Originally Posted by ccrnnr9
Thanks for the help/encouragement. I was really discouraged after last Saturday. Like I said I am going to get those Specialized gloves as they are much thicker and feel much warmer (they also have a long cuff). I am going to try and find some of those heavy socks that some of you mentioned. I am still unsure what to do as far as covering my foot. Have any of you used those gore-tex socks? I do not trust those PI shoe covers as the pair I sent back already showed some wear even after 1 ride!!! I will venture to wally-world tomorrow to see what I can acquire for layering purposes.
~Nick
P.S. Regardless I am purchasing rollers for the rest of this winter...I want to have the option of staying indoors!
There are a couple of things to consider for your feet (if mine get cold, I'm done!). A shoe cover works well as insulation if you make sure you don't have drafty places. The sole of any shoe does a lousy job of insulation and when you put holes in the bottom of that shoe, the insulation just gets worse. Put tape on the inside of the shoe over the holes for your cleats (if you are using cleats). Then get an insulated insole for your shoe (there's a product out there called Thermofeet that looks interesting). Next get shoes that are bigger than you would normally wear. This part is important because you are now trying to stuff feet, liner, sock(s?) into a close fitting shoe. If you cut off blood flow, which your body is doing anyway in reaction to the cold, your feet will only get colder.
As for Wally World, don't! Bicycle specific clothes work well and last a good long time. I have bicycle winter gear that is 15 years old and still going strong. Sure it cost a lot when I bought it but it has served me very well. But it fits better and is less bulky than anything you'll find at a big box store.