Decayed 007
 

My wife, Bernadette, is very impressed by the Alpinestar thermal underwear. I tried them on. Bernadette claims they make her think of James Bond - the underwear not the wearer. I look a wreck in whatever. However I shall post a photograph tomorrow.
:scooter:

0074
 

Simon my dear chap ,I do believe there are "other" forums that are more suitable for posting photos of oneself in underwear .
Not that I would know anything about it of course .

"Thieving sons" ?

How about a windscreen? I did all my 'serious' riding in the sixties in the uK often through the night. Always used Avon full fairings, but a screen will hold the windchill off your upper body so reduce the windchill. Good boots and padded pants ( I used to wear flannelette pyjama bottoms under my jeans, and wind/waterproof over trousers)
My BMW allows me to ride through heavy rainstorms without getting wet (providing I dont have to stop).
I never had a probelm then with numb bum, but now cant find a cure for it :(

you dont need electrically heated kit to ride in really cold weather, a good set of long johns (i use norgie, or norwegean military), there are many of these on the market, thick trousers and fleecy jacket and a good set of wind/waterproofs over the top will see you well. The most difficult parts are the extremities, keep these warm, the rest of you will be ok. I came across a set of leather palmed mountaineering gloves, they are a tad clumsy but worth their weight in gold. On the feet I use goretex military boots, 2 sizes too big, with several pairs of socks. they were only £10 or 15E
the coldest I rode at was -36c.
being able to hide behind a screen with hand muffs is probably the most effective way to reduce the chill, with a sheepskin seat cover.

There are many good points in these posts.

Not sure about keeping the extremities warm and "the rest will follow" but I know the sensations involved; there is lots of evidence that the core body temperature cannot be allowed to drop very far before the nasty side effects kick in and the body is letting you know this (kind of early warning by reducing the blood supply to the extremities while maintaining circulation in the trunk).
Anyway, I do agree that mittens are much better than gloves; lots of climbers know this. When all of the fingers are cosily together they are much warmer than separated from each other by leather or whatever. For riding, the handlebar muffs would be a great item, especially if they are 100% waterproof, but any form of hand guard that deflects the wind is also good + the windscreen idea. They are not pretty but they are effective.

Dave

I've seen a version of winter mittens for cyclists that have two fingers kept together. I don't know who made them, they were made out of polarfleece material, and I think they were called 'lobster claws' or something similar. They looked a bit odd, (and reminded me of the tv show Mork and Mindy, with his "nanoo nanoo shuzbat" and gesture) but I imagine they'd work very well.
Does anyone do motorbike gloves like this, i.e made out of stronger fabric?


And best wishes Simongandolfini - have a great trip.

The ice was rapidly breaking up

Numb Butt And Broken Ankle
 

You all gave such great advice. I settled for Alpinestars boots and their thermals - super warm and the boots are comfortable to walk in. Then I got run down by three trucks - dumb. Full account in BLOG at home
simon :oops2: