Comments on: Tips from Ted

By: iamtedking

iamtedking — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:10:17 +0000

Good Lord Mike, where do you live? Aluminum foil?! I would go to heated socks before I go that deep into my kitchen drawers. But whatever works. Necessity is the mother of all invention, right?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:13:57 +0000

Try using thick wool socks wrapped in a double layer of kitchen aluminum foil. The foil acts as a heat reflector and is surprisingly good at blocking out the wind too. Being thin it molds to the shape of your shoes/feet and is barely noticeable. Throw a pair of neoprene booties or toe caps over this lot and you can ride comfortably in pretty damn cold conditions.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:35:42 +0000

Another trick to help keep the feet dry on “moist” days is to pre-treat neoprene booties with any sort of silicone water repellent spray. IT won’t keep your feet totally dry for the entire ride, but it adds an easy and cheap layer that will keep them relatively drier for a bit longer than normal.

Sounds like it might be time for a new IANTK t-shirt celebrating those of us kit up and venture forth in absolutely frigid temps.

TK-if you are ever back in New England during the winter, the MC3 (Maine Coast Cycling Club) club out of Kennebunk heads out cold weather be damned every Sunday at 9am from behind Marlowe’s (just up the street from that infamous Zumba studio). I’m sure you’d find some equally hearty New Englanders on cross bikes out for morning spin…

By: Tracy Wilkins

Tracy Wilkins — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:58:54 +0000

Nice post, Ted. You’re right on with the wool socks and MTB boots (I wear Lakes). I can ride comfortably down to about 10 degrees that way, and I’ve thought I can probably push it lower by adding the ugly neoprene booties over the top of that but at that point my hands become questionable.

I’m trying pogies this year to get past that barrier!

By: Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:00:24 +0000

I use a pair for neoprene toe covers under the full pair of Neoprene bootees. Nice warm toes and extra layer to get the wet at bay round the toes.

By: zac_in_ak

zac_in_ak — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:27:18 +0000

I live in Anchorage AK it just warmed up today to 16 with snow. It’s been around -11 for 3 weeks..to cold for me but with the warm up ill be getting off the rollers and hitting the trails. In the cold layers are your friend…and pogies…. have fun guys when you loose feeling thats bad..when it comes back thats worse. Start out short till you get a handle on cold weather riding

my .02 worth

By: John

John — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:52:06 +0000

Magic Formula:
- Smart wool socks of the appropriate thickness – should still allow circulation.
- A pair of waterproof booties over your shoes. This is just to act as a vapor barrier and cut down any places where cold air penetrates.
- A pair of wool socks over the bootie with a hold cut in the bottom for the cleat.
- Neoprene bootie over the whole mess.

Guaranteed to +15 F and the added benefit that it is aerobic exercise just to put that many layers on your feet.

Happy feet to all.

By: Becky B

Becky B — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 15:56:59 +0000

Try saran wrap instead of a grocery bag. It conforms to your feet much better than a plastic bag.
I may be a wimp and won’t ride if it’s colder than 40ºF, but I know how to stay warm when I do.

By: iamtedking

iamtedking — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:30:01 +0000

Zero degrees Fahrenheit?! That’s both badass and absurd. Where do you live… The North Pole?

By: Bodhi

Bodhi — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 03:00:45 +0000

I throw a few layers of duct tape on the bottom of my insoles where they contact the base of my cleats. Helps a little for the bottoms of my feet…for what it’s worth. Good words, Ted, keep crushing it!