Why did I bail last night?
#1
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Why did I bail last night?
So, yesterday I departed on a sunny afternoon at 2pm for a 90 mile ride. I knew the temp would drop from mid 50's to the low 40's and brought the same clothing I wore on the 90 mile ride I did Saturday when it was between 35-42 degrees, so I figured I would be fine.
Saturday I left in the morning, about 10am. It was overcast and windy all day. There where times when I was cool. When I departed the halfway point it did take 15 minutes for me to get warmed up again, but than I was fine, cool, but never really cold.
Last night though, once the sun dropped, I got cold. My Garmin was reporting only 45 degrees, though. As I right this I am realizing a number of differences between the two rides:
Saturday: I was up and down little rolling hills all day long, going down it was COOL, going up I was nice and warm! When I got home my Merino Wool base layer was 100% soaked in sweat.
Sunday: I was on a bike path that was open and along a little river, so very flat and I was moving pretty fast, averaging 18 mph. My Merino Wool base layer was only 30% soaked, but it felt like it was 100%.
I am trying to figure out why I got so cold last night and didn't on Saturday. I was not fatigued Sunday at all, I was feeling very strong. I am wonder:
Was it the simple fact that I was on the flats and to get my heart pumping meant higher speeds, thus more wind to blow away the heat I was generating?
What effect, if any, would there be of riding next to the river? Would the river make the hair more humid and make the cold penetrate better?
While I didn't feel the lest bit fatigued from the Saturday ride (nor feel the lest bit fatigued today) could fatigue be playing a larger part in my bodies ability to stay warm?
I seek these answers because I refuse to summit to the winter months!
P.S. I DO know I can change clothing and have thoughts on that, too, but I am not seeking insight on that stuff. I am really wondering what could have been the cause, considering ALL the gear was the same. (Oh, one gear change, the hat I had on Sunday is a touch warmer than what I had on Saturday, otherwise they are the same)
Saturday I left in the morning, about 10am. It was overcast and windy all day. There where times when I was cool. When I departed the halfway point it did take 15 minutes for me to get warmed up again, but than I was fine, cool, but never really cold.
Last night though, once the sun dropped, I got cold. My Garmin was reporting only 45 degrees, though. As I right this I am realizing a number of differences between the two rides:
Saturday: I was up and down little rolling hills all day long, going down it was COOL, going up I was nice and warm! When I got home my Merino Wool base layer was 100% soaked in sweat.
Sunday: I was on a bike path that was open and along a little river, so very flat and I was moving pretty fast, averaging 18 mph. My Merino Wool base layer was only 30% soaked, but it felt like it was 100%.
I am trying to figure out why I got so cold last night and didn't on Saturday. I was not fatigued Sunday at all, I was feeling very strong. I am wonder:
Was it the simple fact that I was on the flats and to get my heart pumping meant higher speeds, thus more wind to blow away the heat I was generating?
What effect, if any, would there be of riding next to the river? Would the river make the hair more humid and make the cold penetrate better?
While I didn't feel the lest bit fatigued from the Saturday ride (nor feel the lest bit fatigued today) could fatigue be playing a larger part in my bodies ability to stay warm?
I seek these answers because I refuse to summit to the winter months!
P.S. I DO know I can change clothing and have thoughts on that, too, but I am not seeking insight on that stuff. I am really wondering what could have been the cause, considering ALL the gear was the same. (Oh, one gear change, the hat I had on Sunday is a touch warmer than what I had on Saturday, otherwise they are the same)
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You don't mention all your clothing, but it sounds like a wind jacket might have kept you from getting too cold yesterday.
#3
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When its cold but still above freezing I find humidity has a huge effect on comfort, and humidity rises quickly in the evening. When its humid you are always damp and never dry out.
Often when I ride in the winter I find the 0 °C days to be much more miserable than the -10 ones, since the air is usually much drier at -10 and lower.
Often when I ride in the winter I find the 0 °C days to be much more miserable than the -10 ones, since the air is usually much drier at -10 and lower.
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When its cold but still above freezing I find humidity has a huge effect on comfort, and humidity rises quickly in the evening. When its humid you are always damp and never dry out.
Often when I ride in the winter I find the 0 °C days to be much more miserable than the -10 ones, since the air is usually much drier at -10 and lower.
