Expert Answers
Don't Get Cold Feet
Louis's Question:
My feet are frozen (my big toe) after I ride for about 30 minutes, even though I wear fleece-type socks covered by GORE-TEX. socks. All that gets stuffed inside a shoe plus a cover over my shoe. Do you have any thoughts on how to keep my feet warm?
P.S. It's about 15 degrees.
Steve Jones's Answer:
Louis,
Yes, indeedy, winter weather is here. Even us folks on the 34th parallel have already been getting a solid dose of low-digit temperatures, so a poker like me occasionally gets going fast enough on a bike to whip up a significant wind chill. There are conditions you might be better off waiting out inside, but don't huddle by the fireplace just yet.
While we have every reason to expect some discomfort brought on by the cold, Louis, it sounds as though your symptom goes beyond the limit one should suffer. I'll assume your toe is just this side of"frozen," and only feels like a thoroughly frigid piggy. (Otherwise, amputation will take care of your problem.)
Based on the gear you've adorned your feet with, I'd suggest the cause comes from the inside, rather than ambient conditions — it would take a pretty fierce wind to penetrate such layering. With two pairs of socks stuffed inside a shoe plus an outer layer on top, your feet may be constricted to the point where your warmth-giving blood can't get into those tight corners. As a first step, you might see if you can loosen things up a bit so you have some wiggle room in your shoes.
There is, however, a condition called Reynaud's Syndrome that affects the circulation enough so that in cool weather fingers, toes, even your nose can become overly sensitive to cold, so much so that it can become painful. If this is the case, medication is available that may provide some relief. However, there is a natural approach that could help as much, if not more.
Warmth from the Inside Out
I'm going to guess that you seldom, if ever, eat foods containing capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers. I say this because "capsaicin therapy," as a friend calls it, has as its primary long-lasting effect an opening of the remoter capillaries located throughout the body, especially in the extremities. In other words, eating foods containing hot peppers can keep your inner fires stoked in such a way that you can stay warmer where it counts, from the inside out.
There are other ways to achieve this besides eating jalapeqos and habaneros. (But, as a biker, you really should consider it part of the discipline to develop a taste for this important and beneficial veggie.) You can find capsaicin pills, which are nothing more than red pepper ground up and placed in capsules. I used to take these when I was on the road doing research during the cold months and couldn't carry an adequate supply of salsa and other pepper-infused foods. A BIG WORD OF WARNING: Always eat something before taking these high-powered pills; otherwise you run a risk of getting a case of heartburn you won't easily forget.
One other strategy you might try is getting your toes as toasty as possible before setting out. You can turn the car's heater on your feet, or use some other approach, and then put your biking shoes on. In any event, I applaud you for getting out there and riding when America's tender citizens are sitting inside on heating pads. Let me know if this helps.
