Next upgrade?

tangled_metal

Got bike (hybrid but it will do), added rack and ortlieb panniers and full mudguards. I have a set of lights to be seen by and a decent 300lumen front light to actually see. I have reflectives added (sugru branded 3M scotchlite reflectives in black which shine white with light) in dots and longer dashes on various parts of bike. The panniers have reflectives too and the bike has the full range of reflectors for legal reasons.

Now is that everything that I need for the commute over the cooler days. I will never go out in the snow or ice and will take care just in case there is some ice when it is borderline so no need for ice tyres with studs.

As for me I have full range of non-specialist outdoor gear that works well enough for my standard of pootle into work. I might get a proper cycling cag but I'm generally suited well enough for the cold and wet. Although is there anything special that is a real benefit worthy of spending on?? Overshoes! Damn knew I'd forgotten something. Anything else?

Initialised

Yeah, MTFU and ride in snow and ice, engage rule 9.

The Rookie

I've never used overshoes through winter.

A Muff to keep your face and ears warm.

BSRU

Spiked tyres are very useful as many winter days are sunny but very cold, when ice can be a problem especially if not cycling on gritted main roads.
Without spike tyres I would loose about 2-4 weeks of commuting by bike, in my opinion well worth it.

Initialised

The Rookie wrote:

I've never used overshoes through winter.

A Muff to keep your face and ears warm.

I use overshoes whenever it rains, although decent winter shoes/boots would negate that.

A muff/buff/snood is a good winter addition for when it's really cold, like so cold that once you're at speed you can feel the ice crystals forming on your eyelashes and nose hairs, but if the OP isn't going to be riding in ice and snow then there's no need.