Commuting to work by bike

Does anyone else happen to have those specific $17 glasses from Walmart? I'm wondering if they're still in stock anywhere else.

Amanda Lopez95 said:Plus the goggles. 👍

Picked up some orange-tinted ones at Walmart—they’ve got this foam padding around the eyes... honestly, it's the first time I haven't been "crying" while riding my bike. It's freezing out today, too.
The only real issue is they start fogging up when I'm stopped at red lights. But once I'm actually moving, they're perfect.
Finally won't have frozen eyes this winter... 😍

I probably have those exact same ones—honestly, best cycling purchase I've ever made.
Mine don't fog up. Just wipe the lenses with a cloth.
Switching between the three lenses is easy once you figure out where to press.
Wind protection.
Great visibility.
UV protection.
They're awesome.

So, here’s the official breakdown of my cycling kit when it hits -5°F: basically just jeans layered over thick tights plus extra socks, boots, an undershirt, a thin long-sleeve tee, a sweater or a regular shirt, a heavy coat, a scarf, and a beanie. I’m also rocking these little gardening gloves I picked up at Walmart—they actually do the job pretty well; my fingers aren't frozen solid, 9.3 miles heading one way, and it’s totally doable without any major issues.

Ugh, finally. I honestly thought I was the only weirdo wearing socks over tights. In the summer, I just rock two DryFit tees, but they’re a bit baggy, so they don't really cut it for winter. I actually borrowed a sleeveless ski vest from a friend and it was killer, but I gave it back because, well... 😁
So, I've just got these basic leggings—nothing fancy, just whatever material's available—which I wear under tights, obviously. But by the time I get all those layers on, I'm already sweating. If I see anything decent at Walmart today, I'm grabbing it immediately; hopefully, it actually lasts. I have this windproof jacket from Mount Everest, but it sucks big time (meaning: it does absolutely nothing for my fingers, face, or legs), so finding some solid winter gloves is my top priority right now. I can probably just sew my own buffs and beanies or whatever.
Oh, also, quick question—is there anything for the nose area that won't get soaking wet and start dripping from my breath after like thirty minutes? I'm super skeptical about those fleece buffs when it comes to that kind of thing.

Kate Roberts10 said:So, this is what a woman’s cycling kit looks like when it’s -5 degrees out.So, here’s the setup: jeans over thick tights, plus extra socks, boots, an undershirt, a long-sleeve tee, a sweater or just a basic shirt, a heavy coat, a scarf, and a hat. Oh, and I’m wearing those gardening gloves I picked up at Walmart—they actually do the job quite well; my fingers aren't frozen solid. 9.3 miles One way is easy enough; you can handle that without any trouble.

No, no, this is what a women's cycling outfit actually looks like. 😁
A moisture-wicking top and some underwear.
Thermal ski pants. Seriously, over the last two years, they’ve been my second best investment. They have extra padding right at the knees where you actually need it, and honestly? The price is a total steal.
Winter running/cycling tights from Walmart (the ones with the windstopper tech and reflective strips).
A short-sleeved base layer for skiing? Honestly, that’s the smartest investment you can make. 😉 ), sleeves
Peak brand Gore-Tex—initially with that fleece lining—is solid. If it’s actually freezing out like it was yesterday around 8 PM, brrr...
Gloves: you've got your short ones for summer, then there are the dedicated running gloves—thin, lightweight, seamless, but still with that windproof layer. Or, you could just go with those ones everyone keeps raving about from Walmart.
Some padded accessory for the neck area. I can't recall the actual name, but it came bundled with my ski goggles and I've been using it successfully ever since. 😁
Clear-lens glasses.

An hour and a half? Piece of cake. No problem at all. 🙂

Donna Wells74 said:So, winter gloves are officially my top priority right now. I can handle the buffers and all that other stuff myself—I could even do the drips.
Yeah, exactly—that’s what I was getting at. Is there anything available right around the nose? What's going to stop me from getting soaked and dealing with all this constant dripping from my own sweat? After half an hour? I’ve got my doubts about those one-marame buffers when it comes to that kind of timing.

