I rode all last winter except for 6 weeks from the end of January to the middle of March when the roads were snow and ice covered. I have acqired much warmer and technically better gear this winter.
After riding Tuesday evening for two hours I woke up during the night with flu like symptoms. Headache, aches and pains, slight cramping, and one of my nostrils was completely clogged/closed? shut. One nostril was so clogged that I could not get any sinus rinse through it and the other was difficult. I took an Ibuprofen and went back to bed. In the morning I woke up and felt fine except for maybe being slightly run down. On Saturday, I really struggled while riding. I was riding much slower and really struggled against the winds and on hills. Other than the reduced effort, I really had no symtoms. I was dressed warmly enough that nothing was cold, although I was not toasty either.
I wonder if I am fighting a bug or what could be causing my symptoms. Is it possible to be dressed warmly enough not to be cold but have too much blood being used to keep warm that there is not enough for the muscles. I am much more warm blooded than other riders and typically require much less clothing to keep warm. I also seem to be effected more by the summer heat than most riders. At least that is my impression.
Any theories? Other than sneezing a lot last winter because that was my first winter to ride, I do not remember having these type symptoms. I saw an allergist and have been taking shots. This is my first Fall/early winter not to have sinus infections so that seems to be taken care of.
I was frequently overdressed and I was not able to keep my feet as warm at all last winter. I have since solved both problems, at least for the temperatures that I have ridden in so far.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Your body could just be fatigued....and that can impact your immune system. And yes, the cold....while it won't actually cause an illness....can also affect your ability to fend off various bugs if your body is getting chilled. Perhaps you should just take a hiatus from riding for a couple of days and see how you respond.
Machka
I think you're just fighting a bug.
I've only ever had two negative health side effects to cycling in the winter: EIA and Bronchitis. I get EIA on any coolish ride, it doesn't even have to be cold yet. And I developed Bronchitis after cycling 15 hours in very, very cold weather.
Bikepacker67
Winter is all about fighting a low grade bug.
It's natures way of separating the weak from the strong.
:-)
Roody
Another factor is that it takes more work to ride in the winter. You might be riding a heavier, less aerodynamic bike. Your bike might be less efficient because the lube is thicker in cold temps. Your rolling resistance is higher if you're under-inflating your tires to improve handling. You are wearing clothes that not only increase weight, but also air resistance because they're more bulky. You mentioned that the wind was strong, and that can take a bigger toll in the winter.
But they say that the biggest factor is that cold air is simply denser than warm air, so you have to work harder to push your bike and body through it. In my experience this does make a difference, and the faster you ride the greater the difference.
Eventually you'll develop better fitness in response to the challenge. And just think how fast you'll fly on the first warm day in spring!
dekindy
Well, I woke up this morning with a mild cold. Whether I was already coming down with it and it was slowing me down on the ride I don't know or if the cold air from the ride was the culprit. Weather here is forecasted to be snow showers this week so I may get that recommended rest.
Roody - I am tempted to train indoors this winter. My buddy that does not ride if it is too cold, too hot, too much traffic, dark, etc. trained all last winter and improved much more than I did. He sits in his tiny, utility room on his Schwinn aerobic cycle and watches videos on his computer for hours at a time and goes to the health club. I find it difficult to be that disciplined. Riding outside with a groups at regular scheduled times is much more attractive and easier even though it is cold outside.
Roody
Well, I woke up this morning with a mild cold. Whether I was already coming down with it and it was slowing me down on the ride I don't know or if the cold air from the ride was the culprit. Weather here is forecasted to be snow showers this week so I may get that recommended rest.
Roody - I am tempted to train indoors this winter. My buddy that does not ride if it is too cold, too hot, too much traffic, dark, etc. trained all last winter and improved much more than I did. He sits in his tiny, utility room on his Schwinn aerobic cycle and watches videos on his computer for hours at a time and goes to the health club. I find it difficult to be that disciplined. Riding outside with a groups at regular scheduled times is much more attractive and easier even though it is cold outside.
It's cool if people want to ride indoors, but I would feel like a hamster if I did that. Winter is such a beautiful season. I feel sorry for people who miss it because they imagine that they might feel cold. I won't say that I never feel cold, but it's rare that I do, and rarer each year as I gain experience and knowledge.
But believe me, whatever was tiring you out, it was NOT the cold air. A mild illness will do that, and so will exercising harder than you're accustomed to. I go through that with the start of every cold season, I think for the reasons I mentioned in my previous post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5731751&postcount=5). It affected me all last week, when we had our first cold snap with temps consistently below zero and winds that were well above 15 mph for the entire week. This week I'm acclimated and I'm a little more fit from riding in the dense air. My stamina and enjoyment levels are both back to normal now, and I'm having fun on my bike.
