WHAT’S IN A CALGARY CYCLIST’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING?

What do Calgary’s cyclists really need for Christmas? Most people will get the usual pair of socks (cyclist related of course!) or sometimes the persistent hint appears under the tree, but is there something the Calgary cyclist actually needs to endure the cycling season in our beautiful City?

We’ve all flicked through the glossy magazines and seen all those nice to have items screaming out to make it on your Christmas list, but the Calgary cyclist endures more…….the cold!

So is there a real problem we can’t really solve?

OK so the Summer months we can discount and that’s debatable as to even when that will actually appear, but for the rest of the year our altitude and wonderful climate brings a 6 am chill, which even to the hardiest of riders brings on that notable issue that blood circulation alone cannot defeat. We can layer up, add face masks and heavy gloves, but the Winter cyclist will and continue to endure the inevitable issue – cold toes!

Double socks, toe cap warmers, overshoes and the like just never seem to cut it. So what’s the answer? Each solution comes with its own downsides. Double socks just makes your shoes feel two sizes too small; modern shoes with toe caps don’t defeat those vent panels underneath, which always let the water in first as you convince yourself the waterproof overshoes will do anything other than warm the impending doom of dampness in your shoes.

So, what’s your solution other than the thawing feeling as the warm water in the shower slowly defrosts your toes?