Wait, hold on—on that other thread you were insisting that people actually need gloves... 😉 Smart move!
When it comes to sewing, sure, you can tackle all those basic projects—even the complex ones—on your own. But here’s the catch: finding decent technical fabrics around here is a nightmare. Even if you do manage to track some down, like high-end silk or premium moisture-wicking synthetics, the prices are absolutely ridiculous. I actually sat there weighing my options, wondering if it was worth buying enough shantung silk to make three basic tees or just upgrading to some higher-quality Dri-Fit for sleeves. Plus, once you factor in the cost of a specialized machine, the capping tools, and quality thread... honestly, you're much better off just buying something ready-made.
And that’s exactly why the materials she mentioned—cotton, fleece, and the rest—are far from being the ideal solution.

We’re all about that professional aesthetic, obviously... Walmart high fashion! Everyone at the office gives me these weird looks when I roll up to work on my bike in the morning, covered in frost with my glasses literally frozen shut! Like, what's even weird about that?!?!?🙂

Hey, hey brightranger43 - honestly, I was mostly joking about going without gloves. My fingers would turn into ice cubes in like two seconds. I have fingerless ones, but... yeah, no comment. I'm ordering some different ones on eBay right now—found some from Ten... something in the USA, they aren't bad...
I've got this ancient fleece from a flea market, probably like 10 years old 😁, and man, it's incredibly warm. It peeks out from under my cheap jacket from Target, but whatever... those layers aren't much anyway. It's fine, though; thin, has a hood, fleece lining, keeps me warm easily and doesn't trap sweat 🙂
Btw - my sewing machine just died on me... needs repairs. I'd totally borrow my mom's, but she watches me like a hawk every single time I use it 😁 (well, if she actually let me use it, I wouldn't complain). Whatever, at least it stays intact, haha.
Oh, and regarding Walmart, okay, but Barnes & Noble has these gaiters for like $200-$100. Hmm, I doubt they'd survive serious mountain hiking, but they look sturdy and warm, maybe good for biking. Assuming you have decent sneakers, of course.

Donna Wells74 said:Hey there, brightranger43 — I was mostly joking about going without gloves; my fingers would freeze solid in seconds. I just use fingerless ones instead.

Unless you go with wool gloves or layer wool over thermal liners, you aren't getting any warmth in those fingers.

I tried riding without gloves once because my thumb always sticks out and needs to be ready for gear shifts... after 20 minutes, I couldn't feel it at all.

Listen up, kids—here’s a prime example of what you absolutely should NOT be wearing.

Kate Roberts10 said:Here’s the official female cyclist uniform for when it hits -5 degrees—basically jeans over thick tights, plus extra socks, boots, an undershirt, a long-sleeve tee, a sweater or just a regular shirt, a coat, a scarf, and a hat. Oh, and I'm wearing those gardening gloves I picked up at Walmart—they actually do the job, at least my fingers aren't frozen solid. 9.3 miles One way is fine—I can handle it without much trouble.

🙂😲🙂

Now this—this is a prime example.

brightranger43 said:No, no—this is what an actual women's cycling outfit looks like. 😁
Just some Dri-FIT tops and underwear—nothing fancy.
Thermal ski pants—honestly, they've been my top two best investments over the last couple of years. They have that extra padding around the knees, which is a lifesaver, and the price is actually reasonable for once.
Picked up some winter running tights for biking from Walmart—the ones with the windstop layer and reflective strips.
A short-sleeve base layer for skiing—honestly, that’s probably the smartest investment you'll make. 😉 ...gloves.
The Peak brand Gore-Tex—the one with the fleece lining—actually holds up. If it’s freezing like it was last night around 8 PM, you're going to need it... brrr.
Gloves—either some short ones for summer or those thin, seamless running gloves with the windstop tech people keep talking about—or maybe just grab those cheap ones from Walmart.
Some padded accessory for around the eye area—I can't even remember what it's called—but it came with my ski goggles and I've been using it ever since. Works like a charm. 😁
Clear glasses—because sometimes you just want to look smart without actually seeing anything through them.

☕

I don't really get the whole clear lens thing—not that I'm an expert or anything—but aren't tinted lenses more of a summer staple? 😉

I read this and honestly can't believe it. Some of you seem to be wearing more gear on your bike than I do while walking!

