Freezing My N*** Off

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First of all, Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for sticking around here and posting comments as often as you do. I am a bit overwhelmed at some of the attention I've gotten from all of you, but grateful as well. And for the couple of you I've actually met face to face, well, it was great meeting you Tom and Gabe, and I hope to see you around more.

Okay, to business ( "To Business!"). As some of you know, it's been pretty freaking cold around here the past few days. And I've switched my bike-wear to wearing long underwear and my Cannondale winter bike tights (and I finally look like a cyclist). All is well... though I do need to find some closer-fitting base layers and fleece layers for my upper body to fit a bit better under my jacket.

The only issue I'm running into is... yeah, you guessed it - my nether regions. It's freezin' down there! The wind getting through a bit down there, despite the long underwear, tights, and UnderArmor underwear. So... what sorts of techniques do all of you use to keep yourselves from having to search around once you've gotten to work and have to pee, or whatever?

People, not speed.

Comments

  1. JuliaJanuary 3, 2008 at 10:31 PM

    Well, not being a dude, I'm not sure I entirely understand what you're going through. :) But have you considered wearing a loose layer over the tights? I have generally found that the air between the layers can be excellent insulation.

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  2. steveJanuary 4, 2008 at 9:10 AM

    Waterproof pants - the waterproofing also means they're completely windproof. The waterproofing works in both directions, though, so it can be slightly disconcerting after a long-ish ride to take them off and have a cascade of frozen sweat fall out!

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  3. JonJanuary 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM

    Over my bike shorts and capilent long underwear, I wear rip-stop nylon BDUs (military cargo pants) from the Army Surplus. $20.00 a pair, and pretty wind resistant. So much so, in fact, that I can't wear them at much above 60 degrees.

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2008 at 10:29 AM

    Hey Jamie, I hear ya man. Jeff from http://urbaninfill.wordpress.com/ asked a similar (more broad though) question and I ended up writing an essay about it. If you haven't had a chance then take a look and see if this helps you any:

    http://elephantsonbicycles.com/?p=166

    I hope all is well with you and your family!

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  5. JamieJanuary 4, 2008 at 10:32 AM

    Sounds like you're all on the same track though using different items of clothing. I was looking at getting a pair of wind pants from Fox Wear and I guess that clinches it. I'll order 'em today.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    i just wear normal cycling shorts under wool tights and thin pants. the crotch padding seems to keep the winds at bay from my junk, even in minnesota winters. happy riding.

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2008 at 12:30 PM

    I started wearing a Carhartt coverall last winter, and my nuts have been a lot warmer. It's a whole different approach though -- wearing summer/fall attire under the heavy windproof shell, adjusting zippers for ventilation, leaving it on/unzipped sometimes to spare the trouble of taking it off.

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  8. dancJanuary 4, 2008 at 4:36 PM

    First nix any cotton or gotten blend clothing. I'll slso assume you've nixed the kilt for the winter, good idea!

    Do you wear a good pair of cycling shorts? Chamois pad acts like a wind block.

    If still uncomfortable an extra patch of chamois can add comfort by blocking the wind further and light insulation.

    Is the long underwear wool? Yes it's expensive but well worth it.

    Regarding rain pants, I overheated too easily, 10 mile commute and they where noisy.

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  9. DougJanuary 5, 2008 at 9:31 AM

    Jamie, I wear regular cycling pants, some polypro long underwear for really cold days, and a pair of REI Novara Headwind Pants. They have a windblock material laminated to the front of the pants. The secret is some kind of windblock material in the crotch region. Or just shove an old hat or wool sock down the front of your pants. That's worked for me in a pinch in the past. It helps you look more manly once the shrinkage starts kicking in!

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  10. amidnightriderJanuary 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM

    Put a picture of Jessica Biel in a bikini on your handlebar bag.

    ReplyDelete

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