Winter Riding, keeping warm.

[neptronix]

veloman; will a face mask prevent you from getting a cold while riding in the winter?

I usually stay inside during the winter and just drive because if i go out and excersize in the middle of winter, i end up with instant bronchitis.

I wonder if it is because the lungs just get too damn cold and can't defend themselves.

[LI-ghtcycle]

A neoprene face mask would be a good idea for cold temps. I have a Respro that has an outer neoprene cover, looks like a ski mask, and it definitely keeps me warmer. It's a little hot wearing it when it was 95 and I was cycling.

I'd also suggest goggles, as cold air can make my eyes water, especially if I'm not acclimated to it. Goggles are good anyway though, I often get dirt in my eyes when wearing sunglasses if it's a windy day.

You know, I have the same problem with the wind in my eyes, so far these have worked well for me:



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390197114324&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I really like the amber version, helps me see better too especially in low light, yet doesn't intensify the sun. I thought initially I would need some smoked ones too for the sun, but so far they are fine in the sun too.

[Kingfish]

I used to wear my old ski goggles though I really needed something better and went with these because I wear glasses:



...found on Amazon.

They're a little bit goofy, but it keeps me from tearing up

In the Pacific NW we get a lot of rain and crud (sleet & rain mixed) which can be blinding at night. The downside is that they often fog-up when I stop at a light, and they scratch easy.

I would really like to move towards wearing a helmet with a face shield; something to flip-up when at a stop. Though I am concerned about overheating.

Curious: For those that wear helmets, are you using a motorcycle helmet or a vented bike helmet?
~KF

[LI-ghtcycle]

You can buy some "no fog" spray at most motorcycle shops, or if you're wanting to go the budget version, you can smear a thin film of soap on the inside of your lenses, won't be ideal to look through, but will be fog free.

Nothing really beats a set of dual pane lenses either in some form of goggles or a fog city fog shield on the inside of your face shield.

I really wish I had gone the route of the dual sport motorcycle helmet (I wear a MX helmet) now since I would have a face shield, but the bubble goggles don't fog up too easy since they are vented.

I went through my room today and found my old military goggles they issued us in the desert, never actually had to wear them, I bet they are pretty anti-fog, They have vents that let them breath and a second lens that is shaded. Here is a website that has a pic of some:

[veloman]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindu ... 117407164/


I knew it was only a matter of time before these were commercially made. One more step towards making winter cycling enjoyable.

[veloman]

veloman; will a face mask prevent you from getting a cold while riding in the winter?

I usually stay inside during the winter and just drive because if i go out and excersize in the middle of winter, i end up with instant bronchitis.

I wonder if it is because the lungs just get too damn cold and can't defend themselves.

It's a myth that cold air will give you a cold. Unless you have some specific health/lung problem, cold air shouldn't negatively affect you. Many cyclists ride in sub freezing temps, myself included.

The mask would be good to protect your skin from getting too cold, especially at high speeds.

[ErbiumYAG]

Last winter was rather wicked here in the North Eastern USA. I used a ColdAvenger face mask, Wiley-X CQC goggles along with a Bell Metro helmet with the winter kit and rain cover installed. The ColdAvenger cost $50; but it was the best $50 I could have spent. Even when the temperature was 10 degrees F, I felt completely comfortable. The Wiley-X goggles are also great. Never once did my eyes start tearing, as they completely shielded my eyes from the wind. I also love the Bell Metro helmet because of the snap on rain cover and winter kit (purchased seperately); not only does this keep your head warm, but I have stayed completely dry even in a torrential down pour. Speaking of down pours, I also highly recommend the Carradice Duxback rain cape. While it is expensive, it keeps you dry without overheating and it is such high quality that it should absolutely last a lifetime.

http://www.talusoutdoor.com/shop?page=s ... egory_id=1

http://www.opticsplanet.net/wiley-gg-x-cqc.html

http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 000__11501

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/carradice.asp

Oh, and I can't forget the NEOS Adventurer overshoes. These really keep your feet warm and dry in snowy/slushy conditions.

http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/pr ... .php?s=ANN

[Kingfish]

Good list!

