Brrrr! 9 degrees this AM...... Advice?

[bvar22]

I am a novice to cold weather riding, but plan on cycling through the Minnesota winter. I had a wonderful summer. Rode every day, and lost 25 lbs. I am seriously addicted and don't want to lose my conditioning.

I'm going to purchase studs (and maybe x-tra rims for quick changes).
I would like "cold weather" apparal and riding advice from the serious riders on this forum.

Thanks.

[Kolesar]

1. Get some cold weather toys

This will get your heart a pumping: www.ernordic.com Glad to hear your riding and conditioning went so well. :thumbsup: Seriously, though, when you get some snow, xc skiing is great conditioning and great fun in the countryside.

[happyslug]

2. When I ride when it is cold I tend to wear regulate winter clothing.

Except it is design for about 10 degrees colder than if I was walking (The wind makes up the difference).

Remember three things when riding in Cold Weather:
1. Protect against the wind
2. Thermal protection from the Cold.
3. Make sure your Sweat is removed from your body.

The first two are related but are different, the third (Sweat) is your worse enemy in winter and will be addressed separately. Wind Chill is nullified by protection against the wind, even if the protection provides NO thermal protection from the cold. Thus a good wind proof outerwear is important including for your head, feet and hands.

Thermal protection from the cold should be obvious, but one of the problem with such protection is that people wear to MUCH clothing. People tend to dress to be comfortable as they exit their home. THe problem is once you start to peddle your baby will increase energy use and thus internal heat. In simple terms you start to overheat. You really can NOT prevent this, you have to address it as you exercise. For example in winter I have two rear panniers for extra layers of clothing THAT I PUT ON IF I AM TO COLD, or IF I AM TO WARM THE PANNIERS GIVE ME A PLACE TO STORE THE CLOTHING I TAKE OFF. Layer clothing is the best way to do this and you will learn how much to wear and when to take it off (each person is different as in your situation). You are in Minnesota so you do not have to go down any long hillsides (Which require extra clothing do to increase wind AND lack of exercise as you coast downhill). On long hillsides I always add clothing even if I am already warm do to the effect of going downhill (I live in the Appalachian Mountains so I go down 2-3 mile long hills).

For outerwear I tend to go with Gore-Tex clothing, it provides the needed wind protection and in a pinch snow and rain protection (Notice I put wind protection over Snow and Rain protection for wind is a constant problem in cold weather while Snow and rain disappear after a few hours). Gloves are important, but at 9 degree you should go to Mittens for Mittens greater thermal protection. I liked the Army trigger Finger Mittens for temperatures below 20 Degree. Now remember at temperatures below 20 Degree, such air do NOT hold much moisture so Gore-Tex is not needed (It is to cold to snow much at such temperatures). I tend to have on my bike four gloves, a light wind proof glove for temperatures in the 40s, a poly Glove Insert if I need more warmth than provided by the other gloves, My mittens for real cold temperatures and a pair of water proof Gloves for temperatures around Freezing. I have a nice size handlebar bag to keep these gloves in (along with other items). A to water-proof gloves be sure to spend the money, Gore-Tex is the best at not only keeping water out but making sure sweat is removed from your body (Sweat is your number one enemy in winter, and dress to make sure it can be removed from your body.

For shoes I use Neos over my tennis shoes (Through if I expect real bad weather I switch to a set of boots with the Neos). I like the Neos for the same reason I like layered clothing, if my feet gets to hot I can take off the Neos.

Head cover is tough. I have used old army helmet liners (Which I liked for their were a tight fit, kept my head warm and permitted me to turn my head if Needed), Russian style "Trooper" hats, which forced me to adjust by Helmet to fit under but were warmer than the Helmet Liner but still permitted me to turn my head, knitted caps and Balaclavas (Which had the problem of being knitted so minimal wind protection, worked best under something else) and a goose down hood attached to my Goose down coat (The problem with such hoods is they restrict your head movement since their are attached to the coat, but give complete protection to your neck).

