Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Broke the 40 mark!

No, not pounds lost or MPH, but degrees. Long ago I decided I would never ride if it was less than 40 degrees F. Well, I haven't ridden in a couple of weeks, the sun was shining, and the roads were dry. So....

I did a five mile loop near my home. I had to swerve around a couple of patches of standing water, but otherwise the roads were clear. I had to stop twice to warm my hands. And the headwind was tough. But I did it. I broke 40.

One problem I've had on other rides is keeping my lower half warm. I borrowed an idea from CliftonGK1 and wore long synthetic underwear under my tights. For this short of a ride the seams didn't bother me, and I was much warmer than usual. Perhaps I should look into getting better long underwear than the cheap stuff K-mart sells.

The ones I wear are microfleece, and I got them from REI. They're pretty comfy for everything down to the upper teens in temperature.

Unfortunately it's been 12 and 13 degrees the past couple mornings, so I've been driving to work. I'm not a fan of temperatures below 15 for riding.

40 is comfortable for me. I can't ride in the heat. Rode when it was in the 90's this summer and didn't think I'd make it back home. I've ridden down to seven, 1 1/2 hours. When I came home my wife almost fell off the chair laughing. Because of the sweat my eyebrows were iced over and dangling in my eyes. Now that I'm older I DOUBT I could take it that cold anymore.

I have wool tights and lycra tights sometimes add wool leg warmers. Warm enough. You should feel a little cool when you start. If you already feel warm you'll get too hot.

Bill

We have been in the 20's here in the mornings and up until at least noon. Sadly, by noon it's well past my nocurnal work life bedtime.

Tx doesn't do the 20's.

We have been in the 20's here in the mornings and up until at least noon. Sadly, by noon it's well past my nocurnal work life bedtime.

Tx doesn't do the 20's.

Friday we should have temps below freezing with 20 MPH winds. I'm tempted to ride a couple of miles simply to say I did.

Friday we should have temps below freezing with 20 MPH winds. I'm tempted to ride a couple of miles simply to say I did.

I'm resisting temptation. Too cold and windy. :-(

I got out yesterday and rode around town for several hours. Temps in the high 20's. Just couldn't stand another day on the stationary bike at the gym. Wife said I looked like a walrus with the balaclava on and the moustache hanging out. I'm pretty sure there's no way you can take that as a compliment! Oh well, throw me a fish, I'm going back out today!

I have two active new dogs that must be exercised (sometimes it feels more like exorcised) at least twice a day.

Walks in the am (brrrr) and running on a Walkydog attachment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dha7FHehH6s) on the Hardrock for a couple miles each in the afternoon (still awfully brisk with the wind chill).

Depending on where you are located, mountain biking can be a good alternative in the winter months. If you have trails in a wooded area it generally keeps you out of the wind and temps in the 20s are ideal as the trails tend to get a little sloppy above freezing.

Low 20s and breezy on this morning's commute. Wore thick gloves, covered the ears, zipped jacket up around neck with two layers underneath and was quite comfortable. Broke a sweat at the end even! ;-) Great ride!

Did a couple of 30 mile rides in the 30 degree range this last week. Wasn't too bad really. Once I got to moving. A baklava and three layers on top and knee warmers on the tights did the trick. Feet were frozen however. I'd ordered some XL (the largest they listed) booties but they didn't even come close to going over my size 15 cycling shoes. (at 6'6" my mom always joked that I'd be pretty tall if I didn't have so much turned under for feet :-) ) Going to enlist the help of a seamstress friend to make me some custom booties.

That is unless someone has an idea of where I might purchase a pair in the "Jumbo" size. Of course I might just stay with the "custom" route anyway as I'm thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to incorporate a pouch that one could slip one of those chemical warming packs in.