stayfed

I am wondering how people cope with the cold winters. I am able to keep most of my body warm except for my privates. Any tips would be much appreciated.

triumph.1

I wear cycling shorts and showers pass pants below 40 degrees and below 30 degrees tights under the pants and don't have an issue, but I imagine as with everything else it's different from person to person. You would probably get more reliable answers to winter riding questions in the winter cycling forum.

surgeonstone

I stick the toe warmer packets under the boys and on top. Shaving allows better contact. Nice and toasty for the entire ride.

Homebrew01

I wear regular shorts and thermal tights. Good down to 15f.

Myosmith

Riding shorts with a good chamois that covers the area with good thermal pants with a windproof front. If that isn't enough I wear a polypropylene/wool blend base layer between the shorts and the windproof pants. If that isn't enough, it's too cold to ride. So far that has been good to -14F actual temp with windchill (not counting the speed of the bike) in the -20s. I haven't had the opportunity of reasonable weather and passable roads at temperatures lower than that but I'd be willing to try it. Last year it just never got all that cold and this year it has been 20 mph winds with heavy blowing snow or roads filled with drifts and bad rough ice since late December. I've only had one real road ride since Jan 1 and it's driving me nuts.

Be careful with the chemical heat packs, some can get hot enough to cause burns in enclosed areas. You might want to put them between your shorts and an outer layer just to be safe.

surgeonstone

I was kidding. Do not, I repeat do not put chemical Warmers in the crotchal area.
What I use- 35 and above F I wear my Ibex wool cycling shorts with the merino wool leggings. Below 30 down to 10 F I wear a pair of merino Ibex tights over the above. Below 10 I ride indoors. Enough is enough at that temperature. Finding warmth becomes too much of a struggle. The chemical packs I do use in my gloves between layers and in my shoes.

BillyD

Fixed.

chaulky61

Lusso bib tights over padded bib shorts works for me. I find that keeping my face warm is the biggest winter riding challenge.

mprelaw

Same here. Regular shorts/bibs, and lined thermal tights.

jdon

You could try a Peter Heater. Google it.

AdelaaR

OP, you ask a question about coldness, but you didn't quantify exactly what kind of coldness we are talking about here.
Your tag says "Brooklyn New York".
The whole of the U.S.A. is more southern (pun intended) than Belgium, so I assume it doesn't actually get that cold in New York. (I may be wrong about that).

Are you talking about something like -10°C (14°F)?
In that case I have difficulties of even understanding your problem as there is an abundance of fine cycling clothing that should easily work for those temperatures.

You also did not mention what you are wearing while having these problems.
Are you wearing cycling specific padded winter tights?

AdelaaR

I googled it.

I'm still laughing

Mike F

Me too.

Looigi

Just rub a generous amount of embrocation on them.

ancker

This thread is timely since I was just curious about the same issue.

I went out on Wednesday, not too chilly, 40F with 10-15mph wind. I had on Castelli thermal tights, under armor, regular jersey on top, full finger gloves, balaclava, and just socks and my regular shoes. The ONLY part of me that was cold was my 'business'.

I found that while the tights fit me very well, in an aero position the fabric in the crotch area pulls away from the skin somewhat. I think this has a lot to do with why I get cold down there. Next time out (I largely ride rollers in the winter) I will see if I can adjust a bit to keep the fabric closer.

jsutkeepspining

it gets colder than that in ohio-land!

Dead Roman

Get it up before a ride in the cold, there will be more blood in it and will stay much warmer.

BillyD

Keep it nice in here please? Thanks, guys.

jtwilson

A little PT is all it takes if your Privates complain about the cold.

Savagewolf

Never really had that problem. I don't ride in an Antarctica environment, but I've found that usually cycling shorts have enough warmth with the chamois that I stay warm enough. Combine that with exercise and cold isn't as much of a factor there.

telebianchi

I cut a section out of a fleece hat and position it in the front of my bibs. I find what I need is really extra wind protection and this does the trick whether wearing knickers or full length winter bibs.

stayfed

Thanks for all of the responses. I have a pair of Pearl Elite Thermal pants. The other day I went out and it was like 25 - 30. I was wearing the Pearl pants with, long johns and boxer briefs. My body was fine but it felt like all of the wind from cycling was being pushed right to my private parts. I think I'll invest in some wool under garmets and maybe try some hand warmers.

Thanks for the help!

hhnngg1

That sounds hella funny but come to think of it isn't a bad idea!

grolby

No offense, but yeah, you are wrong about that. Western Europe has milder winters than the Northeastern United States despite the difference in latitude. This is due to the influence of the Westerlies (some will say it is because of the Gulf Stream, but that's not really accurate).

That said, 14 deg. F is pretty cold no matter where you're from, and probably colder than a typical Brooklyn winter day. There are definitely clothes that can help with this problem. Unfortunately, I don't own any of them, but in Nashville I can get away with not riding on most of the days when it drops below 30 F or so, which is about the temperature where I start to have this problem.

Myosmith

OK, I fell for it and took you seriously I have used chemical warmers in gloves, boots, and pockets but the idea of using them as groin warmers had me concerned. Even in gloves and boots I make sure I have a wool glove liner or wool sock between the warm pack and my skin and place them so they can be removed quickly if needed. I've never had a problem with skin irritation or burns from them.