Winter Cycling - Hot sweaty winter rides???!!!

does anyone else find that they soon reach a body temperature close to the surface of the sun, when going on a long fast ride in the winter, when wearing winter bike clothing.
With me its always hard to get out of the door, early on a cold morning, without adequate protection from the cold. 10 minutes later im getting sweaty, 20 minutes after that im stopping every mile to shed layers, and by the end of my ride im hotter than a camels armpit. Hell, i reckon i feel cooler riding in the summer midday sun.
Has anyone come accross any ingenious winter cold beating tactics, which dont turn you in to a steaming pile of thinsulate and 'breathable' waterproofs, with a backpack full of discarded layers!!!!!!

Just wear less clothing ;) Wear your usual but just a T shirt underneath instead of a T shirt and sweater.

I think it just comes down to "dress cold" and unzip your coat, if necessary, later. I'm always cold for the first third of my trip, until I climb a hill and warm to a comfortable temperature. I'd suggest starting out with whatever you are wearing after shedding those layers and adding a light windbreaker.

I like winter riding much more than summer, because I don't overheat.

Paul

what about your bottom half? cycling tights, over-trousers or shorts?

"Breathable" waterproofs are for when its raining. If its dry, use a windproof made from some microfibre material (nylon pertext or polyester)
Dress for your warmed up state with your windproof outer layer.
Wear a lightly insulated sleeveless gillet on top of the outer layer. You can strip this off without having to remove the windproof.
This time of year you don't need to sweat to regulate your body temp.

does anyone else find that they soon reach a body temperature close to the surface of the sun, when going on a long fast ride in the winter, when wearing winter bike clothing.


Same problem. I have a 2mi decent that is freezing.... Unless I "overdress" and really sweat, my feet freeze. That's with a helmet cover, polartec helmet liner,and wear a baraclava. Then on the feet 2-3 layers. Base layer on the torso and pertext jacket, and polar tech tights (For temps 40F)

we're not too cold yet - but i've ridden a few 40-45 degree nights lately and the only thing that stays cold are my feet. i don't really have any proper cycling clothes yet for the winter, so i just wear my cycling shorts, sweat pants and a zip up fleece jacket with a t-shirt under it. that's all i've needed so far - i usually start off cold but end up being on the warm side after a few miles. i must sweat quite a bit though, as i really stink of BO afterwards. :o

one polyester undergarment,underarmor tuff gear longsleeve and a short sleeve cycling jersey seem to work fine for me down to 20F. i also carry a nylon jacket in my jersey in case the wind picks up. they all fit nicely in my bag if the weather changes too much.

one polyester undergarment,underarmor tuff gear longsleeve and a short sleeve cycling jersey seem to work fine for me down to 20F. i also carry a nylon jacket in my jersey in case the wind picks up. they all fit nicely in my bag if the weather changes too much.

AHA! Are you saying you just wear:
1 poly undershirt
1 long sleeve
1 short sleeve (on top) ----> but seldom the jacket????

I always wear the nylong jacket - always then next to nothing underneath. NO wonder I'm sweating like a pig!

yeah, the jacket will block a lot of wind and water, and that means both ways. (goretex too, i dno't care what htey say). as long as it's not raining, you'll do fine with just a mid-weight base layer and a mid-weight midlayer like a fleece sweater, good for above freezing temps.

sd

THis has been bugging me too. It's the high mid 40s to low 50s that get me and are a pain in the butt to dress for. I feel like I need my rain jacket to block the wind, but dang that thing makes me sweaty. Then I get cold and clammy!

you'll do fine with just a mid-weight base layer and a mid-weight midlayer like a fleece sweater, good for above freezing temps.

sd

I thought a base-layer was a ultra-thin cool-max undershirt/tee shirt. What sort of brands have the mid-wt? OR do you just use a short-sleeve jersey for the mid-weight?

Best advice I received on winter wear was to create a log of what works for you. There are just too many variables
-- general physical shape
-- condition that day
-- your clothing options
-- temp & wind chill and humidity.

Here's what has helped me dress better
Log categories
CLIMATE
--date
--am/pm
--weatherunderground humidity
--wind speed
--avg bike speed
--outside temp
--calculated wind chill
EXPERIENCE
-- hands
-- body
Options: cold, cool, ok, warm, hot
Score: cold/hot=25, cool/warm=15, ok=25
WEARING [ check list in columns ]
-- base layer
-- outer layer
-- hands
-- head
-- legs
-- notes


I've only be doing this for 5 rides so far. I expect that after I have a sizable sample, I can sort on windchill and then know what works for me.

My results:
AM ride-- was too hot, but now balanced. Cool at start and warm at end. No more cold at start.
PM ride-- still learning. Generally don't have a problem guessing what to wear when wind chill is between 50 and 60, but got hammered one day I made a mistake and wore a poly shirt and did not adjust outer wear enough.

Good luck.

The most important thing in my wardrobe i the longsleeved technical undershirt with windfront, that stops the wind on your torso but still lets you breath because its the innermost layer (mines made by craft). in the fall just a long sleeved jersey on top, when it starts to freece I instead use a giordana windscreen jacket on top, If your not thinking man I´m underdressed leaving home, your overdressed!

I thought a base-layer was a ultra-thin cool-max undershirt/tee shirt. What sort of brands have the mid-wt? OR do you just use a short-sleeve jersey for the mid-weight?

noooo there are definitely light and med-weight base layers. check out this like at canada's MEC: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=675475&product_listing_all=true&bmUID=1101080667213

(or just go to mec.ca, men's wear, underwear). midweight bases are warmer and for winter.. lightweight for summery stuff...or u mix and match based on what ur outer and mid-layers are. i'm sure REI, which i hear is like canada's MEC, has similar stuff.

sd

re cold weather cycling http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/pics/dp6.gif

try the buffalo cycle shirt (http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp6.htm)
no baselayer underneath just wear it next to skin

when you heat up unzip the sides let the cold air whoosh through :)
believe me it works


important note "no baselayer underneath just wear it next to skin"

this boggles the mind of most people

I would suggest for temps 30-45 (0-7 C) wear a wind jacket and then a merino wool undershirt. I use a Woolistic 'BodyBase' Extreme wool undershirt, then a wool jersey (if it is in the mid-low 30's ) and a lightweight wind jacket. In winter nothing beats it. The wool holds air in its crimps, so it regulates/balances the body temp. The most amazing thing is even if you stop during a ride you wont freeze if the shirt is wet like with polyester. If it gets a bit warm after riding just open up the jacket for a little fresh air and you are good as gold. perfect balance. All my friends who ride in Sweden use this combo and that is one cold place to ride! for UK this combination is ideal. Also a huge advantage with wool is it doesnt get horrible smelly like synthetics. You can wear many times over before washing with no odor. That in itself deserves a Nobel Prize! haha. The wool base I use and my friends up north can be bought at http://www.vintagevelos.com
good luck!

re cold weather cycling http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/pics/dp6.gif

no baselayer underneath just wear it next to skin

when you heat up unzip the sides let the cold air whoosh through :)
believe me it works


important note "no baselayer underneath just wear it next to skin"

this boggles the mind of most people

I find that on a road bike and fast commutes and steep ascents, that I really over heat...! Looks good. At what temperature do you wear this jacket and what's your speed range.

one polyester undergarment,underarmor tuff gear longsleeve and a short sleeve cycling jersey seem to work fine for me down to 20F. i also carry a nylon jacket in my jersey in case the wind picks up. they all fit nicely in my bag if the weather changes too much.

chizlr,
This really worked and I arrive less winded and sweaty. Thanks alot :)