DaViD AuKeR
Thanks, Erik, for starting this thread, and attempting to make this
truly "chat!" This is a wonderful means of communication, useful for
sharing helpful tips.
Jes' red wun?a dem der emales frum the puter.
Wow. Whichever "side of the mountains" you happen to live on, each time
you ride (should be everyday!), you'll get feedback on what area of your
body was a bit cold. Try and make it better the next time out. Inside
the wonderful stretchy clothing we have these days (I've been around
since before Lycra), it's easy to pack pieces of wool and/or
poly-fleece. The chest, nape of neck, tailbone, crotch, knees are
obvious places to stuff it!
Don't use ANY cotton this time of year!
I think wool and some wicking
polypro liner is the answer. For the longer rides some kind of booty works
well.
Tip for feet: I gleaned a stack of new Oregonian Sunday (big) plastic
bags...I use these as a layer on my feet:
socks
shoes
wool and neoprene toe covers
Oregonian plastic bag, tucked into the sock top
goretex shoe cover.
Your milage will vary, but it works for me. I use SPD cleats/pedals,
and they cut right thru the plastic, no problem, and I don't ever pull
out. I only use the plastic when it's gonna be a wet day!
I use small patches of that creamy-looking insulative plastic on my
knees:
wool knee/quad warmers
a plastic patch on each knee (5"x8")
knickers.
The trick with the small areas of plastic use, is to keep it as far away
from your skin as possible.
Using the "MicroZonal Layering?", you can have lots of layers where you
need, but spare other areas of the increased bulk (I go out with about 6
layers over my knees, but would I want the 6 layers over the whole leg?
- No!...in fact, my shins/calves are bare).
I have designed a face mask that protects my cheek bones...a very
difficult place to keep warm, w/o covering also the nose and mouth
(which are completely open in my design). I can augment this with a
scarf to pull up over the mouth/nose. I don't go into banks dressed
like this...
Helmets need to have all the wonderful venting ...plugged. Keep that
airflow ...away!
God, it takes a while to dress this time of year!!
We all have our preferences, but for me, an hour or two on a fendered
fixed gear is the way to go when it's cold and wet! The "heater" is
always on: no coasting. You can say "I'm not gonna coast" on a gearS
bike, but it just ain't the same, sorry! On fixed, you actually "work"
your way DOWN the hills...
but a
warm drink 20 minutes into a ride feels really good,
I used to carry a little flask of flavored brandy on group
rides...passed around, a sip was very popular (adding to the usual and
essential water and food!).
David