What to Wear When: a Primer for Winter Riding Fun

"I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice"
… I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside"

"Never let a little snow keep you from riding," says Mario Bartel.

Whether you're a year-round bicycle commuter, an endurance athlete needing to log some base miles, or a cycling enthusiast who has a serious case of cabin fever, we understand that "winter" and "hanging up the bike" needn't be synonymous terms. After all, as the Norwegians say, "There's no such thing as bad weather--only bad clothing." BicyclingHub.com is here to help you beat the chill and stay warm, dry and FIT all winter long.

We're not going to lie: cycling in inclement weather can be tough. There’s so much to deal with – negative temperatures, freezing rain, snow, sleet and relentless wind. Not to mention important health concerns, including frostbite and hypothermia. But with a little planning and the right equipment, the worst day of the year may be your best ride yet.

BicyclingHub.com wants you to be prepared--which is why we’re offering some of the best protective winter cycling clothing on the market to keep you pedaling strong through all four seasons. We've also recently developed new At-a-Glance Rating Charts to help our customers easily determine what pieces of gear will meet your needs. Categorized by Waterproof, Windproof, Warmth, Breathability, Chamois (if applicable), and quick summation ("BicyclingHub.com says"), educated consumers can now easily navigate through product pages and rapidly determine what item(s) will best suit their needs.

For example: when it's overcast, 50 degrees, and spitting rain (read: a typical January day in Portland, Oregon) and you're looking for something to get you through a 3 hour training ride, Castelli's Pave Bibtights raise to the top of the selection criteria.

Castelli Pave Bibtight

Castelli Pave Bibtight at a glance (1 through 5 scale)

Waterproof
Windproof
Warmth
Breathable
Chamois	Castelli Kiss 3
Bicyclinghub.com Says	Nanoflex Water Resistant Material with Normal Stitching

Need something a little warmer, and wondering if the mid-weight Sorpasso Bibtights by Castelli are going to do the job on your next Sweat and Ice Century on a cold and dry day in Upstate New York? Survey (and chart) says: YES!

Castelli Sorpasso Bibtight

Castelli Sorpasso Bibtight at a glance (1 through 5 scale)

Waterproof
Windproof
Warmth
Breathable
Chamois	Progetto X2 Chamois Pad
Bicyclinghub.com Says	Hollow-core fabric is light and very warm. Kevin's Staff Pick.

Rain, Rain Go Away

In the market for some serious rain gear and trying to decide amongst all our Showers Pass catalog for the best year-round commuter or touring piece? Ranking 5 out of 5 for Waterproof, Windproof and Breathable, you'll quickly understand why Showers Pass Elite 2.0 Rain Jacket is universally considered "The Gold Standard in Rain Protection."

Showers Pass Elite 2.0 Rain Jacket

Showers Pass Elite 2.0 at a glance (1 through 5 scale)

Waterproof
Windproof
Warmth
Breathable
Bicyclinghub.com Says	The Gold Standard In Rain Protection

Head, Shoulders, Knees and TOES

Castelli Pioggia 3 Cycling Shoecovers (Black)

Last but not least, don't forget the extremities. If your fingers, toes, and head remain unprotected, chances are you'll have a cold and miserable ride. Optimal temperature ratings (when available from the manufacturer) are cited on every product page, aiding cyclists in determining which piece of gear is going to best work in which conditions.

For example, the waterproof and seam-taped Castelli Pioggia 3 Cycling Shoecovers have an optimal temperature range of 46 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit.






Still wondering what to wear when? Trust the cycling clothing experts!

Looking for the best bib short on the market under $200, the most ventilated waterproof rain jacket to take on a bike tour, or which jerseys make the perfect gift? Check out our BicyclingHub.com Staff Picks.

Unsure about sizing, fit or temperature range? Call the cycling clothing experts toll-free at 1-888-817-8060 or email sales@bicyclinghub.com and get concierge service from staff who ride and test the products we sell. Honest opinions and personal recommendations at no extra charge.

Wind tunnel testing? A tried-and-true review of Castelli's new Pazzo Jacket

We at BicyclingHub.com don't just take the manufacturers' word for it; staffed by a cadre of riders passionate about cycling, individuals here are committed to riding in and testing the products we sell.  Our own Kevin Langton reports back on Castelli's new Pazzo Cycling Jacket (available in 3 color choices:  red/white, white/black, and black).

Castelli Pazzo Cycling Jacket Red/White

The Pazzo jacket is the upgrade of the Leggerezza jacket that I bought last Winter. I love that jacket and strongly recommend it in this, its new form, the Pazzo. It has all the same great features, high quality fabrics and performance – with a new look and styling for the 2011 version. Having very much enjoyed our Summer here in Oregon (we have been very fortunate compared to some other areas in the country), I will be sad to see the Summer end. Of course, I shall not complain - instead I am looking forward to my Fall and Winter riding and doing so in good quality riding gear such as the Pazzo. There’s nothing better than having something that works for you and that you can get plenty of use out of – makes one feel good about one’s shopping choices. It is also nice to feel better out there on the bike, in the Winter, than you think you are going to when you look out the window on a cold, drizzly morning – good riding gear will do that for you.

Castelli Pazzo Cycling Jacket Black

It’s typical to get quite a mixed bag of weather throughout our rides here at this time of year, and this Pazzo jacket provides versatility and the ability to keep pace with whatever the weather may be doing. The new SG0.6 Windproof fabric has a little more stretch, and provides plenty of protection from windchill on the front of the jacket and on the sleeves, with a little rain resistance as well. The back of the jacket uses Castelli’s Warmer fleecy backed fabric – I like this fabric a lot – it feels great, breathes, wicks away sweat, is warm and stretchy so the garment fits really nicely and doesn’t feel bulky at all. Perfect paired with a baselayer in the morning, I feel the chill at first when I leave the house for work, but once I start pedaling it is not long before I am plenty warm, without being overdressed and sweaty.

I love the versatility that this jacket allows -the sleeves zip off and make this into a vest, which has been perfect for the warmer afternoon/evening riding right now. The sleeve removal is not something you would do on the move, but it is easy to stop and do it on those Winter endurance-paced rides, or at a re-group point on your faster rides. When it does get colder I can get a warmer jersey on underneath. Add a rain cape over the top, as and when necessary, and you are pretty much set for most eventualities. It's the perfect layering piece as well as a stand alone for when it's not quite arctic out there! This for me gives great value because a number of pieces combined will always get used throughout Fall, Winter and Spring - whereas if I had one garment that really was for just the nastiest of weather, here in Portland I would not need it for probably 11 months of the year so I'd be paying the money to leave it hanging in the closet. Layering is good - whether biking, hiking or making lasagna - we all know that, right?!

Castelli Pazzo Cycling Jacket White/Black

The new look for this year is really nice and has some continuity, design-wise, with some of Castelli’s other pieces this year. It has a retro-modern classic look and really does look even better on and in real life than in the picture. I like the new raglan sleeve diagonal zipper update on the Pazzo too. My personal favorite Pazzo jacket is the red color option.

FYI - at 6'4" and 185lbs I found the size XXL best for me.