Ouch that was cold!!!

NWLondoner

My god that was a painful ride today :shock:

My toes, Calf's and fingers were frozen. Didn't help also that both my drinks bloody froze as well :x

Looks like i will have to order some new winter riding gear.

I currently use DHB Merston Tights. I think i'll try some knee high socks before ditching these.

Do overshoe's help protect against cold weather as well as keep you dry?

On the plus side my chest was toast warm

redddraggon

NWLondoner wrote:

Do overshoe's help protect against cold weather as well as keep you dry?

Overshoes won't keep your feet dry, but they'll keep your feet warm, and keep your shoes from getting covered in crap.

gert_lush

Good skills on an early morning ride, it is mightly chilly out...hence i'm not going out quite yet....yep i'm a wuss

I have some overshoes that I use mainly when its cold as they definately keep my feet warmer, Mine are kinda wetsuit neoprene material so stop the wind chill effect nicely. Having said that on days like today my feet still get a bit cold after a few hours but nowhere near as painfull as when I dont have them on

enjoy

jjojjas

tell me about it. Did my first post christmas ride this morning, 15 miles and my feet were frozen up to my shin
At least it wasn't raining

bluecow

...

bluecow

Neoprene overshoes are brilliant, and they do keep your feet dry for a while if its lashing it down. My fault though is that in cold weather i always set off without them thinking "meh, its not that cold" and then an hour later i'm screaming in pain! Im learning to not do that.

Mapman

ozzo overshoes are thick neoprene .vgood at keeping toes warm

davelakers

40 miles of pure discomfort this morning. Got in 2 hours ago and Im just thawing out even after my shower...............

barrybaines

I had some chilly rides the last couple of days on the North coast of Scotland I think -6 was about the coldest I hit, which is just the time to remember to keep your gloves on when you go into the garage for a drink and a bar of chocolate! I left mine out on the bike and took at least 20 minutes for them to soften up and get warm again. Wanted to get another ride in the last few days before I venture back down South again tomorrow but the bit of rain we had has just turned into sheet ice up here!
+1 for neoprene booties I got some new Endura ones for Crimbo and they are brilliant!

bluecow

I got the endura ones too, but keep the receipt cause the zip broke on one of mine and i had to replace them. I didnt have my receipt but the shop keep a record of what customer's have bought and took my word for it that they were the same pair. In truth i think it broke cause i use them on mtb shoes and they are a bit of a stretch to get on and i wasn't being too careful. But apart from that minor hiccup they're ace.

jellybellywmb

Endura Neoprene Overshoes and my wife bought me some Decathlon toes warmers for xmas,which you stick to the bottom of your toes, I dismissed these as a bit of a gimmick but they really work,toasty toes, fingers were still frozen though

bobpzero

id recommend the assos toe covers, http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=ASSOZOSH500 bit difficult to put on with speedplay cleats on. tho they sure do keep the freezing wind out. also assos face mask (balaclava) is well worth having. and erm, assos leg warmers. tho i now use burton goretex mittens and frost free fingers so i handed my pair of pearl izumi amfib gloves to my dad.

SlightlyFuzzy

I had hot ribena in my bottle today (I've had a bit of a cold and this always fixes me :oops: ) - went to drink it after 5 minutes and it was pretty damn cold.... after 20 it was numbing my throat, but at least it stayed in liquid form!!

I'm doubling up two pairs of gloves whist riding, which keeps my fingers warm but doesn't do much for dexterity!

As for my feet - I've taken to wearing heavyweight merino wool (hiking) socks - my toes still get cold after a while, but it's a lot better than with the thin synthetic socks I was wearing before. I'd like to get some overshoes but can't really afford at the mo - to be honest they are some way down my current wish list.
I did consider using some newspaper inserted neatly into my shoes, much like the improv wind-blocking I've see on some fast descents on the tour.... thought better of it after about 3 seconds

On the plus side the views have been pretty stunning whilst everything is frozen over (and yes, I am slow enough to appreciate them!)

Ricardo H

i honestly dont see the point in risking it on days like this. went out on thursday and friday and it was'nt too bad, but today was far too icy to risk it.
Get your mtb's out for the next couple of weeks as they reckon this is going to last a while.

unclemalc

I have seen over the last days some pilgrims riding in SHORTS . :shock: Yes you mate - you may be well 'ard, but you are also a complete knob. Don't complain on this forum in years to come about knee pain.... :evil:

If its cold, wear more clothes.
There is no point trying to look ultra-cool on the bike if the air temps rushing past you are minus 5 degrees.
If you haven't got the 'proper' gear (because your a 'real man' and didn't think you'd ever need it) then get out an extra fleece or woolly thing and put it under the windproof.
Get long woolly socks or wear thick tights under the long-leg bibs. Put a long-fitting shirt/jumper/whatever down your back so the small of your back is covered, under the bibs.
Yes - wear overshoes - they DO keep your feet out of the cold wind, and they cover that area 'twixt shoe and end-of-legging.
Wear a decent, windproof balaclava, or at least a buff : save your face and ears from pain and damage.
Fat has no blood supply so that is why 'heavier' guys like me have cold bellies etc, long after they get off - keep it warm people!

http://www.edz.biz/

Try the above website for good reasonably priced thermal kit for bikers. Recommended.

