Commuting - kicking autumn in the *ss

This Friday morning, I practically felt defeated by fall within my first three miles of cycling. There's nothing like the bitter cold Chicago wind on my ears to make me feel ill & in pain. And to make me feel that perhaps I'm nuts to try to be an all-season cyclist. And covering up my ears with polar fleece didn't help. It was enough to make me hate cycling for the cold part of the year.

Later in the morning, Hillary found me a head covering with a polar fleece interior, but a nylon exterior that helps block out the wind. And that made all of the difference.

Between biking on errands and biking in Critical Mass, I biked a total of 71 miles on Friday. There are those who can bike a lot more than that, but that's the most I've ever done in one day. It seemed like a fitting end to a day that started with me apparently wanting to turn my back on cycling.

I found a really nifty "windstopper" head/hat thing. it covers my ears, but the crown is non "windstopper" so you keep cool. very thin so mo fit problems under helmet. It keeps the wind right off my ears, but then this isn't Chicago. Winter here would be typically 2-3 degrees C, occassionally 0 or below, and winds gusty at most.

My problem is my feet - alwats cold, even with thermal socks abd neoprene over. I may have to invest in some cycling winter boots. I've seen some by SIDI

Stew

What really woks is a hard-hat liner. You can find these things at any work clothing shop. They usually have buttons (to snap into the headband of a hard-hat), but these can be easily removed. These things keep linemen warm even when they are up on high power poles, and they are cheap, too.

Originally posted by D*Alex
What really woks is a hard-hat liner...and they are cheap, too.
Alex! :blush:

You're not a "velosnob" after all! ;)

Well, I'm not a "Fred", (Phred??) either! You should see the cold reception I get from all those guys down at the local coffee shop when I ride in on my road bike. Park my old Raleigh there, though, and I'm Mr. Popularity.
Takes all kinds....

Autumn my @ss! it is 90f outside!! It is hot!.. :)

A

Autumn definitely! It's been chucking it down all morning here. I had a wonderful ride in! (No sarcasm - I like riding in the rain.)

Actually, the highlight had to be going through a puddle which had a duck swimming in it. Although I really must get some waterproof socks... :)

And now I'm in work, the rain has stopped. Typical.

Ellie

Could anyone recommend some over booties for my cycling shoes...something waterproof would be an advantage aswell as warm!!!

Cheers

Rich :)

I bought some neoprene over boots from square deals on wheels - UK based web retailer:
http://www.sdeals.com/
On the left navigator go to clothing, then overshoes.
Winter neoprene overshoes cost £9.32. Zip up back, holes on sole for cleats.

Like swimmers wetsuits they are not waterproof per se, but once wet, they are warm and windproof, and the water doesn't soak right thru.

I came thru deep puddles and rain today, water over the pedals, 40 minutes of rain, and my shoe uppers are still dry.

BUT water can get thru the cleats under the shoe, so these, combined with waterproof socks like Seal Skins or Porell Dry will keep your feet warm and dry.

Stew

Cheers Stu,

I'll check those out!

All the best

Rich

To be honest, I'm looking forward to the cold weather. Only because I get to wear all of my cold weather kit that has been collecting dust in my wardrobe for the past 8 months.:)

Plus the fact that I'm trying to build a fast commuter bike in my cellar!:dance: I can't wait to try it out.

During our "winter" (i.e. that morning in June at Springbrook where the temperature was - 4 C) I saw a cyclist getting around in a balaclava. Of course, those who know Springbrook (which actually gets a mention on the KOM website, true!) will be aware that the ride is just a pure climb until you reach the summit and have to come home. I got quite a rude shock on that descent that day.