Well thats was fun then...

[cyberknight]

NOT !!

Last night on the way to work my rear brake froze.

When i came out i found i had a half inflated tyre so i decide to chance it and pump it up .By this time my hands and feet are blocks of ice so i proceed as best i can.On a section where i have to ride in primary due to bollards i get cut up and even my airzound has frozen !


Suffice to say i am a bit miffed

Even more fun happens when i try to have a shower as my feet have got that cold that it is very painful when the water hits the toes , even though i had 2 pairs of thermal socks and overshoes on they were very cold and still feel a bit odd after i have had 6 hours in bed to warm up.

I have tried everything to keep my feet warm but i an getting to the stage where it is not fun anymore cycling in around - 10 after spending 5 hours on a fork truck in an unheated warehouse so i am wimping out tonight and taking the car

 

[skudupnorth]

It's a challenge for sure riding at the moment but i've only got three more days till Chrimbo so i'll keep at it.The seal skinz seem to be doing the job for me on the toe front.

 

[fossyant]

You need overshoes that are wind proof as well.

Be glad when it warms up - my skin on my face is going terribly flaky and dry - having to moisturise before I set off, when I get to work after cleaning up, before I set off for home, when I get home again after cleaning up, then before bed. The cold is eating my face away (the only exposed skin). To top that, I never usually moisturise...grrrr it's making me into a girl.

Right then - off to 'mosturise' - setting off soon.

 

[taxing]

My feet have been fine really, but my dad said that he had some neoprene socks that were too small for his wife so I might as well have them. They make my feet even colder! Has anyone else had this problem? They are a bit tight, but I thought that they were supposed to be.

My hands, on the other, er... hand, have been absolutely freezing. I'm up to three pairs of gloves and can only stand 10 minutes on the bike.

 

[cyberknight]

You need overshoes that are wind proof as well.

Be glad when it warms up - my skin on my face is going terribly flaky and dry - having to moisturise before I set off, when I get to work after cleaning up, before I set off for home, when I get home again after cleaning up, then before bed. The cold is eating my face away (the only exposed skin). To top that, I never usually moisturise...grrrr it's making me into a girl.

Right then - off to 'mosturise' - setting off soon.

I have neoprene overshoes with extra rubber sewn underneath !, over mtb shoes (no holes )

I think its more the fact i am cold from work before i even start off , not everyone gets to work in a comfortable work environment. In summer i have to drink maybe another 2 litres of water a day because its red hot and now i freeze my ass off

 

[johnr]

My feet have been fine really, but my dad said that he had some neoprene socks that were too small for his wife so I might as well have them. They make my feet even colder! Has anyone else had this problem? They are a bit tight, but I thought that they were supposed to be.

My hands, on the other, er... hand, have been absolutely freezing. I'm up to three pairs of gloves and can only stand 10 minutes on the bike.

I'm wondering whether a pair of rubber gloves under everything will solve the cold problem. Anyone tried it? I'd imagine that sweat build up on an ordinary day would make the idea silly, but in these temperatures, it may be worth a try.

 

[campbellab]

Eating enough? Got enough warm clothing on at work? You'd want a massive big down jacket if you are pretty sedentiary in this cold weather!

 

[campbellab]

My feet have been fine really, but my dad said that he had some neoprene socks that were too small for his wife so I might as well have them. They make my feet even colder! Has anyone else had this problem? They are a bit tight, but I thought that they were supposed to be.

My hands, on the other, er... hand, have been absolutely freezing. I'm up to three pairs of gloves and can only stand 10 minutes on the bike.

If socks are too tight they restrict circulation and result in cold feet.

You want something wind/water proof externally, with good insulating layers inside. Rubber gloves generally dont have the room to fit thermal layers inside?

Have you tried cycling pogies? When I'm out kayaking pogies without any insulating layer are a godsend in freezing cold water...

 

[DrSquirrel]

NOT !!

Last night on the way to work my rear brake froze.

When i came out i found i had a half inflated tyre so i decide to chance it and pump it up .By this time my hands and feet are blocks of ice so i proceed as best i can.On a section where i have to ride in primary due to bollards i get cut up and even my airzound has frozen !


