Fifty Plus (50+) - After yesterdays ride, everything hurt...

... even my teeth!

It was a cold weather ride. Ice on the ponds, and afternoon temps of 45f.

Rode 73 miles from home in the city to the northern suburbs of Chicago and back. 4.5 hours of almost continuous riding, with one stop at 45 miles for water and a stop for chili at 55 miles. The cold weather really builds an appetite!

I was a little underdressed. No risk of frostbite, but I felt chilled most of the time. I also didn't eat until the last 1/3 of the ride.

But as I fell asleeplast night, it all hurt. My feet, leg muscles, knees, lower back, shoulders, neck, head, ears... and even my teeth. It must of been from breathing chilled air.

Getting older is a *****.

... even my teeth!

It was a cold weather ride. Ice on the ponds, and afternoon temps of 45f.

Rode 73 miles from home in the city to the northern suburbs of Chicago and back. 4.5 hours of almost continuous riding, with one stop at 45 miles for water and a stop for chili at 55 miles. The cold weather really builds an appetite!

I was a little underdressed. No risk of frostbite, but I felt chilled most of the time. I also didn't eat until the last 1/3 of the ride.

But as I fell asleeplast night, it all hurt. My feet, leg muscles, knees, lower back, shoulders, neck, head, ears... and even my teeth. It must of been from breathing chilled air.

Getting older is a *****.

But it was a good kinda hurt, right?

But it was a good kinda hurt, right?

Yes, like feeling alive!

It's that feeling when the hands- feet- nose and body start coming back to life after they have been numbed by the cold for a good few hours that makes me realise that I should not have done a ride. I don't know whether to sympathise with you- or just to call you a few choice names for your foolish action.

Think I will show symapathy cos I have done rides like that- and probably will again.

Thanks for the sympathy. Living near the coast must provide a mild climate. I enjoy cold weather and like to avoid wearing excess bulk while cycling and skiing. Most of the pain was from use, and its a pain that lets me know that I have worked hard. Suffering also reminds me that I should exercise more often.

Something annoying happens to me when I ride in the cold - my speech starts to slur. Doesn't happen just in the cold or when I ride in temperate weather - it's something about the influence of the cold on my jaw muscles, I think. It's kind of upsetting.

I have done a fair bit of cold weather riding. I don't need much on my torso, but I give the hands and feet and face priority in protection because they are exposed to the wind chill. It is hard to put too much on em. When it gets below 35, I usually wear a neoprene face mask and glasses so no skin is showing.

But still, it is kind of fun to brave the elements isn't it?

Pat

I have done a fair bit of cold weather riding. I don't need much on my torso, but I give the hands and feet and face priority in protection because they are exposed to the wind chill. It is hard to put too much on em. When it gets below 35, I usually wear a neoprene face mask and glasses so no skin is showing.

But still, it is kind of fun to brave the elements isn't it?

Pat

Hi Pat,

Yes, It was a good ride, so much better than staying in. I agree about the hands, feet & face. I had smartwool socks and could have used my rain covers to keep the wind out and my feet warmer. The hands were OK with full-finger MTB gloves, when its colder, I use fleece lined dress gloves that seem to stay warm without trapping moisture. In really cold weather, I'll use an alpine ski helmet; it looks strange but works well.

Any time I get outside in winter, I've won and winter has been defeated!

Repeatedly chilling your teeth is a good way to get root canals. bk

Repeatedly chilling your teeth is a good way to get root canals. bk

I should focus on breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth!