Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mit-eddie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!smh 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.