Winter Commuting

[Rubberchicken]

Classic Turtle wax on the outside of the visor lets the drops roll off quite well...

Then again, I went to an openface helmet partly because I got sick to death of dealing with visors and glasses fogging up and freezing, seems to be less of an issue with the scott goggles because I'm not breathing in there.

Also, what donkster said. Keeping your rump warm is the trick, the rest will follow. Try one of those high-tech thermal undershirt wotsits or even just an extra tshirt, layers rule. And make sure that neck buff is warm enough, you lose a lot of heat there.

[campagman]

Thanks for all the replies - plenty to try.

I do have a really good leather jacket and don't get a cold core, but then again I'm not overly warm either, some maybe another thin layer will help with the hands and feet. I'll give it a try in the morning it's forecast below freezing at 7 am.

[outrunner]

Get yourself a Craghopper Microfibre fleece to wear under your jacket, works for me.


Andy.

[Rubberchicken]

Yesterday: Cue Shirley Bassey. Coooldfinger...

Today: Weather's a bit colder. Same jacket, same sweater, same gloves, same boots, just put on a second neck buff (windstopper) over the thin soft fleece one... Cosy.

Keeping your neck and face warm really does make a lot of difference. (Especially with an open face.)

[sunnybrook]

Also, despite heated grips, standard TA knuckle guards and thick pair of Spada gloves I still get painfully cold index fingers - could it be a vibration issue?

Campy, I have heated grips, brush guards and a thick pair of Spada Quadrant winter gloves. All my fingers turn white when the air temperature gets down to about freezing, whether I'm cycling or motorbiking or driving.

So far I've never cranked the heating on the grips for fear of "reversing the polarity of the moisture flow" of the waterproof membrane (cf. Hein Gericke catalogues). Yesterday I was on the bike for a couple of hours and ended up getting extremely cold, despite what I thought would be sufficient layers: Helly Hansen SLX Seamless top under my Endura Glentress roubaix jacket under HG Cruise GTX (albeit minus the winter liner). I think more layers involving the equivalent of a woolly string vest might be needed to keep my torso and legs warm.

I wonder whether the constant inhalation of freezing cold air has something to do with it, too? I ride with a Buff tucked into my collar and pulled up to my mouth, but I don't cover my mouth or nose. Maybe the heat of exhaled air can be used to heat the incoming air.

Donkster: how does one go about building a heated vest? Are there kits available? I've seen the battery powered one that Maplin's selling, but it runs off about 9V and isn't designed for constant heating.

[AlecS]

involving the equivalent of a woolly string vest might be needed to keep my torso and legs warm.

so many mental images...

coat... door... going...

seriously, although you could make your own heated vest, most people buy Gerbing or similar:
http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk...eated-Clothing

[donkster]

http://heat4jackets.com/purchase.html

these guys will sell you a kit for just over £20, in sub zero temps I just have a T shirt on and my jacket - no problems with keeping warm including my extremities - this means I don't have to dress like a Michelin man, I feel far more comfortable and flexible for doing the important concentrating on riding

and all for less than a fleece!

highly highly recommended

[sunnybrook]

http://heat4jackets.com/purchase.html

Dammit, I knew I should've made my twin power sockets as one cigar lighter and one Hella/BMW socket! I think the kit might be worth a second look, though.

[Austin]

all of what Icenian said on page 1 of this thread, plus get a primaloft/insusoft/thermaloft light walking jacket - Pertex outer and insulated therefore windproof, very very warm, and thin and light enough to easily go under a textile jacket. I can't stress enough about keeping body core warm and keeping your blood's journey down your legs and arms warm. If its warm when it gets to your hands or feet it is more likely to keep 'em warm.

Reverse breathability on gloves with heated grips - personally never experienced it. my grips usualy go on as soon as it starts raining - take a pre-emptive strike and get 'em warm before they have a chance to get cold.

Speaking of which it's a lot lot easier to stay warm on a bike than it is to get warm.

Oh and my final secret weapon - everyone should get one for christmas a Peacock Handwarmer http://www.peacockhandwarmers.co.uk/standardimage.htm Highly recommended, cheap, and reusable I keep mine in my shirt's chest pocket.