Winter riding - help needed
Discussion
I'm hoping some of you can offer some advice
I've signed up for a Sportif in late April and have been putting on some miles. Unfortunately the cold snap we're now in has made me want to hibernate.
Last weekend it dropped to minus 2 and on a 3 hour ride my feet and hands were absolutely frozen.
I'd got a pair of Castelli overshoes in the hopes that they would be warmer than my old ones, even with ski socks my feet had lost feeling and I was on the grumpy side of this is too effin cold.
Any recommendations for gloves? My old Endura MTB gloves fell short of providing the warmth needed for a long ride (>2.5 hours).
Where am I going wrong? Has anyone got some tips worth trying?
Looking at a 3.5 hour stint this weekend so any tips gratefully received!
Cheers T1b
I've signed up for a Sportif in late April and have been putting on some miles. Unfortunately the cold snap we're now in has made me want to hibernate.
Last weekend it dropped to minus 2 and on a 3 hour ride my feet and hands were absolutely frozen.
I'd got a pair of Castelli overshoes in the hopes that they would be warmer than my old ones, even with ski socks my feet had lost feeling and I was on the grumpy side of this is too effin cold.
Any recommendations for gloves? My old Endura MTB gloves fell short of providing the warmth needed for a long ride (>2.5 hours).
Where am I going wrong? Has anyone got some tips worth trying?
Looking at a 3.5 hour stint this weekend so any tips gratefully received!
Cheers T1b
Edited by T1berious on Thursday 26th January 09:04
The only thing I found that kept my feet warm when riding for over an hour were electric innersoles. Being somewhat older now and with no specific training goal I just don't bother riding for more than an hour in winter.
-4 here for my ride last Sunday 
I use endura neoprene overshoes like yours with hiking socks but crucially don't have my (normal) shoes too tight so the blood flows freely
Hands protected with a cheap pair of merino gloves underneath whatever winter gloves I have at the time when it's really cold
The first half hour can be challenging but after I'm up to working temp I'm OK for the rest of the ride
Good luck
I use endura neoprene overshoes like yours with hiking socks but crucially don't have my (normal) shoes too tight so the blood flows freely
Hands protected with a cheap pair of merino gloves underneath whatever winter gloves I have at the time when it's really cold
The first half hour can be challenging but after I'm up to working temp I'm OK for the rest of the ride
Good luck
Thanks guys,
I've invested in some merino wool socks, new gloves and some liners. Hopefully that will see me through the worst of it while weather is way beyond "a bit parky"
I'm guessing this isn't helped by trying to keep my HR low to ensure I don't end the ride on empty.
Cheers again,
T1b
I've invested in some merino wool socks, new gloves and some liners. Hopefully that will see me through the worst of it while weather is way beyond "a bit parky"
I'm guessing this isn't helped by trying to keep my HR low to ensure I don't end the ride on empty.
Cheers again,
T1b
e out the DHB range.I'm usually ok in fingerless with a pair of woolies over the top however, I do have a pair of Endura waterproofs which usually keep me toasty.
To be honest, this winter i've wussed out a fair bit and if its less than 5 degrees, i've been on the Turbo. I'm finding Zwift is more than enough to keep my attention for the required time.
To be honest, this winter i've wussed out a fair bit and if its less than 5 degrees, i've been on the Turbo. I'm finding Zwift is more than enough to keep my attention for the required time.
I cant recommend Castelli Neoprene gloves enough!
They dont feel particulary thick and they are a bit slow to warm up, but once you are up to temperature and sweating they keep your hands hot! Zero breathability which is kind of what you want.
I also have castelli merino wool socks, and castelli overshoes and I have never had a problem with cold feet.
They dont feel particulary thick and they are a bit slow to warm up, but once you are up to temperature and sweating they keep your hands hot! Zero breathability which is kind of what you want.
I also have castelli merino wool socks, and castelli overshoes and I have never had a problem with cold feet.
Fellow Raynauds sufferer here too. For my feet, I wear 2 pairs of socks, 1 thermal next to my skin and 1 sport (fluffy lined) over the top of them, then shoes and my over shoes. That will allow me to go for 2.5 hours as long as they don't get wet.
Gloves are easier, I use Fox Antifreeze, expensive yes, but warm. Basically they are divers gloves (neoprene) with a liner. 5mm neoprene gloves can be had for not much, but you will loose dexterity/
Gloves are easier, I use Fox Antifreeze, expensive yes, but warm. Basically they are divers gloves (neoprene) with a liner. 5mm neoprene gloves can be had for not much, but you will loose dexterity/
Those Castelli overshoes will over next to bugger all thermal protection.
Maybe try something like the BBB Waterflex overshoes. Fleece lined and IMO much better than the Castelli overshoes.
Decent pair of socks. I use my wife's old ski socks.
sock and then carrier bag, then bib tights, then overshoes.
All the above are quite cheap and will make it a bit more bearable.
The best solution is Northwave boots. They are expensive, but worth every penny if you really want to go out in all weathers.
I've had mixed success with gloves. Currently using DHB Amberly (I think) gloves. They seem to work.
Worth clarifying, that I cycle five days a week to work, so I am well versed in what works and what doesn't.
Don't know if you are using one all ready, but I find a skull cap or ear warmer does wanders for keeping me warm
Maybe try something like the BBB Waterflex overshoes. Fleece lined and IMO much better than the Castelli overshoes.
Decent pair of socks. I use my wife's old ski socks.
sock and then carrier bag, then bib tights, then overshoes.
All the above are quite cheap and will make it a bit more bearable.
