Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Malone on December 6, 2008 at 2:36am

skip the goggles. they are un necessary and will prove a burden. i've been getting by with just a winter hat and beard. as per my previous suggestion... ride fast, it keeps you warm

Sarah said:

I'm also having trouble keeping the balaclava dry--today it froze to my face. As for the goggles, I tried on a few pair of the ski goggles in the $20-$30 range at REI, but none really work with my helmet. The lenses are too big top to bottom so that the helmet pushes them down into my nose. The kids' goggles are too small, and aside from purchasing a new helmet (which I really don't want to do), does anyone have any other suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Steve 3po on December 6, 2008 at 5:11am

you can also rock safety glasses, they may not block all of the wind, but they will fit like sunglasses and keep the rain, snow and road stuff from going directly into your eyes...

Sarah said:

I'm also having trouble keeping the balaclava dry--today it froze to my face. As for the goggles, I tried on a few pair of the ski goggles in the $20-$30 range at REI, but none really work with my helmet. The lenses are too big top to bottom so that the helmet pushes them down into my nose. The kids' goggles are too small, and aside from purchasing a new helmet (which I really don't want to do), does anyone have any other suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by yellow jello on December 6, 2008 at 5:32am

yeah sarah, grow a beard!

i think they have wool or fancy moisture wicking stuff that'll keep it less gross, but i haven't tried any, particularly in this kind of weather when snot freezes.

Michael Malone said:

skip the goggles. they are un necessary and will prove a burden. i've been getting by with just a winter hat and beard. as per my previous suggestion... ride fast, it keeps you warm

Sarah said:

I'm also having trouble keeping the balaclava dry--today it froze to my face. As for the goggles, I tried on a few pair of the ski goggles in the $20-$30 range at REI, but none really work with my helmet. The lenses are too big top to bottom so that the helmet pushes them down into my nose. The kids' goggles are too small, and aside from purchasing a new helmet (which I really don't want to do), does anyone have any other suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on December 6, 2008 at 6:08am

Sarah said:

I'm also having trouble keeping the balaclava dry--today it froze to my face. As for the goggles, I tried on a few pair of the ski goggles in the $20-$30 range at REI, but none really work with my helmet. The lenses are too big top to bottom so that the helmet pushes them down into my nose. The kids' goggles are too small, and aside from purchasing a new helmet (which I really don't want to do), does anyone have any other suggestions?

The goggles that I got came from a military surplus store. They are quite a bit smaller than the ski goggles, but they still have padding like the ski goggles and they have ventilation. They do fit with my helmet, but I do get a bit of glare in the sunlight and it hasn't really been cold enough for me to justify keeping them on for the whole ride.

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Permalink Reply by Dottie on December 6, 2008 at 7:49am

I wear safety glasses and agree that they work really well and fit perfectly with my helmet. Also, they were free for me because I took one of the pairs that my husband uses for work. I also use a Bern snowboarding helmet, complete with built in earmuffs and vent cover.

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on December 6, 2008 at 11:41am

First: it's pretty hard to "grow a beard" being a female and all. I don't like to give up on things, so I'll keep trying.

Second: riding fast is pretty difficult to do as well, when you are going to work at 6:30 am through 4 inches of unplowed gross city snow.

SO, something that may help a little more...
I don't personally ride with goggles. They are awesome, but I do like my glasses as well. I have a pair of Serfas glasses that have interchangeable lenses. They are big, so I get lots of coverage. If you are saving money, it's pretty easy to find either cheap safety glasses or a large "fashionable" pair of sunglasses with lightly colored lenses. This way, you won't have to forgo the helmet, which at this time of year is ESSENTIAL. actually, it's never not essential. I don't wear a balaclava. I either wrap a dollar's worth of a bandanna or a scarf across the lower half of my face. It works, and I can move my scarf around as it starts to condensate. Some people stay a bit warmer than others, so play around with stuff to see how it works for you.

Michael Malone said:

skip the goggles. they are un necessary and will prove a burden. i've been getting by with just a winter hat and beard. as per my previous suggestion... ride fast, it keeps you warm
Sarah said:

I'm also having trouble keeping the balaclava dry--today it froze to my face. As for the goggles, I tried on a few pair of the ski goggles in the $20-$30 range at REI, but none really work with my helmet. The lenses are too big top to bottom so that the helmet pushes them down into my nose. The kids' goggles are too small, and aside from purchasing a new helmet (which I really don't want to do), does anyone have any other suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Malone on December 6, 2008 at 12:22pm

I obviously don't mean for any of you beautiful biker babes to grow beards, that would be ridiculous. You may want to grab a ski neck warmer. I've been carrying one in my bag all week but haven't had to use it yet.

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Permalink Reply by Tamara on December 9, 2008 at 11:55am

Michael Malone said:

I obviously don't mean for any of you beautiful biker babes to grow beards, that would be ridiculous. You may want to grab a ski neck warmer. I've been carrying one in my bag all week but haven't had to use it yet.

Smartwool makes a great neck gaiter -- I got one recently on sale at REI. Paired with my warm under-helmet cap, it's perfect for those days I don't want to wear the balaclava. And when it's extra cold [last Sunday!] I can wear it over the balaclava for extra warmth.

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Permalink Reply by Ammo on December 9, 2008 at 3:47pm

I pretty much ride like a bum. As many layers I can put on and still ride. Along with a medley of scarves, hats and various things I can find to pad away the cold.

I am too damn broke to buy that cool stuff.

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