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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