Martin,
I used toe clip-mounted shoe covers during the snowy Canadian winters on my tricycles in the 70's and 80's. While they were not the Bernard-Hinault models, they were very effective at cutting out the cold. You could state their efficiency as the comparison between the temperature felt normally and that of the wind-chill adjusted temperature. In Canada, with a commonly reached 'regular' winter temperature of -20° C (-4°F), the wind chill factor on a windy day or when riding very fast could often bring the temperature felt by the rider down another 10-20°C (18-36°C). I am told they were common amongst British club riders in the 50's. Another clothing aid used were special chaps.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
(where it didn't snow all last winter)
> When I first saw these, back at the start of the 80s, two things sprung to
> mind.
>
> Did they work? and did Bernard Hinault invent or endorse them because he
> himself suffered from cold feet? Later when he helped pioneer clipless
> pedals, I wondered if this was a further attempt to warm his feet up!
>
> If you have never seen any BH shoe covers, they are very stylish moulded
> rubber fairings that fasten around your toe clips, giving winter
protection
> to the front of your shoes. If you do buy them and use them, could you
please
> let us all know if they work or not?
>
> NOS, Boxed. $30 plus post.
>
> Regards
> Martin Coopland
> _______________________________________________
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