mattmor

Hi,

I'm just getting back to riding after about 3-4 months off. I was riding like 4-5 days a week approx 1-1.5 hours a ride. I felt great and lost about 40 lbs in 4 months. I've now gained about 20 lbs back and have been trying to get out and ride more regularly. Its just damn cold though, what do you guys wear when its 25* or below? My feet get cold really fast.

Now that I've been riding again, I find that I'm more tired and winded than when I started riding heavy 8 months ago. Any tips to keep me motivated? Thanks for your help.

Matt

Brian

Mate, I'm moving this to Winter Cycling, as they will have more cold weather tips for you. I'll leave the redirect, just in case.

chipcom 

Down to zero or so:
Head: Poly or wool beanie, helmet with cover, bacalava, shooting glasses.
Torso: Bellana wool or polypro base layer, Merino wool mid layer, thick wool or fleece layer, wind jacket with pit zips.
Legs: Canari Tundra tights, Nashbar Crossroads pants.
Feet: Smartwool crew socks, shoes, toe covers, LG booties.
Hands: polypro glove liners, thinsulate gloves.

Walkafire

Feet ~ Ears ~ Hands... to me are the Most important!

Feet: I went all out and bought some Lake 301 Winter Shoes. When the temps dip lower I wear a Silk Sock Liner under my Wool Socks. Problem Solved for the Feet!

Ears: Again I spent some money, I bought a Bell Metro Helmet with the Winter Kit, Rain cover, Mirror... Well worth it! I wear a Pearl Izumi microsensor Balaclava and Clear Ski Goggles. Works for me in Sub Zero, if I have any cold, I will wear a Leather Scarf made for Motorcycle Riding.

Hands: Pearl Izumi AMfib Lobster Gloves. I have yet to use Liners in these yet, but I carry them.

The rest is easy, once you keep these areas warm. I wear Performance Triflex Bibs (colder temps I put on Under Armour ColdGear Leggings underneath), For the top, Under Armour ColdGear Mock Tee, Moisture Wick Sweatshirt, Marmot Ski Shell, Performance illumiNITE Cycling Jacket.

Mind you this is for very cold situations, tis why I layer. I take a lot off when returning home from work. Here in Colorado the temps vary sooooo much!

Machka 

I ride in the cold a lot ... I wouldn't get much riding in if I didn't.

So, some tips:

1. Socks - wear a couple layers of socks - one should be a heavy wool pair. I like Kodiak wool socks (about $5 a pair)

2. Ankle wraps - you can get neoprene ankle wraps from pharmacies or the pharmacy section of a department store. They are designed to act as ankle braces (and that's usually what I use mine for), but I also discovered they work very well to keep my feet warm. My ankle wraps cost me about $7 a pair.

3. Shoes - Make sure your shoes are loose - if they are too tight, your feet will be cold. Get them big enough to hold the socks and anklewraps mentioned above comfortably. I use Lake Mtn bike shoes, and I bought a pair in a size too big for winter wear.

4. Booties - You can get many different kinds of booties for different temperatures and conditions. If the temperature isn't too low, nylon booties should be fine. If the temperature starts to get quite low, go with neoprene booties. I've got both nylon and neoprene booties. BTW - a couple inexpensive options might be either plastic bags, or duct tape. I've seen someone use the plastic bag option (apparently it works best in bag and sock layers: foot, sock, bag, sock, bag, shoe ... or so I've been told), and I've heard of people taping the toes of their shoes with duct tape to cover the vents.

5. Chemical warmers - These are the little hand and foot warmers that you can buy at Walmart or Canadian Tire, usually in the hunting section. You shake them well (which is a good warmup in itself!) and then tuck them in your shoes, above where the cleats are, and under your foot. They last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours (take whatever the package says, and divide it in half). They cost about $2 each set.

You can also get battery socks, but I've never tried them so I can't comment on how good they are.


As for getting tired and winded ... you'll be more tired when riding in the cold. That's normal. You'll feel better once it starts to warm up more ... and you'll be glad you put in the miles in the cold because you'll be stronger!

mattmor

Thanks, I wasn't sure where to post since it was a two topic question. I saw the winter forum after I submitted. Moderator to the rescue Thanks again.

Matt

Brian

You're welcome. The irony is that someone else is abusing me right now. I guess you can't be everything to everyone.

chipcom 

Tell me what thread, so I can abuse you too!

iamthetas

for my feet I wear a pair of merino wool socks and non ventilated 661Nuevo shoes covered by a pair of toe covers when it dips below freezing, no covers above. loose is important as stated above. a BMX helmet and headsweat for my head, a neck gator if below 25f. layers of wicking shirts and pants, # depending on temp or a pair of fleece tights for below 25f. gloves , I wear a pair of LG ergogrip full finger gloves and ,if below 25f, a pair of thin liners .
cold makes one get tired faster than more temperate riding so hang in there, you will get back up to suff. cold riding is always harder