Winter Cycling - Why do I get headaches?

Riding in the cold always gives me headaches. Even with vents taped shut, helmet cover, and balaclava. Why is this?

I've experienced this as well, in the past. Mine were also associated with jarring bumps. But whether the bumps simply exasperated the already present headache, or facilitated it, I do not know.

Perhaps I'll ask a friend of mine who's a PA.

I find I get slight headaches because I'm not drinking nearly enough water while riding in the cold (because my f&*#n water bottles freeze!)

Riding in the cold always gives me headaches. Even with vents taped shut, helmet cover, and balaclava. Why is this?

Because some people get headaches in cold... blood pressure increases due to vasoconstriction.

Perhaps it's due to inhaling cold air through the sinuses? (guessing, here). When I lived in PA, I could not run in the cold because breathing the cold air would make my lungs and teeth hurt (I'm a mouth breather...but not a knuckle dragger...)

good ideas. I do wear a balaclava, so the air is passing through that before I "inhale". on second thought though, I don't cover my nose with it, so maybe I am breathing in cold air.

Are you hydrating properly? I don't carry water bottles during the winter (as another poster also alluded to) so I sometimes end up at my destination thirsty as all get-out. And dehydration can, of course, lead to headaches.

I'm assuming your neck is covered and you're hydrated properly, so that would leave your sinuses.

it might not be much, but have a look into a cycling face mask.
usually, it's enough to prewarm the air that your breath in, because the device is warmed up by the air and moisture you exhale.

oh, and also, if you're overdressed, then your sweat could be building up on the balaclava, which could act as a massive heat sink. usually solved by just cutting off the top of the balaclava and letting some air through the helmet, or using a knitted type balaclava.

Polar bottles, ( with the foil liner and air gap ) keep my bottle from freezing for about an hour at -10C, if I make them slightly warm to start with. And they are nice in the summer with a couple of ice cubes in.

oh yeah, drinking a lot of cold water will also give you brain freeze.

The frame of the glasses could be pressing harder against your temples due to the added headwear. That possibly combined with how you route your helmet straps.

The frame of the glasses could be pressing harder against your temples due to the added headwear. That possibly combined with how you route your helmet straps.

Good idea

Let me guess. Maybe your helmet is too tight and cutting off blood cicrulation to your head.

Riding in the cold always gives me headaches. Even with vents taped shut, helmet cover, and balaclava. Why is this?

Could be several reasons:

1. Headgear too tight with balaclava.

2. Increased exertion that you are not used to.

3. Body not yet adapted to cold weather exercise.

4. Breathing cold air into sinus' cavity causing headache.

5. Easy to get dehydrated in cold. Get bottle cage sized vacuum flask at REI to keep hydrated with warm or non freezing liquid.

6. Blood pressure issues.

7. Entire body not being kept warm enough while riding causing temperature imbalance in body.

8. Balaclava can pinch glasses too tight again'st head near temples causing decreased blood flow and increased blood pressure in that area.

9. Subconscious is crying out: why, why, why am I riding in the freezing cold. I don't like it.

I too find that if my toque, mask/neck-warmer, helmet combo is the least bit tight I get a head ache right away. It's even worse when it drops bellow -30c and I break out the goggles. i find if I have a thin warm toque and a loose but commodious neck warmer and adjust my helmet to be as loose as possible w/o slipping them I'm good to go. I also find that if I consciously try to relax while I'm riding it helps a bit. Some times seat or stem or bar adjustments can help take tension out of the neck n shoulder area as well.

like a brainfreeze.... basically. also, less oxygen