Riding in the Cold something to make you smile

cheaperholidays

Hi all

Decided on Monday that i had been a bit lax and went out for a 60 mile run from Church village to Aberavon then up the valley and over the Bwlch and back via Pontypridd.

Well the run started ok, till i started the climb up the Bwlch, blimey i though my foot is getting cold, then nearer the summit, it felt like the cleat had turned to Ice and i could barely wiggle my toes, over the top i went and down to the burger van where, after nearly being accosted by a sheep, i turned left and continued down the hill..

My foot is now frozen and the cold feels like it its burning through my thermal top and under layer, i had to continualy brake going down to stop myself from getting hypothermia lol -

After turning right at the bottom hill and heading towards Ponty, I got off to push the bike past a traffic jam by the bridge and petrol station and i could barely walk, bet i looked like a right Pratt

My feet never properly defrosted till i got to hopkinstown, therefore i must get some decent thermal socks anyone have any decent recommendations.

DLH1985

I like these...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sealskinz-thermal-liner-socks/

I use them with some overshoes and feel fine in sub zero temperatures. My biggest problem is water bottles freezing up - and that's after I put boiling water and squash in them!

Don't forget to loosen your shoes a bit too, if they're too tight you'll restrict blood flow to your toes and that will only exacerbate the problem.

I've also heard that a dab of vaseline on the tips of toes works too, not felt the need to try it myself though!

cheaperholidays

Thanks Dhl1985 I tried sealskin allegedly waterproof socks last year during the Autumn Epic in Wales and they were useless i sent them back to wiggle, my feet were soaking.

But i will give these a go at £6 or so sounds good value

giant_man

All you need is decent socks such as woolie boolies, making sure your shoes/boots are not too tight ie no space for warm air to collect and keep your feet warm.

As you have already noticed, sealskinz products are not always waterproof, contrary to the manufacturers claims.

bompington

A few words of advice:
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes Overshoes Overshoes

Hope that helps

mattshrops

+1 overshoes. no special socks, summer shoes, no problem with overshoes on.

Tom BB

To further echo bompingtons sentiments

Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes....you get the idea

Hijack time.....how to people go about keeping there..... erm....'Johnson' warm whilst out cycling during colder months :shock:

mjbennett

Up until this year I've used my summer cycling shoes with woolie bullies, cling film sellotaped over my shoes, then overshoes. This is ok for an hour or two in winter or all day in spring and autumn, but when it's really cold my feet have suffered.

This year I bit the bullet and bought some shimano rw80 winter gore tex boots. They are excellent, and keep your feet warm, but when the rain is torrential, gore tex boots will not keep the rain out simply because it runs down your legs. The last wet ride I had my boots filled full of water!!!

Cling film is definitely worth trying tho - cheap and cheerful!
Matt

cheaperholidays

Interesting tip cling film - so its a toss up between overboots and special socks, but cold feet are a killer defo not doing that again

Bobbinogs

I have tried the woolie boolies but they are are quick thick. Hence, as per the comments above, even with velcro straps loose, they are a bit too tight and are uncomfortable. The tightness then stops them being so effective because of the lack of some insulating air. Not a problem I guess if I just buy some more shoes a size bigger!

Anyway, my tip would be your normal vented summer socks covered by any very thin sock to trap the air in the vents, then overshoes. Works very well. I do like the look of winter boots but may have to look out for them in the end of season sales for next year.

Not sure how to keep Mr Johnson warm but he seems to take care of himself by disappearing for the duration of the ride

rogerthecat

Sorry to add the fly, however I have used Gorgex Boots (SIDI), Sealskin socks with overshoes, H2O over shoes, Rapha overshoes, a range of socks, thermal insoles (the insoles that look like they have tin foil on them), loosened shoes off and I always end up with cold feet to some degree or another. A strange thing happened the other week out for a ride and m8 m8 got a flat; as he fixed it I stood and watched as this took longer that it should have I noticed that may hands got cold and my feet warmed up bazar! So i belive I can either have warm hands or warm feet not both ho hum!

