Texas - Hope the weather holds as planned for Saturday

Riding the Puddle for the Ducks ride in Katy. Friends at work think I'm crazy, but I think it will be fun. Just trying to figure out what I need to wear to stay warm. I just picked up a pair of tights to help my legs along. I think thicker socks are in order too.

Planning on doing the 48 mile course. Depends on how I feel though. Any of you attending?

careful with the thicker socks. you need blood flow to your extremities to keep them warm. if your shoes are already snug, stuffing thicker socks in there may make your feet colder. you may want to stop by REI or another bike shop to get some booties. perhaps some chemical warmers as well. and salvation army for some old merino wool.

i'll either be spending time with my wife or out doing the pedernales double.

have a good time and good luck. i enjoy the puddle for the ducks routes.

Good point. I tried on my shoes with standard socks back when I purchased them. When I went with cycling socks, things became more roomy. So I think I will be ok. If not, oh well, I'll just do a shorter distance if my feet don't feel up to it.

My main problem is my feet sweat some, then they chill because the water evaporates. I think the wool will help a lot in that department.

Put duct tape over any extra holes in the soles, wear booties, and use thickest socks you can without limiting circulation. With that, i'm comfortable into the 40's, not comfortable but not numb, either, at 32.

Put some foot powder in your shoes or socks. It will help keep your feet drier. Also - if you drive to the ride - swap to a different pair of socks. Your feet may already be sweating/wet. This way you can start the ride with dry feet. :thumb:

If the roads look anything like what we have up here, time to look for some studded snow tires as well.

Excellent recommendations everyone. Right now, I think cuda2k is on target, it is an icy mess out there. I may check the route later on today to see if there is ice out there. We have no ice by my house, and the start of the ride is about 5 min from my neighborhood.

I think I may add a nice insulating layer of newspaper to help me out with some wind protection. My tights don't have a wind barrier, so it gets to me after a little while. Around here, you absolutely cannot find base layer shorts. I did snag a long sleeve top, but nobody has any base layer shorts in stock.

newspaper? i lived 10 years of my life in minnesota and i have never heard of doing such a thing. how does newspaper do with wicking away sweat?

i just wear regular long john bottoms, bike shorts and some PI knee warmers I got at the REI garage sale. and wool ski socks with my sambas.

either way....no riding tomorrow.

http://www.ducks.org/texas/events/23415/houston/puddle-for-ducks


With your safety in consideration as a rider, we have decided that the 2011 PUDDLE FOR THE DUCKS will have to be postponed due to projected icy conditions for tomorrow morning.

This ride has been postponed, are there any other group rides tomorrow that are still scheduled? I was looking forward to this.

As Joe Namath wore pantyhose for football in cold weather. I am sure they call them something else these days and charge a lot more.

Yep I'm riding the indoor trainer with TRAX, I wish http://www.trisports.com/tacx-fortius-multiplayer-trainer.html.

Did you ever see a duck walk on ice? That is about how stable a bicycle is on ice.

newspaper? i lived 10 years of my life in minnesota and i have never heard of doing such a thing. how does newspaper do with wicking away sweat?


Nothing, I was going to use newspaper to help with the wind protection on my legs. It has nothing to do with sweat. I think you got confused between two different posts of mine.

Nothing, I was going to use newspaper to help with the wind protection on my legs. It has nothing to do with sweat. I think you got confused between two different posts of mine.

i read what you wrote. you said you were going to add a layer of newspaper to your tights because they lacked a "wind" barrier. i assumed you wrap in paper and then put your tights on. my issue is i perspire through my legs as well, and was wondering if that would help or hurt? especially adding a "layer" which doesn't "breathe." or would you bungee cord to the outside?

i still think it is a bad idea. but that's just me. do as you please. do post photos and report back.

Ahh, sorry about that. I must have read your comment wrong.

Well I know pro riders have used newspaper as a quick add-on for cold descents. You just stuff it under your top layer and you are set. Just do the front side because that is mainly where the wind hits, keep the back opened so the skin can breathe. I am not sure how well it would work as far as sweating goes. I was going to wear my cheap Pearl Izumi's which are black, so if the ink leaked out due to sweat, it wouldn't ruin my higher dollar shorts.

The ride ended up being postponed until Feb 27th. Unfortunately I have to work that day and cannot afford to take the day off. So that is $30 down the drain! Maybe next year!

If they postponed it after you signed up, they're in breach of their original contract and they should pay you back your entry-fee. If you had something come up and they kept the event the same, non-refundable means what it says. They should be able to get back the money the refund from people who couldn't attend the original date.

Unfortunately when you register for most of these rides there is a no-refund policy. These rides are for good causes, so I do not worry about the lost entry fees.