While the air temperature was 3 degrees, the windchill meant it felt nearer minus 2 and once again, sans liners, the tips of my fingers and thumbs were feeling a little chill, but not uncomfortably so. Submerging my hand in a few inches of snow, the palm and outer layer remained surprisingly dry but, given sustained immersion, things began turning soggy -something to bear in mind, should you indulge in an impromptu post ride snowball fight. 

 

Torrential downpours, or submersion, and its closer to 2, maybe 3 hours, before they'll reach a touch dry state. That said, 6 degrees plus and I've been soggy, yet still warm. I'd suggest packing some Gore-Tex over-mitts if you're heading into seriously wild, wintry conditions. 

 

Purchase and control are superb across the board, although particularly so in the wet. 

 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, pure silicone bar tapes are the most tenacious union, but more traditional wraps proved a close second, meaning I could concentrate on keeping a brisk tempo-on and indeed, off road. Given the extensive silicones, I wasn't surprised by the effortless communication with phones and other touch screen technology. Same story operating my superzoom compact camera, adjusting zippers, snatching bottles from cages, using mult- tools, or fishing snacks from jersey pockets.  

 

Being a road biased design, no surprise that I could cruise along metalled roads and lumpy lanes, no tingling, let alone numbness for as long as my legs were willing.  However, true to form, I've also done a fair few mixed terrain outings, niggle free, both with the Wolf Tooth 5mm Supple and Supple Lite  bar tapes. (For context, Ursula runs the 2.5mm wrap and 2x2.3 tyres, Denise 5mm Wolf Tooth and 40mm tyres).  During this period, I pondered how the Lomo Mountain bike stablemates would fare in comparison.