Portis
I rode all last winter except for 6 weeks from the end of January to the middle of March when the roads were snow and ice covered. I have acqired much warmer and technically better gear this winter.
After riding Tuesday evening for two hours I woke up during the night with flu like symptoms. Headache, aches and pains, slight cramping, and one of my nostrils was completely clogged/closed? shut. One nostril was so clogged that I could not get any sinus rinse through it and the other was difficult. I took an Ibuprofen and went back to bed. In the morning I woke up and felt fine except for maybe being slightly run down. On Saturday, I really struggled while riding. I was riding much slower and really struggled against the winds and on hills. Other than the reduced effort, I really had no symptoms. I was dressed warmly enough that nothing was cold, although I was not toasty either.
I wonder if I am fighting a bug or what could be causing my symptoms. Is it possible to be dressed warmly enough not to be cold but have too much blood being used to keep warm that there is not enough for the muscles. I am much more warm blooded than other riders and typically require much less clothing to keep warm. I also seem to be effected more by the summer heat than most riders. At least that is my impression.
Any theories? Other than sneezing a lot last winter because that was my first winter to ride, I do not remember having these type symptoms. I saw an allergist and have been taking shots. This is my first Fall/early winter not to have sinus infections so that seems to be taken care of.
I was frequently overdressed and I was not able to keep my feet as warm at all last winter. I have since solved both problems, at least for the temperatures that I have ridden in so far.
Sinus rinse? Are you a hypochondriac? Look, you have ZERO evidence that this bug has anything to do with winter riding. It's a little bizarre to say, hmmmmm i rode in the cold and now i'm sick, so that's probably why.
Since i have been riding in the winter (this is my 5th season) I have been healthier than ever before. I never have colds and usually never get sick. But i am not naive enough to think that i never will. So I am not willing to totally link my health to winter riding, but the facts remain. I have been cold and sick free for a long time. Meanwhile I watch so many others who are sicker than dogs who hardly spend 30 seconds per day outdoors.
I'm not going to say that there are NO side effects to riding in the cold, because i am not that arrogant. I really have no idea. I can only speak from my experiences which lead me to believe that it makes ME healthier.
dekindy
It's cool if people want to ride indoors, but I would feel like a hamster if I did that. Winter is such a beautiful season. I feel sorry for people who miss it because they imagine that they might feel cold. I won't say that I never feel cold, but it's rare that I do, and rarer each year as I gain experience and knowledge.
But believe me, whatever was tiring you out, it was NOT the cold air. A mild illness will do that, and so will exercising harder than you're accustomed to. I go through that with the start of every cold season, I think for the reasons I mentioned in my previous post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5731751&postcount=5). It affected me all last week, when we had our first cold snap with temps consistently below zero and winds that were well above 15 mph for the entire week. This week I'm acclimated and I'm a little more fit from riding in the dense air. My stamina and enjoyment levels are both back to normal now, and I'm having fun on my bike.
I agree. I enjoyed riding outdoors last winter, especially at night during the holidays. Now that I have been to the allergist I was hoping to have a more enjoyable experience and am still hopeful. But if I could be as disciplined as my buddy I might be able to make better progress. I plan to continue riding outdoors once I am over this cold and see how it goes.
effigy
Last Thursday the 24MPH winds blew everything up my nose and wreaked havoc on my sinuses until today. I'm now keeping it covered with my balaclava and fighting glasses fogging until my PSolar arrives. I take allergy shots as well.
Is it customary for the extremities to feel cold after a ride, but not during? Lately I've noticed that my feet do not feel cold during the ride, yet they feel a little chilly once I'm inside and stripping for the showers.
yukon biker
Its not that cold i live north of 60 and right now its -25c no ill effects what so ever. My bike on the other hand acts up, sluggish shifting, frozen hubs, just plane slow moving. rather xc ski, but we could use more snow.
Machka
Is it customary for the extremities to feel cold after a ride, but not during? Lately I've noticed that my feet do not feel cold during the ride, yet they feel a little chilly once I'm inside and stripping for the showers.
Yes ... blood is one of the main things that keeps you warm. While you are riding, it is pumping all over the place quite quickly, but when you stop riding it slows down and doesn't pump as much to the surface of your skin or your extremities. I can feel quite hot while riding in the winter, then come inside and freeze for a couple hours.
cachehiker
I've only ever had two negative health side effects to cycling in the winter: EIA and Bronchitis. I get EIA on any coolish ride, it doesn't even have to be cold yet. And I developed Bronchitis after cycling 15 hours in very, very cold weather.
I get the same things.
EIA early in the spring. I live in a sheltered valley that is prone to temperature inversions that go on for weeks at a time. The air quality gets pretty bad at times and actually makes cycling an unhealthy activity for about 4-6 weeks every winter. The only time I ever seem to get EIA is when I've been forced into inactivity for month or so and then really start stepping it up.
Bronchitus in the dead of winter. The air here gets so unbelievably dry that riding on the odd January days that are clear enough and something less than frigid (between 15F and 25F) that my lungs get dried out pretty quickly. The cough that results from trying to hock up all that dried out phlegm can stick around for weeks at a time if I'm not careful.
sumguy
What is EIA? My only winter problem is nose bleeds.
tarwheel
Sounds like you're fighting off a bug. I ride outside year-round and rarely ever get colds or the flu. When I do come down with a cold, I usually shake it off very quickly. Being outside in cold weather does not cause colds, particularly if you are dressed properly, and the exercise probably makes you more resistant to infections.
mistertwo
What is EIA? My only winter problem is nose bleeds.
I can't speak for the others, but I always thought EIA was Exercise Induced Asthma. I get it occasionally after riding extremely hard.
Machka
What is EIA? My only winter problem is nose bleeds.
EIA is Exercise Induced Asthma ... mine started with hacking up a lung for about an hour when I came in from exercising (cycling or skiing) outside on cool or cold days. From there it progressed to hacking up a lung for several hours after coming in from the outside on cool or cold days. From there it progressed to hacking up a lung while I was still on my bicycle on cool or cold days. And from there it progressed to hacking so much I began to hyperventilate and couldn't breathe any time I exerted myself outside.
I went to the Dr, who sent me to a specialist, who sent me for tests, and it was determined I have EIA, and I've been given an inhaler to carry around with me on the bicycle.
aMull
^ Do you have to have some form of asthma already for that to happen?
Machka
^ Do you have to have some form of asthma already for that to happen?
Nope. I never had asthma as a kid or anything ... just very slowly, starting in my late teens, I began noticing those symptoms. They started very gradually ... it was YEARS before I reached the point where I would have to get off the bicycle part way through a ride because I couldn't breathe anymore (it feels like your lungs have closed). In fact before then, I just ignored the symptoms ... but after being unable to breathe on rides 2 or 3 times, I got a bit worried and finally went to see my Dr.
I'll also add that it has reached a point with me that stress will set it off ... particularly public speaking in my case. I got up to speak in two of my classes and spent the whole time during both speeches gasping for air. In the second speech I felt like I was going to faint because I couldn't inhale. My fellow students were writing little evaluations of me, and a few of them mentioned that it looked like I was struggling to breathe ... well, yes I was!
Well that's not good. Damn you fragile human body :mad: So do you still go out in the cold machka? Or is there a certain temperature you try to avoid?
Machka
Well that's not good. Damn you fragile human body :mad: So do you still go out in the cold machka? Or is there a certain temperature you try to avoid?
I still go out in any temperature ... the thing is my EIA starts affecting me around about 10C/50F, so it's still quite warm out. I'm not passing up all kinds of decent cycling weather because of a little breathing problem! :D
However, I carry two inhalers now. My main one is Serevent, which is a long lasting one. One puff will last me 10-ish hours. My other one is a form of Ventilin, which is a fast-acting, short-lasting one. At the beginning of brevets, 24-hour events, or other organized cycling events, when I'm with a group of cyclists and I know they'll be starting fast, I'll take a puff of each inhaler. The Ventilin will get me through that first hour or so, then the Serevent will kick in and take me further into the event or right to the end of the event.
When I'm on my own and riding slowly on a cool ride, I can breathe all the way through with no problems. But I'll use the Ventilin as soon as I get in to prevent (or reduce) the hours of hacking up lungs. When I plan to go out for a slowish cold ride, I'll use one or the other of my inhalers before I go out to prevent (or reduce) any problems.
It's really only when I'm exerting myself ... like climbing a lot of hills or riding with faster riders ... when I run into trouble.
And hey ... it's better than the other thing they were testing me for at the same time! I have two damaged valves in my heart so when I described my breathing problems to the specialist, he sent me for both a lung test and a test for congestive heart disease. To my relief, the results leaned toward EIA. :)
aMull
Good work for pulling through, and with long distance cycling at that :) Actually are you saying that you can develop asthma with cold weather cycling? Reading that article again i think you have to have asthma already which is then triggered by exercise, and if you don't have asthma you'll be fine. Or my i getting things wrong?
Machka
No, you don't have to have asthma already. The article says (around the middle of the first page):
"Exercise can even induce an asthma attack in people who have no other triggers and do not experience asthma under any other circumstances."
zippered
does "frostnip" count? (not now, last year)
ekitel
so is it considered EIA if you only get it when exercising during cold weather, I always just figured my respiratory system was producing a little too much extra mucous in order to deal with the cold air. Mine always seems to go away an hour or 2 after a ride, and doesn't bother me at all during, just after, but then I might not be as effected as some folks
cachehiker
Nope. I never had asthma as a kid or anything ... just very slowly, starting in my late teens, I began noticing those symptoms. They started very gradually ... it was YEARS before I reached the point where I would have to get off the bicycle part way through a ride because I couldn't breathe anymore (it feels like your lungs have closed). In fact before then, I just ignored the symptoms ... but after being unable to breathe on rides 2 or 3 times, I got a bit worried and finally went to see my Dr.
