Winter Cycling - Warming up after the ride

I took a nice 3 hour ride today in around 35-40 degrees and a slight wind. I was toasty warm after 20 minutes and my core was warm throughout the ride. The problem was after the ride, I took a 15 minute hot shower but I still haven't warmed up and its been over 6 hours since the ride. I drank a power gel, ate dinner, drank a lot of water and am bundled up but still colder than normal. Anyone have some post ride warm up secrets (non-alcoholic please, I go to work after I ride). I don't think its my 'pre-feed' because I had enough energy and warmth to last my entire ride.

Thanks for any ideas!

Mc G

I've sometimes had this as well. It is annoying, I must say. When I've been out for a longish ride I've been warm enough or even too hot during the ride, but been cold afterwards.
The reason is you've used all your energy, so you need to replace the fuel in your tank. Try hot liquids too. Also if you're cold move. Stick on an extra layer over your shirt and pace up and down the room a bit if you can. Also, a hat can be an excellent way of warming up as a lot of heat is lost through your head.

We've had a few riders on the forum experience this and I have also myself. It's true that on a three hour ride you can be down on energy and that may be part of it.

But when you get back and during your ride your whole body should be warm. Not just the core. If your core remains warm but legs and arms are cold it can confuse your bodies internal thermostat so to speak and your core can loose more heat than you think. Especially after you stop riding. You may need just a little more clothing on.

Also, it could be if you have just started riding in cold weather that your system is just not used to it yet.

chai, with all it's spices and herbs in hot water will get you warmed up pretty fast.

tea and hot chocolate don't quite have the same effect as chai.

I experience this ... and it usually has to do with not dressing warm enough, and happens particularly when my thighs get cold ... when I haven't worn enough layers.

I find that turning the temp up to about 30 degrees for an hour or two helps.

I'm strange, I admit it. I like when this happens. I love getting in my car and cranking up the heat after a ride, or in my house. If I had anyone else in the car or house to worry about, they'd be blasted out from the heat, but with just me, I crank it up and pretend I'm sitting in front of a roaring fire :)

When you start to get cold after you ride, eat, shower, and all that, put on some layers and then crank out a few pushups. This will generate some heat so your extra layers have something to work with.

I have found that if you eat, it makes you cold. I don't know if all the blood rushes to your stomach, or what the deal is, but you are cold.

I have ridden home from work and been frozen, and found that a HOT shower helps. And that means shower until you are warmed up all the way. But then be careful not to get cold again after you get out.

When you start to get cold after you ride, eat, shower, and all that, put on some layers and then crank out a few pushups. This will generate some heat so your extra layers have something to work with.

That sounds about right. Just keep moving around the house. Do some tai chi. Stretches. Or if that doesn't work, clean the chain on your bike.

I usually never arrive home cold, except maybe my feet. But I think if I sat down in a chair I would cool off.

beer.

I have never had it from biking but I have from skiing, not because it was too cold but because my fat ass bouncing trough moguls all day was just exerted way more energy than I had readily available...The couple of times that has happened i just got a heating pad, laid on that, pulled on a few good blankets and watched a movie.... I was still tired and sore after, but was warmed up at least...

Luckily in our current home we have a sauna, if I have spent a ton of time out in the cold I will call home when I am on my way and have someone turn it on so it's ready when I get there, it makes a world of difference. So if you belong to a gym that has a sauna or steam room that would be a good place to stop on the way home or run over too after you get home.

beer.

+1

I've done many 4-5 hour rides in temps of 20 to 25 F. Must admit, I have not had this problem. Worst thing I have experienced was cold toes for maybe 15-20 minutes after the ride. The problem went away after I put the feet into a pair of fresh wool socks. In fear of doing damage, I never shower until after the feeling returns to my feet.

May I suggest next time that you not take a shower until after you warm up. Change out of the sweaty biking clothes and toss on some nice thick dry clothes and socks. Let your core body temp return to normal. You should be fine.

Sometimes I have the same problem...I'll take a shower get dressed and then start shaking....so I just eat some carbs and get in bed under the covers and take a nap...you are really tired and your body is having a hard time keeping your body temperature up

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions!

It has since warmed up and now I'm dealing with overheating but that's easily dealt with. I intend to try all... or most of the your suggestions as soon as I can. I noticed that later that night (after my ride) I kinda felt like you feel when you have a cold and your head seems congested/dizzy. The next day I felt fantastic, so I think I tapped my energy and needed to re-fuel.

Thanks again,

Mc G