TommyEss

Jeez - I've been known to go all out - merino wool Rapha socks under Woolie Boolies under Ski Socks, in Northwave Fahrenheits in Addidas ClimaProof overshoes.

Shoes are lace up - so easy to tighten them enough without being too tight.

Lovely!

mattward1979

Had a similar experience yesterday and had to take a hair-dryer to my toes once I got home.... it was Agony!!!

Also had the sealskin socks which are awesome at keeping your feet warm as long as its not cold/windy/wet :?

amnesia

Tom BB wrote:

Hijack time.....how to people go about keeping there..... erm....'Johnson' warm whilst out cycling during colder months :shock:

I find that it tends to seek it's own warmth and 'inverts'

gwillis

Prendas thermal socks and endura overshoes have kept my feet toasty all winter

gwillis

Prendas thermal socks and endura overshoes have kept my feet toasty all winter

holker

Does anyone else suffer like me? No matter how many layers I get cold feet. Last weekend, thin training shoe sock, M&S thick thermal socks, seal-skin merino wool lined "waterproof socks", shoes, endura neoprane overshoes. Feet still cold. Temp 4C light winds. It's anightmare.

TommyEss

Holker - check your shoes aren't too tight - you want a little bit of air space for insulation, and of course don't want to restrict the blood flow.

When you try and cram in loads of socks you can find it easier to overtighten.

wall17

bompington wrote:

A few words of advice:
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes
Overshoes Overshoes Overshoes

Hope that helps

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ bang on ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

good news is your a very keen and unlazy cyclist

the cold gets me down haha

wall17

another thing

if your riding when its very cold get your self a face warmer or a balaclava because breathing in cold air while your lungs and body are warm can cause chest infections.

hope ive helped

mikeeye

DLH1985 wrote:

My biggest problem is water bottles freezing up - and that's after I put boiling water and squash in them!

Bizarrely, the hot water might not be helping: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect

litwardle

@MikeEye - Nice extraction from the naked PF you have there!

I really struggle with cold feet. Cant afford overshoes at the mo so wondered if a couple of pairs of old socks over the shoes would do the trick? (making a hole for cleats & sealing the cut edges with gaffer naturally)

Lee

Aapje

Tom BB wrote:

Hijack time.....how to people go about keeping there..... erm....'Johnson' warm whilst out cycling during colder months :shock:

I just tough it out, but there is a special product for it:

http://thermajock.com/

Basically a fleece sock for your 'third foot'. I love the picture on the site with a girl smiling at her friend. I'm sure she's happy that her boyfriend doesn't have a frostbitten you know what :shock:

Seriously though, you could just use a regular old sock, it should remain in place.

sfichele

I'm probably gonna receive some stick for this - but Hey.

I hairdry my socks, shoes, and overshoes, before I put them on an go out. If your feet start warm they tend to stay warm. Otherwise when you put the overshoes on you are just trapping in the cold, and they stay cold

Ron Stuart

Two pairs of overshoes, winter shoes a size too big with assos thermal socks plus a thin pair of trainer liners, insulated insole. Acrylic type pedals are probably better as the high density carbon/aluminium.steel type get very cold store that cold and transfer it to the cleats/sole of the shoe.
Or I go to the gym/spin/swim,etc,

springtide9

Sounds like you had a pretty bad time... but you'll now discover overshoes and all will be good again.

On the same subject.... had a 2 hr ride on Sunday and got a little cold myself..
I noticed after the ride that my private parts had got a bit chilly... so took a quick host shower and recovered.

Around 8pm last night... I noticed that private parts were still rather numb. Not too worried... but enough to ask the wife (doctor) whether I should be worried!

It wasn't until this morning that I realised what it was... I'd applied a load of Deep Heat on my legs... but obviously hadn't washed my hands properly before I went to the loo!

Note to self: After using Deep Heat.... wash your hands.... wash them again. and again! LOL

I'm sure I'm not the first person... and won't be the last