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From: smh@mit-eddie.UUCP (Steven M. Haflich)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: COLD TOES
Message-ID: <3384@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 4-Jan-85 01:20:23 EST
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.3384
Posted: Fri Jan  4 01:20:23 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 5-Jan-85 23:45:15 EST
References: <1845@sdcc6.UUCP>
Reply-To: smh@mit-eddie.UUCP (Steven M. Haflich)
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 37

Cold toes:  For two years I commuted on a 10-speed bicycle all winter
through deepest darkest Milwaukee.  The first winter my drivers license
expired, so one late December 5-degree-F 25-MPH-wind morning I donned my
expedition down parka, goggles, wool mittens, expedition overmitts, and
summer loafers [??!?]  for a jaunty jaunt 3 miles upwind to the Motor
Vehiclicide Department downtown.  (The three staffers there, not really
expecting to see anyone at all crazy enought to come out on such a day,
were very amused by the genuine icicles hanging from my moustache.  They
passed me on the written exam anyway.)

Yes, indeedy, everything else was fine, but my toes were just about
frjorgled off!!  GNUMBZVILLE!  Subsequently I learned that sensible
(thick wool) socks are an important first line of defense.  However, the
most important thing is maintaining circulation!  Toe clips?  It's
astounding how much tight shoes and toe clips can restrict circulation.
It makes sense to loosen clips in very cold weather and to make a point
of relaxing the feet in the stirrups (or removing therefrom) every tenth
mile or so.

Every New England backpacker knows that if one's feet are cold, the best
thing to do is to put on a hat!  If you can maintain circulation to the
extremeties anmd insulate *most* of the body, the circulatory system
will of necessity spill excess heat to the perphery, i.e., feet and
hands.  That keeps them warm.  Otherwise the body is marvelously adapted
to chilee the feet and hands in order to maintain temperature in the
all-important central body core.  By the way, if you are a cheap miserly
New-England-Yankee like me, you can save a few dollars per heating
season by wearing a wool cap and sweater indoors during the wee hours
when the setback thermometer has done its thing.  Either that, or drink
lots of Jamaican rum.  Or both -- but I digress...

Incidentally, the entire Milwaukee 1980-81 winter I was only forced to
abandon bicycle and walk for *3* days.  I was doing even better 81-82
when on Feb. 18 a charming 16-year-old driving daddy's van put me in
plaster for 7.5 months ... but that's another story.  Anyway, the
{ac,in}cident happened during a warm spell, so than really doesn't
count.