Sunday, January 20, 2008

Personal Best

Yesterday morning I had a new personal best...well coldest at least. As I was heading over to Lebanon Hills, the temperature was -10 (that is base temp NOT w/ windchill). Several hours later when I finished up my laps it had warmed all the way to -5.
Normally, I would have waited until the afternoon sun had warmed things a little, but my wife had movie plans w/ friends... having a kid = be flexible.

The Ride: Hardtail w/ Nokian studded tires...run tubeless w/ ~15 PSI

The only intersting thing about the ride might be the clothing I was wearing. I didn't get cold at all.
Here is the list from the top down:
Mountain Hardware Windstopper hat - sweat wicking and wind proof need I say more?
Pearl Izumi Balaclava - good for chincicles, wear it so each breath is exhausted over my face...keeps the nose running and the face thawed.
Stretch (generic) neck tube - just one more layer, as the balaclava is pretty thin
Under Armour Cold Gear top - best base layer I have found...I look like a really skinny Terrell Owens=)
Mountain Hardware fleece - I only wear this and cold gear if it is >20 degrees. It is 4x more windproof than cheap fleece
Mountain Hardware Windstopper jacket - This jacket makes riding in weather like this possible. Again, wind proof and sweat wicking
Pearl Izumi windproof bibs - I wouldn't buy them again but they are warm. The flaw is that the have no stretch around the knees so they really bind up (and make me work harder=)
Under Armour Cold Gear pants - same as shirt. see above
Nike bibs - low cut making it easier to pee
Mountainineering socks - wooly, thick, and big
Nike Shoes (same as I use all season) - tape up the holes in the insole. A lot of heat is lost through the sole of the shoe.
Performance Booties - cheap and fleece lined. The fleece lining really helps.
and last but probably most important...toe warmer packets taped to the top of my sock inside my shoe - would have lasted less than a lap w/o these.

The catch? The retail value of all this clothing is ~$1000. IMO, money better spent than on a nice trainer or power meter;)


My wife called me crazy for going riding. I called her crazy for going to see a horror movie: "27 Dresses". In the end, we agreed to disagree.

4 comments:

Eric O. said...

I started out putting those heaters in that way but my feet felt too crowded. I switched to the insole's that have an insert under the toes that you can take out and put one of those heaters in. When the heaters aren't needed just slip the insert back in. They are made by one of those heater companies and I got them at Fleetfarm. I've been on the bike twice for less than an hr since Thanksgiving. I don't plan on starting my spring training until March sometime, depending on snow conditions of course. Keep up the motor pacing behind snowmobiles :)

Jenn said...

At least you got the name of the movie right, I guess. Guys, it's a cute movie, but take it from me... it's the epitomy of a chick-flick!

Unknown said...

Nice winter beater :(

BTW, I am officially a Savagonean!

Sidi Diablos are my show of choice....just need some of those toasters and I'll be set!

Have you been to Murphy lately? Since it's practically in my backyard, i should check it out one of these days.

Brendan said...

I heard that Murphy is only rideable on clown bikes (pugsleys), but I haven't verified it. Come summer you are going to be set! Roll out of bed on to the the trail=)