I bought these last winter: They were awesome through the Seattle winter crud and kept my feetsies nice and dry:
Lake MtB Winter Boots

~KF

[LI-ghtcycle]

You know, on second thought, I think I will go more for water protection since that is the true enemy of warm hands. So I found these:

http://www.rei.com/product/802453



They aren't lobster gloves, but who cares that your fingers are 2 by 2 inside a wet glove? These other gloves are staying warm even submerged in water when used kayaking, so I think they should be fine on a bike.

I'm also considering this balaclava, even though it doesn't any reviews, the style and listing for water and wind resistance sounds pretty much like what I
need.

http://www.rei.com/product/722355



I haven't decided on a set of over-shoes, I can always wear my extreme cold weather (rated for -40 DEG F!) military boots, they are heavy and bulky, but nothing comes close their water proof and warmth combo, but there almost guaranteed to make your feet sweat.

[swade]

There's no such thing as bad e-bike weather, just poor clothing choices! Most important advice I could offer: studded tires.

This will be my third winter of riding every day. My coldest day is -36 celcius (without wind chill factoring in which would take it to who knows what). My rides last about an hour each way. One cold stretch lasted 3 weeks. Typical is about -15 for three months of the year. My commute times increase by about 10 minutes (12%) on really snowy days.

On the worst days of the winter, commuting by car is a total gong show. Many people spend two to three hours to cover the same distance my bike does in an hour. My limit is 15 cm of fresh snow, more than that and I stay home. I haven't had to take a weather day yet in three years.

My bike:

Here's what I use:
Bike:
- 26 inch mtb, 5304, two 48v 10ah pings in parallel mounted in panniers on front rack, 35amp xlyte pedal first controller.
- on really snowy days, the spokes get icicles on them, no issues with performance though, the bike runs great in the cold
- use chain lube formulated for cold weather, it does get more difficult to shift on the extremely cold days
- studded tires if you ride on any kind of snow/ice
- wrap the battery in closed cell foam and always store/charge indoors (ping)

Lights
- its dark both ways for my commute in the dead of winter, at the speed we go, lights are very important, I've tried lots of off the shelf hid setups, and so on, ay up is the only thing that has lasted more than a few months
- good reflectors, I have front and back blinky lights too

Body
- lots of layers with a wind proof shell

Pants
- most days its a certain thickness of long underwear with wind proof cycling pants on the outside
- really cold - thickest long johns, ski pants

Feet
- pull on leather shoes rated for -15 - I'll wear these until about -10
- -15 or colder - full on winter boots that are flexible and rated to -45

Face/Head
Above freezing - just the cheap shield type glasses, preferably a clear lens
Below freezing - ski goggles, clear lens
Below -5 Celsius - simple balaclava
Below -15 balaclava, tuke, neoprene face mask on top of the balaclava
I tape all the air holes on my helmet in the winter and also have wedged in closed cell foam to keep it a bit warmer.

Hands:
- I carry a pair of hot pack hand warmers in case I have to fix anything that breaks
- Tried heated gloves, too much fussing with batteries

Depends on the temp but here's what works:
+5 and above - regular bike gloves
0-5 Celsius - work gloves, all leather
- below zero to -5 - winter gloves without the liners
- 5 to -10 - winter gloves with liners
- 10 to -15 winter gloves, liners and over mitts
- 15 to -20 winter mitts
- 20 and colder winter mitts and over mitts
Winter mitts:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 4302698935
Gloves:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 4302698971
Overmitts:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 4302698935

[Kingfish]

My limit is 15 cm of fresh snow, more than that and I stay home.

Awesome!

I stay home if the wind is greater than 25 mph It's just not worth dying over with crap flying out of the trees.

I'll need to put together a 2WD solution. I know it's OT but what brand/size studded tires are you running?

Really an impressive list; I've made notes
Cheers, KF

[veloman]

These seems like a great idea, and only $30 shipped. Not bulky so they shouldn't add tons of air drag. I may buy them if my own version doesn't work out.

http://drybike.com/index.html

[dogman]

I'm a desert dog from the south, but I did spend a lifetime on the ski slopes at 11,000 feet. So I end up posting this comment every year about staying warm.

Rule number one.

Keep your body core warm. If your hands and feet are cold, you need another layer on the torso, so add another fleece liner under the coat. Using these methods I'd slash up the pow all day when the others were hiding in the lodge from the blizzard day. Never needed more than ordinary ski gloves and socks to stay warm. If really really cold, I'd add wind pants over the legs.

You underdress the torso, and then the blood reaching the fingers and toes gets too cold. And of course, if really freezing, riding 35 mph and not pedaling makes it worse. Ride the top speed your bike is geared for, and make a bit of heat in your core.

[Kingfish]

Dogman, I can believe it: No matter how cold it is – I am warm after 2 minutes of hard pedaling, and I pedal like-the-wind fast as the bike can safely take me which is about 30-35 mph. Twice last winter I had a flat tire and I froze by bum off waiting for the bus because I was not dressed for that sort of static activity. This brings to mind that it is a good idea to pack a pullover sweater for just those occasions.

On a corollary note, staying dry is equally important. I have four components: Jacket, Trousers, Gloves, & Boots – all must be at least water-repellant. Recently I washed my jacket and trousers to remove the accumulated detritus of travel. This action washes away the repellant coating; stupid me: I thought Gore-Tex attributes were insolvent to common detergent.

I went to my local REI and purchased this stuff:
Nikwax TX-Direct 2.0 Wash-In Water Repellent Treatment

After washing three articles, the conclusion is that it might be fine for a spring rain. However – I live around Seattle and was damp after one typical exposure. Short of a hot-wax-dip I think the next course of action is to find a dry cleaner that can apply the fix.

Does anyone have experience with spray-on or wash-in alternatives?
Webbed-footed, KF

Q: What do you call 3 consecutive days of sunshine in Seattle?
A: Summer.

[dogman]

Wet cold is much worse than dry cold for sure. I've never been as cold skiing or mountain climbing as I've been when windsurfing in 50 F water. You'd surf till you got hypothermia. Once you went frankenstien, and couldn't move arms or legs much, you'd blow to the other side of the lake where the hike back to the car would warm you back up. A hot thermos of chicken soup was wonderfull after that.

I tend to drive the car if it gets really cold, but ride plenty down to about 20F. My typical cold day set up is this. Non vented snowboarding helmet with ear muffs, and maybe even a ski hat under that. Decent ski gloves, not cheapies. A couple layers of t shirts, or one rugby shirt, fleece vest or fleece jacket. Then an insulated jacket such as a ski coat. Finally a wind and rain shell, mostly for the high visibility colors of it. On the bottom, usually just some warm boots and levi's. If really cold, then a pair of nylon wind pants over the levi's. The legs stay pretty warm when the torso is cocooned in enough layers.

Riding slow at the start of the ride helps get the heater going, then you can go fast and not freeze.

[Uncle Ron]

Moderator,

Lock this danged thread at the top. One of the best, most practical discussions I've seen.

Just a suggestion! (g)

[lester12483]

In the winter I just use my old Army cold weather gear from Afghanistan. It keeps me nice and warm. Army Bacalavas are great and still have 3 pairs of gunner goggles.

[iperov]

My heating glove.

five parallel NiCr wire to every finger.

6x 18650 A123 in parallel, no bms, charging by turnigy.

amperage ~3.2A +-0.2 = ~9 Watt total glove.

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[LI-ghtcycle]

Nice to see this thread coming back again this year! (Mods, a sticky would be nice ... pretty pleeeeeeeezzzzzz?? )

Since last year I have learned that the NRS gloves are warm, but smell like month old gym socks and NEVER seem to smell any better no matter how hard you try (I used baking soda even!) and they started to fall apart, not to mention they are really a pain taking them off because they don't breath what so ever so your hands sweat, and you have to over-come intense suction to get them back off.

This year I bit the bullet and bought these:

http://www.rei.com/product/819870/pearl-izumi-pro-softshell-lobster-bike-gloves



So far they are very very warm, and cause your hands to sweat a bit, but they do breath a lot more than the NRS neoprene gloves, and don't let the rain in.

I will have to give another report once I have been in sub freezing weather, so far it's mostly been about 35F at the coldest while riding.

My favorite new winter item is this Neck Gator from Smart Wool!

http://www.rei.com/product/738922/smartwool-neck-gaiter



I like it because I can have it over just my face, neck or up around my ears and with a helmet that has ear covers, it makes it very warm and keeps the wind off.

And being merino wool, it's not scratchy or smelly, it can also be doubled up. I highly recommend it.

*EDIT* I forgot to mention too for eye wear, I have a double pained set of ski goggles from Goodwill and they don't fog a bit!

[atom1025]

Cash is tight so I just cut a leg off my sons (4yr) sweatpant that don't fit him and made a ghetto half mask that keeps my cheeks warm, covers the ears to, keeps the beard dry on the foggy days and actually stays put. Just a tip for the thrifty folks.

[LI-ghtcycle]

Cash is tight so I just cut a leg off my sons (4yr) sweatpant that don't fit him and made a ghetto half mask that keeps my cheeks warm, covers the ears to, keeps the beard dry on the foggy days and actually stays put. Just a tip for the thrifty folks.

That is AWESOME!!

You know, you could then cover that with a leg from a large pair of bicycle shorts or tights making a tube to keep the rain off and wind out!

I love wool, but you're right, $75 gloves and $24 neck gaiters aren't exactly affordable.

[veloman]

These seems like a great idea, and only $30 shipped. Not bulky so they shouldn't add tons of air drag. I may buy them if my own version doesn't work out.

http://drybike.com/index.html

I'm mentioning these again because I never made my own pair last winter (instead, I moved back down to Austin and didn't need them as I was without an ebike until the spring). But really, these seem perfect for cold/wet riding. Just wear your normal full finger bike gloves and I bet you'd be warm down to some very cold temps since you'd have zero wind on your hands. Wind is what makes you cold on the bike (or wet). You don't need a ton of insulation if you are exercising).

I'm going to give a shot at making something like these and if it doesn't work, I"ll buy them. My hands get a little cold when it's below 55 in my normal bike gloves. (night riding. day riding is still 65-75 here)

[LI-ghtcycle]

These seems like a great idea, and only $30 shipped. Not bulky so they shouldn't add tons of air drag. I may buy them if my own version doesn't work out.

http://drybike.com/index.html

I'm mentioning these again because I never made my own pair last winter (instead, I moved back down to Austin and didn't need them as I was without an ebike until the spring). But really, these seem perfect for cold/wet riding. Just wear your normal full finger bike gloves and I bet you'd be warm down to some very cold temps since you'd have zero wind on your hands. Wind is what makes you cold on the bike (or wet). You don't need a ton of insulation if you are exercising).

I'm going to give a shot at making something like these and if it doesn't work, I"ll buy them. My hands get a little cold when it's below 55 in my normal bike gloves. (night riding. day riding is still 65-75 here)

Wow, really roughing it there eh?

55 isn't cold! that's when I put on my light weight gloves!

You are right about these keeping hands warm by keeping the wind & rain off, soon as I can budget it, I will have Zzipper wind screen for that too.

However, for $30 shipped, they can be made much cheaper on your own. Sounds like a bargain if they work well.

[veloman]

Time to make the hand covers for the bars. Drybike is sold out, so all the more reason to fabricate my own. A shield helps, but having full cover is nice to keep the hands toasty without bulky gloves. I still may just try a decent pair of windproof gloves, and see how cold they work.

[LI-ghtcycle]

I still haven't regretted the Lobster gloves, and they have kept me warm down to 28F so far, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

*** EDIT *** Ok, so I CAN'T cross my fingers in these gloves, but I can do a kewl Vulcan greeting!