Sermon over.

unclemalc

http://www.edz.biz/bike/Product_pages/M ... clava.html

PS: I have one of these - won't leave home without it. It fits well, is windproof, warm and doesn't upset the fit of the helmet much.

xpc316e

I tried to go out for a ride today - honest. I only got as far as the garage; I did a bit of general maintenance that needed to be done before riding and I was frozen in no time. Sadly my good intentions quickly disappeared, but just wait until the ordered overshoes arrive!

MabBee

String vests are popular as thermal underwear since the space created by the string traps air. This set me thinking... how about wearing fishnet tights for a similar effect on the legs?

iain_j

I'm planning to actually clean my bike tomorrow (gasp!) - it would be a nice day for a ride instead, but I've been using that excuse all winter. I'm imagining my bike being coated in thick ice and my hand stuck in a frozen-over bucket of water

Steve I

During a big freeze up like this I stick to my mountain bike and off road riding. I came back spotless the other day as all the crud was frozen solid. Because speeds are slower there's a lot less wind chill than riding a road bike.

NWLondoner

I purchased some endura overshoes and some skin seal merino socks so hopefully these will work.


Just need to find some better gloves

unclemalc

NWLondoner wrote:

I purchased some endura overshoes and some skin seal merino socks so hopefully these will work.


Just need to find some better gloves

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... s-ec016681

I use these. In recent weather - no problems at all. Recommended.

NWLondoner

unclemalc wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I purchased some endura overshoes and some skin seal merino socks so hopefully these will work.


Just need to find some better gloves

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... s-ec016681

I use these. In recent weather - no problems at all. Recommended.

what temp range have you used them in?

Yesterday was -1c so i need something that will cope with this

cookiemonster

I use Musto sailing gloves - neoprene with a fleece inner. They're flexible enough to tie and haul on ropes and warm enough to deal with the hebridean sea landing on top of you, so they're toasty toasty for cycling. Really - cant recommend them enough. Also from the sailing locker comes a musto long sleeve thermal top thing, so today with that, a long sleeve cycling top, gillet, skull cap thing, lycra longs. neck warmer and endura overshoes I was fine.

The roads however were a bit nasty in places so my plan for a serious 6 hour ride start to the year got curtailed to 3. But thats fine given the weather.

I still cant get over the irony of cycling a stupidly lightweight bike while wearing about 5kg of clothing...

Anyway

NWLondoner

cookiemonster wrote:

The roads however were a bit nasty in places so my plan for a serious 6 hour ride start to the year got curtailed to 3. But thats fine given the weather.

I still cant get over the irony of cycling a stupidly lightweight bike while wearing about 5kg of clothing...

Anyway

i know what you mean

fto-si

xpc316e wrote:

I tried to go out for a ride today - honest. I only got as far as the garage; I did a bit of general maintenance that needed to be done before riding and I was frozen in no time. Sadly my good intentions quickly disappeared, but just wait until the ordered overshoes arrive!

Its not that cold in Suffolk

Done 40 miles today and just had slight chilling on my toes, the roads are ok apart from one or two areas on some very remote and hardly used roads.

NWLondoner

fto-si wrote:

xpc316e wrote:

I tried to go out for a ride today - honest. I only got as far as the garage; I did a bit of general maintenance that needed to be done before riding and I was frozen in no time. Sadly my good intentions quickly disappeared, but just wait until the ordered overshoes arrive!

Its not that cold in Suffolk

Done 40 miles today and just had slight chilling on my toes, the roads are ok apart from one or two areas on some very remote and hardly used roads.

the roads yesterday were White :shock:

Had a squeaky bum time when i could hear the sound of frost/ice cracking under me. Thankfully i stayed upright.

Tonymufc

barrybaines wrote:

I had some chilly rides the last couple of days on the North coast of Scotland I think -6 was about the coldest I hit, which is just the time to remember to keep your gloves on when you go into the garage for a drink and a bar of chocolate! I left mine out on the bike and took at least 20 minutes for them to soften up and get warm again. Wanted to get another ride in the last few days before I venture back down South again tomorrow but the bit of rain we had has just turned into sheet ice up here!
+1 for neoprene booties I got some new Endura ones for Crimbo and they are brilliant!

I've been looking at the neoprene Endura overshoes. Are the really that good. My old Pearl Izumi ones have definately seen better days as my feet are likes blocks of ice every time I venture out.

jjojjas

NWLondoner wrote:

unclemalc wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I purchased some endura overshoes and some skin seal merino socks so hopefully these will work.


Just need to find some better gloves

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... s-ec016681

I use these. In recent weather - no problems at all. Recommended.

what temp range have you used them in?

Yesterday was -1c so i need something that will cope with this

I have those. Its -2 this morning at my place and my fingers were numb after 2 miles. They are good gloves, but below zero they still leave you cold in my experience.
Jas

Anonymous

I'm planning on a quick ride this morning, we got a dusting of snow here, I'm scared I'll slip though.

Stewie Griffin

I havent ridden in so long now that Im going to need my Dad to hold the saddle and run behind me.