Often when I ride in the winter I find the 0 °C days to be much more miserable than the -10 ones, since the air is usually much drier at -10 and lower.
When it is cold, any idea of how much of an effect being close to water has an effect on the humility? I was riding on a bike trail that runs along a river and am looking at a long ride along the banks of one of the Great Lakes next month. I am guessing it does have an effect, but when it is cold there will be less evaporation, so I don't know.
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I know multiple things I could have changed in my clothing to stay warmer, after the fact. I need to learn how to better predict when I need to dress warmer!!!!
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Perceived temperature has several components in its calculation, including air temp, wind speed, humidity (well, vapor pressure which is linked to humidity), cloud cover/insolation - just google it if curious.
Bu bottom line - damp, even misty/foggy weather is definitely "bone-chilling" IMHO - so yes, that probably had a lot to do with it.
Bu bottom line - damp, even misty/foggy weather is definitely "bone-chilling" IMHO - so yes, that probably had a lot to do with it.
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^^^ this. Dew point can be a big factor.
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use a base layer that transmits water to a fleece thermal layer that accepts the moisture & then evaporates it away under a waterproof but vented cycling jacket
Last edited by rumrunn6; 12-04-16 at 07:02 PM.
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My advice on fleece is to make sure it too has moisture-wicking technology.
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re: hoods - I've been temped to pop a hood up this fall. been checking out a bunch of unpaved rail-trails where hi-vis isn't needed like on the road (except for hunting season) anyway been bringing & wearing an old hooded grey sweatshirt over my cycling stuff & been more than a cpl days I was tempted to pop the hood up over my helmet, but haven't tried that yet
speaking of hoods, this item has been on my wish list for a long time. it's made specifically for cycling. so maybe it doesn't interfere with peripheral vision, or at least would be ok on trails just not on roads in traffic. I assume it goes UNDER the helmet
Showers Pass Men's Rain Hood
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004673EQU...I2FQG2ZY7XB5V2
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I just know I have some fleece hoodies that are fine for the gym, where it's warm, but just don't work outside in cold because they hold moisture. As a rule, they tend to be the more basic ones that are the $15-$25 range -but it all depends, some of my cheap Russell ones are actually really good for wicking sweat.
Yeah, that looks cool. For $25 worth a shot. I have a couple of Showers Pass jackets that I've been really happy with.
Yeah, that looks cool. For $25 worth a shot. I have a couple of Showers Pass jackets that I've been really happy with.
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got ready for tomorrow. my fleece layer is a Columbia. approx 10 yrs old. no fabric listed. think it's 100% synthetic. I even remember wearing it without a base layer. tomorrow should be interesting overnite it'll dip into the 30s. by ride time hopefully in the 40s. wind chill may make it feel like 20s-30s all day. planning on sock liners & hiking socks from REI. probably start w toe warmers cuz I plan to be out for more than 2 hours. also got a cheap pullover orange hoodie sweatshirt tonite from Walmart so I don't get shot. they didn't have any orange zip-ups. tough to vent a pullover, gotta layer wisely. think I'll bring an extra layer just in case. I'd wear my cycling wind breaker but don't want to look urban in the woods
Last edited by rumrunn6; 12-04-16 at 07:05 PM.
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I think the rollers probably helped you out on your Saturday ride.
I find that the extra heat generated from going up outweighs the heat lost going down, so long as I have a jacket that adequately blocks the wind.
In addition to the humidity, other variables might include too much/too little caffeine, the temperature of whatever you're drinking on the ride, and even what you ate...
I find that the extra heat generated from going up outweighs the heat lost going down, so long as I have a jacket that adequately blocks the wind.
In addition to the humidity, other variables might include too much/too little caffeine, the temperature of whatever you're drinking on the ride, and even what you ate...
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hey I tried the hood under my helmet. worked pretty good. just pull the sides back a smidge & you still have all your peripheral vision. good source of warmth, but yeah gotta drop the hood once your temp rises. then I used as headband. wound up w a short sleeved base, long sleeved fleece shirt & the thin hoodie. worked for 3 hours out in 40 degrees
Last edited by rumrunn6; 12-04-16 at 07:08 PM.