FS Newbies

[Rockford10]

I discovered at some point that moisturized skin just does better in the cold. So on windy, cold days I’ll put aquaphor on my face and maybe moisturizer on my legs and arms, that really helps somehow to keep in warmth.

[AFHokie]

@Rockford10 169770 wrote:

I discovered at some point that moisturized skin just does better in the cold. So on windy, cold days I’ll put aquaphor on my face and maybe moisturizer on my legs and arms, that really helps somehow to keep in warmth.

Is this enough?[ATTACH]15912[/ATTACH]

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[AFHokie]

@Rockford10 169770 wrote:

I discovered at some point that moisturized skin just does better in the cold. So on windy, cold days I’ll put aquaphor on my face and maybe moisturizer on my legs and arms, that really helps somehow to keep in warmth.

Is this enough?[ATTACH]15913[/ATTACH]

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[Harry Meatmotor]

Embro!

[TDean]

Post #2 and I’m going straight to some deep hypocrisy, but I must sing the praises of my battery-powered heated gloves. (for anyone still in need of a fancy Christmas present for a cycling fanatic). They are a thing, and they are amazing.

Also (on the topic of moisturizing), a thin layer of Vaseline on ones face works really well to take the bite off.

[Kodjo]

I find its v important to adjust with the temperature. I wear v different gear when its 36 as compared with 28 or 19, and it’s not pleasant to be dressed for the wrong temperature.

[Kodjo]

The rules say you cannot enter your miles “manually” on Strava. I don’t have or want to buy something like a Fitbit, but do have a smart phone. Any suggestions on a (preferably free — yes, I know, I’m cheap) app (iOS)? Thanks.

[drevil]

Strava.

[cvcalhoun]

@Kodjo 169782 wrote:

The rules say you cannot enter your miles “manually” on Strava. I don’t have or want to buy something like a Fitbit, but do have a smart phone. Any suggestions on a (preferably free — yes, I know, I’m cheap) app (iOS)? Thanks.

Strava has its own (free) app.

[Henry]

We love Newbies! So much so that BikeArlington is seeking a first-time winter rider for a guest blog post in Jan/Feb. Could be someone under the influence of Freezing Saddles, but doesn’t have to be. Could also be an interview if no one has the scribe vibe.

Interested parties can message me off-thread or email me: henry [dot] dunbar [at] bikearlington [dot] com

[Steve O]

@Shawnbeast 169749 wrote:

Some of us lowly novices have never taken to our steeds in sub-freezing weather. Do those of you veterans have any advice to help us keep our toes intact and our bikes upright?

Issue #1 has been covered quite well in this thread. On issue #2 (bike upright), I can provide the following advice:

The most important thing is to keep yourself distracted from noticing that you are riding on snow or ice. The best way to do this is the same way drivers do to keep themselves from remembering they are operating a motor vehicle: focus on your phone.

For instance, if you attempt to take a #dangerpanda photo, the tasks of figuring out where to hold your phone, how to push the buttons with your big gloves on, etc. will make you totally forget that you are riding on snow or ice. Like this:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15923[/ATTACH]

My mind was so consumed with dealing with the phone, that I completely forgot I was riding on snow, and so nothing bad happened.

[Steve O]

Also, there are several previous threads that discuss the “bike upright” issue.
Post #51 in this thread includes my slightly more sensible advice.

[GBirg]

Happy to join this forum. Been riding through the winter for years, but not been part of FS.

[Allan C]

A lot of dealing with the cold is psychological. You are unlikely to get hypothermia and die while commuting to work on a bicycle, and DC is almost never cold enough for frostbite. So some of winter riding is letting go of the expectation that you will feel exactly as comfortable as you do when sitting at home watching TV. I used to find that at the start of the winter, I would fret about getting just the right layers, etc., but by the end, I’m like, ah, whatever.

[AFHokie]

This page explains wind-chill and how it can effect you when riding in the cold: https://www.icebike.org/wind-chill-chart-for-winter-cyclists-and-ice-bikers/

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