macteacher

Hi all... the last few times i've gone out, my cheekbones felt as if they were freezing. It's a very thin area..where the balaclava ends around the eyes and the goggles begin... i'm not sure how to better protect this area.

What have some of you found for solutions?

Although my cheekbones have not frozen, they sure feel like they have.

Machka 

On one very cold century, I applied vaseline.

Since then I have heard vaseline doesn't work ... but it seemed to do the trick for me. I was cycling out there in temps that ranged from -20C to -30C for 15 hours, and I was fine.

StephenH

Beard works great for me here in Dallas.

I used a facemask a few times when I lived in Colorado- check at outdoor shops, it wasn't a cycling item. Wool scarf wasn't too useful.

edzo

neoprene face mask

when it is really cold, (sub 0 F) I tape up the nose port
and exhale through it, warming my face

GernBlanston

I wear a neoprene face mask designed for skiiing that overlaps an under-helmet cycling cap. I get a little cold in the little exposed V-shaped area behind my glasses, but not bad enough to fret about. I ride in temps down to single digits like that and I've never had a problem.

GB

arctic hawk

Balaclava pulled up & tucked under ski goggles, no exposed skin & all is good! The lowest temp I have been out there was -30c & the wind was brutal that day too.

Portis

Go to Target or Walmart and buy two inexpensive fleece earbands. Wear one the normal way over the ears and the other upside down and backwards with the thick part covering the nose and cheeks. Works perfectly and gives a nice place to breathe downward below the lower ear band. (you wear these OVER the balaclava)

zonatandem

Vaseline has worked for me.

pinkrobe

Carmex or chapstick. Anything that isn't water-based will work, including Vaseline.

ax0n

Single digit temps have me breaking out the balaclava and ski goggles. Not a square milimeter of skin is exposed.

zonatandem

Another possibility: clear plastic faceshield.
A couple decades ago there was actually such a shield available for certain bicycle helmets.

ax0n

I'd think that would fog up in a hurry. The ski goggles are double walled. The outside gets cold, but insulates the inner layer. The inner layer is exposed to moist air from your breath and eyeballs, but doesn't get cold enough to fog up too badly.

rodar y rodar

Sort of a silly question here, but just to know how you manage this, does the back strap of your helmet go around both the ear covers and the balclava? Can you manage this with a knit cap added into the mix? I`d though about getting some kind of face mask to cover part of the face hole in my balclava but figured there would be too much crap under my helmet. Also, is there some difference between a forwards face mask and a backwards earband?

Portis

What's complicated? Balaclava + the ear bands + helmet over the top. No problem and i can assure you that it most likely gets a lot colder here than it does in Nevada.

rodar y rodar

Well, for the price it`s certainly worth a try. Thank you.
It may very well be colder in whatever part of Kansas you`re in than it is in Reno, but keep in mind that there is a big difference (in weather and most everything else) between Las Vegas and Northern Nevada. No palm trees here.

KLW2

My balaclava and ski goggles don't leave any skin exposed..rode yesterday in -14 F with -25 windchill and no issues....

daredevil

I use Dermatone.

jeff-o

I use a neoprene/fleece facemask made by Seirus. It covers the cheek bones, nose, mouth, and neck.

NealH

I would be interested in knowing what you people do with your runny nose, assuming yours runs like mine when it's cold. My balaclava gets quite messy and uncomfortable such that I have to stretch it out of the way and just bear the cold. It seems most any other type guard that covered the nose or upper mouth would also get messy. I can't tell if the "Portis" arrangement mitigates this to some extent. Tell me about it Portis.

Portis

My method mitigates the issue a bit, but nothing is perfect. I often tell people that there is nothing purdy about winter cycling. The earband worn over the nose puts pressure more on the end of the nose so that helps somewhat. Any nasal drainage for the most part runs down the area between the nose and mouth. However of course there will be some mess on the balaclava but for me it is minimal. I wear the same ear band for several weeks without washing.

Still it requires a good farmers blow from time to time. Again, nothing is perfect, but this is the best i have found and it works well enough that i don't need to look further.

Juggler2

In cold weather, I use GMC.

NealH

Thanks for this info, I am heading to Wal-Mart for a couple earbands - and perhaps some antihistamine since they have a pharmacy.

ralph12

I take advantage of my beard, slather on a lot of lotion, and put on my balaclava. Seems to do the trick pretty well.

thdave

I always rub my cheeks, nose, and forehead with vasoline when temps are below freezing. I use it when I ski, too. It works.

I know football players do it. Anyone see the Green Bay, NY Giants game Sunday? I noticed that the NY Giants coach had his face lathered with it. Afterwards he was presented the George Halas trophy, while lathered up with shiny vasoline! He never wiped it off!

Portis

I can't remember who it was but somebody was on after the game saying how completely worthless that Vaseline trick is. Judging by the black color of Coughlin's face i'm thinking it didn't work to good for him either.