Touring - Cold Weather Touring

Neil Fein and I, AKA Neils on Wheels, are planning a four day tour over the Christmas holiday here in SE PA. We are starting in Philadelphia on Saturday the 22nd, riding to Doylestown (30 miles) the 23rd, Bethlehem (20 miles) the 24th, and back to my home in Chester County (50 miles) the 25th. Anyone here tour in cold weather? Is the 50 mile ride in 40 degree temperatures too ambitious for two novice tourers? (About a quarter of the final day's ride will be on the Perkiomen Trail, a rail-trail.) We both realize that bike shops, and most other services, will be closed on Christmas Day.

i went for a 50 mile ride the other day ant it was about 35 degrees outside. my toes went numb due to my meshy shimano shoes. other than that, i would say you should be fine. bring gear for the weather

Well, ask yourself if you would go out for a regular day ride in those conditions....

I've done very little, but I find that 40 is OK, as long as 1) it's dry 2) it's not terribly windy 3) no long descents 4) really good gloves & shoe covers 5) plenty of layers.

I descended Vail Pass in a rainstorm in August, it was about 42 degrees and it FULLY SUCKED. I was dangerously hypothermic and barely able to control my bike b/c I couldn't feel my hands. I was wearing full rain gear, neoprene booties and very heavy gloves - and it still was too cold. Climbing the pass was fine.

I think you could get a lot of good advice about clothing choices in the Winter forum.

Don't forget that the days are very short, so you will need to be pretty on top of getting out early. Which means, riding in the colder part of the day, at least on that last longer day. Don't forget to look at the overnight lows as well as the daytime highs, to get an idea of what mornings will be like, and how early you will be able to ride. And be careful of Ice.

Are you planning to camp?

I would be prepared to blow it off if the weather is bad -- it's supposed to be FUN, remember... unless you like suffering. Some people like suffering. But if it's sunny and 40, that could be totally beautiful.

Neil Fein and I, AKA Neils on Wheels, are planning a four day tour over the Christmas holiday here in SE PA. We are starting in Philadelphia on Saturday the 22nd, riding to Doylestown (30 miles) the 23rd, Bethlehem (20 miles) the 24th, and back to my home in Chester County (50 miles) the 25th. Anyone here tour in cold weather? Is the 50 mile ride in 40 degree temperatures too ambitious for two novice tourers? (About a quarter of the final day's ride will be on the Perkiomen Trail, a rail-trail.) We both realize that bike shops, and most other services, will be closed on Christmas Day.

Its not the temps that worries me its the road conditions, the road shoulder can still be icey even if the
rest of the road has been cleared by all the salt, sand and cars.

Well, ask yourself if you would go out for a regular day ride in those conditions....

I've done very little, but I find that 40 is OK, as long as 1) it's dry 2) it's not terribly windy 3) no long descents 4) really good gloves & shoe covers 5) plenty of layers.

I descended Vail Pass in a rainstorm in August, it was about 42 degrees and it FULLY SUCKED. I was dangerously hypothermic and barely able to control my bike b/c I couldn't feel my hands. I was wearing full rain gear, neoprene booties and very heavy gloves - and it still was too cold. Climbing the pass was fine.

I think you could get a lot of good advice about clothing choices in the Winter forum.

Don't forget that the days are very short, so you will need to be pretty on top of getting out early. Which means, riding in the colder part of the day, at least on that last longer day. Don't forget to look at the overnight lows as well as the daytime highs, to get an idea of what mornings will be like, and how early you will be able to ride. And be careful of Ice.

Are you planning to camp?

I would be prepared to blow it off if the weather is bad -- it's supposed to be FUN, remember... unless you like suffering. Some people like suffering. But if it's sunny and 40, that could be totally beautiful.

No, we won't be camping. We are going to get a hotel room each night. We'll reserve so there is room in the inn. :-)

You'll be wanting some mudguards to keep rain, mud, debris and the occasional chunk of dog poo off your face and back.

Fabrics that block the wind are useful. Full front zippers allow for good heat regulation.

Plastic films can also be useful. Some people put a layer between two layers of socks -- one pair of socks over skin, then a bread bag (or something similar) over the first pair of socks, then a second pair of socks on top.

Some people use a lawn and leaf bag similarly, between two layers of clothes -- with holes or cutouts for head and arms.

Something to block the wind over your gloves helps too.

Ears, nose, and face can sometimes use protection. Skiers' masks are among the possibilities.

A very useful concept: layering, layering, layering.

Easy on-off layering gives you a lot of options and versatility.

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Another concept that is very useful for cold weather: vapor barriers.

(The ability to ventilate or remove them is also useful, especially for rides that have a wide range of exertion levels. During periods of high exertion, over-perspiring in the sauna-like interior is likely -- if you cannot ventilate or remove as needed.)

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Sugoi makes some very nice winter cycling clothes. Or you can make something similar yourself. The idea of windblocking fabrics in front (on forward-facing surfaces) and breathable material behind works well in many conditions.

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If cold rain is a possibility, it's best to be ready for it.

Layering as mentioned, works very well.

If you have one, bring a down jacket. Like a ski jacket, aka a down sweater. Most only cover your arms&torso, and don't have a hood. They are lite weight for their insulative value, and pack small. Keep it at the top of a pannier for rest stops so you don't cool down too much. They can also be worn to ride in, just untill you warm up.

it was almost 50 deg f here in s nj today ("global warming" has its positives)!
i wish i had the time to tour!! are you camping? self contained/hoteling? a taxi could pull you home if needed in the 15 - 30 mile peramiters you list.
have fun and send pix!
t

Neil Fein and I, AKA Neils on Wheels, are planning a four day tour over the Christmas holiday here in SE PA. We are starting in Philadelphia on Saturday the 22nd, riding to Doylestown (30 miles) the 23rd, Bethlehem (20 miles) the 24th, and back to my home in Chester County (50 miles) the 25th. Anyone here tour in cold weather? Is the 50 mile ride in 40 degree temperatures too ambitious for two novice tourers? (About a quarter of the final day's ride will be on the Perkiomen Trail, a rail-trail.) We both realize that bike shops, and most other services, will be closed on Christmas Day.
It seems like a fine tour for testing your wings.

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[If you feel like keeping us posted, please do; it would be good to hear how it goes, what the surprises are, what you learn, what you particularly enjoy, etc. -- have a great tour!]

Something to block the wind over your gloves helps too.

Not sure I catch your drift. I wear liners under cold weather gloves, works well but could be better. . I'm eyeing lobsteclaw gloves, though.

having ridden in snow and cold weather when I lived in Baltimore, the very most important thing is to keep yourself dry. Even if it is 50 degrees, cold melting water from ice and snow can be all over the place and if you get your skin wet (especially your feet), hypothermia will set in real quick no matter how many layers of clothing you have on. I rather ride in 20 degree weather when everything is solid ice than 50 degree weather with melting ice. Keeping yourself dry also means not sweating too much with all those layers of clothing. Cold water will sap the warmth out of you 30 times faster than air.

And the most important body part to keep warm and dry is your head.

Being dry is the key to being warm in winter.