Suffice to say i am a bit miffed

Even more fun happens when i try to have a shower as my feet have got that cold that it is very painful when the water hits the toes , even though i had 2 pairs of thermal socks and overshoes on they were very cold and still feel a bit odd after i have had 6 hours in bed to warm up.

I have tried everything to keep my feet warm but i an getting to the stage where it is not fun anymore cycling in around - 10 after spending 5 hours on a fork truck in an unheated warehouse so i am wimping out tonight and taking the car

I always "test" my brakes, even if it means no force as I am cycling along in this weather. I also do it to give the rims a quick clear... if I can descending I will try and use it to keep the disc (on the mtb) a little warm (if that is even possible!) obviously without making too much extra work for myself.

Make sure your core is warm, if your fingers/toes are excessively cold and are wrapped up well... your body is taking warmth away from these - very slightly sweating is what you want.

If your shoes are too tight, or too many tight layers you lose the thermal advantage. Maybe try losing a pair of socks and put some loose basic overshoes over your overshoes

Putting "cold" socks on at the start of a run is also going to suck some of the last remaining heat from your feet... leave your socks and even shoes in a warm area, on top of a radiator somewhere if possible.

Certainly your day to day work isn't going to help.

Maybe some heated socks (or boots), at least for the work part.

Or invest in a set of proper winter cycling shoes (or just use some other kind of walking boot if you don't need the clip in)


Many other people will mention half or most of this, but I want to throw all my 2p worth in in one go.

 

[taxing]

I put my neoprene socks on the radiator at work today and they kept my feet warm on the way home, so I guess that works.

On my hands I'm been wearing a pair of magic gloves, a pair of normal leather gloves, and a pair of wool gloves. The tips of my fingers are so cold, but the rest of me is fine.

 

[cyberknight]

I put my neoprene socks on the radiator at work today and they kept my feet warm on the way home, so I guess that works.

On my hands I'm been wearing a pair of magic gloves, a pair of normal leather gloves, and a pair of wool gloves. The tips of my fingers are so cold, but the rest of me is fine.

No radiators unfortunately as the heated areas are all ceiling fans and i would not trust people to leave my stuff alone , i have seen gloves flushed before now !.

 

[2Loose]

I'm wondering whether a pair of rubber gloves under everything will solve the cold problem. Anyone tried it? I'd imagine that sweat build up on an ordinary day would make the idea silly, but in these temperatures, it may be worth a try.

I have and sweat still builds up...and then gets cold. Put them over normal gloves and they work great though

 

[asterix]

You need overshoes that are wind proof as well.

Be glad when it warms up - my skin on my face is going terribly flaky and dry - having to moisturise before I set off, when I get to work after cleaning up, before I set off for home, when I get home again after cleaning up, then before bed. The cold is eating my face away (the only exposed skin). To top that, I never usually moisturise...grrrr it's making me into a girl.

Right then - off to 'mosturise' - setting off soon.

Beard. The answer to all your problems.

DrSquirrel has good advice, esp.

Make sure your core is warm, if your fingers/toes are excessively cold and are wrapped up well... your body is taking warmth away from these - very slightly sweating is what you want.

 

[JDP]

I'm wondering whether a pair of rubber gloves under everything will solve the cold problem. Anyone tried it? I'd imagine that sweat build up on an ordinary day would make the idea silly, but in these temperatures, it may be worth a try.

I tried that this morning uder my Sealskinz to see if I could reduce the wind chill. It did a bit but even on a 15 mins commute my hands got sweaty.

Have also tried it with rubber gloves over top of normal wollen gloves and that worked in the Autumn chill a few months ago. Wouldn't dare try it now!!

 

[cyberknight]

I tried putting an extra jacket underneath my coat and i found my toes were a bit warmer at the end of the day , but i wimped out what with the snow and riding on 23 mm slicks !

I will try it out in the new year, any cycling before then will be done when i am already warm so they will not count as a test .

Thanks for the replies