number 5 in my collection of winter cycling essentials: the buff

winter essentials (and by essentials i’m not talking about a bike, or legs*) are the things that make riding year round bearable. they’re the things i use that mean i can walk into the office on the coldest, wettest, darkest morning and mock those who stand slack-jawed that i haven’t used a car because i know that riding in these conditions isn’t all that bad.

providing you’ve got the gear.

it’s all about the extremities

5: the buff
4: overshoes
3: sealskin socks
2: waterproof, windproof gloves
1: wheel brows (or mudguards as traditionalists would have it)

* i realise people ride all kinds of bikes with all kinds of disabilities…