Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - newbie with a question

Hi guys, newbie here. I would like to introduce myself and ask a couple of questions. I'm in philly and the weather has just turned cold. Now I have to wear multiple layers of clothing to ride, and at 270+ this becomes a problem as far as agility and manuverability is concerned particularly when riding off road on tight single track. Has any of you experienced this issue,and if so what are your solutions.Next, if I drop below 200# will I still have access to this forum. I'm asking because I frequently build rides for friends who would not otherwise be able to afford a bike at all. this means that they can't afford to pay some one to repair them either so I tend to build everything to carry my weight. This way for some one who weighs 125# or even175# it's practicaly indestructable. This forum is an excellent place to get info on what's available in bomb proof componentry. Thanks. cyclesick

Hi guys, newbie here. I would like to introduce myself and ask a couple of questions. I'm in philly and the weather has just turned cold. Now I have to wear multiple layers of clothing to ride, and at 270+ this becomes a problem as far as agility and manuverability is concerned particularly when riding off road on tight single track. Has any of you experienced this issue,and if so what are your solutions.Next, if I drop below 200# will I still have access to this forum. I'm asking because I frequently build rides for friends who would not otherwise be able to afford a bike at all. this means that they can't afford to pay some one to repair them either so I tend to build everything to carry my weight. This way for some one who weighs 125# or even175# it's practicaly indestructable. This forum is an excellent place to get info on what's available in bomb proof componentry. Thanks. cyclesick
Below 200 and you become a Clyde Emeritus, and yes, you'll still have access! Successes help the others, dont'ya know!:D

As to single tracking, I am primarily a roadie, but dressing too heavily and you sweat and get cold! Wear a lot of thin layers with a windproof and stay away from cotton. Use synthetics, fleece and merino wool and you'll be surprised as to how warm you'll stay! Wear wool socks too! Cold feet = cold body and a miserable ride!:eek:

Before I forget, Welcome to Clydes!

Welcome!!

There's a few links in my sig that may be helpful in terms of clothing. Also check out the Winter Riding section too, lots of good info in there!

Below 200 and you become a Clyde Emeritus, and yes, you'll still have access! Successes help the others, dont'ya know!:D

As to single tracking, I am primarily a roadie, but dressing too heavily and you sweat and get cold! Wear a lot of thin layers with a windproof and stay away from cotton. Use synthetics, fleece and merino wool and you'll be surprised as to how warm you'll stay! Wear wool socks too! Cold feet = cold body and a miserable ride!:eek:

Before I forget, Welcome to Clydes!
What he said. All of it.

And welcome to the herd. We are the Big, the Beautiful, the Boundlessly Optomistic. :D

Wear wool socks too! Cold feet = cold body and a miserable ride!:eek:
Oh man is this true. I had numb feet a couple of days ago. It was terrible. I ended up getting foot covers as well as the wool socks. If I start riding and still find my feet are cold I pull them out of my pocket and toasty warm.

How in the world are your feet getting cold in Jacksonville? I was riding in sandals up until I had my bike stolen.

In BF you are welcome in any forum, if that was not the case I'd be banned by now, because I cause H&D in all of them. If you get too skinny in here we might welcome you all the more, roadie toothpicks get old after a while. ;)

I'm 230 and here's what I wore this morning when it was 15F with a wind chill of around 5.

Head - Wool cap (when I wear a helmet, I use a helmet cover too)
Torso: poly long-sleeve shirt, long sleeve merino wool turtleneck sweater, nylon wind jacket with pit zips
Hands: poly glove liners, fleece gloves
Legs: poly longjohns, nylon wind pants (I wear jeans sometimes too)
Feet: thin wool socks, thicker wool socks, normal MTB type shoes (my winter riding boots when it's yucky - good insulated hiking boots are good if you are using platforms, or you can put booties over regular shoes.)

The important thing is to keep your head, hands and feet warm, your torso and legs will warm up just fine as you go, so you should feel a little cold before you get started, rather than already being all warm and toasty. On the other hand, I like my hands and feet to be toasty to start, so warming up your gloves and socks before you set out is a good thing. You definitely want to wear glasses and maybe even a neck gaiter or bacalava if your face isn't used to being exposed to the cold. If you get too hot in the torso, that's where front zippers, pit zips and back flaps help, so you can let some of the cool air in and have an 'exhaust' for the warm moist air. You might also consider looser (not too loose that you become a parachute or catch every on everything) clothing over a tighter fitting base layer, so you have plenty of freedom of movement.

You'll find that you might wear more clothing at first, but as you get used to riding in the cold and your fitness level increases, you won't need as much. Unless you become a skinny old fart like Tom who can't handle the cold anymore because he lost all of his winter insulation in a poker game. ;)

It was midnight and the temp was about 45 that night according to my bikejournal entry. My shoes vent very well and I only had thin cycling sock on so after two hours they were more than a little cold, but of course the next day it was 60. However I am now prepared for the next adventure of cold weather. Suppose to be in the 20's on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Next, if I drop below 200# will I still have access to this forum.

I hope so since I've been emeritus for going on 4 weeks now! I think you'll have no problems being welcomed on here.

I hope so since I've been emeritus for going on 4 weeks now! I think you'll have no problems being welcomed on here.
Nope. Out with the lot of you! :lol:

Congrats to everyone that is on their way to Emeritus status, or making their next weight goal as the case may be with some of us Perma-Clydes.

Hi guys, newbie here. I would like to introduce myself and ask a couple of questions. I'm in philly and the weather has just turned cold. Now I have to wear multiple layers of clothing to ride, and at 270+ this becomes a problem as far as agility and manuverability is concerned particularly when riding off road on tight single track. Has any of you experienced this issue,and if so what are your solutions.Next, if I drop below 200# will I still have access to this forum. I'm asking because I frequently build rides for friends who would not otherwise be able to afford a bike at all. this means that they can't afford to pay some one to repair them either so I tend to build everything to carry my weight. This way for some one who weighs 125# or even175# it's practicaly indestructable. This forum is an excellent place to get info on what's available in bomb proof componentry. Thanks. cyclesick

For clothing search under armor, depending on your height staying above 200 could be a good thing:D .