Winter Cycling - Riding in the cold(curious)

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View Full Version : Riding in the cold(curious)


superstar4410
02-09-05, 11:12 AM
As with probably most of you guys and gals, I would assume that
people in general like to ride their bikes when its warm out oppose
to when its really cold. But I found that it seems that when I ride
in the cold, I tend to kinda do a bit better after I have gotten warmed
up because I tend not to dehydrate as much. Though it is harder
on my lungs(the cold air). I'm I just imaginig things or does anyone
have a similar perspective on the issue.


meme
02-09-05, 11:45 AM
I like to bike in cool (not cold) weather with partly cloudy skys (not too sunny). I also don't go biking on those gusty days because on some roads some drivers don't give you much slack when they pass you. Some even try to pass you extremely close, as if they're intentionally trying to side-swipe you w/o actually touching you or you bike.

hi565
02-09-05, 11:48 AM
I read in the recent Bicycling (yes everyone, I subscribe to Bicycling, BIG WOOP ;) ) They had an artical all about winter riding,and itr actually said that you need to drink more when you ride in the winter (forgot why)


Stretch
02-09-05, 11:57 AM
I don't like it when it's cold. But I have no gear at all. I rode the other day with some cargo shorts and sweatshirt when it was 35 degrees. It was really chilly for the first 15 minutes or so, but I was fine after that.

landrover
02-09-05, 12:23 PM
winter temps at freezing or slightly above are okay.
My ideal wx:temps...65/70 degrees, low humidity.

vtjim
02-09-05, 12:37 PM
You lose a lot of moisture through your breathing. Cold air is relatively dry. And you still perspire even though it's cold. You need to keep drinking.

Performance-wise, you'll do better if you're comfortably warm. (At least in my personal experience.)

bostontrevor
02-09-05, 01:29 PM
I love around 65 or 70, sunny as I can get, at least here in Boston. I might feel different if I was just north of Baja. That's cool enough that I can freak out like nobody's business and only get the "ordinary" amount of sweat (I also sweat like nobody's business) but if I want to stop for a bit, I can sit down and be warmed by the sun.

So I guess my answer is no. Unless I'm riding in the snow. Then of course it's got to be nice and cold. Anything above 20 degrees ruins the snow, so keep the thermostat down low, ok?

SAB
02-09-05, 04:49 PM
I've spent this winter building up my winter gear collection, after moving to the northeast. If I wear enough clothes, I can ride in the teens comfortably for 1-2 hours. When it's in the low 30's I can ride all day.

superstar4410
02-09-05, 05:12 PM
Thanks for all the info