Winter riding/what to wear

[ron b]

That time of the year has arrived when we need to wear different clothing to protect us from the elements. Keeping dry and warm are essential to a good ride, cold wet fingers do not help with breaking on long decent. You must keep your extremities warm, wear a hat under your helmet, warm waterproofgloves, something to cover your shoes, long tights to cover your knees, perhaps a thin scarf for your neck. Everyone has their own method as the temperature drops and hopefully others will add little tips to add to this article. Lights are always recommended as is Hi Fiz jackets, some of the lanes we ride in get quite gloomy with out the sun. When the weather gets too cold or windy stay at home, get a turbo and stay safe.

[Ben]

Thanks Ron,
I've taken (already) to wearing my winter kit as I'm commuting at 6.30am and again at 5pm. So it's dark and cold already. I have 3 pairs of socks on as well as my goretex boots. When it gets very cold my hands are treated to 2 pairs of MTB gloves a summer pair and a slightly heavier all year round pair - I don't like the winter specific road gloves the ones I've tried make the controls feel vague. I'll wear a base layer, Tights, a roubaix jersey and more often than not my rain coat as well. I do have some of the buff/tube scarf things too for when it gets really cold to cover my head and neck. As long as I'm relatively dry I don't mind being a bit cold. If I'm too hot I start to struggle.

[Andy H]

All good advice. 
Layering is very important, especially when it gets cold and wet. You can always take a layer off but are 'stuffed' (technical term) if you haven't got enough on to keep you warm.