How cold for a Balaclava

I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message
...
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like
a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

I'd be stiffled at 40. I put on an earband or fleece skullcap when it's
below freezing -- it doesn't get cold enough around here for me to wear a
balaclava.

I'd say it's because I have a huge head of hair, but I did the same when I
had a pixie haircut, so it's not simply the hair that's insulating me.


--
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Claire Petersky
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On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:52:46 -0500, "Roger Zoul"
wrote:

I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

Get the lightest, thinnest Balaclava you can find, possibly lycra, or silk
for temps between 45 and 50F, especially if it's raining. I tried the lycra
brand at Performance Bikes which seemed the right 'weight', but the durn
thing was so tight, I was worried it would be uncomfortable after a few
minutes. I know cyclists tend to be diminutive, but do they also have tiny
heads? (j/k)

Below 40-45, I use a Maxit brand:

http://www.bikejerseys.com/maxhead6in1h.html

I've ridden in 18F temps and been perfectly fine with this. It's
polyolefin/lycra blend. All you really need is a one-layer barrier so the
wind is blocked just a bit, b/c. the head seems to generate a lot of heat,
so you don't need much, ime.

I also like the way it dampens the wind rush noise against the ears.

-B

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message
...
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like
a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

I have a light one and a heavy one. I start wearing the light one when
there's frost on the grass when I look out the window at 6AM.

RichC

Roger Zoul wrote:
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

I haven't bothered with a balaclava yet, but then it rarely gets below
25 F out here in Seattle. At 30 F and below I use a fleece earband to
keep my ears from freezing off, and I find that sufficient. Of course
YMMV, I tend to run warmer than other people, I don't need much cover.

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
Mohandas K. Gandhi often changed his mind publicly. An aide once asked him
how he could so freely contradict this week what he had said just last week.
The great man replied that it was because this week he knew better.

Roger Zoul wrote:
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

Below 20F for me. From 20F to freezing, I just wear a headband to keep my
ears warm. Above freezing, I don't bother with any headwear.

justen

Badger wrote:
:: On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:52:46 -0500, "Roger Zoul"
:: wrote:
::
::: I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need
::: something like a balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F
::: is enough for me.
::
:: Get the lightest, thinnest Balaclava you can find, possibly lycra,
:: or silk for temps between 45 and 50F, especially if it's raining. I
:: tried the lycra brand at Performance Bikes which seemed the right
:: 'weight', but the durn thing was so tight, I was worried it would be
:: uncomfortable after a few minutes. I know cyclists tend to be
:: diminutive, but do they also have tiny heads? (j/k)
::
:: Below 40-45, I use a Maxit brand:
::
:: http://www.bikejerseys.com/maxhead6in1h.html
::
:: I've ridden in 18F temps and been perfectly fine with this. It's
:: polyolefin/lycra blend. All you really need is a one-layer barrier
:: so the wind is blocked just a bit, b/c. the head seems to generate a
:: lot of heat, so you don't need much, ime.
::
:: I also like the way it dampens the wind rush noise against the ears.

Thanks, Bagder. I think I'll get that one as I appreciate functionality and
because you think it is light weight. I don't think I need a thick one
because I'm sure my big noggin generates a lot of heat.

So far, as fall as come here to SC, the mornings seem dreadfully cold to me.
I've still got a century to do so I need to be ready and I need to get some
training time in during the early am hours. Brrrrrrrr.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:52:46 -0500, "Roger Zoul"
wrote:

I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

32 this morning was certainly enough.

On 10 Nov 2004 09:48:58 -0700, justen wrote:

Roger Zoul wrote:
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

Below 20F for me. From 20F to freezing, I just wear a headband to keep my
ears warm. Above freezing, I don't bother with any headwear.

justen

So you're telling me that you ride your bike 15-20mph with normal wind,
(say 10-15mph), and if it's 33 deg F you don't need anything on your head?

That's only 20 deg F, factoring wind chill you know.

You wouldn't be this guy wouldja?

http://www.batmantas.com/cmp/freeze.htm

-B

Roger Zoul wrote:
I'm wondering at about what temp you folks decide you need something like a
balaclava while riding? Seems like 40 degrees F is enough for me.

i wear a single neck gaitor below 50F tho, below 15F i wear a t-shirt folded
over itself twice w/ the top section over my face, the arms tied behind
my neck and the tail shoved down my front. kinda my version of a balaclava
i guess. picked that up when i was broke in college. i have lots of hair
so protecting my head isn't really a consideration.
--
david reuteler