I was thinking since I’m getting a Surly Moonlander bike, it might be nice to have some additional gear to go with it. This might open up some options for winter activities.
The first (1st) upgrade will be in the glove / mitten department. Right now I’m good to about ten degrees below (-10) before I need to add chemical warmers. Perusing the Black Diamond website I found some mittens that are rated from zero (0) to minus twenty (-20) degrees.
The link is HERE. They call it the Mercury Mitt. They run $99. I’m hoping they will be warm enough for “other adventures” in addition to winter commuting. Time will tell. I’m going to order a pair. They do have another pair that’s rated from minus 20 degrees (-20) to minus forty degrees (-40). However, they are a spendy $199.
The “other adventures” I’ve alluded to are winter endurance bike races. The Arrowhead 135 in particular. I was sort of planning for this winter to gather the necessary gear and to test it. Next winter (winter of 2012 – 2013) is when I thought I might enter.
The other extremities that will need a gear upgrade are the feet/toes. I’m thinking mountaineering boots. I’ve had the opportunity to use Scarpa Invernos. While they are fairly ubiquitous for lower 48 mountaineering, I’m not sure they’ll have the warmth I think I’ll need. Their high-end mountaineering boots – Phantom 8000 – are a staggering $870 per pair. Ouch. I’ll research this more before I lay down that amount of cabbage.
As long as I’m looking at upgrades I’ll be in the market for a four (4) season tent. Winter use and all. I’ve only thought about this and not done any research. It is not a pressing issue.
I’ll be looking to upgrade my Thermarest for a Big Agnes insulated pad. For not too many more ounces I can have a thicker, insulated pad. Big Agnes makes a one (1) called, wait for it ………. Insulated Air Core. I’ll need a colder rated sleep bag to round out these items.
I guess this is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I love to research, shop for, and buy gear. I’m looking forward to the upgrades and additions. Even more so I’m looking forward to testing it.
The first (1st) test is an easy one (1). Wait for a really cold night, go out on my deck, set up the tent, throw in the insulated pad, toss the sleeping bag on top, and spend the night in the works. If, for whatever reason, I’m either much too cold or too warm, I simply pack up the works and step inside. The next test will be overnight camping excursions to state parks on equally or even more cold night.
Ride On.
4 comments:
check out the ice bike mittens better than a pair of black diamond . MADE IN USA
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/icebikemittens.htm
I have a pair of Icebike mitts from Empire Canvas. I haven't found the bottom limit yet with them. But for the Arrowhead I'd definitely recommend using pogies. I use a $20 pair of ATV barmitts on my Pugsley. They've kept my hands warm down to -30 degrees with just liner gloves on.
My biggest obstacle to my first AH135 was keeping my feet warm. Wiggle room and air space are all you need to remember. Five hundred dollar climbing boots won't keep your feet warm if you don't have wiggle room in the toe box of your boots. Buy your winter footwear two sizes larger than what you would normally wear. Mike Curiak goes five sizes larger for extreme conditions in Alaska. The air space combined with a windproof upper is what keeps heat in the boot contained around your foot.
Below zero I switch to platfrom pedals and a pair of Northface Lifty hiking boots. I picked them up on clearance for $60.
Below zero I will also add a vapor barrier sock. This easily adds 10-20 degrees to the cold rating of your footwear.
Skip the tent and spend the money on a good down sleeping bag and bivy. And you'd be the only one out there carrying a tent if you use one for the AH135. You don't need a tent in cold weather. I camp all year round and the only time I use a tent is for rain and bugs. Neither of which you have when it gets bitter cold.
But as with anything, you have to find what works best for you.
Doug - thanks for the info. I should have clarified, the tent isn't for the Arrowhead 135, it's for other types of winter trips - not races. I'm going to try a set of pogies and see how they work.
Go with the pogies for sure. I have the same ATV ones that Doug has and they work great. I would really like the ones made by Dogwood Designs. They are available through Revelate Designs and also Fatbikes.com. I'm also with Doug on the boots and platform pedals. I'm looking into the Sorel Intrepid Explorers. Rated to -100(F) for around $200.
Embrace winter;)
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