This past Sunday. Caution: freezing conditions, 0°C!!! (Sorry for the terrible image quality.)
I saw this warning even before reaching the mountain pass. I knew it would be cold, but I didn't expect it to be this extreme... I deeply regretted not wearing shoe covers. My toes kept getting colder and colder; it was a ride of pure endurance.
Determined not to go through that again, I set out yesterday fully equipped with shoe covers.
Amasawa Pass, which I haven't climbed from the Shina side in a while, was incredibly quiet. Perhaps because it was a weekday, I didn't see a single cyclist... it was a somewhat lonely scene.
Actually, I had the urge to go even further, but I suppressed that feeling and rushed back to catch the movie "Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet," which was about to finish its theatrical run.
However, I didn't make it in time for the showing anyway... I regretted not just riding a little bit longer.
But!
I didn't have to regret *not* wearing shoe covers like I did the other day; it was a comfortable, toe-toasty ride.
So, I'll call it a win, and today I'd like to introduce some essentials for winter riding: shoe covers.
First, here is the pair I currently use.
PEARL IZUMI USA
SELECT Softshell Shoe Cover
¥6,300
Made of windproof and water-repellent softshell material, and of course, the inside is brushed to provide insulation.
The heel-to-ankle area is secured with Velcro, so they don't stretch out and are very easy to take on and off.
Almost all PEARL IZUMI USA shoe cover models use this design.
The soles are made of highly durable Kevlar material.
Since the fabric doesn't stretch, the openings for the cleats and heels are generous, making it easy to put on and take off even while wearing these "Keep On Kovers For Speedplay" cleat covers.
And we've just received these models too!
PEARL IZUMI USA
P.R.O Softshell WxB MTB Shoe Cover
¥9,450
"WxB" stands for "Waterproof and Breathable," meaning they are made from highly windproof and water-resistant material.
And these shoe covers have a feature you can't tell just by looking—they are clearly different from the others!
What makes them different? They use PrimaLoft, a lightweight, warm material similar to down, as insulation. The amount is just right, so it won't interfere with your pedaling.
If you’ve been struggling and wondering if there's anything warmer than the shoe covers you've been using, definitely give these a try!
Yes, since these are for mountain biking, the opening on the sole is larger than the road versions. You can also attach spikes.
For those who thought, "No, I want road versions, not mountain bike versions," don't worry, we have those too!
PEARL IZUMI USA
P.R.O Softshell Shoe Cover
¥9,450
COLOR: Black, White
All the colorways are excellent, so besides the warmth, why not choose based on the design?
The soles have the same structure as the road-specific "SELECT Softshell Shoe Cover."
And there’s more from Pearl Izumi USA!
PEARL IZUMI USA
P.R.O Thermal Toe Cover
¥4,200
COLOR: White, Black
These are dual-purpose models for both road and mountain bikes.
Once you tuck in your toes, use this Velcro strap at the arch of your foot to hold them firmly in place.
Especially for mountain biking, just slipping them on isn't enough, as they tend to shift, so this is very helpful.
Pearl Izumi USA has even more, but I’ll stop here and briefly introduce some from other makers.
ASSOS
Thermo Bootie_Uno_S7 ¥9,240 (Left)
Winter Bootie_S7 ¥13,860 (Center, Right)
COLOR: White, Black
Assos continues to release high-quality items.
In addition to the current models, they have re-released older models that were popular for their performance at a lower price point.
RAPHA
Overshoes ¥7,500
And then there's Rapha.
This is a popular model known for its simple design.
With all that said, we have a great selection of essential shoe covers for the upcoming winter rides. Don't wait until you've had a miserable, freezing experience!
yanakku
Now, for a little extra.
Since a very unflattering photo of me leaked during the temporary closure notice for the Nobeyama Cyclocross, people keep asking me about this year's cross-dressing, so I'll take this opportunity to answer...
This time, there was zero exposure; I was fully armored.
I managed to ride for two laps like this, but I took the mask off for the rest of the race.
And on the second day, I rode properly!
I rode in the C3-A group and managed to finish in the single digits—8th place.
This was thanks to everyone who always rides with me, especially Shige-chan.
Many of our CRC members are going to the Kansai Cyclocross this weekend, so I hope they do their best!