Nice video. A good way of keeping your feet dry and warm is to put some gortex boot liners on over your socks. They can be picked up really cheap off ebay and are very effective.
I use Vulcano gloves as they trap air and Ski Goggles to protect most of my face. I also see better w/ them. I live outside of Buffalo, NY and I commute to work 15 miles. I wear Hiking boots that are insulated and waterproof. It's currently snowing w/ about 2 feet of snow on the ground already! It's in the teens w/ a wind chill from the north. It's not easy but I've been commuting by bike for a year and a half and I am used to it. It's a hell of a workout and challenge!
Any tips on footwear? Im using Shimano shoes that are vented, and usually get away with 2 pairs of socks but with the snow Im finding that Im getting moisture coming down from the waterproof trousers and soaking my socks :(
I tried using a carrier bag but I think my technique was wrong as my feet were soaked after a 30min ride.
I have Shimano shoes that are vented... I cover the vent up with eletrical tape.
You have the option of overshoes.
As for bags/waterproof socks, they do tend to suffer with water getting in from the top :p
Carrier bag won't be brilliant for your feet... sweat will ruin your skin (trenchfoot etc)... if it worked well, we wouldn't have all these "fake" water proof items around, instead we would have clothes made from plastic ;)
Yeah, Ive been looking at some overshoes - hopefully will be getting some for my birthday.
Not going to use the carrier bag idea again, was a bit daft but was the only thing I could think of at the time and was itching to get out on the bike.
As for overshoes, if you won't be using them much, cheapies will probably be okay.
And I know that "Audi" often do "super deals" cycling bits, every Thursday and Friday (they list in advance on their site). I have had a good few things from there (be careful, it isn't always the cheapest). And recently they had overshoes+skull cap for £10.
You'd thing the tape would come off with all the water, but 3 layers of 1inch, and it's never come off since 2008
nice video dan.there is a company called sealskinz that do a variety of completely waterproof but breathable items.gloves,socks skull caps e.t.c.i have read a lot of good reviews about their products.when i have some cash,i am going to buy a whole load of clothing for winter/wet weather use.i have found also that wearing waterproof hiking boots really helps with the cold/wet.but i ride offroad mostly.
Yep, fan of sealskinz here, though its been too cold for their normal woolies so I bought some waterproof MTB gloves of theirs the otherday. Very warm and dry, have been using them for walking rather than cycling though.
Any chance of discussing frozen bike locks. My bike is currently stuck 5 miles away, have used WD40, de-icer.. and, I shouldn't have, but I did, hot water. And it is still bl**dy stuck. And I am going away tomorrow. Bah. Got my bro on to it. I had to take train home. Need advice.
Because the 'lock disaster', I am thinking of getting a 'winter lock', if there is such a thing. Can anyone recommend locks that don't freeze, not combinations as they're too easy to break in. I am bit p++ed off to say the least::-)
Have to say I've never encountered that myself. Are you absolutely sure it is frozen? Did you put on a spare lock just incase? (If you had one, as there is sometimes a glue tactic used by tealeaves)
All my locks are well oiled and have a cover or "teeth" that close over the hole. Hopefully that would stop ice forming inside (Abus chain and Kryptonite NY).
I would imagine using a lighter on the key before inserting it might warm the inside up if it is iced?
Well it was frozen again a week ago, and it worked well when I used the water (it was midnite and I had no de-icer). It 'feels' like it is frozen. It doesn't look 'tampered', although it could be coincidently jammed.
My bike is locked with the lock. I just can't remove my bike from the stand:-( Yes, having a lock with a cover would be a good idea. I am not sure about using a lighter if it has been covered in flammable liquids though. I am going to hope it is much warmer tomorrow.. can always hope.
Nice video DF. Favourited to help it appear in search results (I think that 's how it works?).
I've never bothered with glasses but I can see your point regarding their use in winter, my eyes do get watery. I might look out for a pair. Tough to find glasses which fit on my konk though :)
Gloves - I've had huge problems with cold hands in previous winters. Currently using Trek Heavyduty gloves which work a treat for me, warmest gloves I've ever used.
I'm always preaching the "wicking fabrics", even wear them in the (low to mid) summer they can work that well.
