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- Even if it is warmer than you think, you may need knee warmers. Knees should be covered up to approximately 70 degreez whenever possible.

Looking Cool in the Cold
	Once the temperatures drop towards freezing, it is hard to look like a well-tuned, well-matched cycling machine. Your legs may not be tan, but it does not matter much when they are covered with leg warmers and tights. So, how does one look cool while also staying warm? Typically at this time of year, cyclists in cold climates come up with all kinds of solutions to this dilemma. Some of these solutions manage to keep riders warm, though most do not. Furthermore, much of what passes for cold weather cycling gear on the bodies of cyclists does not look cool. Here, then, are some tips for staying warm and looking cool...
First, it is not possible to look as "cool" as one can look in shorts and a jersey. Cold weather means more clothes, and more clothes means "more bulky." Bulky is not cool in cycling. Thus, the trick is to limit your bulkiness while maximizing your warmth. There is only one way to accomplish this, and it cannot be avoided in this article. You will need to spend money to buy winter-specific riding gear. Not only will you need to spend money, but these items are costly. That is, of course, the bad news. The good news is that with a few smart purchases you can buy a lot of "cool" warmth, and winter clothing lasts for a long time.
	In the photo above and to the left, HarperRide.net model, Rich, sports a thermal jacket and windfront tights. These outer-layers are key elements to keeping warm and looking cool. Since each of these layers provides so much warmth, one does not need to bulk up with many layers underneath. Of course, a quality thermal jacket, like the one Rich is wearing made by Aussie, will cost between $150 and $200 (US). The tights will cost between $100 and $150 (US). While these are expensive purchases, each can be expected to last, in typical conditions, for at least five years. The majority of one's warmth will come from these two items, which cover most of the body.
	On the left, Rich wears windfront tights. These provide a significant amount of additional warmth. Plus, like every pair of shorts should be, these tights include bib suspenders to help them stay in place. Like the tights, a good thermal jacket/vest is made from an impermeable material that protects the body from wind and water. In the case of the jacket or vist, it is important to wear a good base layer to wick sweat away from the skin's surface.
While coverage of the majority of the body is critical, it is attention to detail that will make all of the difference in being comfortable in the cold. These details also tend to be where riders lose any chance of looking cool while staying warm.
	Feet are more susceptible to the cold than any other body part. Thus, great care must be taken to protect the feet. Plastic bags are not cool, and they do not work! Wool socks pulled over cycling shoes are also not cool, and they, too, do not work! Neoprene is cool, and it works. One option is to purchase winter-specific cycling shoes, such as the Northwave Husky on the left. On this day, Rich comfortably wore these shoes at temperatures just above freezing. A good pair of winter booties is also critical for looking cool and staying warm in cold weather riding. The Pearl Izumi booties on the right are actually designed to be worn over mt. bike shoes (important for riding on a cross bike).
Just like covering the feet is important, it is also critical to cover one's head since the majority of body heat is lost through the head. A traditional cotton cycling cap underneath one's helmet can look very cool if worn correctly, and it will provide a great deal of insulation. Of course, a cycling cap does not cover one's ears. For this, a balaclava or specially designed cap is useful. In either case, looking cool requires the item to be black and made of a some shiny, synthetic form-fitting material. Equally as important is the coverage of one's fingers. When the temperatures are near freezing, this is the one place in which bulkiness cannot be avoided. Looking cool does require cycling specific gloves--predominantly black one's look coolest. It is critical to have different weight gloves for different temperatures with the full-on BIG gloves reserved for the coldest days. If you want to be fast this season, you need to put in the time in January and February, when it is cold outside. To do this, you must be dressed warm. Remember, cold weather does not require bulkiness if you make wise clothing purchases, and looking bulky is not cool!