From: pamela@keps.com (Pamela Blalock)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides,rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: tips for long winter rides
Date: 28 Dec 92 22:20:12 GMT
Organization: KEPS Inc.

Tips for enjoying long winter rides

After I posted the century a month challenge in r.b.rides, I received
a mailbox full of requests for tips on winter riding. There is a great
article by the infamous Pete Hickey in the FAQ, and I highly recommend
it, but I'll also share some of my own tips. This is based on my own
experiences of doing centuries, club rides and commutes in the winter,
in New England. This is my fourth winter here, after moving from a
much milder climate in North Carolina. I've changed a few things over
the years, but this is what works for me currently.  Hopefully it will
help some of you.

I'll start with clothing. One of the biggest mistakes that people make
is overdressing. Remember that you are exercising and generating heat
yourself. If you are overdressed, you will sweat, and if you aren't
wearing clothes made of wicking and breathable fabrics, you will end
up wet, and then you'll get really cold.

Stay away from cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet.

Silk is a natural fiber with great insulating properties. It has the
additional feature of being thin and slippery and works well for glove
liners since it's easy to get outer gloves and socks on and off over
it. 

I really like thermax. It has most of the good properties of polypro,
without the bad. It doesn't retain odor, it can be dried in a clothes
dryer.  It wicks moisture away from the skin, and dries quickly.
There are lots of new synthetics out there, so whereever I say
thermax, feel free to substitute polypro, or your own favorite
synthetic.

Gortex, Entrant and other fabrics used in rainwear make good outside
layers.  In addition to keeping rain out, these fabrics are also very
good at stopping the wind. I always have a rain jacket and rainpants
with me in the winter, since New England weather is so unpredictable,
and I don't ever want to be caught in a 35 degree rainstorm without
protection!

Protect the extremities, hands, feet, and head.

I have two pair of shoes, one for summer, and another 1.5 sizes larger
for winter.  This way I can use thick socks or heavy insoles. I
currently use a pair of fleece insoles. Gortex insoles are also
available. I use thermax socks, sometimes with silk liners. And
currently have a pair of thick neoprene booties. I've been looking for
a new pair of Gortex booties to replace the neoprene ones, since
neoprene doesn't breath and I can end up with sweaty wet feet.

The shoes I use are not ventilated well at all, which isn't so great
in the summer, but is perfect in the winter. If your shoes are
seriously ventilated, consider another pair, or tape up the holes.

A pair of wool socks may be necessary for those with cooler shoes than
mine. But make sure you have plenty of room, and that your toes aren't
cramped. Shoes that are too tight will definitely cause cold feet.

There are various foot warmers available. For less than $2, you can
get these shake-em to activate them hand and feet warmers. Locally I
have found these at REI, EMS, and various skiing and sporting goods
shops. There are specific ones made for toes that are small enough 
to fit in a shoe comfortably. 

I'd like to thank John Unruh for telling me about the battery powered
heated insole called made by Hotronics. REI carries these for
$130-$140. I decided to spoil myself after Christmas and purchased a
pair on Sunday.  I'll let everyone know how they work after my New
Year's ride.

If your feet get too cold on a ride (or any part of you, for that
matter) stop at a convenience store for a warm up break. Remove as
much clothing as you dare. Buy some coffee or something to appease the
clerk :) Take your shoes off and wiggle your toes. Those big coolers
that hold beer and cokes blast heat out the vents in the bottom. Go
stand next to those. It's important not to stay inside with all your
warm clothes on, because you will acclimate and then freeze when you
leave. If possible stop at the bottom of a hill, so you can warm
yourself up by climbing. Never stop at the top for any more time than
it takes to add another layer. You will be sorry. Eat something while
you are at the store. You are burning a lot of calories to keep warm
and you will need fuel. If you are doing a long ride (like a century)
plan for longer and more frequent breaks than you would in the summer.

Back to clothing. 

For hands, I start with silk glove liners. Then I add either mittens
or gloves, depending on the temps. I use mittens for colder weather.
Some degree of control is lost with mittens, so if it's over 30F, I go
with gloves. The glove liners are really handy for times when I have
to remove my outer gloves to do something that the bulk won't allow me
to do otherwise, like make adjustments, fix a chain, etc. I must have
a dozen pair of gloves, but my favorites have gortex inserts, again
great for blocking the wind, and just in case it gets wet out.

