This morning it was -3 degrees C apparently, so I put on my normal socks, then my waterproof thermal socks, then my trainers, and went to work. 15 minutes later my feet were like lumps of ice on the bottom of my legs.

 

My hands were fine, I had put on my 'Lobsters', really toasty.

 

Nose cold, so I donned my Bandana, and only the very top of the brodge of my nose and eyes were frozen (but only until I was generating enough 'steam' to defrost them)

 

I think tomorrow/next time its below zero I will try those neoprene overshoes I have as they seem to be really good at keeping your feet warm and dry.

 

What do others do?

 

John

Hi John, I have just purchased an "ALL IN ONE THERMAL SUIT" from Westfalia Mail Order - UK Really warm and water proof: the quality is very good too,a real bargain.The product Number for the large size is 20 08 99; also full size range.

 

Cheers, David.

David, I cant see the stock item you mention, but I can see the wired Ski suit. Very interesting, please let us know the pros and cons of that. If it works, it would be a very good mid winter warmer (probably much better than the ski sallopets and ski boots that I was considering).

If you enter ski clothes in the search John you will find full range. I think it is the gloves that are wired, not the suit. I didn't bother with the gloves but they are cheap enough paired with the warm suit.

 

David

Edited November 12, 200718 yr by hobo1

As a leisure cyclist I have the option of simply not riding in the worst weather however I do enjoy a ride on crisp weekend mornings and have some fairly effective clothing. I find trainers pretty useless in all conditions and prefer shoes with rigid soles, MTB shoes for most conditions and light hiking boots for cold weather. Beware of hiking shoes with protruding metal fasteners though as they scratch the cranks. I wear thick cotton hiking trousers, sometimes with cold weather running trousers underneath and padded cycling boxers. 2 or 3 layers micro-fleeces with a windproof HV outer cover my upper body, winter MTB gloves take care of the hands while a scarf covers most of my face, helmet on head and wrap round sunglasses or safety specs finish off the outfit in which I rode the High Peak Trail in sub-zero conditions last winter, and stayed warm doing it.

 

Almost all of my cycling clothing came from Decathlon , although not necessarily from the cycling department.

Edited November 12, 200718 yr by Ian

John, Have a look at the Rohan range ( put Rohan in a search engine). I have been using their gear for 20 years. Their gear also has the benefit of being breathable. For winter weather consider the "warm bags". My preference though is to give up in winter to avoid ice!

 

John

It looks like there has been fast sales of the warm suits from Westfalia: small & medium sold out, also special offer electric warm gloves has gone leaving a misleading description. Sorry about that John.

 

P. S. Full stock back again. David. (13/11/07)

Edited November 13, 200718 yr by hobo1

This morning it was -3 degrees C apparently, so I put on my normal socks, then my waterproof thermal socks, then my trainers, and went to work. 15 minutes later my feet were like lumps of ice on the bottom of my legs.

 

My hands were fine, I had put on my 'Lobsters', really toasty.

 

Nose cold, so I donned my Bandana, and only the very top of the brodge of my nose and eyes were frozen (but only until I was generating enough 'steam' to defrost them)

 

I think tomorrow/next time its below zero I will try those neoprene overshoes I have as they seem to be really good at keeping your feet warm and dry.

 

What do others do?

 

John

 

My real problem this morning was my head, which ached really badly with the cold. Alas, I am bald on top, and the icy air at speed went straight through my helmet vents to my scalp.

 

I suppose I could wear a wooly style hat under the hemet, but I reckon I will have the opposite problem and be too hot like that.

 

Anyone got any tips?

 

David.

Well I used a scull cap (which also provided my ears some protection) and my helmet which has a rain cover over the top, which does also stop the cold air.

Hi David,

 

I haven't tried anything as such to reduce the cooling, and I suppose there may be some difficulty finding something to fit securely under/over a helmet, and not be a distraction while riding: a cover over the top has the advantage of being possibly waterproof, as John says: even just somehow 'blocking up' some/all of the vents, mostly unnecessary in the cold, would help reduce unwanted cooling and may also aid waterproofing .

 

A thin wooly skull cap may attach better (more secure & less tightly) under the helmet, if the velcro attached padding inside them is first removed and the wool may 'stick' to the velcro to hold it all in place better: it may be a bit too warm though, as you say, so I'd try just trying blocking up/taping over some vents first (esp at the front) to see if that helps .

 

Hope that helps to ease your headache .

 

Stuart.

Wooly Hat or What?

 

My real problem this morning was my head, which ached really badly with the cold. Alas, I am bald on top, and the icy air at speed went straight through my helmet vents to my scalp.

 

I suppose I could wear a wooly style hat under the hemet, but I reckon I will have the opposite problem and be too hot like that.

 

Anyone got any tips?