I liked my Russian hat. Tough fit under the Helmet but can be done. Like my shoes NOT water proof for at the temperatures I am using at (i.e below 20 Degrees) I rarely run into snow or rain. Near the freezing point of water I prefer something more waterproof. I tend to use an Oregon Research hat at such temperatures do to it being Gore tex-ed and fit either a Balaclava or knitted cap under it if I need more warmth. I liked the Balaclava for its protection of my face and nose, these areas do NOT need the same level of protection as the rest of the body but needs some protection and a balaclava is generally adequate (Even if just knitted and the wind blows through it).

Now to address you worse enemy in winter, sweat. You must get rid of Sweat. Silk and Wool are you best material to absorb sweat from your body. remove it from you body, and disperse it to the outside. Polyethylene is good at the first two, but weak at the third. Cotton is even worse at getting rid of sweat. If you decide to go with Cotton be prepared to change often (i.e. every hour or so) if you go with polyethylene remember it will get soaked as fast as cotton but retain some ability to keep you warm, Silk and wool are the best material (Through you will feel better if you change any underwear every so often on your trip as the underwear gets saturated with your sweat).

The best way to get rid of Sweat is to change clothing (If you are using cotton this is ESSENTIAL). When I take a three hour ride, about half-way through it I change my T-Shirt. It makes my feel a lot better and warmer. I have done this in a open field (no wind) in 20 degree temperature so not a problem is done quickly.

Now to the bike itself, I use studded tires only when the road is NOT cleared, Other than that I stay with Slicks. The reason for this is Studded tires will increase the roll Resistance of your bike. Basically I would say 3-4 times the effort. I have NEVER taken my studded tires on any real long trips (Just to commute to and from work). I suspect if I did it would be just to tiring. One good thing about using Studded tires, when you switch back to Slicks you are in good shape to do a long trip without building your self up.

[bvar22]

3. Thanks!!!!!

Exactly the kind of information I am looking for.

Any "namebrands" you favor?

[happyslug]

4. Beside Gore-Tex, none.

And I have had some good like with some of the more expensive non-gore-tex "Breathable Water Proof" garments. On the other hand I did buy a cheap pair of "Breathable Water Proof" Gloves and all their do is sweat up my hands. The reason for this is Gore-Tex has been doing this since 1960 and thus has decades on the rest of the industry.

The only things I tend to like as well is Army surplus mittens, warm, have that Trigger finger which can help you switch gears. They are heavy, durable and out of Style, but your head stays warm. I also like the Bomber series of Fur hats, but remember it is a tight fit under a helmet (Again like Mittens, Gore-Tex not needed for use is at temperature generally to cold for snow). I like the Bomber series for the front flap snaps up not sewed up like some of the Cheaper hats. To fit a sewed up Bomber type hat under your helmet you have to cut the stitch holding the flap up, Bomber series hats snaps just snap out and than the flap lays downward and the bike Helmet fits better.

One more comment, I have been know to wear a baseball ap under my helmet , the brim helps block high-beams of oncoming cars. Given that during winter the sun is up less than 12 hours a day, you will be biking at night and need to block the high beams.

This brings me to lights, batteries lose power during Cold Weather. My Night Rider light set rarely last more than 2 hours in sub-zero weather. For that reason I switch my front wheel to a Generator Hub and a LCD front and rear light. Such a light set permits constant lighting without worrying about batteries or if you charged your battery. This is a big factor at night (Notice I continue to use my Night Rider for it is brighter than the LCD generator Light and I use a Battery Rear light in addition to the Generator Read light, front lights are more important than rear lights).

Generator Lights and NOT cheap (and if cheap NOT worth buying, cheap generators just tear up your tire as opposed to providing lighting). I get my lights from White Wheels out of New England:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/

But you can get a Cheaper (Through effective Generator) from other places like:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/shimano.html

[BiggJawn]

5. Mag trainer, fan and Euro-Dance music.

9 degrees? I don't like to even DRIVE in that much cold.
It's mag trainer time here in Indiana!

