re: keeping the face covered in the cold...
I discovered this year that the best way to keep the wind off the face is to put my jacket hood up. No balaclava needed - MUCH more comfortable. I credit EcoModder's many aero discussions for the idea: the air "puddles" in the hood and the onrushing flow goes around, leaving the puddle relatively undisturbed. (Think of all the discussions about blocking the grille from behind vs. in front.) Wind chill is no longer an issue.
Coldest I've been riding in so far this winter is about -20C / -4F.
It's -30C / -22F this morning... and I'm not going anywhere.
