Cold Weather Gear
Layering is fine and well for cool temperatures. But when it gets really cold there is no substitute for heated gear. I live at 4500' where temperatures when I start and finish a ride are often near freezing, but riding 30 miles either direction off the mountain nets a normal 20 degree increase in the temperature. For years I wore a Tourmaster Flex jacket and pants and they served me well. I would start a ride with long johns of varying weights, and sometimes a fleece or down jacket and pants, the jacket cover on and liner in. As the temperature warmed I would remove the liner, and then cover, and reinstall them at the end of the day when I rode home. It worked, but at the end of a long day of riding, replacing removed long john pants and tops, snapping and zipping the liner/cover back in and on is a pain and takes a fair amount of time. Now, I wear light weight thermals, my heated liner and gloves, and leathers. When I start my ride I've got my heated gear turned on and cranked up, and as it warms I decrease the temp until I can turn it off, and unplug. When I return home, I simply plug in and turn the heated gear back on and increase the temperature as needed. MUCH easier and quicker! My Tourmaster Flex has been relegated to a strictly a summer jacket as I keep the liner/cover out and off all the time now.