More California noob questions:  Do you still MTB in coldest part of the winter?  If so, what are the trails like?  What extra gear do you wear to keep warm?

I ride year round, night rides have gotten into the 20's before. By far the most important areas to keep warm are extremities.  Fingers and toes really have a way of freezing quickly due to the wind that hits them. I have a combo I've used for years that has worked and isn't too bulky.

Shoes, 2 pair Nike drifit socks, gore windStopper overshoes. The overshoes are the key to stop my toes freezing! This also makes it so I don't need summer and winter shoes.

Head is a fleece earcover head band. Tobogans get pretty bulky under helmet.

Hands, gore windstopper gloves. They stop wind.

Upper body, 1 or 2 layers of dryfit long sleeve hyperwarm shirts based on temp. A light windbreaker goes on top of this. This allows for breathability and warmth.

Lower body, 1 or 2 layers of drifit long hyperwarm leggings. I rarely ever need two even at freezing temps. Then normal padded shorts on top.

I reference drifit hyperwarm a lot just because that's what I use, and have found it is superior to under armour and others but there are a bunch of products very similar that could work. 

Nightriding in winter on trail is awesome, note that is only allowed at certain trails so make sure and check before you ride.

MTB4U wrote on 10/08/18 at 11:19am:


I ride all year, more so in the colder months.

Trails are less crowded, less overgrown, less bugs and webs.

I wear merino wool as a base-layer and cycling tights.

Just think about how you will layer up to stay warm and dry.  Nothing more to it than that.  And you will find that you have to ride when it is at or near freezing at certain points in the winter because it's the only time when some trails aren't a sloppy mess.

I tried riding last winter, but it was -2 degrees, so I didn't ride too long. The driveway was covered with snow and every time I pedaled, my feet would go down into the snow. I decided to stick to skiing!! Then it's hot chocolate time!!

As long is its dry, it's cool.

Beyond that, freezing is about my cut off point. 
I don't like riding feeling like the Michelin man or encountering black ice on roots/rocks. Besides, you've got to have a place to put all those extra layers when it's time to peel.

Locally, a thin balaclava is helpful. As is a wind shell to go over a thin thermal layer on top. Plenty of cycling wind blocking pants on Amazon, etc.. Wool socks, etc.. Warm, windblocking gloves is another essential. 

In the back country or in the big mountains is of course a different animal and requires better/more preparation and ways to carry an extra layer or two.

Yellowduck wrote on 10/09/18 at 11:23am:


Truth.

If you're comfortable in the parking lot when you're getting ready, you have too many layers on, and will be sweating hard once you're a mile in. I usually wear a good warm jacket while i'm getting everything ready and waiting on others to get ready, then take it off at the last minute before the ride. Another "pro tip" is to throw your gloves over the heat vent in your car while you're on your way to the trail to pre-heat them. Nothing worse than putting cold gloves on already cold fingers. 

The first mile or so is the worst part, once you get your heart rate up and muscles working you warm right up. I find that my fingers and toes stay cold until I take that first short break (1-2 miles in). Stopping the wind for a few minutes while allowing my body to circulate the blood will pull some of the heat from my core and warm up my extremities. Then i'm usually good to go for the rest of the ride.

btalley wrote on 10/09/18 at 3:08pm:


Yikes, sounds like something you have personal experience with. 

MTB4U wrote on 10/09/18 at 5:37pm:


He's just trying to sell you a boat..   
You got a problem pulling a trailer on the back of your rig?

IntheBush wrote on 10/09/18 at 10:10pm:

You sir have obviously not witnessed me selling a boat.   Please try not to derail this thread and stay on topic.   

The important question that nobody has asked is how much less time does Bush's Ebike 
battery last in cold weather?

btalley wrote on 10/09/18 at 10:38pm:


Stay out of those back country creeks in the cold weather..

I think you need a longer stem, dude. 

Yes.  I ride all year.  If it's too wet to ride MTB I hop on the road bike. 

What else ya gonna do?

Our winters aren't so bad around here.  The worst part is when the sun goes down, it can get chilly fast.  I've tried the trainer and can't do it.  I'd rather ride in the cold.

BudLeach wrote on 10/09/18 at 1:37pm:


It took me several trial-n-error rides to get the layering right. For me, the key is to dress not-to-be-too-cold. If you dress to stay warm, you'll sweat too much and get wet. Invest in good socks/gloves for feet/hands and a head beanie.

I've ridden in low-20s and stayed warm enough.

Everyone knows about gortex shoes and shoe covers to keep warm... I found 2mm wading (for water foul hunting) neoprene socks from cabela's (You have to order online) to be the BEST thing as they completely cover your feet and no air can get to them.

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DO NOT GET THICKER THAN 2MM 



By far the most important thing is stopping wind, especially (like mentioned before) on your extremities .  The next thing would be a head covering to keep heat in; I find that for my body a thermal under shirt, long sleeve shirt, and cracked windproof jacket or vest work best.

Couldn't agree more with all the layering advice. I've ridden a number times in sub-freezing temps and you never quite know how it's going to feel until you're out there. 

Anyone else ride with goggles on? The last few cold weather rides (around 20ish degrees) I threw on my snowboard goggles and helmet (Smith Squad Goggles and Camber Helmet) and it was SO MUCH BETTER. My eyes always water terribly in the cold/wind, and this was a dream. It was also eerily quiet with the ears covered. Kinda cool tho. One key thing was that I put on a clear lens instead of the standard tinted lens, so visibility is better in low-light conditions in the trees. The board helmet is also insulated so it keeps the dome nice and toasty. Looking forward to some winter rides this year!

zino wrote on 11/13/18 at 2:22am:


Are there any local trails in the Charlotte area that start off with a climb?  I know the mountains have climbs, but what about local?

Hey banjo - what thickness are the latex gloves you wear????

Banjopickin wrote on 10/16/18 at 2:46pm: