Re: [Bikies] Winter riding question

[Scott Ellington]

Goggles are essential when it's below about 20 F. I found some clear ones at a motorcycle shop which were large enough to fit over glasses. I had to improve the ventilation by punching a row of holes along the top of the lens and removing some of the foam from the sides and bottom. The glasses only fog up under particularly bad conditions. Those who don't need glasses won't have as much trouble with fogging.

When it's below zero, like this morning, you have to completely cover your face. I'm looking for a simpler system, but now I use double ear bands, a neck gaiter, and a neoprene face mask. At least one of the ear bands has to overlap the goggles so there isn't a gap, or my forehead will freeze. I also use a cover on the helmet. This get-up takes a while to put on, and things don't always stay where they belong. REI has a balaclava with a neoprene face mask, which I'm going to try.

I wear thick downhill ski mitts with liners when it's really cold. I take the toe clips off in winter so I can wear lightweight hiking boots, which are adequate for my 2.5 mile commute. In addition to the long underwear and regular pants, I'll wear wind pants when on days like today. (Today it took longer to get dressed than to ride to work.) I don't seem to need much insulation on top, so I just layer fleece under a windbreaker, but that depends on how much heat you generate.

The bottom line is to wear whatever it takes to stay warm. For most Madison-area commutes, there's no need to freeze. For a commute longer than 20 minutes or so, keeping hands and feet warm gets more difficult.

Just be careful all that headgear doesn't compromise your vision so much that you can't see the cars coming.

Scott


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Scott Ellington
Madison, Wisconsin USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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