Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Your Extremities

11.30.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 14 Comments

After Saturday’s ride, I tweeted that just the addition of toe warmers really made a difference in on-bike comfort.  But there may have been more to it than that.

Our ride started at a temperature of about  40ºF (4ºC), which in the past has been the coldest temperature I will ride in.  I made sure to bring all the usual items you’d expect to bring for a chilly day: full-length leg warmers, a long-sleeved, brushed jersey, etc., but in addition to the toe covers, I also brought my full-fingered cycling gloves and liners.

Way back when I used to backpack, I used polypropylene glove liners under ragg wool gloves.  The combination kept my hands toasty warm.  I’ve discovered that the liners work just as well under my full-fingered gloves, which aren’t cycling gloves at all — they’re a pair of winter golf gloves.  And they’re not all that different from the cool weather cycling gloves you’ll find on the rack at a place like Performance.  I never worry about cold hands anymore.

I had more than just toe warmers on my feet — I used the polypro socks beneath my wool cycling socks.  It’s another great combination, until the temperature gets below about 45 — then I need something more.  That’s where the toe warmers come in.

I also took along a cool weather headband.  This one is also slightly brushed on the inside, and is shaped to completely cover the ears.  One thing about my ears — they’re hard to miss.  I do have to make sure they’re covered, or they’ll get cold quickly.

The headband doesn’t solve the entire problem though.  Forty percent of your body’s heat loss is through the head, so it’s important to keep your head covered.  A helmet doesn’t count.  My helmet has huge vents, and the head can get chilly if I don’t take measures.  I forgot on this ride, and could really feel the cool breeze across my noggin once we headed out.  Luckily, on this day the temperature rose quickly, so it wasn’t an issue.  Normally, I would wear a polyester doo-rag under the helmet.  Another item that works is a lightweight cycling cap.  Or, one could just tape over the vents on the helmet, like the late Sheldon Brown used to do.  One thing I’ve found is that if I keep my ears warm, a head covering isn’t that important, or if I keep my head covered, I can get by without anything on my ears.

Although the ride started in much cooler temperatures than I prefer to ride in, I was comfortable throughout.  The next day, under much the same conditions, I was cozy all over again.  Do yourself a favor when riding in the cold winter temps this year. Take care of your extremities, and the rest of you will be happy for it.

 

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // Equipment Tags // clothing

Comments

  1. Mel Hughes says

    November 30, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    OK, I have questions. When you wear the wool cycling socks with polypro liners, do you have to loosen up your cycling shoes. I might have to go to a thinner insole in the shoe to wear thicker socks. Not sure yet…

    I have a pair of Windfoil ear covers that snap onto my helmet harness that both keep my ears warm as well as muffle wind noise. I have a good deal of hearing loss after flying turbine engined airplanes and helicopters for 40 years. Blocking the normal wind noise that interferes with the hearing I still have gives pretty amazing results. I can hold conversations while riding and actually hear what my companions are saying. The down side is that these things come in a bright blue or purple, leaving the wear looking a little like a cartoon character, especially if wearing wrap around sunglasses! But they work very well. Have you ever tried something like the The Endura Thermolite Skullcap or a polypro balaclava? Any decent results?

    I am still trying to balance clothing in colder temps. I found out that 50 degree F weather requires a lighter summer jersey and a warmer, long sleeved jersey for me to not feel chilled. Knee warmers would have helped too!

    Reply
  2. Bike Noob says

    November 30, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Mel, my wool cycling socks are quite thin — just a tiny bit heftier than my summer socks. The liner socks are thin, too. So in my case, no, I don’t loosen up my cycling shoes. However, my cycling shoes are two metric sizes larger than my street shoes. I bought them large to accommodate the swelling that comes with exercise, especially in warm weather.
    Because Central Texas is usually pretty mild — or downright hot — I haven’t had to experiment with things like balaclavas, although I have seen people around here wear them.

    Reply
  3. Jeff says

    November 30, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    I’m still struggling with my winter gear. For my Sunday group ride it was about 55 and windy, so I tried a sleeveless base layer shirt, regular jersey, and arm warmers, topping it off with a wind vest that I thought would make everything just right. Instead, the wind vest flapped and caught wind like a parachute. I ditched it halfway through, then just rode a little on the cool side. I’m thinking a thermal jersey might be the best idea for me, and skip the vest or jacket all together unless temps really drop.

    I did have fingerless gloves and light socks on, though. Think I need to pay attention to the extremities a little bit more…

    Reply
    • Don says

      December 1, 2010 at 12:53 am

      Jeff, You may want to look into a base layer shirt with windstopper front such as a Pearl Izumi Barrier or a Craft Windstopper. That will serve the same purpose as a wind vest without the flapping and parachute effect.

      Reply
      • Jeff says

        December 1, 2010 at 7:45 am

        Thanks Don, that sounds like it would be perfect. Appreciate the suggestion…

        Reply
      • Bike Noob says

        December 1, 2010 at 8:47 am

        The guy who leads our Sunday group rides swears by a thin layer of bubble wrap between his base layer and his jersey. He says a plastic bag will work well, too. Also cheaper than the PI or Craft stuff.

        Reply
  4. Chris says

    November 30, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    As a year round commuter from Madison Wisconsin I find these post hilarious. 40 cold? 40 means long paints and a long sleeve shirt. I don’t break out winter gear till it drops well below freezing.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      December 1, 2010 at 8:48 am

      It’s true — once you move South, you become a weather wuss. Of course, when it’s 105 out in the summer, we ride then, too.

      Reply
      • Jeff says

        December 1, 2010 at 6:28 pm

        It’s going to be in the low 40s tomorrow. I’ll be riding in a down jacket.

        Reply
      • Chris says

        December 2, 2010 at 10:44 pm

        I grew up in the south (Baton Rouge LA) so on the rare occasion that it does get hot up here I am still on the road. But I must admit, I can’t take the heat as well as I use too. Love you blog BTW!

        Reply
  5. Andrew Gray says

    December 1, 2010 at 4:49 am

    Chris is braver than me 😉 I am currently a little fearful of the ice out on the roads round lancashire. We have had a really early in the year freeze which is probably nothing compared to what you all experience, but in the UK a couple of inches seems to make everything grind to a halt. that said, this year my friends just a few miles away are experiencing 5 foot snow drifts! that doesn’t usually happen until february, a white Christmas could be on the way. I wonder, does anyone struggle with feeling cold, wrapping up warm, then getting sweaty and therefore freezing again in the windchill? I am planning on buying a core layer, which I will then review, but I am not sure it will solve the problem.

    Reply
    • Chris says

      December 2, 2010 at 10:50 pm

      I just put on my studded winter tires. That helps with the ice.

      It’s hard to balance between staying warm and not sweating. If you are warm at the beginning of the ride you will sweat like a pig and are wearing too much. IMHO wind proofing is the key. I wear a lite wind proof jacket, wind proof paints, and a balaclava. The colder it gets the more layer I wear.

      Stay warm.

      Reply
  6. Cycle Claims says

    February 25, 2011 at 5:11 am

    I have 2 pairs of cycling shoes, one for summer and one slightly larger pair for winter

    When I wear wool cycling socks or liners I slip on the larger pair and its a nice comfortable and crucially a very warm / snug fit.

    Ive never cycled in less than 3 degree temp though – the eyes and nose cant take it!

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 259 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d