From: jeff@claw.clearpoint.com (Jeffrey J. Griglack)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Road bikes in the winter.
Date: 2 Oct 92 14:29:21 GMT
Reply-To: jeff@claw.clearpoint.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: Clearpoint Research, Hopkinton, MA

On 1 Oct 92 13:25:32 GMT, pwyc@cbnewse.cb.att.com (peter.w.chen) said:

>> In article <BvCzDF.EC4@news.cso.uiuc.edu> tlt38517@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Terry Thiel) writes:
>...  Is it at all possible to continue riding when it gets 30 or 40
>degrees?  I think I could dress OK for the cold but the wind is another story.
>I would think that the wind on these flat cornfields would go through
>about anything. Comments?  How can I do at least some road riding this winter?

>> Layered dressing for the body and legs shouldn't be a problem; it's the face
>> and extremeties you want to worry about.  Ski equipment works well: get some
>> ski goggles (preferable with a clear lens for riding in the dark - days are
>> short), a ski mask, earmuffs, some scarf/turtleneck for the neck area, ski
>> gloves with liner , and some warm boots.  

Ski equipment works well, but I bought some Canondale winter bike
mittens a few years ago.  They split the index finger out to give you
better control over breaking, and they are _very_ warm despite the
fact that they are thin.  In fact, they are warmer than any ski glove
I have ever owned.  If they still make them, I would recomend getting
a pair.

I also have a thin sock that covers my face, except for the eyes of
course.  This is good enough to keep my face and ears comfortable down
into the teens (Farenheit).  Lower than that, I would go for one of
the neoprene face masks.  I know someone who just wears a headband
most of the winter, but his face is starting to look a little older
than his age from the exposure.

>> If you go below 10 degrees F, you'll
>> need to start worrying about insulated socks, mittens to go over the gloves,
>> and some protection for the knees, but if you're just contemplating 30, the
>> above should have you sweating within a mile.

I have some neoprene socks that keep my feet warm and dry under my
normal bike shoes (Boots?  I couldn't even fit boots into the
stirrups).  I also, usually, ride with my rain pants on.  The rain
pants work well an wind pants.  These combine to keep my legs and feet
warm and dry.  Remeber it snows in the winter and the snow turns to
slush.  

Also remember that if you overdress you will be sweating within a
mile.  Sweat (water in general) is not your friend in the winter time.
It will ruin the insulation properties of your clothing.  Do not be
afraid to take a layer or two off and put them in a pack as you start
to warm up.

One last thing.  I usually put a semi-knobby tire on in the snow.  The
Specialized Tri-X (I think that is what it's called) was recomended to
me by a friend and has worked out very well.  It is fun (but probably
more than a little dangerous) to pass cars in a snow storm :).
--

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|Jeff Griglack             |"To mess about with typewriters and latch keys    |
|jeff@claw.clearpoint.com  | and call it work!"                               |
|jeff@fang.clearpoint.com  |                          -- E.M. Forster         |
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