K'Tesh

If adult discussions about anatomy offend you, you don't want to read any further. If not, scroll down.







































Ok. So, you're not offended about frank discussions about male anatomy. Good.

I'm having a problem with the boys freezing during my nightly commute home when the conditions are cold and dry (wet, and I'll run for the local transit system). I'm not doing as well $$ this year, and I'm trying to keep my expenses down.

Anybody got suggestions on how to keep the twins happy on a budget?

Thanks
K'Tesh

tjspiel

When I've had problems in that area it's been frequently due to the wind cutting through my clothes. You may need to add a wind resistant layer.

LesMcLuffAlot

It's a common problem for male cross country skiers. There are undergarments with an additional area of windproofing at the dangleberries location. That said I have never experienced this problem while cycling. I find the padding in my cycling shorts provides insulation and additional wind protection above and beyond my long undies and what ever tights or pants I wear. You didn't mention what you do wear. If you do wear traditional padded cycling shorts you could look into buying a larger pair of boxer brief style cross country skiing wind briefs that would slip over your cycling shorts. See above photo.

thenomad

plastic grocery bag stuffed outside undies?

barturtle

I haven't tried it yet, due to the weather not being quite cold enough on my rides yet, but I've heard that using a sock as an insulating layer in the front of your shorts can help quite a bit. I'd think this may work well, as it would keep the tight, wind chilled portion of the shorts away from the subject area. i'd think some thick wool would be in order, in this case.

dauphin

these look toastie

HappyStuffing

Let us clarify shall we? When you say "using" a sock do you mean actually wearing it around said dingleberries? Or just stuffing down the front of the pants?

barturtle

As this is second hand knowledge, I'm not entirely sure, but the way I read it, it sounded like it was put down as a flat layer, like a woman's maxipad. However, if you current riding conditions warrant, try it both ways and report back. I would think that adding an extra external insulating layer while allowing the body to contribute warmth would work best, compared to isolating the unit from the body's heat.

CCrew

Ok, 'll try to take a more serious tone here, although I will admit the first thought wasn't so serious

Are you wearing loose fitting clothing? My thought here is that unless you're wearing something that keeps the dangly bits tucked up tighter to the core of your body then they're probably indeed getting chilled. I wear briefs that Target sells billed as "Cycling briefs" which are thicker than the tighty whities you normally buy, and they have no hole for escape. They come in black, and run $8-9$ for two pairs in the stores. No issues here in sub 20 degree.

agarose2000

You can purchase wind-resistant shorts/tights for cycling. Amphib products by Izumi work.

cyclezealot

As I posted , I noticed LesMcLuff's comment below.. Yes, the wind seems to howl through the seams of my fleece lined bibs... I've noticed that numbing affect.. For cyclists' , Nashbar has had underdrawers specially for riding.. Only time of the year I don't go commando, and it's keeps ones parts warm... The only time I find a need for this lower level base layer is when it's below about 35...

K'Tesh

I'm a total Fred. I'm wearing sweatpants... My legs can deal with the wind cutting through the material.

CCrew

Ok, but what underneath? Because sweatpants really don't afford much protection, and if you're going commando underneath it may be a lot of the issue. While nature will pull the boys closer to the core when cold, sometimes they need some help

Cyclaholic

You could just eliminate the source of the problem alltogether. Since you're on a budget your local vet should be able to eliminate the offending appendage very affordably.

Cyclist0383

Lou at Foxwear makes a great pair of warm, wind resistant, and water resistant over pants for $104.50. They are well worth the money, and will last a long, long, time. I was wearing mine in extremely windy conditions with temps of -15c and was toasty warm. I was totally surprised at the warmth of the pants. It's a one time investment for many years of comfortable cycling.

He also makes super warm long johns too.

https://www.foxwear.net/products_pants.html

cyclezealot

Cotton sweatpants as a thermal insulator.. This guy must have grown up in the Arctic...

azesty

How about a plastic daiper liner from the old days worn under the sweat pants? This would provide a good wind barrier, and plastic is good at trapping the air around the body and jewels, so the heat that is there wont escape.

This solution would have the further advantage of being within most budgets.

It would, however, also prevent the water from sweat from escaping, and may provide excellent conditions for the proliferation of crotch-rot.

Swings and roundabouts.

z

ItsJustMe

At very cold temps (below about 0*F) I generally wear bike shorts, then thermal underwear, then my standard lined running pants, which do stop the wind. That's worked for me pretty well. I've tried stuffing in a wool sock between the shorts and the underwear. It helps some. I only go that far below about -10*F.

The Human Car

Newspaper works wonders as an additional insulating layer.

I-Like-To-Bike

Thermal longjohns, plus another layer or two of regular underwear under plain sweat pants works fine for me, at -15°F.

Sidenote:
I learned years ago, the hard way, about the advantages of plastic buttons over zippers at very low temperatures.

xtrajack

I am a Fred. I hadn't noticed an issue. I wear briefs, longjohns, and Carhartt work pants. I have been playing with the idea of using my Rainmates as a windbreaker for my legs.
I generally don't ride below 0F (on purpose anyway)

Kuma

I have good experience with Lou's stuff, too. He made me some extra heavyweight cycling tights (200 thickness Polartec fabric) that I have worn over regular cycling shorts and been toasty at 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The ones he made me are not waterproof, so are not as expensive as the ones Ziemas has -- in the $40 - $50 range, as I recall. Prior to that, my boys had experienced the same problem as the OP.

Cheaper than that, I've read about how good an insulator newspaper is (as Human Car mentions), but never tried it. If you're only looking for a temporary measure, that might be good to try first.

CCrew

The funnies maybe?

ddez

Back in my long distance running days,i found that on even cooler summer days,blood tends to go to parts doing the work(legs,heart) and leaves hands and the boys to fend for themselves. More than once i've stopped at wash rooms and stuffed some paper towels down there when running.I've even seen them hand out heated face cloths along the route on some runs for that purpose on cold runs.I use a wool sock just stuffed in there,takes care of that problem perfectly and packs light when not needed.

Andy_K 

I wear bike shorts and then a pair of thin non-padded tights, and that's been plenty warm for anything above 30. (I didn't ride on those few days in the 20's, so I don't know about that.) If you're intent on staying Fredly, jeans might be good enough. Or you could wear bike shorts under your sweatpants. No one would have to know.