[dean_dem]

6. Two tips I've gotten from Northern riders

1. Scuba Gloves
2. A nice coat of vaseline on your face. Or any exposed skin for that matter.

Also, try as much as you can to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. Your nose warms up the air you're inhaling. You really don't have to believe all the horror stories about lung damage in cold weather anyway, but it's still helps your endurance if warm air is reaching your lungs.

[Obamanaut]

7. I use this fleece gaiter for warming air, even on a motorcycle

Kenyon 200 Wt. Fleece Gaiter (For Men and Women)

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/EUI/controller.asp?N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=gaiter&Nty=1&D=gaiter&Ntx=mode+matchallany&track=true&sid=438A488073A3E17F

I've ridden my motorcycle with temps in the 30's with this fleece gaiter pulled up over my nose, and it's long enough to still give neck protection. Rode bicycle last week in the 40's, and it's not so thick that it hinders breathing. That's about as cold as it gets, usually, in my part of northern Fla.

edited to add link

[bvar22]

8. Thanks.

I checked out the site, and this looks like something I can use.
It really fits in with the idea of "layers". It would be easy to take off if things get too hot, or vice versa.

[Kolesar]

9. I wear a thin balaclava but have a problem with fogging

While riding, I cover my nose, but when I come to a stop I have to pull it off my nose so the moisture from my breath does not fog my glasses. When I exhale, my breath shoots right up onto my glasses. I have the same problem even when wearing a fleece face mask.

Fun, fun. The coldest weather I ever ride in is about 32 degrees. I think I need a smaller nose.

[bvar22]

10. A Chicago bicycle commuter PMd me these links:

These are GREAT!!!


http://www.bikewinter.org/main.php


http://www.allweathersports.com/



http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/winter.html#Clothes






http://www.icebike.org/Default.htm


Thanks!

[Kolesar]

11. Go back to platform pedals with "clips" so you can pedal in boots

Instead of pedaling in bike shoes that have holes for the cleats and are not as warm. These folks ought to know more: http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/clothing.htm

We had three weeks of subfreezing with 40" of snow last month. I could not imagine riding in that. I would suggest getting some free weights and doing chest press, bent over rowing, bicep curls &tricep whatever-they-are-calleds. You will be pleasantly surprized that you can get a good workout doing sets of those. You will feel warm. You will develop definition. For the lower body, do lunges, squats and wall-slides for the quads. Do some crunches. You can do all this and more while listening to CDs or NPR if you are a news-nerd (smile when you say news-nerd).

Nashbar has a sale on a trainer. See the trainers thread I posted to 12/31/05. To determine if it is good, surf www.bicycling.com or www.roadbikereview.com . I cannot attest to the model's qualities.

When you get a chance, promise me you will ride the Lake Woebegon Trail and tell us about it. We stopped in Sauk City on the way home from Montana and could not find a bicycle rental. Happy training and Happy New Year.

[bvar22]

12. Thanks!

Next time you are passing through, PM me, and I will see that you have access to a couple of decent bikes.
The trails in Minnesota are too good to miss!
I haven't done the Lake Woebegon yet, but am planning on early Spring.

[stop the bleeding]

13. You might want to think about a little extra TLC for your bike, Some type

of ice lube would good for your chain. I would talk to the local shop find someone who actually rides in the same conditions as you on a regular basis and see what they say. You never know what different types of equipment they will recommend(maybe different brake pads:beer:) who knows.

9 degrees - better you than me, went for a 60 miler today and the temp was in the mid 70's:toast:

[loveable liberal]

14. I made my own cold weather gear. Excellent stuff.

I forgot the fabric name but its light and absolutely wind proof. I think its made by Dow though. I wear it playing ice hockey out in -20 to +10 degree weather and cycling. I've never had a problem. For about $40 of this fabric you can make a tight fitting suit that you can wear in any kind of weather. The stuff does not breath however so if you're sweat, dont stop riding until you get back home.