Dressing for the snow

There's a commonly held belief that you can get more people cycling by promoting cycling as an every day activity, one that you don't need specialist clothing to take part in. Every day people doing a pleasurable every day activity. Well today is not like every other day!

We don't often promote cycling in specialist clothing here but today is an exception! Today is the day to dig out thermal tights and base layers.

I rode back to the office this afternoon in what can only be described as a blizzard. Snow is coming down thick and fast now and let's face it, these aren't ideal conditions to cycle in. Not least because snow only comes when it's very cold.

However, about half way through my journey I realised that I was pleasantly warm. My toes weren't feeling tingly and my fingers weren't turning blue. And I was a lot way from sweating as well. I realised I was wearing exactly the right amount of clothing for the journey I was taking.

This doesn't normally happen to me. In the winter I generally end up with one or two white fingers after even the shortest of commutes. And in the summer, because I tend to race around a bit too fast, I do tend to get a bit hot under the collar.

So today I made a mental note of what I was wearing with a plan to use the same gear next time the temperature drops. I had on:

• a helmet
• an ear buff
• a neck buff (pulled up around my mouth)
• two merino wool t-shirts
• a thermal base layer
• a soft shell jacket
• some leggings
• a pair of shorts
• normal socks
• shoes and overshoes
• a pair of winter gloves (with wind breaker over the fingers)
• and a pair of cheap thin non-cycling gloves to go under my normal gloves.

And I could have done with a pair of glasses to keep the snow out of my eyes.

You'll have to bear in mind that this might not be suitable for everyone. I cycle 3 miles and I feel the cold! Someone cycling further (and getting warmer) might not want to wear as many top layers. Or some might just prefer their favourite duffel coat and wooly winter hat and scarf.

Do you have a tip for others for riding in snow, or perhaps you've got a favourite piece of winter clothing? Tell us about your favourite products and where we can buy them...