bfloyd

Can riding in the colder temperatures, around the 40 degree range, show higher heart rates and less strength output?

pcates

yes it can initially....as your body tries to warm itself up your HR will increase and cold will inhibit your muscles some.....but provided you're well dressed that should go away after you warm yourself up.....and come on 40 isn't that cold

patentcad

Studies have also shown that riding in temps between 15-40º F cause you to FREEZE YOUR WEENIE ASS OFF. I should know. Trust me on this one.

Actually it's all about dressing right. If you do that you may only freeze for the first 5 mins. or so, once you warm up you'll be fine. Except on those sub 20º days when you may freeze the whole ride. Of course if you're riding when it's under 20º you deserve what you get. My iPod froze on one ride like that last winter. That's a smack in your Giro helmet from God telling you that next time the thermometer says '15º' go to the gym instead.

Radiohead84

How many people ride in the winter? I didnt think it was very popular.

pcates

i used to commute in -10 celsius.....i would be so bundled up that when i got to work i'd be sweating like a pig. as long as you can keep the heat in and the cold out its fine.

patentcad you forgot to read the bit about keeping the ipod out of extreme temperatures.....but i know how you feel..i froze a digital camera once, was none to pleased.

botto 

it's not popular with freds, and weekend warriors, aka wusses.

on the other hand, in the words of patentcad, it can be very popular with bike weenies, trust me on this, i've ridden over 100,000 miles in the past 15 years.















btw - it's also popular enough that BF has devoted a fourm to it.

DataJunkie

Provided you have the correct gear and clothing it can be a blast.
Personally, I detest working out indoors and would rather not come out of winter in worse shape than when it started.

badkarma

A lot of people ride in the winter. Provided you dress accordingly, it's really not that bad. However, my threshold is 25 deg. F, if it's colder than that, then I'm on the rollers.

(Y(L|S+

So far my coldest temps I've ridden in was 34*(F). Layering is very important with a wind-blocking but breathable outer layer. Plus, take extra measures for keeping your head, hands and feet warm.

I do have a question on temps below freezing:
- How does the cold temps affect breathing and your throat and lungs?

My throat was pretty raw after my 34* ride. Is there a way to protect yourself from breathing in very cold and dry air?

DataJunkie

I've ridden at 8F with only a skull cap and helmet. No problems with my throat.
You could try a balaclava (sp? not the dessert) or a neck gaiter that covers your mouth also.
My main issue was insanely red eyes from the cold temps. Fixable with a pair of ski googles that I forgot that day.

badkarma

I think you just get used to it. I know when I used to run in cold temps, my throat would be killing me, but after doing a bunch of cold weather rides last winter, it just didn't bother me. Granted I was doing mostly basemiles in the winter (no intervals or serious climbing), but the temps didn't bother my throat/lungs.

I can't stress enough, wear good gloves and warm booties. I made the mistake of riding at 35 deg. w/o booties and I had to stop a few times to warm up my toes as I was losing feeling in them.

DataJunkie

Your cleat is a heatsink. At sub 40F temps I can keep my feet warm for 1 hr until my feet start to get cold. This is with booties and wool socks. Yet last year while riding without cleats I could keep them warm at down to 10F. I will be adding a thermal insole to my clipless shoes next week.

Hipcycler

I think so.

Let me add that I have also read that your body uses more calories in the cold.
And another key thing is that it takes several rides in it for your body to adapt to the change in the weather when it first starts getting cold like now.

Looking back at my training logs over the past five years I can see that pattern in my notes. There is usually a slump at the first sight of 40-ish rides. My legs feel heavy, ache when they shouldn't and everything just seems like a chore. Then it gets better again as my body grows accustomed to the conditions.

My rule, because of my hip, is to ride as long as it is above 32 degrees and the roads are clear of any snow or ice.

botto 

Hipster, it's time that becomes part of your signature.

slowandsteady

It isn't popular with people who don't mind gaining 15 pounds during the winter.

okpik

40 degrees**********???? sheot, that's jeans and sweatshirt weather

bfloyd

Thanks for all the replies. I picked the 40 degree number just for an average as it's been down to the mid 30's as well and I've still been riding.

So do you's also reduce the intensity a bit or keep it the same as you have been during the warmer months? I think I read somewhere, can't remember where exactly, that one should reduce their intensity a tad in the colder climates. I find that the increased winds that are asscociated with the colder temps. are a pain in the butt and won't let me ride as fast as usual (unless of course I have that tremendous tail wind . . . )

badkarma

In general just work on logging basemiles in the winter. Don't really do any intensive climbing or interval work.

bfloyd

Will this lead to de-training and loosing the progress that was made during the warmer cycling season? Thanks.

badkarma

Disclaimer: I am not a personal trainer, so my advice is, most likely, pure and utter crap.

Yeah, come spring you won't be as fit as you were in the beginning of the fall. If you're concerned about getting in your intervals, buy a trainer and get your intervals in on that. In the winter, just work on the base miles so you can retain as much as possible from the prior season.

pcates

cycle as you would any other time of the year, but just remember you have to allow more time to let your body warm up....push yourself too hard before you get warmed up and you risk injury.

as for letting it slide over the winter months......you can start to lose progress in as little as 3 days, leave the bike all winter and its like starting new in spring. if the cold bothers you that much get an indoor trainer or take some spinning classes. as much as i enjoy getting my nose frostbitten i like spinning classes in the winter...mostly because thats where the ladies are in my town!

bfloyd

Thanks!

bfloyd

Seems like an incentive to me . . .

DieselDan

Rarely below 40 degrees here, so winter riding is no big deal.