I commute by bike every single day, and over time, I've realized that less is actually better.

Here is my current setup:

-A windstopper headband paired with a standard cap and sunglasses from Walmart (which are clearly their best-selling item, considering every cyclist I read about seems to own a pair).
-Northwave windstopper bib shorts (found them at a local cycle shop with a small stain that washed out, so I snagged them for 50% off). Over those, I wear a thin running shirt, topped with an army surplus jacket I picked up for $100—easily the best purchase I've ever made due to the windstopping and water resistance.
-Winter windstopper gloves.
-Winter windstopper tights. If it gets really cold, I layer sweatpants over them.
-My everyday sneakers, covered by gaiters with windstopping properties. My feet have never been cold.
-I recently grabbed a Northwave face mask. It’s great when the temperature drops, but it interferes with my glasses because it sits too high, forcing all my breath directly under the lenses and causing constant fogging.🙂
The bottom line? Windstopping is mandatory everywhere. I cannot stand the wind, especially when it hits you right in the chest.
Anyway, I'm going to go layer all of this on now and see if I've overestimated how much gear you people actually need!

Layering is everything. For me, the biggest issue is the elevation change. When I'm heading toward downtown, the first mile or so requires almost zero effort on the pedals, which is a disaster in terms of temperature control. I end up completely frozen, even when I'm hitting speeds around 37 miles/h. But braking doesn't make sense either—it’d be a waste to ruin such a great descent. So, I just dress heavier. By the time I reach Brooklyn, it's pure chaos—flooding, madness, the whole thing.

Patrick King7 said:Layering is absolutely everything. For me, the biggest headache is always dealing with those sudden elevation changes. When I first start heading toward downtown... Just about a mile. It’s almost like I don’t even have to pedal anymore, which sounds great until you realize why—it's a complete disaster. I'm basically icing over out here, and my speed has dropped down to about 55. 37 miles/h. Honestly, what’s the point of braking? It feels like such a waste to ruin a perfectly good descent like that. I figured I’d just bundle up a bit more next time. But by the time I hit Brooklyn, I'm already spiraling—it’s total chaos, pure madness, and honestly, a complete disaster.

It feels like I wrote this myself. 😁 Where are you?
I'm hanging out over by John Doe (just above Manhattan), and honestly, once I head out from my place, the first hour or so is always...Roughly a mile. It’s a total downhill rush, and if I don't hit the brakes, I'm flying at over 40 mph in a heartbeat. The problem is, if I don't layer up properly, I end up looking like a complete idiot—my fingers are freezing, my face is numb, and worst of all, I’m totally chilled to the bone because I headed out underdressed. I usually try to start pedaling harder once I hit Manhattan just to get my blood pumping, and by the time I pass Jane Doe, I'm finally starting to feel okay. By the time I reach Brooklyn, I've warmed up, but then once I roll back into the heart of Chicago and settle into a more relaxed pace, I'm actually overheating. I definitely need to go shopping for some better gear before next winter hits; I just can't seem to nail the perfect combination of layers.

wearyotter36 said:I likely have those too, and honestly, they might be the best thing I've ever bought for my bike.
Don't let the fog get to you; just make sure to wipe the lenses clean with a good microfiber cloth.
Swapping out the three different lenses is actually quite simple once you figure out exactly where to apply a little pressure.
Wind protection is a huge plus.
The visibility is fantastic.
And then there's the UV protection.
They really are just too good.

Oh, yes, those must be them! I haven't quite figured out how to snap the lenses in yet... hopefully I'll get it soon, but for now, given all this fog and the chill in the air, these orange tints are absolutely perfect since they seem to boost my visibility so much!! 👍
For me, whenever I come to a stop, that combination of heavy mist and cold air somehow turns into condensation that just "sticks" right to my glasses... 🤷

As for my winter gear, it isn't exactly "athletic" in nature; it's more just regular pants and shirts, and so on. I don't usually go for that whole sporty look, so nothing really feels perfectly coordinated.
Ultimately, the winter weather doesn't bother me too much.
The only extra thing I have is a pair of gloves—they look like knit gloves on the outside but have a fleece lining inside. They are warm enough, though after a while, even they start letting the cold seep through.
But luckily, I'm only riding 7.5 miles to my destination, so I can definitely manage.

