vonstringer
23rd May 2009, 12:32
Freezing cold mornings in Nelson had my hands aching by the time I got to work, so in desperation I pulled some socks over my bike gloves and tucked the flapping bits under the Velcro fasteners. This made a big improvement on the warmth side, but was a bit dangerous with the excess sock only just hanging in place with the Velcro. To fix this I modified the socks for a permanent solution.
As you can see from the attached photos, I pulled the sock over my glove and made a hole for my thumb to go through, then sewed the excess material back down to itself on top. This provides three layers of wool facing into the wind protecting the fingers, while only having one layer of wool underneath for good contact with the handlebars. The thumb is free to operate switches and is out of the wind anyway, so doesn't get cold.
If you want to make some for yourself, pick a medium length woolly sock and fit it so the natural bend wants to come back over the top. Cut a hole about the size of a fifty cent coin for the thumb (it will stretch when fitted). Sew around the thumb hole to stop fraying. The sock mittens are not stitched to the glove, so they can easily be removed.
I just happened to have a pair black socks and black gloves, but obviously there is the opportunity for Kawasaki riders to choose green, Yamaha riders blue, and so on. Toasty hands this winter at virtually no cost and only 40 minutes of my time.
Warning: Do not create your sock mittens in the presence of your other half, or they produce items of clothing for mending. :msn-wink:
Cheers,
Vonstringer.
As you can see from the attached photos, I pulled the sock over my glove and made a hole for my thumb to go through, then sewed the excess material back down to itself on top. This provides three layers of wool facing into the wind protecting the fingers, while only having one layer of wool underneath for good contact with the handlebars. The thumb is free to operate switches and is out of the wind anyway, so doesn't get cold.
If you want to make some for yourself, pick a medium length woolly sock and fit it so the natural bend wants to come back over the top. Cut a hole about the size of a fifty cent coin for the thumb (it will stretch when fitted). Sew around the thumb hole to stop fraying. The sock mittens are not stitched to the glove, so they can easily be removed.
I just happened to have a pair black socks and black gloves, but obviously there is the opportunity for Kawasaki riders to choose green, Yamaha riders blue, and so on. Toasty hands this winter at virtually no cost and only 40 minutes of my time.
Warning: Do not create your sock mittens in the presence of your other half, or they produce items of clothing for mending. :msn-wink:
Cheers,
Vonstringer.