18 degrees

[topaz]

18 degrees, originally uploaded by qwrrty.

--
Sent from my bionic implant

Edit: the gear I wore for today's ride:

on the head:

• neoprene face mask
• helmet

on the torso:

• t-shirt
• light cotton sweatshirt
• fleece pullover
• windbreaker
• reflective vest

legs:

• regular underwear, jeans

hands/feet:

• thinsulate glo-mitts
• winter socks
• Shimano cycling sandals
• neoprene booties

In other words, not actually a lot of specialized gear, just a lot of layering.

The hardest things for me to keep warm are my ears and fingers. The face mask ($12 at the Army Barracks in Boston) is key, because it's thin enough to fit comfortably under my helmet, but still insulates enough to keep my face from falling off. The gloves ($11, also from the Army Barracks) are fingerless gloves with a mitten flip-top, which is perfect for winter biking: the mitten top keeps my fingers warm but I can pop out my fingers if I need to use my keys or open a lock.

Comments

[inahandbasket]

Chutzpah!

I finally got a set of panniers for my steed, but I haven't had the balls to ride to work in this weather. Maybe next week?

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Totally! I'll even meet you and ride as far as Kendall, ifn you like. I edited to add the gear I wore on this ride, if it helps you prepare. :-)

[inahandbasket]

... sandals?

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

BOOTIES.

Seriously, the booties just mean that I can use the sandals in the cold and the rain without freezing my toes off or buying a second set of bike shoes at $150 or whatever. See, I'm a cheapskate too.

[xuth.livejournal.com]

What booties do you use over the sandals? I've had problems in that most of the booties that I've found only go over those tiny ass cycling shoes that don't fit my feet even if they are ostensibly larger than my shoe size. So what I've done in the past is wear water resistant booties over my socks but in my sandals.

Granted I've not been anywhere that had a large selection to choose from either so I can certainly believe that there's something out there. I'm just not willing to randomly buy things hoping that they'll work.

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Well, I have a Performance-branded set that I bought from Performance Bike years back, but I don't remember exactly what model name or number, and it looks likely that they're not still offering this exact model. This booty has a zipper in the back and a rubberized sole, and says "14" on the bottom, but the current line of Performance Neo Booties (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1082829_-1___#ReviewHeader) says that it uses a Velcro closure and comes in sizes S/M/L/XL. Also, one of the reviews says "the old model with the zipper worked better". :-/

[xuth.livejournal.com]

After contacting Performance, they say they have nothing that is large enough. I recommend treating the booties that you have with some level of care since I don't think you can replace them.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just...wow. You win.

[ceo]

Go you. I wimped out earlier this week, and couldn't ride today due to evening commitments.

Think I need to break out the balaclava I use for skiing, though; that and my ski gloves.

Yay!

[inseriatim.livejournal.com]

And dude. I thought I was all set with my $40 waterproof socks, but they were out the second the weather dropped below freezing. Booties sound like a great idea.

Also a great idea: glo-mitts. If I could see an accounting of how long I've spent to date fumbling with keys and dropping locks because of bulky gloves and mittens, I would probably have to curl up in a ball under my desk. Glo-mitts never once occurred to me.

So when are you doing the winter ride to PTown?

Re: Yay!

[xuth.livejournal.com]

I like using my REI branded "expedition" socks under my waterproof socks. I wear sandals (shimano for cycling, tevas for walking/hiking/running...) year round and this combination mostly works for me. (if really needed I can throw some yaktraks on my Tevas also).

Impressive!

[vespid-interest.livejournal.com]

You need Handerpants. (http://www.handerpants.com/)

Re: Impressive!

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

that's so disturbing.

[pyrzqxgl.livejournal.com]

I wear neoprene surf boots around (as shoes) sometimes ... they are cute and good for wet ground, but can get smelly.