Sore fingers in really cold weather

Brian B

I got a puncture yesterday and in the freezing cold I had to change the tube and the tyre was hard to remove and put on and required a lot of effort. Later that night a couple of fingers on each hand were sore and a bit stiff in one.

All was better today when I got up but I experienced this 2 years ago and have had not had it until yesterday.

Any ideas - I am only 36 and have no other joint pain. (although I played video games like a demon for 10 years or so).

DaveyL

Not sure what it could be, but my top tip is to carry one of those handwarmers (you get them in outdoor shops) in your pocket or saddlebag in case you have a puncture or mechanical. They're good for 30-60 min of heat and really help if it's freezin' cold and you have to change a tyre.

fossyant

Do you wear nice and toasty gloves - you should have been OK had your hands been warm enough before taking your hands out of the gloves to allow time o do the repair, before they froze again..

Do your hands get cold regularly - some people have better circulation than others - if you do, make sure your hands are warm whilst riding.

Brian B

I had on a good pair of gloves that are meant to be okay down below freezing. It was really cold yesterday(Friday) and the repair due to the tyre problem took way far longer than it should have and by that time my hands were freezing and my gloves were cold when I put them back on and I still had ten miles to ride home.

ut_och_cykla

I suffer from discomfort/pain in my fingers & feet when its cold, so much so that they can ache the following day. In a recent chat with my daughter I noticed for the first time (in 40 odd years ! ) that I have very skinny digits/palms/feet (the rest of me would no way be described as skinny!). there is no ' padding'. This observation has explained why opening tins/screw lids, working with cold items (even shopping for frozen goods)and weight training has always been a real pain. there is no cure other than to add padding with gloves and keep the rest of me warm. Perhaps you have the same problem.
Sorry!

Cajun

Sounds like you may not have had (2) tyre levers to assist with the tightness of the tyre?
You may want to add, or change to, a glove set that includes an inner-liner glove. If not, place your gloves inside your jacket against your body when removing your gloves for any length of time. Before beginning your ride, rub some Petroleum (Vaseline) Jelly on your hands (and a light application to your face as well). There is a product called 'Warm Skin' which works pretty good http://www.warmskin.net/ After your post-ride shower, soak your hands in water (not hot) and if still cold, wear gloves for about 1 hour in the house..

drewfromrisca

I have same problem, it's called Rayneaud's Disease. Apparently its heridetary and I got it from my dear old Dad!

Brian B

Thanks for the replies. I am a big lad and have large hands but my fingers in comparison to the rest of me are quite thin. My good lady has Rayneaud's Disease and she suggested it might be a less severe type than hers as her fingers actually change colour in the cold.

I do use tyre levers and I almost got a 'park tool' tyre lever in my eye as it popped out of the tyre and I had to jump over a fence into a field of brussel sprout to get it back.