Mammoth- Cold Weather Tips???

[Dino Brown]

Mammoth is only a few days away! :bang: Friends... fun... scenery..... perfect weather.... DOH! #-o

According to The National Weather Service we are in for some cold weather! http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USCA0661.html

Thursday- 44high/24low Periods of Rain and Snow
Friday---- 47high/28low A few Thunderstorms Possible
Saturday- 46high/27low Occasional Showers Possible
Sunday-- 56high/30low Sunny

Any clothing/ layering ideas? :-k

Shorts? Long pants? Sweatpants? Sweatshirt over armor? Under armor? Cottons.... synthetics? Hydration ideas? Stop for hot chocolate at the top?

With that many people, I don't want anyone to suffer needlessly!

Thanks :beer:

 

[Kid A]

Any clothing/ layering ideas?

Assume others have many thoughts as many ride atop SA's in the winter with snow. I used to ride throughout the winter back east as well and mostly just kept core wamt with breathable layers on and focused on head, hands and toes as numb hands and toes will certainly f'up your day. downhill can be a b!tch with cold air flow'en on your melon. Just get a head warmer under helmet and your set, bring second set of winter gloves as first will keep you warm but will get way sweaty and def get some wool socks. good luck

 

[denmother]

Clothing suggestions

I wear a windbreaker over my body armor and Moto-x socks (long ones like ski socks). This usually does it. Once you start riding, you will warm up and you don't want to overdress. A sweatshirt would be way too warm. You can wear long pants if you have them but I find the socks under my shin guards are usually enough.

It's not like xc or road riding in the cold, you wear alot less clothing because you heat up really, really fast (it's all that adrenaline).

Oh, and on my hands, I usually wear 2 pairs of regular gloves (I don't have any cold weather ones cause it never gets cold enough in the 951).

 

[Flat Broke]

One of the important things to remember if you're trying to stay warm while being active in a cold environment is to NOT have cotton as your first layer. Outside of that, keep the head warm and use layers that are easily shed/replaced and packable. Since it looks like a lot of you guys/gals run pressure suits, you already have one layer down, the windbreaker with a thin intermediate layer should be fine. Then if you get a little too warm, ditch the intermediate layer. To be honest, with the forecasted temps posted, it's not like it's going to be that cold. The windbreaker will definitely be key up top as the evaporation rate of 3*/1000' won't drop the temp much between, 8900 and 11,053 or whatever it is; but the difference in wind chill might be pronounced.

Have fun and take pics for those of us who couldn't make it.

Chris

 

[Dino Brown]

Thanks for the ideas. Warm socks are an ABSOLUTE must. They don't have to be triple thick- enough to keep you warm though. Great idea on going knee-high!!!

Still confused as to the gloves... MTB riding gloves.... hiking gloves... spring conditions ski gloves? Double gloves? Cold hands WILL be an issue for many riders!

The ultimate windblocker? I have had great success by cutting the sleeves off a sweatshirt and wearing it under my thin jersey! By cutting the sleeves off, heat has a chance to escape AND my chest does not feel like a block of ice has been resting on it!!! Works for me!

Keep the ideas coming...

 

[stinkyrider]

Cotton = death

 

[dstepper]

The best stuff you can buy, go over to REI and buy Smart Wool clothing. Well worth the price, will keep you warm even if you get wet.
:steppie:

 

[Kid A]

Keep the ideas coming...

just rememberd another. not my idea, but J-dirt works in the med field and carries some laytex hospital gloves in his backpack to pull under is mtb gloves to block the wind on whack fast cold decents in the winter. (think maples springs)

I tried it once, candidly was a b!tch getting them (others didn't seem to have same issue-call me a moron). helped a bit as seemed to help block wind rippin though mtb gloves but DID NOT BREATH. My hands were a wet mess. i guess okay for a bit of time but for me would not use them as all day ride. Again others (including Johnny) seem to have had more success so posting up

 

[Edog]

My 2 cents

I'm from the UK so no stranger to cold or wet rides. I use to motorcycle year round. One of the best things I have is a fleece neck tube. You can also wear it on your head. Fills the gap nicely between your helmet & jacket & stops your neck going numb! Good socks are key to warm feet & a thin thermal sock with your regular will make a difference. You could try the heat pads too. I also used to Kayak in the winter at home & I would wear washing up gloves. Much tougher than the latex ones & they come in awesome Pink & Yellow colors!!
I have an older Ski Jacket Shell I'm bring this weekend & some crappy Ski Pants I picked up at Burlington for $20 just incase. Definatly need something to keep the wind out!

 

[2wheel_lee]

For cold weather riding, I will probably wear Patagonia Capalene 1, 2, or 3 long sleeve base layer with my TLD suit over that, which is then covered by a long sleeve jersey. I can change the Capalene depending on how cold it is (the higher the number, the thicker it is). Patagonia stuff is available at REI, but if you really want the deal on this stuff, there is a Patagonia outlet up in Ventura.