Good eyewear is indeed needed, I usually wear contact lenses + protective glasses. But in bad weather I often get lazy and just wear my normal corrective glasses... big mistake, I get so much mud in my eyes it's actually quite dangerous. I think the cheap ones are just as good as any, I got some for £6 from Aldi that have 3 sets of interchangeable lenses + case.
I have seen £3 protective goggles (same shape as the Madison ones in the vid) in Homebase a couple of weeks back. All the supermarkets down here are now selling them that I know of.
Only trouble I find with goggles is the rain on them. It can block your view of the road. They end up in the bag under those circumstances
If you treat them with um, the stuff you can use for windscreens, it stops the water smearing, and instead it produces a fine bead instead, which is easy to look through (so long as you don't focus on the water).
Stuff like RainX or the stuff included with my PIAA wipers works well, also there are "home made" versions using things like vinegar (I don't really remember what).
Still, I always cycle with shorts, yet to get some trousers out :p
Nice video. A good way of keeping your feet dry and warm is to put some gortex boot liners on over your socks. They can be picked up really cheap off ebay and are very effective.
zebady3 2 months ago
OMFG back wards drivers!!!!!!
TwoAura34 4 months ago
great film. l'll have to try these snow tyres
bettytoo2 1 year ago
I use Vulcano gloves as they trap air and Ski Goggles to protect most of my face. I also see better w/ them. I live outside of Buffalo, NY and I commute to work 15 miles. I wear Hiking boots that are insulated and waterproof. It's currently snowing w/ about 2 feet of snow on the ground already! It's in the teens w/ a wind chill from the north. It's not easy but I've been commuting by bike for a year and a half and I am used to it. It's a hell of a workout and challenge!
TheAtomicDon 2 years ago
Comment removed
TheAtomicDon 2 years ago
Any tips on footwear? Im using Shimano shoes that are vented, and usually get away with 2 pairs of socks but with the snow Im finding that Im getting moisture coming down from the waterproof trousers and soaking my socks :(
I tried using a carrier bag but I think my technique was wrong as my feet were soaked after a 30min ride.
PemboCycling 2 years ago
I have Shimano shoes that are vented... I cover the vent up with eletrical tape.
You have the option of overshoes.
As for bags/waterproof socks, they do tend to suffer with water getting in from the top :p
Carrier bag won't be brilliant for your feet... sweat will ruin your skin (trenchfoot etc)... if it worked well, we wouldn't have all these "fake" water proof items around, instead we would have clothes made from plastic ;)
drsquirrel0 2 years ago
Good idea with the tape!
Yeah, Ive been looking at some overshoes - hopefully will be getting some for my birthday.
Not going to use the carrier bag idea again, was a bit daft but was the only thing I could think of at the time and was itching to get out on the bike.
Thanks for the tips :)
PemboCycling 2 years ago
You'll find that water was your sweat.
As for overshoes, if you won't be using them much, cheapies will probably be okay.
And I know that "Audi" often do "super deals" cycling bits, every Thursday and Friday (they list in advance on their site). I have had a good few things from there (be careful, it isn't always the cheapest). And recently they had overshoes+skull cap for £10.
You'd thing the tape would come off with all the water, but 3 layers of 1inch, and it's never come off since 2008
drsquirrel0 2 years ago
nice video dan.there is a company called sealskinz that do a variety of completely waterproof but breathable items.gloves,socks skull caps e.t.c.i have read a lot of good reviews about their products.when i have some cash,i am going to buy a whole load of clothing for winter/wet weather use.i have found also that wearing waterproof hiking boots really helps with the cold/wet.but i ride offroad mostly.
racefaceec90 2 years ago
Yep, fan of sealskinz here, though its been too cold for their normal woolies so I bought some waterproof MTB gloves of theirs the otherday. Very warm and dry, have been using them for walking rather than cycling though.
downfader2 2 years ago
Good post. Some good advice to be had gere.
Stratboy999 2 years ago
Balaclavas when it get really nasty...
cyclepod1 2 years ago
Yeap, I dug out the safety glasses for cycling when it was snowing, snow in your eyes hurts!