 

David.

 

Try one of those Bandanas beloved of Hell's Angels.

P.

Bandanas

 

Try one of those Bandanas beloved of Hell's Angels.

P.

 

Oh! It's got a hole for your pony tail at the back.

P.

Oh! It's got a hole for your pony tail at the back.

P.

 

I have not tried to compensate for the lack of hair up top by growing what's left any longer! Otherwise, I could use a comb over rather than a bandanna!

I use a thin 'tube' - like this but not much thicker than a handkerchief. It works a treat if I pull it up over the back of my head and ears, as it simply keeps the cold air off my skin without actually keeping a great deal of heat in.

 

What I need, though, is something to stop the cold hurting my eyes. I wear clear wrap-round glasses but guess I need goggles, so I must try some out to see if they work and allow full visibility. Any ideas on this one?

Edited November 14, 200718 yr by Nick

I use a thin 'tube' - like this but not much thicker than a handkerchief. It works a treat if I pull it up over the back of my head and ears, as it simply keeps the cold air off my skin without actually keeping a great deal of heat in.

 

Where did you get that from, Nick?

 

David.

well, I can't say my attire is tried and tested, however .......

 

I wear ski gloves, good uns, and they do a great job, on for the entire trip

I have a ski hat, too hot, I wear it for the first half of the run and tuck it in my jacket when ready.

I have bought but not tried a Heine Gerricke (SP) motrcyclists all in one rain suit, normally worn over leathers, and I hope that will keep me warm and dry on grotty days. I was £35

I plan to use my bikers boots, "Altbergs" which I know will keep my feet toastie no matter the temp or how much rain there is.

 

So, like I said, not yet tried and tested, but a plan ......

Ski clothing would seem well suited ( ) to winter cycling. And it comes in bright highly visible colours in contrast to much purpose made cycle wear available in various shades of black.

 

What I need, though, is something to stop the cold hurting my eyes. I wear clear wrap-round glasses but guess I need goggles, so I must try some out to see if they work and allow full visibility. Any ideas on this one?

 

I suffer with cold air on the eyes, and I've tried several different goggle types. I've found the best are the angled close fitting ones that club cyclists wear, though they can sometimes mist in certain weather conditions. Most are reflective and sometimes with poor visibility, but there are a few that have better clarity.

 

Those that stand a little away from the face to prevent any chance of misting I find worse than no goggles at all, since they seem to channel more painful blasts onto the eyeballs.

.

Hi Flecc

 

The best thing I found for misting with my motorbike helmet was to clean the visor and then put a small drop of Fairy Liquid (not cheaper brands I'm afraid!) onto a clean cloth and smear it evenly over the inside of the visor, then leave it for a few seconds before breathing all over it. If you get it right, it won't smear and won't fog - the visor will be perfectly clear. If the visor isn't perfectly clear, ash it and try again, perhaps using a different amount of Fairy Liquid or aa different cloth or tissue.

 

Thanks for your comments about googles.

 

Cheers

Nick

Thanks for reminding me Nick, I knew of that previously but had forgotten the tip. I didn't need on my motorbikes with fullface visored helmets, it's just the bike goggles that trouble me on odd occasions.

.

Thermal controlling 'base layers' seem to be made mainly with synthetic fibres(polyester etc.), but has anyone tried 'natural' fabric, like merino wool, and how do they compare for warmth & dryness?

 

Stuart.

Where did you get that from, Nick?

 

David.

 

Sorry daid, I thought I'd replied. A friend in the police gave it to me - part of their kit but I can't find it online I'm afraid. I think anything thin would do really, it just keeps the wind off the skin.

Thermal controlling 'base layers' seem to be made mainly with synthetic fibres(polyester etc.)' date=' but has anyone tried 'natural' fabric, like merino wool, and how do they compare for warmth & dryness?[/quote']

 

I didn't realise that Russ (rsscott) had already recommended merino wool clothing as a baselayer in the accessories & apparel recommendations thread, but I got some anyway and its really good at regulating your temperature so if you want clothes that keep you warm when its cold, but keep you from overheating when you're active or in heated buildings, give it a try. I've got a full top-to-toe base layer of 'Icebreaker' clothing now, including skull cap, 2 tops, glove liners & full leggings, and also 'Smartwool' socks.

 

Icebreaker's 'Bodyfit' base layer range come in 3 thicknesses/weights according to the intended use: 150 for all season, 200 for cool/cold to average/warm, 260 for cold, and thicker/heavier weaves are available too for extreme cold use. I got a zip-neck top and leggings in the 200 weight which are sufficiently warm in cool weather with only a wind & waterproof outer, and they're still comfortable to wear indoors at normal room temperatures - I wear them all the time now .

 

Stuart.

Edited November 28, 200718 yr by coops