For some reason I love working out in the cold. I'm an avid cross-country skier/runner in the winter, and, when the roads are clear, enjoy a good ride. If your are purchasing new gear, I would avoid the arm and leg warmers, they will fall off during your runs. For the legs, I prefer the duofold thermal bottoms with running tights over the top. If I'm biking, I add my biking shorts over the top of that. For the upper body, a tight lycra or thin polartec top is nice. Then I layer in a full lightweight polartec top. I finish off with a thin nylon vest, for windblocking. A regular old turtle neck in the layering will help keep the neck warm too. One other thing I love is a fleece beanie for the head. It's made for cylcing and covers the ears, but is great for running too. Enjoy!

I've heard from a cycling coach down here in Houston that if you dress so that you are just barely chilly before you exercise that you are probably dressed about right.

Hello:

I've been riding through the winter for the past three years or so. A problem area can be fingers & toes, especially when the mercury dips into the 20's and the ride will be longer. I found a pair of heated socks made for hunting. They take one "D" battery each that help for my longer winter training rides. The Pearl Izumi lobster claw style gloves (or other manufacturers) are great as well. As others have said, layering is the way to go. You'll need less than you think, especially on the core. Surly (and others) makes nice Merino wool jerseys complete with three rear pockets that I find quite comfortable when paired with a wind layer for temps from the 30s-40's. Fleece lines tights are a must for as well. For temps below thirty, you may find tights with a wind protected front helpful. An inexpensive way to winterize a helmet is to tape the vents. This, along with ear coverage helps keep the heads toasty. Check out www.icebike.com for some great winter riding advice.

Knee and arm warmers are essential bacause you can just strip them if you're climbing and get hot. Bring a wind layer for your core and hands (windstopper gloves can be bought everywhere) and stuff them in your jersey if you're hot. And BOOTIES for your feet. Ahh, the best.

cycling: Leg & arm warmers are good for layering. When it really gets cold I wear a Foxwear wind block jacket (blocks 100%) down to <30 degrees. It is a wind blocker & moister wicker. I'm cold natured & this jacket is for medium cold days & works good for me. Long Johns use polypropalene.

For face & neck I have a Neckgator.

The coach from Houston rule doesn't work for me. Even though I'm cold natured, I will be too hot if my cloths leave me only chilled before my ride. Cold before the ride is a little better. It might be too cold for the first 2 - 5 miles. But, after that I'm just right.

For the person who didn't want to use a face covering, I have found a great product: it's Keihl's All-Sport Non-Freeze Face Protector. I use it every time I go out in the winter to run or bike (or ski). It keeps your face protected--so it doesn't chap. And since it's made of bee's wax, it also keeps your face nice and soft! Bonus: SPF 30.

as follows. I live in NY and have mountain biked in cold and snow down to 20 degrees. I even made studded tires so I can enjoy the season longer. But that was after I put together this collection of clothing for the cold.

1) Performance Triflex tights with Chamois. They are windproof on the front yet breath through the backs of the calves and thighs. $80 and worth EVERY PENNY,

2) A Pearl Izumi balaclava is KEY. They are very thin, but do an amazing job of keeping whole face and head warm. You can pull away from lips for very heavy breathing or pull around neck if you get too hot. Added bonus, fits under helmet with NO PROBLEMS

3) Pearl Izumi Neoprene booties. Not only do they block wind on ventilated bike shoes, but they are WATERPROOF! I have biked across a (supposedly) frozen puddle about a foot deep, only to fall through and have to put my foot down into the freezing water. It was just a dab, but my feet were dry. Try that with just plain bike shoes

4) Smart wool socks. There is no substitute. Trust me. Get them and you will were nothing else (on your feet that is;) )

5) Gloves are tricky. There is a lot more personal preference here. Best advice is to try and grip something like a handlebar when trying before buying. Too much padding in palm bunches up and makes things tough. I have a pair of thin windproof that work great. A snot wiper or something soft on the backs of the thumbs is more important than you can imagine.

Get out there and enjoy. The peace and quiet of empty trails is more than worth the time and effort it takes to get dressed up for a trip. Other tips I have collected on my own or have heard work great but have not tried

A) You will dehydrate without being as aware as you are in the summer. Drink fluids as you normally would. A hydration pack under your jacket will keep the liquid from freezing provided you BLOW THE LIQUID BACK INTO THE PACK when done drinking! I have had warm tea FREEZE in the tube, and make it impossible for me to drink for the rest of the ride. Drink, blow, repeat.

B)The Lobster AmFib gloves mentioned above have gotten rave reviews elsewhere.

C) I have heard of Vaseline on feet, and then plastic bags, then socks. Some people swear by this. I swear buy Smartwool. A lot less messy

D)Make sure your gear is TOP SHAPE before you leave a warm home. Replacing broken cables and chains on the trail in the snow SUX! REALLY BAD! Chains and cables subjected to snow and road salt disintegrate at the farthest point out on the trail. Change them now and avoid problems.

E) Carry that cell phone, and make certain it works at different points on your trail BEFORE you have to use it in an emergency. Keep it close to body. Frozen cell phones don't work, and 20 minutes of trying to warm it up before you use it is frustrating and uncomfortable.