MelloVEL0 2 years ago
Had to walk in it a coupla days back and my god it stings, LOL.
downfader2 2 years ago
Any chance of discussing frozen bike locks. My bike is currently stuck 5 miles away, have used WD40, de-icer.. and, I shouldn't have, but I did, hot water. And it is still bl**dy stuck. And I am going away tomorrow. Bah. Got my bro on to it. I had to take train home. Need advice.
cyclepod1 2 years ago
Because the 'lock disaster', I am thinking of getting a 'winter lock', if there is such a thing. Can anyone recommend locks that don't freeze, not combinations as they're too easy to break in. I am bit p++ed off to say the least::-)
cyclepod1 2 years ago
Have to say I've never encountered that myself. Are you absolutely sure it is frozen? Did you put on a spare lock just incase? (If you had one, as there is sometimes a glue tactic used by tealeaves)
All my locks are well oiled and have a cover or "teeth" that close over the hole. Hopefully that would stop ice forming inside (Abus chain and Kryptonite NY).
I would imagine using a lighter on the key before inserting it might warm the inside up if it is iced?
downfader2 2 years ago
Well it was frozen again a week ago, and it worked well when I used the water (it was midnite and I had no de-icer). It 'feels' like it is frozen. It doesn't look 'tampered', although it could be coincidently jammed.
cyclepod1 2 years ago
My bike is locked with the lock. I just can't remove my bike from the stand:-( Yes, having a lock with a cover would be a good idea. I am not sure about using a lighter if it has been covered in flammable liquids though. I am going to hope it is much warmer tomorrow.. can always hope.
cyclepod1 2 years ago
Even if it wasn't frozen, why do these U locks jam so much?
cyclepod1 2 years ago
Prolly is frozen then from what you say. Some of the cheaper designs do seem to jam according to other guys on the web.
downfader2 2 years ago
Water already inside could be the culprit, and don't go putting hot water in, hot and cold causes more expansion extremes.
Put basic tap water in instead, if it's warmer than the ice (which any non salted water is), it will melt the ice.
Otherwise... bottlejack it...
Is the key actually turning? If it isn't then something else could have gotten in (glue or something hard rather than frozen water).
drsquirrel0 2 years ago
Nice video DF. Favourited to help it appear in search results (I think that 's how it works?).
I've never bothered with glasses but I can see your point regarding their use in winter, my eyes do get watery. I might look out for a pair. Tough to find glasses which fit on my konk though :)
Gloves - I've had huge problems with cold hands in previous winters. Currently using Trek Heavyduty gloves which work a treat for me, warmest gloves I've ever used.
jonredhornet 2 years ago
There are "USB Handwarmers" around, and you could add this to a USB Emergency charger (ones that power off 4xAA etc).
There, not "not cold", but "frigging warm" :p
Glasses - get the things which hold them around your head, sorted.
drsquirrel0 2 years ago 2
Looked up your gloves last night, they look meaty
:-D
downfader2 2 years ago
Well made.
I'm always preaching the "wicking fabrics", even wear them in the (low to mid) summer they can work that well.
Good eyewear is indeed needed, I usually wear contact lenses + protective glasses. But in bad weather I often get lazy and just wear my normal corrective glasses... big mistake, I get so much mud in my eyes it's actually quite dangerous. I think the cheap ones are just as good as any, I got some for £6 from Aldi that have 3 sets of interchangeable lenses + case.
drsquirrel0 2 years ago 2
Thanks matey!
I have seen £3 protective goggles (same shape as the Madison ones in the vid) in Homebase a couple of weeks back. All the supermarkets down here are now selling them that I know of.
Only trouble I find with goggles is the rain on them. It can block your view of the road. They end up in the bag under those circumstances
downfader2 2 years ago
In your eyes or on your goggles... what's worse?
If you treat them with um, the stuff you can use for windscreens, it stops the water smearing, and instead it produces a fine bead instead, which is easy to look through (so long as you don't focus on the water).
Stuff like RainX or the stuff included with my PIAA wipers works well, also there are "home made" versions using things like vinegar (I don't really remember what).
Still, I always cycle with shorts, yet to get some trousers out :p
drsquirrel0 2 years ago