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HANDS |
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 As the weather turns colder, "finger gloves"
replace Summer bike gloves. Those gloves are OK for temperatures over about 35 degrees F.,
especially if they are insulated. At any lower temperatures, mittens are the
order of the day.Like feet, hands are at the end of a
long circulatory system. They need companions in order to keep odd digits from chilling. A
windproof shell can keep fingers warm and dry almost as well as that first pair of gloves
will. When it gets colder, add wool glove liners (never cotton gloves!)But for below freezing, nicely
insulated big mittens are about all that will do the job. You won't find them in the bike
shop. |
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| Get them from the ski shop. Claw
mittens are handy, with friction palms. For really frigid conditions, nothing beats those
huge mittens the arctic
folks wear.It's important to think about
moisture accumulation inside mittens. A spare pair of glove liners, easily compressed in a
pocket, will often make all the difference when the first pair get soaked. As with torso
clothing, a layered approach to hand covering works best. Wool glove liners inside a shell
or inside mittens, for instance, lets you start out maybe over-warm, shed a layer, then
add one later when the chill starts in. Try to not let your hands get cold enough to hurt;
getting them rewarmed is not easy. Note that the big problem in our area (NW Ohio) is
underdressing. Start out warm!
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