cold weather riding

[annie]

Sidi - I think it's Sidi - makes a winter cycling boot that I've heard great things about. I know a couple guys who have them and they say they keep the feet toasty. I haven't tried them. They aren't cheap, over $200, but if you really ride lots in the winter, probably worth it.

annie

[sarahfixit]

Yeah, its Sidi. They look almost like motocross boots. I like them but they are WAAAY beyond my means(stinkin college budget)

[CorsairMac]

Sarah:
depending on how far you're riding - why not try one of those Hot Pad thingys! (wasn't That helpful) You can buy them at like REI or sports stores. Ya know - the things that have some type of gel or something heat reactive in them? (help me out here girls - I'm really struggling!) Denise wears them between her toe covers and shoes. Anyway, you could try putting that over the plate under your foot and see if that help.!

Signed Yours Truly

Corsair -ain't I Helpful?- Mac

[cruziegirl]

Being a Californian and recognizing that we tend to begin to whine when the thermometer starts dipping into the 40's I'm truly impressed with you ladies who ride in really frigid temperatures! Gads, makes me feel quite wimpy I think the coldest weather I've ever ridden in was the high 20's and you should have seen me - I looked like the Michelin Man!

[sarahfixit]

Actually I've been using those gel thingys but they cost everytime so I wanted to find a better way. I like the feel of them though.
I was talking about it at the car shop today and one guy suggsted car thermal insulation. It is a mylar foil with a squishy core, all about 1/8 inch thick. I traced out an insole and it initially felt better than the original for squish and it felt warm instantly. I still have to test them, but if it works then that is soo cheap It cost me nothing to do it with shop scrap, but the stuff is so cheap at stores anyhow.
I'll let yall know how it goes.

[sarahfixit]

Haha, on the Cali chills.
We just had a heatwave today with the snow. It got all the way up to 23 deg. It was 8 yesterday.

[massbikebabe]

Well, I know I promised to ride thru this winter...HOWEVER...
on Tuesday morning I got up, put on all of my layers and booties and headed out on my ole faithful winter beater Hardrock. I got about a mile away from home and found I was absolutely freezing despite all my layers and I looked at the sign at the bank
and it read minus 9 degree's. One look at that sign and I promptly got back on my bike and rode fast as I could home to my warm coffee, and even warmer still in bed hubby who tells me I am certifiably nuts! Maybe next week...

karen

[Dogmama]

Can't you hurt your lungs at minus nine degrees?

[sarahfixit]

Eskimos do it.

Followup, the insulation insoles rock! They feel better than the doctor schols I had in before, and they are warm.

[gilly]

I get a really bad cold weather cough (lasts for days!) usually if I've omitted 2 things... 1)regular riding in the cold and 2) chewing gum!
I have no idea why it works, but if I don't chew gum my throat and lungs burn like crazy and as soon as I warm up again, I cough, and cough...
Can't help with the cold toes, I'm fortunate that I never suffer this (must be awful) and yet I don't particularly wrap my toes up.. just one pair of socks

[CorsairMac]

so Sarah: what was it you used again?.....is it the same stuff we use out here in the southwest to keep the sun out of our car windows? the silver/slightly padded stuff? I'm wondering if you could cut it to fit between your foot and the Top of your shoe (or My shoe) to help keep the wind out of the shoe. Some days when I ride in the morning in a head wind, even toe covers and SmartWoolies aren't quite enough. I usually just tough it out coz A) I'm not that far from work and B) it'll be warm by the time I go home! and for the Cali ppl - that would be temps below 25 with a headwind! :-P

[sandra b]

Use your blow dryer to heat up your shoes for several minutes before putting them on your feet. Also try an insulated insole to go between your foot and your cleat.

I ride to work, unless there is to much snow (don't trust the cars, and can't see the curb). I find I need the booties to keep my ankles warm, but they help the feet too, but not nearly as much as heating the shoes up before I put them on.

When I get dress, I look at the thermometor. 25, I wear a short sleeved shirt, long sleeved shirt, fleece jacket and rain/wind coat. at 19 I put another long sleeved shirt on.

Always have bike shorts, long heavy tights, (two pair at 19) and rain pants for a wind break.

Polortec balaclava, with an additional bandana and earband when it is extra cold. Wool thinsulate mittens, with possible another pair of stretchy gloves inside.

I am not riding really fast, cause of the studded tires, but I manage to stay warm.

Also have an inhaler for the asthma thing. Keep you mouth covered in colder weather. Colder is subjective, depending on what you are used to.

[sarahfixit]

I do the shes in front of the heater religiously but they never stay hot for more than about 20 mins for me. The insulators are like night and day though.

Ditto on the clothing.

[Barb]

"I have no idea why it works, but if I don't chew gum my throat and lungs burn like crazy and as soon as I warm up again, I cough, and cough... "

I found out the same thing. I always have to cover my mouth when I go out. The gum helps with moisture. Cold air is usually pretty dry, plus you may be mouth breathing which dries you out even faster.

I don't have studs and there is packed snow just about everywhere. This is my first winter trying to ride at least once a week. Last week it never got about 11 degrees. This week we got 10+ inches of snow. I am guessing this will be another no ride week.

[cyclingnewbie]

You guys completely intimidate me! I was very impressed with myself because I rode my bike on the trainer in the garage today (30 degrees in the garage, 10 degrees outside). Even so, after 30 minutes my toes started to freeze. So thanks for the suggestions for keeping the feet warm.