I have both a silk face mask, and a neoprene mask. I have ridden in
single digits several times this year, and the silk one has been fine.
But I keep the neoprene one around just in case. I prefer the silk one
because it feels better, is easier to breath through, and easier to
move, so I can drink, spit, blow my nose, etc. It actually covers
evrything from the shoulders up, except the eyes, and it works
amazingly well to keep my whole head warm. I also have a few headbands
and earmuffs for additional ear protection. BTW, you may have to
remove some padding from your helmet to make room for that wool hat or
headband. There are also Gortex helmet covers available to help block
some of the wind in those (wonderful in the summer) air vents in the
helmet.

The final touch is a pair of ski googles. I have clear ones since I
ride at night also. I don't have to deal with my glasses fogging up
when I stop at traffic lights, and my eyes stay warm. And they only
cost $25-$30.

OK, your head, hands and feet are warm, let's get to the rest of you.

I start with a thermax zippered turtleneck sweater and bib shorts. The
zipper in the turtleneck serves a a great temperature regulator. The
bib shorts cover my back when I'm in the cycling postion. Mine are
ladies bibs and also cover the chest for additional warmth. For cold
but dry days I'll add a pair of leg warmers before my outer bib
tights. If it's wet I'll use my Gortex bib rainpants instead of the
leg warmers. I don't want to overdress, and I do still want to be able
to move. I carry the ones I'm not wearing, since I never know when the
weather may change. I then add a rain jacket with underarm zippers.
Opening and closing these will also regulate the temperature very
well.

I also carry (and wear if needed) a wool sweater. If I have a flat,
and will be outside for long, not riding and generating heat, I want
additional layers against the cold. I have mentioned that I carry
several things, so I should also mention that I have either a large
trunk bag or small panniers on my bike in the winter. Better to be
prepared than cold and miserable.  If the temperature rises, I also
want a place to discard excess clothing.

One last note about clothing is dress visibly. The sun is lower in the
sky at this time of year and more likely to blind drivers. Make sure
you can be seen!

OK, so we are dressed. Let's go look at the bike. Is it in top
condition.  I don't want to have to do bike maintenance on the side of
the road in sub-freezing temperatures, so I do a thorough check to
make sure everything works perfectly. I also tend to go with wider
tires to avoid flats (oh wait, I do this in the summer too.) I'm
currently using Michelin Express inverted tread tires on my mountain
bike, and they are great - hard to find, but great! They actually
handle ice fairly well too. Fenders are worth their weight in gold in
New England. I wouldn't think of doing a winter ride without them.
And as usual, I carry enough tools to do minor roadside repairs, tire
levers, tubes, wrenches, chain tool, etc.

Since I tend to ride my commute bike in the winter, I almost always
have lights on my bike. The sun sets early, and an unexpected flat or
long break can result in a ride finishing after dark. 

I choose my routes carefully and I always have a bail-out plan. I tend
to do smaller loops close to home, in case I need to bail out for some
reason, like a blizzard, or a mechanical failure. I will go knock on a
door, or call a friend or taxi (or AAA) if I find myself in trouble.

I try to ride with others on longer rides. First, because it's more
fun, but also it's safer. You can watch out for each other, send for
help, etc.

To keep from dealing with frozen water, I use a Camelback, and keep
the hose tucked inside my jacket when I'm not using it. I keep my
powerbars next to my body where they stay warm and soft.

Keep your eyes open for ice on the roads. Black ice will get you on a
bike, just as easily as it gets you in a car or on foot. One person
asked me what I do on black ice, and I have to answer truthfully -
sometimes I fall.  But I'm usually wearing enough clothing that I
don't get hurt. And I have had much better luck on ice on my bike than
I have in my car. Maybe practicing by riding on rollers would help :)

Anyway this is how I prepare for cold weather rides ranging from a 12
mile commute, a 30 mile club ride, or a 100 mile ride in subfreezing
temperatures.

Of course, there is one other option, which I've been seriously
considering, which is to move back home to a warmer climate!





-- 
Pamela Blalock                                    pamela@keps.com
KEPS, 164 Lexington Road                          12 down, I'm done
Billerica, MA 01821-3984                          time to start over!