Jacob Stewart2 said:🙂

It’s either you’re crawling along at two miles an hour because your sweat glands decided to take a permanent vacation, or you’re soaked through like a drowned rat after just three minutes and then you're stuck wondering how to fix it.

And honestly, why on earth would anyone choose cotton?

That’s just my commuting gear for when I head into the office. I tend to pedal a bit more leisurely (not quite two miles per hour, mind you😉) just to find that sweet spot where I don't start sweating buckets but I also don't freeze. When I actually have free time, I switch over to my proper cycling kit☕.

Ronald Diaz said:It’s like I wrote 😁 Where are you?
I’m over by John Doe (above Manhattan) and once I leave my place, the first mile or so is just a straight downhill shot. If I don't hit the brakes, I'm hitting 40mph before I can blink. If I don't dress right, I look like an idiot—fingers freezing, face numb, and worst of all, I'm totally unprepared because I just stepped out. Then I start pedaling through Manhattan to warm up, and by the time I hit Jane Doe, it's fine. By the time I reach Brooklyn, I've warmed up, and once I get into Chicago and pick up a steady pace, I'm actually overheating. I'll need to go buy more gear for next winter; I can't seem to find the right combo.

Upper West Side. So you know exactly what I mean. And the ride back is always hell.

Patrick King7 said:The Upper West Side. Seriously, you know exactly what I mean. Getting back from there is always a total nightmare.

Man, it’s exhausting. Honestly, I’d happily ride 3.1 miles on flat ground if it weren't for those constant hills. During those brutal heatwaves we had recently, I legitimately thought my heart was going to give out, so I ended up just pushing through half the way 🙂

Greetings to all fellow cyclists. 🙂

I have recently started riding around Chicago.

Since I work from home, I don't have a commute, but I do have meetings in the neighboring district.

I am not sure about your experiences, but it is frustrating that there isn't a smarter solution for the Golden Gate Bridge, forcing us to carry our bikes up the stairs. My bike is quite heavy for me; I can manage it, but it would be much better if it were designed like the mid-sized bridges, such as the one near Vitez Holjevac, allowing for easy access to the city. That little downhill stretch from the middle of the bridge toward Carnegie Hall is wonderful. 🙂

hiddenviper17 said:I don't know about you guys, but it really bothers me that there isn't a smarter way to handle the Youthful Spirit Bridge. Having to lug my bike up those stairs is such a pain. My bike feels pretty heavy to me, and while I can manage to lift it, I wish they had designed it more like a mid-sized bridge—something like the V. Holjevac—where you could just ride straight into the city without any hassle. Plus, that little downhill stretch from the middle of the bridge toward the Lisinski center is actually quite lovely. 🙂

Speaking of bridges here in Chicago, I guess I should say thanks to whoever was responsible for removing those "bumps" on the Veterans Bridge. The asphalt used to be full of those protrusions. In the summer, it was kind of an eyesore when I’d look over the river and catch a glimpse of some local, and there seemed to be quite a few of them. But in the winter? Once everything gets covered in snow and ice, navigating those bumps becomes a total adrenaline rush for someone my age!

And while we're talking about snow and that whole messy cycle of melting and freezing, it would be nice if the bridge were cleared properly during the winter. It's a major artery for cyclists, 🙂 and everyone knows how easy it is to slide out on it.

Amanda Lopez95 said:Oh, right, those would be the ones... I haven't quite figured out exactly where to apply the pressure yet... hopefully I'll get it, but for now, given all this fog and chill, I've got my orange lenses in

It’s actually pretty straightforward. Once you peel away that fuzzy bit, just press from the inside toward the outside right at the top where the frames meet.

Exactly. But you can't just pull the sponge off.
When you're taking it off, press from the inside out on the part of the glasses closer to your temple than your nose.
I think that’s enough of an explanation for anyone trying to get into the routine of swapping lenses.
Putting new ones in is always the reverse—it’s always the reverse. You press down from the outside (where the flies hit) toward the narrower end.
Go ahead, give it a shot right now. ;-))