That big ass Lake box holds my new winter cycling boots.
I've been thinking about buying real winter cycling boots for a couple years. I've tried to make sandals work, but there's a critical weather range where the sandals just don't work. It's that mid-30's to mid-40's wet range that is killer. I've moaned about frozen toes to Joe a few times in winter's past, but it was a failed solo attempt to Colville last April that finally drove me to the decision to buy Lake boots.
Mr. Blaine has been telling me for at least a year, if not more, to bite the bullet and get these boots. It's funny, because I'll buy a bunch of overpriced bike stuff, but for some reason spending $250 so I can take long rides in the cold was just more than I could accept.
A couple months ago, my buddy Mike -- who has heard my story of frozen-toe-woes and how I'm too cheap to spend the big bucks on the boots -- saw the boots at Spoke-n-Sport and told them my story of woe. The boots were already on sale for $200. He talked them down to $175 and got them to write that on a business card. He gave me this coupon-biz card about 2 months ago.
I finally cashed it in today. I'm really happy I did. I have a fat-tired, disc-braked bike for the deep snow, and my studded fixed gear for the ice. Warm, SPD-compatible boots were the final missing piece to happy winter riding.
Good job on the Lakes.
ReplyDeleteAll your preparation pretty much assures us of a mild winter. Thanks in advance for that :-)
You've got me wanting a pair for this winter, even if, as Pat says, getting this ready will make for a mild winter. Did you get the MXZ301? Tell me how they fit because your foot is just a tad smaller than mine if memory serves me right.
ReplyDeleteIf it means a mild winter, I'll take two pair!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty envious! I'll be excited to hear how they work for you, if I don't end up with a pair myself before winter hits. I'm having a hard time justifying the cost because winter is so short, and because I've lived without them before.
ReplyDeleteIt's also difficult to order something like this and get it right.
$175 is a small price to pay for a mild winter. I"m happy to pay that tax if it works.
ReplyDeleteTLP: i've had the same thoughts for years. I'll follow up with a report when it gets cold.
I just purchased a pair of Pearl Izumi AmFIB shoe covers after having my toes nearly freeze off when I unexpectedly woke up to 32F temperatures. Didn't think I'd be dealing with this so soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try to make these things work until they are no longer effective. I do not want to give up SPD! :)