Struggling now in the cold weather

[paul04]

As we all know the weather is gettng colder now, and I really suffer from cold fingers,(Raynaud's)
This week I have really struggled to ride the bike to work, I could not change gear or use the brake with my right hand,as I can't bend my fingers.
I am going to carry on (the best I can) my commute to work, but just go the shorter way there and back,but if's its so cold I will have to take the car, (I don't want too as I enjoy cycling) but will have to skip the weekend end rides as I feel its not safe to ride any real distance.

I have tried quite a few different gloves,(even specialized gloves from the hospital) and none really work to keep the cold out, even my heated gloves are just about keeping my hands warm.

Only really suffering with one finger on my right hand at the moment, but it will not be long before they all go.
Going to the hospital on the 21st of this month and see what the have to say, will get some nifedipine tablets from them which do help a little bit.

 

[Moodyman]

A few people ride year round with Raynauds. There's a thread in Health and Fitness which should help with ways to deal with it.

Here:
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cycling-with-raynauds.91311/

 

[Ganymede]

Do you think you could try cycling in mittens? I have started using mittens to ski in but I wonder if they would be too unwieldy for cycling. I wear a pair of fine wool liner gloves and a pair of windproof and warm mittens on top. Having all your fingers together rather than separated means you generate and retain more heat.

To come clean, my ski mittens were extremely expensive, but I have also got a pair of Trek Mate Windstopper mittens which (although not suitable for skiing) were a godsend in the Arctic, again with lining gloves.

I sometimes wear my old ski gloves (not mittens) to cycle in the cold but nearly always find them too hot, so perhaps that's the way to go.

NB I don't have Reynauds so this advice may be inadequate, just hope it helps.

 

[Crackle]

I used to cycle in mittens for the same reason but over the years it seems to have improved in me.

 

[paul04]

Do you think you could try cycling in mittens? I have started using mittens to ski in but I wonder if they would be too unwieldy for cycling. I wear a pair of fine wool liner gloves and a pair of windproof and warm mittens on top. Having all your fingers together rather than separated means you generate and retain more heat.

To come clean, my ski mittens were extremely expensive, but I have also got a pair of Trek Mate Windstopper mittens which (although not suitable for skiing) were a godsend in the Arctic, again with lining gloves.

I sometimes wear my old ski gloves (not mittens) to cycle in the cold but nearly always find them too hot, so perhaps that's the way to go.

NB I don't have Reynauds so this advice may be inadequate, just hope it helps.

I must have at least 20 pairs of gloves in the house, but none really work well. but you have given me a idea, I have just been looking on the decathlon website at ski mittens.
so my plan is ski liner gloves, then ski mittens, and I have a small hand warmer which will fit in the mittens (does not work in gloves as it only warms the palm of your hand and not the fingers)

this is my idea
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/take-heat-touch-liner-glove-id_8285368.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/boost-heat-black-ski-over-gloves--id_8186186.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-REUSA...Goods_Camping_Accessories&hash=item3a7a6b93d5

 

[Ganymede]

I must have at least 20 pairs of gloves in the house, but none really work well. but you have given me a idea, I have just been looking on the decathlon website at ski mittens.
so my plan is ski liner gloves, then ski mittens, and I have a small hand warmer which will fit in the mittens (does not work in gloves as it only warms the palm of your hand and not the fingers)

this is my idea
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/take-heat-touch-liner-glove-id_8285368.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/boost-heat-black-ski-over-gloves--id_8186186.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-REUSA...Goods_Camping_Accessories&hash=item3a7a6b93d5

That looks like a great plan, Paul. I assume you know you have to boil up those gel warmers in between uses? Minor faff for a good result though. And those ski gloves are an extremely good price! With the space inside the mittens being heated, and the ski liners (I'd say from experience, wool is better than silk, and merino if you can afford them is best (I think you can find them for around £15).

I do hope you report back!

 

[paul04]

That looks like a great plan, Paul. I assume you know you have to boil up those gel warmers in between uses? Minor faff for a good result though. And those ski gloves are an extremely good price! With the space inside the mittens being heated, and the ski liners (I'd say from experience, wool is better than silk, and merino if you can afford them is best (I think you can find them for around £15).

I do hope you report back!

I already have some gel warmers, so boil them every night ready for the next day. I will go in decathlon this week and get some gloves, will keep this thread updated.

 

[Ganymede]

Great!

 

[paul04]

Update, I got some ski mittens from decathlon on monday, I have tried them all this week, with gloves on then the mittens over the top, and no they did not work, my fingers were still just as cold.
I did try a pair of gloves, the ski mittens and a hand warmer, but its almost impossible to change gear or use the brake with the hand warmer in the right place to keep my fingers warm.
so I am going to try and find a pair of thin battery operated glove warmers, then use the ski mittens, that might work.
Not going to give up just yet

 

[Sittingduck]

Try lobster claws!

 

[Ganymede]

Update, I got some ski mittens from decathlon on monday, I have tried them all this week, with gloves on then the mittens over the top, and no they did not work, my fingers were still just as cold.

Bum. Thought it would work!

so I am going to try and find a pair of thin battery operated glove warmers, then use the ski mittens, that might work.
Not going to give up just yet

Good man! Keep us posted!

Just thought of a thing - my ski instructor, who is very skinny, warms up his hands by swinging his arms in big circles - sends the blood to the extremities. Try that before putting on the gloves?

 

[Ganymede]

Thought of this thread this morning when one of my own fingers went numb. How's it going paul04?

 

[paul04]

Thought of this thread this morning when one of my own fingers went numb. How's it going paul04?

Not that good, got every finger now, but not letting it get me down, going to see the specialist again at the hospital on tuesday for the result of some blood test I've had done+got some tablets off them which help a little bit

 

[Pale Rider]

When I was motorcycling - slowly - in London I had fist sized wind deflectors on bars.

They made a big difference when used with gloves.

I saw a couple of bikers who had bodged a pair from cut up pop or Fairly Liquid bottles.

Keeps your hands a bit drier in the rain as well.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

This might sound odd, but are your gloves too snug a fit on your fingers ? Measure the length of your fingers, then measure some gloves up. If the glove finger is hard up against the end of your finger you will get cold. Ensure there is a few mm of free air space between the two, it's amazing what difference it will make.