Bloody Cold this morning!!

Adamskii

You definitely seem to get more respect from motorists in cold (or mad) conditions. Especially when you're gingerly tip toeing round corners trying to keep the bike upright. It was really nice watching the sun rise on the ride in this morning. Love it.

el_presidente

Adamskii wrote:

You definitely seem to get more respect from motorists in cold (or mad) conditions. Especially when you're gingerly tip toeing round corners trying to keep the bike upright. It was really nice watching the sun rise on the ride in this morning. Love it.

the frost, fog and early sun in Regents Park was beautiful

Mapman

Also went for the Aldi option With gloves , bottoms and jacket all from the cheap and cheerfull Aldis 20 pressups to warm up inside ,quick smear of vaseline on newly shaved face ,then onto bike for 6 mile ride in glourous sunshine I was well toasty all the way great ps How do you use those emoticon thingies ?

william79

I have found the Buff worn as a bandana under the helmet works well.... the vents let too much air through in the winter :?

The BIG GT

I have the works when it comes to cold commuting with windproof, waterproof gloves, skull-cap, leggings and thermal socks. Itwas about -3 when I left my home this morning and the canal had started to freeze with an icy surface already! :?

I love the looks I get at work when I cycle in on days like this!!
:shock:
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Shadowduck

Mapman wrote:

ps How do you use those emoticon thingies ?

Click on them, next to the reply box.

william79 wrote:

.... the vents let too much air through in the winter :?

Nothing that can't be fixed with a couple of layers of clingfilm. Carefully applied it's not even all that noticeable and you end up with a windproof, waterproof winter helmet for pretty much zero outlay.

Once you try it, you'll never go back...

andyp

I got a puncture riding in this morning. How typical is that?! :roll:

spen666

andyp wrote:

I got a puncture riding in this morning. How typical is that?! :roll:

keep quiet about it or everyone will be wanting one

Shadowduck

spen666 wrote:

andyp wrote:

I got a puncture riding in this morning. How typical is that?! :roll:

keep quiet about it or everyone will be wanting one

Had two* unplanned deflations on the way home yesterday... Sorted the first one with the spare tube (to the amusement of the queueing cardines), then called the lifeboat to pick me up after the second one (isn't she lovely?). I really need some better tyres. :?

*Got to go one better, of course.

skinny man0903

It was Bl**dy cold this morning, I didn't see any ice but then again I didn't leave the house till 9 am.
I have to see wot it is going to be like tommorrow, have to be in work for 7 am leave the house @ around 6.30.

redddraggon

Yesterday wasn't too bad, temperature wise.

I can tell how cold it is by how warm my flat is when I wake up. This morning it was quite warm but when I opened the curtains the roofs of the cars were thick with ice.

When I got onto the roads they were all shiny, and I was bit worried about black ice, but it was just wet. Later into my commute the roads were white! But they weren't too slippery.

rustychisel

what's that you say???

32ºC here today, mmmm toasty. Corse, I haven't been on the bike all week...

misterben

redddraggon wrote:

I can tell how cold it is by how warm my flat is when I wake up.

I can tell by how far I have to turn the knob of the shower to get to a decent temperature.

patchy

The thing that's really doing my head in this year are my toes... i switched to SPDs about a month ago, and am finding the shoes a mite drafty... Anyone got any recommendations for some good, inexpensive thin thermal socks? I'm not convinced my measly 5-mile commute is enough to justify overshoes...

BentMikey

Oh yes 5 miles is plenty to justify overshoes. In fact it's enough to justify proper winter SPD shoes in my books.

Shadowduck

misterben wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

I can tell how cold it is by how warm my flat is when I wake up.

I can tell by how far I have to turn the knob of the shower to get to a decent temperature.

I can tell by the thermometer stuck on the outside of the kitchen window... :P

patchy wrote:

The thing that's really doing my head in this year are my toes... i switched to SPDs about a month ago, and am finding the shoes a mite drafty... Anyone got any recommendations for some good, inexpensive thin thermal socks? I'm not convinced my measly 5-mile commute is enough to justify overshoes...

If you're outside long enough for your toes to go numb, your outside long enough to warrant doing something about it. I use the Decathlon* own-brand neoprene overshoes, they're reasonably cheap (about ten or fifteen quid) and they'll keep your feet warm and dry in all but the very worst conditions.

*I know I keep sounding like a Decathlon advert, but I don't work there or own shares, honestly! They just do so much good stuff...

patchy

BentMikey wrote:

Oh yes 5 miles is plenty to justify overshoes. In fact it's enough to justify proper winter SPD shoes in my books.

You reckon? hmm, Christmas IS coming... I am trying to resist the urges to buy too many toys though, as there's a mountain bike on blocks in the shed which i really should be spending the money on...

DavidTQ

patchy wrote:

BentMikey wrote:

Oh yes 5 miles is plenty to justify overshoes. In fact it's enough to justify proper winter SPD shoes in my books.

You reckon? hmm, Christmas IS coming... I am trying to resist the urges to buy too many toys though, as there's a mountain bike on blocks in the shed which i really should be spending the money on...

My commute is 7 miles each way, thats plenty enough for me to justify buying whatever the heck I want to make my commute more comfortable, My wife has no problems with my purchasing stuff to make it more comfortable because the cost savings over the pre cycling car commute days are huge...

As far as Im concerned any distance cycle commuting justifies spending any amount up to at least the amount saved by not taking the car. Possibly more when you consider that its a hobby as well as practical transport...

pst88

It was bloody slippery out there this morning. Had a few "interesting" moments where I could feel my front wheel slipping sideways but luckily I managed to stay upright. I also locked up the front wheel on ice, travelling at low speed, just to see what happens. Needless to say I don't want to be doing that at any decent speed.

jjojjas

-2 in my garden this morning, I took the car......
Too be fair I have conjunctivitis and my eyes are caked with crap.....frozen crap just didn't seem any more appealing this morning

neslon

Anyone got any recommendations for some good, inexpensive thin thermal socks? I'm not convinced my measly 5-mile commute is enough to justify overshoes...

I agree - I keep overshoes for serious clod and long rides, especially wetstuff. So far, its not been chilly enough to make it worth the effort. What I do recommend is SealSkinz socks. Waterproof, windproof & easy to slip on. They will keep your toes happy (I do a minimum of 9 miles each way, often much more & these do the trick for me). As for expense, well, thats all relative isn't it?

Rykard

i got some cheap overshoes from aldi that seem Ok. I am contemplating riding in this morning -6 they reckon...

dirk_van_gently

I have some overshoes from Aldi, and they are great, a lot better than the far more expensive and poorly made Endura efforts I bought last year. Aldi also do some good socks, only problem is, you may find all their stock gone by now, with Aldi, it's get it while you can.

patchy

thanks everyone - this is really handy. I reckon I'll try the sealskinz first, and then resort to the overshoes if they're not enough...