That won't be a problem. While you're pedaling, your body will take care of that! However, those first few blocks can be quite miserable if you start riding cold. One tip I might share is, try to get your blood flowing before you step outside after that long day of work, by doing stretches or jogging in place. People might stare, but your ride will be more comfortable.

Let's start with the feet, and work our way up.

For my feet, I start with some medium to heavy weight hiking socks, some of which are fleece and wool. These are fairly cheap, and they make a big difference. Cotton socks, and any other cotton articles, do not insulate when wet and do not dry easily, and are thus not suitable for winter use. You want a material that meets these requirements.

If the weather is warmer, I might wear my regular tennis shoes, but if I ride through unavoidable puddles, my feet will become wet and cold very quickly. A handy person with some saran wrap or plastic grocery bag, some string or a little tape can quickly turn tennis shoes into more waterproof foot protection. Most times in North Dakota, however, the weather is quite cold in the winter - I mean temperatures well below zero and heavy winds, so even modified tennis shoes can't be relied on.

On these unreasonably cold days, I put on my hunting boots. They have lots of insulation, grip well on slippery ground, and keep my feet dry and cozy warm. I prefer platform pedals to clipless, so this isn't a problem for me, but if you do prefer clipless, you will have to do some poking around to find a decent cold-weather shoe. Chemical handwarmers can be stuffed into the toe area, and can provide hours of supplemental heat if you need it. These are good to carry with you anyways, just in case.

For my legs, I wear a pair of medium-weight thermal underwear, which breathes well, dries quickly, and wicks moisture away from my skin. Over the top, I wear the same pair of nylon zipoffs that I wear throughout the year. They dry fast, which is the only reason I wear them. They don't block the wind well, and on colder days, I have to wear a heavier thermal underwear. The thermals can get spendy, but they are worth it.

For my upper body, I haven't yet found a system that really works for me, my rides, and my budget (which is slim). On below-zero days when I ride for hours at a time, I have a problem with my stomach area becoming too cold. When I'm riding, I am somewhat leaned over, and even snug-fitting stuff tends to sag a little, reducing the affectiveness of my clothing. I'm still working on this, as I am trying to prepare for the Arrowhead Ultra, a 135-mile mountain bike race which is held every February in northern Minnesota.

For this past season, I relied on a medium weight thermal underwear top, layered with a fleece pullover and a light jacket, which has lots of vents. This seemed to work on all but the coldest days (my coldest ride to date was near -40 degrees Fahrenheit). On these days, I added a heavier weight thermal top to supplement the lighter one. These heavier thermals can be found at ski shops and sporting goods stores.

For my hands, I found that my "chopper" mittens worked the best, and I will gladly continue to trade clumsy brake lever handling for the warmth and protection these mittens offer. They are inexpensive, which is definitely a plus, and they consist of a wool liner covered by a buckskin leather shell. They are fairly waterproof, and can be counted on for warmth and protection in any conditions. For the coldest days, I purchased some cheap wool mittens to act as an inner liner, and that was everything I needed.

Before I go any further, take note that I am not recommending the latest and greatest, million-dollar designer clothing. You can spend lots of money on your winter riding gear, or you can spend only a little, and achieve the same results. Keep that in mind as you prepare your gear, and test what you may have already before buying anything new.

For my head, I wear various combinations of wool caps, face masks, and the like underneath my helmet. You will have to play around, especially if you are cursed to wear glasses like me, in order to find something that works for you. It's tempting sometimes to skip the helmet and just wear the normal winter caps, but remember that safety must always come first. That means stay alert, stay warm, and protect your noggin.

Well, that about covers it. I didn't want to write this as a plug for certain brands or styles, but rather a description of what works for me, so that you can use what I've learned to get you started. I hope it helps, and as always, suggestions or comments are welcome. I'm no expert, just an avid outdoorsman with a college budget. There's probably lots of types of gear out there I've never heard of, maybe one of you out there can help me prepare for the Arrowhead.

I'll see you on the trail!