I'll also add that it has reached a point with me that stress will set it off ... particularly public speaking in my case. I got up to speak in two of my classes and spent the whole time during both speeches gasping for air. In the second speech I felt like I was going to faint because I couldn't inhale. My fellow students were writing little evaluations of me, and a few of them mentioned that it looked like I was struggling to breathe ... well, yes I was!
That's a bummer. My EIA is mild and has been getting milder as I've been getting older. AFAIK, I only ever had one asthma attack serious enough to spur my mother into taking me to the hospital when I was 3-4 years old. I have almost no memory of the incident. I believe she was given an inhaler or something that we never had reason to use.
EIA is one of the important reasons I try to stay active year round. If I'm in shape, it's very difficult to trigger. When I'm not in shape, it's more of an "awareness of when to back off" thing.
Machka
so is it considered EIA if you only get it when exercising during cold weather, I always just figured my respiratory system was producing a little too much extra mucous in order to deal with the cold air. Mine always seems to go away an hour or 2 after a ride, and doesn't bother me at all during, just after, but then I might not be as effected as some folks
EIA is characterized by the cough which starts shortly after you get in from exercising outside on a cold day. You cough so that you feel like you're either going to throw up (and sometimes you do), or bring up an entire lung ... if you're in a public place, you'll have complete strangers coming over to you and asking if you're OK.
If you get a little sniffly or cough a couple times after coming in, that's not likely EIA, it's just a natural reaction to the cold temperature.
Some more articles on EIA:
http://www.asthma.ca/adults/lifestyle/exercise.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-induced-asthma/DS01040
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/chronicconditions/a/Exercise_Asthma.htm
dekindy
I just ordered the PSolar face mask (PSolar.com) and a couple of Vapor Shields. Another forum member just ordered both and said that they worked great.
I ended up taking a Mucinex to dry my sinuses. No cold, just sinus.
We had snow and ice on the roads here today so instead of riding outside, one of the riders that just became a certified spin instructor made arrangements for us to use the spin bikes at a local health club. This is the first time that I have done this and enjoyed it very much. We went for an hour following his instructions on resistance and effort while listening to music. The hour went so fast it was unbelieveable. I may be converted!
dekindy
I received my order in just a few days and have used my PSolar.ex while shoveling snow. It keeps my sinuses from running incessantly and helps keep me much warmer. I am pleased with my purchase so far and cannot wait to try it cycling. I am anxious to see if it adds as much warmth as I anticipate based upon my snow shoveling experience. It does not want to stay up over my ears when worn with my balaclava without a cycling helmet. Cycling helmet straps hold it in place perfectly. I am not sure but I might prefer the HX Helmet balaclava, especially for non-cycling use, but the PSolar.ex was on closeout for $14 less.
I also got the vapor shield and that seems to be effective at reducing fogging of my glasses.
mike
I rode all last winter except for 6 weeks from the end of January to the middle of March when the roads were snow and ice covered. I have acqired much warmer and technically better gear this winter.
After riding Tuesday evening for two hours I woke up during the night with flu like symptoms. Headache, aches and pains, slight cramping, and one of my nostrils was completely clogged/closed? shut. One nostril was so clogged that I could not get any sinus rinse through it and the other was difficult. I took an Ibuprofen and went back to bed. In the morning I woke up and felt fine except for maybe being slightly run down. On Saturday, I really struggled while riding. I was riding much slower and really struggled against the winds and on hills. Other than the reduced effort, I really had no symtoms. I was dressed warmly enough that nothing was cold, although I was not toasty either.
I wonder if I am fighting a bug or what could be causing my symptoms. Is it possible to be dressed warmly enough not to be cold but have too much blood being used to keep warm that there is not enough for the muscles. I am much more warm blooded than other riders and typically require much less clothing to keep warm. I also seem to be effected more by the summer heat than most riders. At least that is my impression.
Any theories? Other than sneezing a lot last winter because that was my first winter to ride, I do not remember having these type symptoms. I saw an allergist and have been taking shots. This is my first Fall/early winter not to have sinus infections so that seems to be taken care of.
I was frequently overdressed and I was not able to keep my feet as warm at all last winter. I have since solved both problems, at least for the temperatures that I have ridden in so far.
Sounds like e-coli to me.
Seriously, though, if you are riding on really cold days, make sure that you cover your mouth and nose so that you aren't sucking in freezing cold air straight into your lungs. That can be really painful. I have done that and ended up coughing blood.