The best solution is Northwave boots. They are expensive, but worth every penny if you really want to go out in all weathers.
I've had mixed success with gloves. Currently using DHB Amberly (I think) gloves. They seem to work.
Worth clarifying, that I cycle five days a week to work, so I am well versed in what works and what doesn't.
Don't know if you are using one all ready, but I find a skull cap or ear warmer does wanders for keeping me warm
I've got Shimano MW80s and they seem t owork for me on the commute where I might be out for up to an hour, but I've never gone beyond that when it's cold.
My previous pair of Shimano winters lasted 10 years (and I only really changed them as I wanted something new, not because there was anything wrong with them), and I've had these ones about 5 years. They get used five days a week from about November to March so they seem to last well.
At around £100 they're not cheap, but they're slightly cheaper than the NW boots. However, everytime one of these threads comes up, the Northwave boots seem to get the nod over and above any other winter boot. So I guess do it once and do it properly.
As for gloves, I've still not found 'my' ideal pair.
The best option I've go tat the minute are actually the Altura Night Vision ones. These have a thinner liner and then water/windproof outers which are padded. It's rarely been needed (for me) to wear both inner and outer.
My previous pair of Shimano winters lasted 10 years (and I only really changed them as I wanted something new, not because there was anything wrong with them), and I've had these ones about 5 years. They get used five days a week from about November to March so they seem to last well.
At around £100 they're not cheap, but they're slightly cheaper than the NW boots. However, everytime one of these threads comes up, the Northwave boots seem to get the nod over and above any other winter boot. So I guess do it once and do it properly.
As for gloves, I've still not found 'my' ideal pair.
The best option I've go tat the minute are actually the Altura Night Vision ones. These have a thinner liner and then water/windproof outers which are padded. It's rarely been needed (for me) to wear both inner and outer.
I have a defective heart so my extremities tend to suffer (for example, I have had frost bite in this country, down south).
I wear Shimano MW7 boots with merino socks, and an extra layer of socks if below zero
For my hands, top of the range BMW winter motorcycle gloves - They may look silly but they work!
I wear Shimano MW7 boots with merino socks, and an extra layer of socks if below zero
For my hands, top of the range BMW winter motorcycle gloves - They may look silly but they work!
My feet suffer really badly, even with my old (ancient!) Shimano overshoes. Following advice on here I bought some Wooly booly merino socks, not expecting much but they really do help, a lot!
Bought some Castelli gloves that have been warm enough but I've not been brave (daft?) enough to ride in sub zero temps for a fair few years now!
Bought some Castelli gloves that have been warm enough but I've not been brave (daft?) enough to ride in sub zero temps for a fair few years now!
I have northwave winter boots which I bought half a size bigger so I can also get thicker socks on. For my hands I have neoprene gloves and agree with previous posts about them being slow to warm up but then great. They are an issue if you stop for a coffee half way as the sweat in them cools down.
The other option for feet is buying really big socks, cut holes in the bottom for the cleats and then put them over you shoes followed by waterproof overshoes. The more pockets of warm air you can trap the better.
The other option for feet is buying really big socks, cut holes in the bottom for the cleats and then put them over you shoes followed by waterproof overshoes. The more pockets of warm air you can trap the better.
T1berious said:
I'm hoping some of you can offer some advice
I've signed up for a Sportif in late April and have been putting on some miles. Unfortunately the cold snap we're now in has made me want to hibernate.
Last weekend it dropped to minus 2 and on a 3 hour ride my feet and hands were absolutely frozen.
I'd got a pair of Castelli overshoes in the hopes that they would be warmer than my old ones, even with ski socks my feet had lost feeling and I was on the grumpy side of this is too effin cold.
Any recommendations for gloves? My old Endura MTB gloves fell short of providing the warmth needed for a long ride (>2.5 hours).
Where am I going wrong? Has anyone got some tips worth trying?
Looking at a 3.5 hour stint this weekend so any tips gratefully received!
Cheers T1b
Hi, I have Specialized Defroster winter boots with Assos winter socks, then Planet-X 'claw' winter gloves, a neck tube, and decent hat. I can survive 3 hour night rides at up to -6C, and still stay warm. If I begin to feel the onset of cold, I just push on to get the heart rate up, and all is good. Makes you appreciate summer conditions though..!
As someone else commented, shorter rides at higher intensity helps you stay warm, for the same training benefit...
Have fun
I've signed up for a Sportif in late April and have been putting on some miles. Unfortunately the cold snap we're now in has made me want to hibernate.
Last weekend it dropped to minus 2 and on a 3 hour ride my feet and hands were absolutely frozen.
I'd got a pair of Castelli overshoes in the hopes that they would be warmer than my old ones, even with ski socks my feet had lost feeling and I was on the grumpy side of this is too effin cold.
Any recommendations for gloves? My old Endura MTB gloves fell short of providing the warmth needed for a long ride (>2.5 hours).
Where am I going wrong? Has anyone got some tips worth trying?
Looking at a 3.5 hour stint this weekend so any tips gratefully received!
Cheers T1b
Hi, I have Specialized Defroster winter boots with Assos winter socks, then Planet-X 'claw' winter gloves, a neck tube, and decent hat. I can survive 3 hour night rides at up to -6C, and still stay warm. If I begin to feel the onset of cold, I just push on to get the heart rate up, and all is good. Makes you appreciate summer conditions though..!
As someone else commented, shorter rides at higher intensity helps you stay warm, for the same training benefit...
Have fun
Edited by T1berious on Thursday 26th January 09:04
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