Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site asgb.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxj!houxm!whuxlm!akgua!sdcsvax!bmcg!asgb!kinne From: kinne@asgb.UUCP Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: COLD TOES Message-ID: <611@asgb.UUCP> Date: Fri, 4-Jan-85 11:24:11 EST Article-I.D.: asgb.611 Posted: Fri Jan 4 11:24:11 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 11-Jan-85 08:08:25 EST References: <1845@sdcc6.UUCP> Organization: Burroughs Corporation, Boulder Colo. Lines: 22 To avoid cold toes, or cold anything else, when riding in low temperatures, put on a warm hat and gloves or mittens. The body is a single distributed source of heat, with several forms of losses, the most significant of which is loss from the skin. If over a period of time the heat produced is not equal to that lost, the body responds but shutting off the heat flow to the extremities (fingers and toes). In the extreme this results in frostbite; what you are experiencing is a minor symptom of the same problem. Since there is relatively little heat loss from the toes, wearing warmer socks has little value. Most of the heat lost by the body is from the head, face, neck, and hands, because they are least protected and are very good radiators. Covering them is the most effective way of reducing heat loss. In this case the physics of the situation are confirmed by many years of experience in back country skiing, winter mountaineering, and winter running in Colorado. Bob Kinne ASG Burroughs