannier or rack trunk, as shown below. The added weight is negligible, but the comfort factor is priceless.