AAAhh my frozen fingers

For cold toes rub vicks on them before going out. It will feel strange under your socks but you won't have cold toes.

I was out last night, when the temperature was hovering around zero, with a pair of cheap pure wool gloves, and a pair of thin German army surplus leather gloves over the top. My fingers were as warm as toast. The key is to make sure they're not too tight.

When I'm out on a really long run, I also carry some cheap unlined waterproof overmits too, and I've used this triple layer system down to minus 27 centigrade without my hands becoming cold at all.

Been 12-14C during the day this week (Glasgow)...

But from memory of recent cold winter commutes, I think I was driven to moutaineering mittens at one point. Toasty. Probably only of any use if you have down tube shifters tho, or single speed... can't imagine trying to operate anything refined in 'em.

Not sure what you can do about your feet though. I did read somewhere hereabouts of alu foil under your inner sole. Might try that out when the winter returns.

Where are you? Because it is +10C here in Manchester. It hasn't dropped below zero yet and the Roses are budding down the street. Anyone here want to deny global warming, cause that is one argument that might run.

I've always suffered poor circulation and the pain when bringing cold fingers back up to temperature is indeed eye-watering. The best solution I've found is to wear an extra layer on my torso and get a really toasty core temperature. If your core isn't warm it doesn't matter what you cover your fingers in, they just won't be getting the blood supply they need.

Also when on the hoods tuck your finger tips in behind the drops out of the wind

Perhaps try a pair of these? http://www.rohan.co.uk/Product/Detail/MensAccessories_03211

I get cold fingertips in gloves where my fingertips press against the ends of the glove's finger. I'd suggest getting some bigger gloves or ones with longer fingers.

I believe it's the layer of air around your fingers inside the gloves that actually provides the insulation that keeps you warm (like it's the air trapped in a duvet that keeps you warm, not the feathers themselves) so you need to make sure that all of each of yours finger is surrounded by air.

I have Endura Deluge gloves in size XL (I wear a medium or large in summer gloves) and they are really toasty. I've been riding at 2 degrees with a chilly wind and been fine in them.

PS: You need to test the finger length when you have your hands wrapped round the bars/hoods and with a finger/fingers covering the brake levers. If the gloves pull tight on your fingertips when you do that then the fingers are too short and you will get cold fingertips.

Last winter during the snow I often made a fist (tucked fingers into palms) for a bit until they warmed up. Not the best answer I know. But it worked enough to get me through. Just got to pick your time, nice straight bits of roads.

I sometimes wear thin latex rubber gloves under my sealskins...Really help with keeping the extremities warmer.. It's more my feet I have trouble with in the winter here.. Never forget being out in the Dales one year, in snow & ice, near Penyghent..Would have gladly let somebody chop my feet off that day..Was well layered up and had overshoes on..Had to get off the bike and run up the hills, to try and get some heat back into them..Has anybody ever used the heat pads, that you place under the insoles of shoes??

Be careful where you put your hands after applying embrocation Andrew...Had a rather painful experience with that once..smirk..eeek!