I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on January 3, 2012 at 4:20am

Yeah, this is the first time I've had to layer up really well. wicking base layer and TWO midweight merino mid layers.

 

Even with three pairs of merino socks, my toes got numb. I concede to the fact that regular gym shoes don't hold up over a long distance in 10-19 degree weather.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on January 3, 2012 at 4:35am

Yes, I rode today since I have been lazy and haven't been on the bike since last week (Thursday). I found that the Bike Mitts and goggles I received from my wonderful husband for Christmas are well worth it on cold days like this- first winter I have cycled where my fingers did not get cold, and I only wore the cheap Walgreen's stretch gloves and the bar mitts kept my fingers toasty.  Of course, now I am thinking that neoprene boots would work great for my toes, although I am going to try to double up on the woolly socks first and see if that is better.  The balaclava kept my ears and most of my face warm, the goggles did the rest (I love the goggles since I have started wearing contacts- they are eye-savers). All in all, I had a nice morning commute.

Permalink Reply by Holly on January 3, 2012 at 4:49am

Not sure I'm going to be able to do this today. I rode a few blocks this morning for my 2nd dog walk and my feet are still cold. That was 25 minutes ago. I can't remember experiencing this last year and I basically have the same layering routine.  I think the weird early winter weather has made the transition (or lack thereof) to cold weather very daunting. And I hate driving around to walk dogs. It sucks. 

Permalink Reply by Meg Matthews on January 3, 2012 at 5:17am

Froze my tail off! I have a good pair of Izumi thermal tights, but my thighs always turn into icicles. I brought an extra pair of capeline layers with me and will try wearing those + a windproof layer, too, to see if it helps on the ride home.

Lobster gloves were a good investment. Definitely need goggles, 'cause the bike sunglasses aren't cutting it. I wore my Sorels today and loved them for the warmth, but they're long enough that they clip my wheel when I need to make a sharp turn. I might go back to clipless with a couple wool sock pairs and some neoprene booties...

On a related note, the south side of the LFP is covered in patchy snow and ice. Be careful right around museum campus...

Permalink Reply by Barclor on January 3, 2012 at 5:21am

A perfect winter ride this morning! The new shoe covers worked great. One pair of socks with the covers and the toes were warm for the whole 6 mile ride. And the lobster gloves kept my fingers warm as well!

Permalink Reply by Jamais716 on January 3, 2012 at 6:43am

My first day riding in below 15 degrees!  I love merino wool and was surprised that my REI headwind gloves kept me just warm enough without needing the lobster claws.  Glad it wasn't too windy this morning.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on January 3, 2012 at 7:41am

Congrats!

Jamais716 said:

My first day riding in below 15 degrees!  I love merino wool and was surprised that my REI headwind gloves kept me just warm enough without needing the lobster claws.  Glad it wasn't too windy this morning.

Permalink Reply by Poptart on January 3, 2012 at 7:58am

I did. Water froze. I was super warm though. 

Under armor pants, and t-shirt under my flannel work shirt and pants. Snowboarding socks and skate shoes. Foursquare Snowboarding Jacket. Garneau Tornado gloves. Sox hat and fake raybans. I don't think Ill bust out the snowboarding goggles unless they are necessarily needed for visibility. 

This was my first under 15deg day as well and I felt like I could have survived colder. 

Permalink Reply by Meg Matthews on January 3, 2012 at 8:52am

My first, too. Go all of us!

Permalink Reply by Davo on January 3, 2012 at 9:03am

First day with underarmor hoodie and balaclava. I doubled up on gloves but that didn't work as well as I hopped.

 

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on January 3, 2012 at 9:22am

On cold days like today (below 20 if 1-2hrs, or on a longer ride, below 35) I use one pair of tube wool socks and a neoprene overboot/overshoe to windproof my boots. Here's the link to the overboot. It'll cost you $27 including shipping, but it's worth it since it keeps your feet warm. Since they're not really intended for cycling, I recommend cutting a section on the sole of the cover  (shoe/boot lengthwise) to expose the tread of your shoe to the pedal. Just make sure that the section you cut isn't too big or the structure of the shoe cover will come apart.
Lee M said:

First time my thighs got a little cold today, never had that happen before (sub-zero tights and basketball shorts). As far as the toes go, they are always cold after 20 minutes, do those experts out there think wool is enough or it has to be combo'd with a windproofing element as well?

The balaclava I got for xmas worked great!

Permalink Reply by rascaltwitch on January 3, 2012 at 9:33am

Be careful with your three pairs of socks. If they get crammed in there too tightly you'll end up compressing all of the little air pockets out of the wool and losing your insulation. One pair of socks with good room can be better than three pairs of compressed socks in tight shoes. 

Jim S said:

Yeah, this is the first time I've had to layer up really well. wicking base layer and TWO midweight merino mid layers.

 

Even with three pairs of merino socks, my toes got numb. I concede to the fact that regular gym shoes don't hold up over a long distance in 10-19 degree weather.

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