For the lower half, I may simply use knee-high moto socks with my knee pads and TLD shorts. I may opt to wear a Capalene base layer underneath that. I may consider a lightweight set of moto pants with a light Capalene under them, but I doubt I'll need that. Heavier moto pants are difficult to ride DH bikes with (because of the low seat). I save that setup for sub 30* moto riding.

For gloves, although I will likely use standard mtb/moto gloves, I do have a set of cold-weather Acerbis Klimate gloves. I've used these for snow rides, and they're awesome. I won't go with these unless it gets really cold.

Your neck can get cold, so some kind of neck collar can help. A collar is better than a turtle-neck, since you can easily remove it.

DH is relatively slow, so I don't know if I'll need to go to the next step I use for trail riding. I may tape off the front opening on the full-face helmet to reduce the air coming in. Also, your cheeks and lower cheek bones can get cold. Simply applying medical tape in this area of your cheeks can greatly help. Apply Rain-X to your goggles if it's likely to rain.

If it rains, you don't want clothes that will become heavy if soaked. And as mentioned, you don't want cotton as a base layer. A light wind breaker will be nice for the chairlift, but you may want to remove it for the downhill.

Speaking of, the chairlifts can be the worst. You sit and freeze in the sweat you built up on the downhills, so be prepared to have layers you can remove while riding and wear on the chair. Being prepared can make all the difference in the world on how you enjoy your ride.

 

[Schecky]

Polypropelene glove liners are thin and work well.
Like Shrek - Layers!
Aside from Fo, some may find this fay, but I would suggest this tip from skiing:

Depending on the individual, you may need to cut a frontal vent for some extra room.
:-s

 

[roadkillross]

i just rode like i owuld normally, you sweat enuf in jersey and shorts, dont need any other sh*t there to make it worse

 

[denmother]

The only place you will feel the cold is riding from the top to about mid mountain (because of the wind chill factor) and also in the parking lot when you are getting ready. Last year on closing weekend my hands were numb just getting ready in the parking lot (not a good idea to change outside). It was because it was windy.

I just use 2 pairs of bike gloves. Whatever you use, you want to make sure that they are not too bulky!!! I might try my thin wool ski glove liners. And, yes your hands will get sweaty!!! That's why I always bring extras

 

[2wheel_lee]

Deleted...answered in other thread.

 

[.8down]

sweet its snowboarding time!!!! I think the general thought on keeping warm in any sport is to layer, I know when I'm in the snow, I have a tight wickering layer, then my middle layer (fleece usually) then a shell...and keeping your head warm is a key point as well. Just keep that cotton away from your skin, as you sweat it will just get colder and colder.

 

[denmother]

Yes, this late in the season the other chairlift is no longer running. One gondola from the main lodge. It lets you off either halfway (McCoy Station) or at the top.

 

[stinkyrider]

The Gondola goes from main lodge to the top with a mid-mountain unloading point if you choose. Stump Alley chair (Formerly chair 2) runs on weekends until it closes after labor day weekend. Too bad it won't be running this weekend.
If you take any of the super cool trails like flow or shotgun, those end up down by Canyon lodge (Formerly warming hut II), you can ride canyon road down the hill to the village. There's a shuttle bus pick-up that takes you back to the main lodge gondola.

Damn everyone beat me to it.

 

[Steven Jackson]

I eat hot wings when I get cold.

 

[2wheel_lee]

I eat hot wings when I get cold.

...and when it's hot, when the temp is perfect, before you go to bed, when you wake up in the morning... :lol:

 

[allison]

FWIW, I'll provide what I'm planning on bringing:

WOOL SOCKS! I have two pair, one really thick and the other not so thick. I'll wear the really thick pair on Saturday because it did mention warmer temps on Sunday.

I have a lined Under Armor long-sleeved tight shirt I'll probably bring if it's really cold, I can just throw that on underneath my flak jacket. I've also got a thinner one with mesh back that I'll bring as well for under the flak jacket.

I guess instead of wearing short sleeved jerseys I'll plan on bringing 3/4 jerseys. Maybe. I'd still like to wear my STR and Path jerseys. :-k

I've got a pair of convertible Mace pants (go to shorts) that I'll plan to wear Saturday. I'll also just bring my Oakley thicker shorts, and then knee warmers in case my shins get cold.

Aside from that, we'll all mostly be wearing thicker shoes (instead of XC clipless shoes), so our feet will stay warmer.

Not sure what I will do about gloves. I guess I can take my Lobster Claws if it gets *really* cold, but they are kinda small, so I usually just save them for easy descents. I'll probably bring a few pair in case it is raining and they get wet... can always put on dry gloves halfway through the day.

Fingers crossed for no rain during the day