First, think about the fact that we aren't all the same. For example, while I'm a wimp when it comes to wanting something warm on my head even in only coolish weather, my feet seem to stay warmer than most. That's me. You might get cold feet easily (we're speaking only physically . . . ) but require less insulation elsewhere. I've often written that I go touring prepared for everything, and thus enjoy it all. That translates to more weight than many like to carry (and definitely more than I prefer to pack), but the knowledge that I can stay fairly dry in the rain and fairly warm in the cold does let me enjoy all conditions. Simply using someone else's touring list of clothing and gear won't ensure the same degree of pleasure. It's a great place to start, but be prepared on your first winter tour to be shipping stuff home and purchasing more as you get to know how your body compares with others in tolerating extremes.

Head
A human is built a bit like a fireplace: The torso is the heat-generating furnace, the neck is the flue, and the head is the smokestack out of which an incredible 20 percent (some estimates are much higher) of our body heat escapes. The winter tourer's task, therefore, is to prevent as much of this heat loss as possible without overheating and causing moisture to appear. By keeping in mind the importance of layering and wicking, and the wide array of material choices available today, this can be done rather easily for almost all the temperatures. There are neck gaiters (if your jacket's collar isn't sufficient), balaclavas (think of the head coverings bank robbers wear in movies), face masks that cover just the nose and mouth (or longer ones that cover much of the neck as well) and that velcro into place, forehead/ear bands (be careful that it's not so thick that it won't fit under your helmet), earflap-equipped lightweight caps, and waterproof helmet liners (to cover the holes designed by helmet manufacturers to let the maximum amount of air in and the maximum amount of heat out, exactly the opposite of what you want in winter).

I've replaced the the rubbers with warm overshoes, but the same screw-top unbreakable jars rode with me down the Appalachians last fall

Feet
Again, forget cotton. Cotton absorbs water and stays wet, and wet feet are a pain in cool weather and a danger in cold. Choose socks that wick away the moisture (synthetics or wool blends), provide good cushion (for comfort and for warmth), and which promise durability (avoid 100 percent wool for this reason). And make sure they fit comfortably into your riding shoes. Cramming thick socks into already snug shoes not only promises major discomfort but cold feet as well, for insulation works when the heat from your body creates warm air pockets within the fabric surrounding your skin. Crushing these pockets reduces the potential for warmth. And filling them with moisture crushes them even flatter. Whether it's socks or sleeping bags, the principles are the same: More body heat is required to warm water than air, and once warm the water conducts heat away from your skin faster than does air. So give those dogs of yours room to breathe.

	Winter Gear Forum Do you agree/disagree with Dennis? Share your thoughts in the Gearing Up for Winter biking forum.

But the warmest socks in the world won't keep your feet from icing up if you don't protect them from the wind. Though I am not a big fan of Gore-Tex rain suits for reasons I explain below, I have found that thin Gore-Tex sock liners do a great job at windproofing my feet. Choose socks that allow these to be worn without cramping your feet, and as with all clothing and gear, determine what works and what doesn't before you hit the trail. And don't try them on for just a minute. Take a ride.

For the coldest days I add warm, waterproof over boots to my feet, though in most instances I find that the heavy Cordura waterproof (but uninsulated) rain boots, which I use the rest of the year for commuting and touring, are sufficient. Feet — well, most feet — put out an amazing amount of moisture, and so you must think in terms of layering here as well to stay both warm and dry.