VQ: Which shoes?

[allison]

I'm in a quandry... do I wear my "I have cycling shoes on?" while pedaling Sidi shoes that will leave my toes frozen in the morning and aren't comfortable for hikes...

or...

Do I wear my 661 tennis shoe like shoes that are better for hiking, slightly warmer, but also heavier and not as nice to pedal in?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by allison

I'm in a quandry... do I wear my "I have cycling shoes on?" while pedaling Sidi shoes that will leave my toes frozen in the morning and aren't comfortable for hikes...

or...

Do I wear my 661 tennis shoe like shoes that are better for hiking, slightly warmer, but also heavier and not as nice to pedal in?

I don't race bikes but I say go with the shoe that has the best comfort for pedaling. Frozen toes will last for a few hours in the morning and after pedaling, I would assume you would be warmed up by then.

[Rob]

That's rotating weight. Go with the Sidi's. You know you like the pain anyways.

[Cowgirl]

I would wear what is the most comfortable for the longest time...in your Sidi's you might be uncomfortable for that climb up WHT but if you are comfortable in them for the rest of the ride that is what I would go with...

Put plastic baggies (ones with no ziplock) over your socks in the morning and shove your foot in your shoe..they help keep your feet warm...Tim puts duct tape over the vents in his shoes to help keep warm....

Looks like you will only be cold til you hit the climb anyways...few minutes of very chilly but overall it's going to be a beautiful day in the mountains!

[jcbikeski]

Forecast low for race area is around 50F -- higher by the time you fly down your first hill. Use the best, normal riding shoes, use toe covers if still concerned about cold. Even if not as ideal they should get you over the hike-a-bike section.

[genusmtbkr5]

I am going to be wearing woolie socks the whole day.

[allison]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

I am going to be wearing woolie socks the whole day.

I'll be wearing Path wool socks. The woolie boolies I believe are way too thick for the whole day!!

Thanks for the responses, keep 'em coming.

[sdyeti]

SIDIs!!!

As mentioned, the hike up WHT is a relatively small block of time compared to the race on the whole.

+1 for duct tape over the vents.

And of course, +1 for Woolie socks.

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

SIDIs!!!

As mentioned, the hike up WHT is a relatively small block of time compared to the race on the whole.

+1 for duct tape over the vents.

And of course, +1 for Woolie socks.

I'll be putting duct tape over the front of my shoes as well. Works quite well, although it does look a little ghetto.

[schleppp]

Rule #1: Don't change or try anything new on race day...

Wear what you would normally wear on a ride of this type. All things considered: temp, distance, terrain, etc...

[Impy]

My hands and feet get so frozen. What works for me is this

1) plastic baggies like cowgirl says, outer layer over the
2) toe warmers on top of my foot over the
3) path or mtbr wool socks

Never thought about taping up the vents, though that is a good idea.

For hands I have been known to stick the toe warmers in my gloves on the back of my hands. Yes, even with the cold weather gloves. Once I start sweating and the gloves get damp the hands will chill, climbing or not.

[NoQueNo]

You will be pedaling most of the time so I would go for the SIDIs. An option would be to have your 661 shoes ready at Aid Station #2 before the Hike-a-bike section.

[singleSSpeedster]

i did vq 2 years ago. i knew it was going to be cold and a bit wet. i picked up a tip to put my feet in plastic baggies to keep them dry. it worked and felt VERY comfortable thru my whole ride.

it didn't feel like i had something bunched up in my shoe. it help keep the cold air form freezing my toes too.

try it out today when you get home. i would recommed this to all you cc/vq riders this weekend.

shoes....use the stiffer, lighter pair. tape the ducts from the inside and outside.

good luck. ride hard. have fun!!!

[Abui]

Originally Posted by allison

I'm in a quandry... do I wear my "I have cycling shoes on?" while pedaling Sidi shoes that will leave my toes frozen in the morning and aren't comfortable for hikes...

or...

Do I wear my 661 tennis shoe like shoes that are better for hiking, slightly warmer, but also heavier and not as nice to pedal in?

On my first practice ride (hike) up WHT I felt like I was walking on rocks. Looked down and I was walking on rocks as the uppers had separated from the lowers (Shimano shoes).

[allison]

Originally Posted by schleppp

Rule #1: Don't change or try anything new on race day...

Wear what you would normally wear on a ride of this type. All things considered: temp, distance, terrain, etc...

I've ridden with both on training days.

I also tried tying grocery plastic bags around my feet one day when it was raining, but all that happened was eventually my feet were swimming. So, doing that makes me nervous.

I guess I will just get frozed toes!! I will try the ducktape over the vents tonight when I get home, though. We'll see if it helps!!

[mp3]

Sidi, no question about it.

[allison]

Originally Posted by mp3

Sidi, no question about it.

I guess that settles it.

[singleSSpeedster]

Originally Posted by allison

I've ridden with both on training days.

I also tried tying grocery plastic bags around my feet one day when it was raining, but all that happened was eventually my feet were swimming. So, doing that makes me nervous.

I guess I will just get frozed toes!! I will try the ducktape over the vents tonight when I get home, though. We'll see if it helps!!

in rain....water is coming from the top and bottom of your shoe. the baggies will help with puddle/water crossings (think maple springs) and such. since race day looks to be beautiful...i'd wear them and not worry about frozen toes.

it is worth the gamble try this for the first time on race day. it does not take long to take the baggies off and stuff 'em in your jersey pocket.

[Edog]

Allison,
Go with the Sidi's, get toe warmers for the morning loose them at the top of beeeks or Motorway check point. If I was doing the VQ I might think about a spare pair of socks. I did Holy Jim on the weekend got very cold wet feet on all the crossings & had to stop to wring out my socks,(And i rode all but the last one) but it was 7 am & cold.
You still have a ways to go at that point so fresh socks at the Holy Jim cut off might be nice!

[allison]

Originally Posted by singleSSpeedster

in rain....water is coming from the top and bottom of your shoe. the baggies will help with puddle/water crossings (think maple springs) and such. since race day looks to be beautiful...i'd wear them and not worry about frozen toes.

it is worth the gamble try this for the first time on race day. it does not take long to take the baggies off and stuff 'em in your jersey pocket.

Re: this post and the next few talking about stopping to take this or that off... Not gonna happen.

I am probably allowed one bathroom break and that is it. Justin doesn't want me to stop for anything, so sitting down to remove stuff from underneath shoes or change socks... probably not gonna happen!!

I'm sure I'll have extra socks. If nothing else I can put them on at the finish line