If you happen to see me out biking when the temperature is lower then ten degrees Fahrenheit, there is a good chance that I will be wearing this to keep my face warm and protected.
This ensemble is composed of a helmet, which is covered by a waterproof shell, a balaclava and a pair of ski goggles. It is a setup that works well for me, it keeps me warm in the coldest temperatures but is breathable enough that my goggles don’t fog up. Thankfully, it is also super comfortable to wear.
There is just one drawback to wearing this: I look quite ridiculous. A glance in the mirror tells me as much, but unfortunately there is overwhelming evidence even aside from my reflection.
First of all, the most common reaction that occurs when I am spotted wearing my winter gear is that people burst into spontaneous giggles. Also, it seems impossible for people to look me in the eye. Instead they seem to focus on my nose and their mouth tends to twitch at the corners while they are talking to me.
Then of course, there are the things people say to me while I quickly putting on or taking off my headgear.
You look like Darth Vader!
But…I am not anyone’s father…
Going to rob a bank?
Yes, I have a speedy getaway vehicle, the cops will never catch me.
Haha, you look like a ninja!
Would a ninja use flashing red lights to be easily seen?
Are you a spy?
Of course not! No way!
You look like you are going skiing.
That’s true.
You look creepy.
I know. Muahahaha!!!
So why am I talking about wearing a balaclava and ski goggles when it is currently 36 degrees outside?
Well, it has been warm for days and will likely be warm all week. I don’t know when it will be cold enough to wear them again and that makes me sad.
Not because I miss my alter-ego self where I appear as a ninja or bank robber that no one can pass on the road without staring at…
…But because I miss cold days and falling snow.
Or maybe I just don’t like the rain and dirt hijacking the roads and making me and my bike look like we survived a sandstorm.
Nice. May the force be with you.
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The funny/awful truth is that I have never even watched Star Wars….so I don’t even know myself I guess 😀
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Gotta do what ya gotta do to ride. I bundle up pretty good too. 😉
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Indeed. It would make it easier if winter gear came in more colors though, the default always seems to be black. I doubt I would look as much like a bank robber if I was wearing all bright pink!
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True enough.
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You have the Clint Eastwood steely eyed gaze going. I can just hear you staring down an Amish horse and buggy or an angry cow, “Go ahead, Punk…make my day”
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Haha!!! I didn’t even notice how serious I looked in that photo. But I can assure you if I ever stare down an angry cow I won’t be as cool and collected as Clint Eastwood, unless there is a barbed wire fence between us 😉
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Living in the sub-tropics, I don’t know what other people wear for the cold conditions in your part of the world Bri, but your set-up looks pretty snug to me and perfect for its purpose. I hope there’s more snow on the way for you soon. It’s quite pleasant seeing your photos of the snowy landscape while the humidity here makes the air thick with moisture and even the thought of jumping up and down is sweat-inducing. 🙂
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Thanks Gail, it is hard to see the snow melt with each warm day, hopefully it will get cold again soon!
It is hard to imagine that kind of heat and humidity right now…it must feel rather oppressive, I know even around here in the summer on hot days I don’t really feel like doing much of anything!
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That’s so true Bri. It definitely slows things down a lot. We’ve been getting thunderstorms every afternoon with lightning and rain
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Wow, I remember reading your post about those powerful thunderstorms and you get them every afternoon!
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Four days in a row so far and another one building today. Hopefully there’ll be a change in the weather pattern soon with some cooler breezes for a few days.
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Maybe you will get some snow too! It could happen, hehe 😀
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Whaaat 😂
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LOL. Weirder things have happened before…I will send a pair of studded bike tires your way so you will be prepared 😉
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Good idea! Not that I’d know what to do with them LOL! 😀
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Oops hadn’t finished… And so that’s brought some relief from the humidity each evening.
Keep the winter wonderland photos coming ❄️❄️❄️❄️🙂
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Well, that is good at least, clears the air for a bit I suppose 😉
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What beautiful eyes you have!! That’s the first thing I look at. Happy riding.
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Why thank you! On cold winter days that is the only part of me that can be seen anyway, I am dressed from head to toe in black except for my bright jacket 🙂
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I like that look … It makes sense when riding in such frigid and cold weather. Looking at you with the ski goggles forced us to focus on your eyes … and yes, you are a ninja 🙂
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Hooray! I have always wanted to be a ninja 😀
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I think it’s a great look, exactly what’s needed for the weather! Here in England, we’ve not had any winter to speak of so far: Warmest December, mild January, and, on Groundhog Day, it’ll hit 10 c, about 50 f. But nothing I wear helps me cut through the wind!
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Wind is nasty to fight against…I am pretty lucky, around here we rarely get seriously windy conditions. But when we do I always trudge along like a little turtle, nothing like a strong wind to drain the energy right out of you. It probably makes you a beast when spring comes and the wind calms down though, by that time your legs must be machines 😀
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I love dressing up like a ninja to ride my bike 🙂
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Winter bike ninjas forever!
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You look great! I look exactly like that when it gets down to single digits. I dress a little more brightly. I have my pink balaclava under my white and pick helmet, my black ski gloves, my purple ski pants and my red and white coat. Just a mix of colors. Everyone seems to recognize that it is my under all of that. At least they notice me and I don’t blend into the back ground.
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I need to be more diligent and find some brighter colored gear, I would love some purple pants! Your outfit sounds like the perfect mix of colors to stand out and be seen.
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You always make me shiver! I’m a wimp when it comes to cold and cycling!!
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Dressing like a ninja really helps keep me warm, haha!
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a good look 🙂
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Haha, thank you!
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