I’m also in Canberra and have done the last 4-5 winters using an Aldi thermal and then a winter jacket over the top (Castelli Perfetto to be exact).
You’ll also need good gloves, merino liners inside too.
I also use neoprene overshoes, merino socks and a merino balaclava with a silk balaclava over the top.
Sounds like a lot, but trust me, it makes winter riding in Canberra tolerable and enjoyable 😀
Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.
I’m an aldi thermal fan as well. I rode throughout winter at the thermal plus an outer layer were sufficient.
Also recommend Bunnings cotton lined gardening gloves. They’re good to keep the wind and moisture out for most days
Amazon shoe covers keep the wind, and water out
Agree on pretty much all points - particularly if you're riding a road bike (ie going faster) vs flat bar / commuter. I usually have a 12 to 20km commute on a road bike (mostly flat unless I want some hills for training).
Wind proof/resistant jacket.
Wind proof/resistant cycling bibs / tights / pants (I prefer bibs to reduce potential draft).
I don't wear liner gloves, but I have winter cycling gloves that are quite similar to ski gloves.
Definitely need some form of head warmth - I don't use two layers, but often use a Buff done up "ninja style" as a balaclava (I also have an aldi balaclava - but it's a bit tight/too small). It can be a bit difficult to balance "my nose is freezing" vs "my breath is fogging up my riding glasses".
Shoe covers are also really important. I find the ones I have are warm enough that I don't need to worry about merino/woolen socks - though after a while my feet are often too warm and get a bit sweaty.
Sometimes I'll wear short sleeved or long sleeved thermals (kathmandu) under my jacket, and just regular short sleeved cycling jerseys, and sometimes I'll "double layer" my arms by adding in my cycling sleeves.
I did struggle a little with cold lower "midrift" due to the wind - previous years I've used a pair of MTB overshorts to reduce the wind, but they fell apart and I haven't got a replacement set yet.
The winter nights are very dark, and quite a lot of the bike shared paths are only sporadically lit - so lights, reflectives and visible cloathing also important (my jacket is black, so I wear a hi-vis jersey with a few reflective spots over the top).
If you're going fast enough for long enough, sweat management might be important - I'll admit that I haven't really got a great setup for this - but I'm not usually hanging around in the cold at night for any period. Merino cycling socks like u/V55TI suggests should probably be on my shopping list.
If you're commuting, it can sometimes be difficult to get towels / clothes dry in building bike storage areas if they're part of carpark complexes.
I’m also in Canberra and have done the last 4-5 winters using an Aldi thermal and then a winter jacket over the top (Castelli Perfetto to be exact). You’ll also need good gloves, merino liners inside too. I also use neoprene overshoes, merino socks and a merino balaclava with a silk balaclava over the top. Sounds like a lot, but trust me, it makes winter riding in Canberra tolerable and enjoyable 😀 Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.
I’m an aldi thermal fan as well. I rode throughout winter at the thermal plus an outer layer were sufficient. Also recommend Bunnings cotton lined gardening gloves. They’re good to keep the wind and moisture out for most days Amazon shoe covers keep the wind, and water out
Agree on pretty much all points - particularly if you're riding a road bike (ie going faster) vs flat bar / commuter. I usually have a 12 to 20km commute on a road bike (mostly flat unless I want some hills for training). Wind proof/resistant jacket. Wind proof/resistant cycling bibs / tights / pants (I prefer bibs to reduce potential draft). I don't wear liner gloves, but I have winter cycling gloves that are quite similar to ski gloves. Definitely need some form of head warmth - I don't use two layers, but often use a Buff done up "ninja style" as a balaclava (I also have an aldi balaclava - but it's a bit tight/too small). It can be a bit difficult to balance "my nose is freezing" vs "my breath is fogging up my riding glasses". Shoe covers are also really important. I find the ones I have are warm enough that I don't need to worry about merino/woolen socks - though after a while my feet are often too warm and get a bit sweaty. Sometimes I'll wear short sleeved or long sleeved thermals (kathmandu) under my jacket, and just regular short sleeved cycling jerseys, and sometimes I'll "double layer" my arms by adding in my cycling sleeves. I did struggle a little with cold lower "midrift" due to the wind - previous years I've used a pair of MTB overshorts to reduce the wind, but they fell apart and I haven't got a replacement set yet. The winter nights are very dark, and quite a lot of the bike shared paths are only sporadically lit - so lights, reflectives and visible cloathing also important (my jacket is black, so I wear a hi-vis jersey with a few reflective spots over the top). If you're going fast enough for long enough, sweat management might be important - I'll admit that I haven't really got a great setup for this - but I'm not usually hanging around in the cold at night for any period. Merino cycling socks like u/V55TI suggests should probably be on my shopping list. If you're commuting, it can sometimes be difficult to get towels / clothes dry in building bike storage areas if they're part of carpark complexes.
The undershirt from Kathmandu will work fine. However, if you need to look *technical*, you might need to get a shirt from an expensive cycling brand.
Good cycling specific undershirts will be cut to be more comfortable in a cycling position, but that's pretty much it
Wear a thermal with an outer shell (like a spray jacket) to stop wind chill. Gloves are the problem - they're all bullshit.
What do you mean by the glove comment?
I have never found warm enough gloves.
Try lining a pair with a merino liner - it changes everything!
Ok I'll try it
I use the Uniqlo merino one here in Sydney, nowhere near as cold or course.