Originally Posted by
Random11
Today was the coldest day I've ever been out cycling. It was 25 degrees when I left; 30 when I got back. Living in (north) Florida, temps don't get too extreme, and I've never decided not to go riding because it was too hot or too cold. After today's ride, my new thought is: If it's below freezing, I'm not riding. My core stayed warm (lots of layers) but even though I was wearing heavy gloves, my hands and feet got really cold, to the point where my fingers were disfunctional. I had to get my wife to unfasten my helmet strap when I got home because my fingers weren't working. I know that people ride in temps like this, but I don't see how. Maybe if I had heated socks and gloves, I could do it. Cold weather riders, any secrets to share?
For gloves I use downhill ski gloves. For shoes I use proper winter riding boots (45nrth wölvhammers). You can't hack cycling shoes even with covers. If there's holes going through the sole or if the sole is too thin and uninsulated, it won't work.
If you live in florida you might just not have what it takes to stay warm properly. I don't mean you're not tough enough. I mean you're no acclimated enough. It takes a few weeks of regular cold exposure to acclimate your apidose tissue and other systems to cope with cold properly.
But if you keep at it, keep your arms and legs warm to keep your hands and feet warm.