Originally Posted by
hobkirk
I find my chest and belly get cold and turn red when I ride in temperatures under 30. My arms, legs, and face are OK. My feet also get cold, but I understand that. This has been going on for a while but most of my rides are 3-5 hours, so I could imagine reasons related to being exposed for such a long time. But yesterday it happened on a 17-mile training ride where my average heart rate was 90% of my maximum and I hit my max on two of the climbs - i.e., I was working really hard. When it happens, it feels like the front of my torso is slightly chilled - I feel like I am on the verge of being cold. Originally I wasn't really sure if it was really cold until I felt my flesh after I got home and stripped.
I'm wearing a medium-weight thermal shirt and pants, a long-sleeve cycling jersey, leg warmers, and bib shorts (plus hat, neck gaiter, gloves, socks & shoes for the extremities). On my colder rides (20 degrees) I've added a PI rain jacket (too hot after 10 miles), my arms sweat. I tried a new LG vest (once - I may return it) but I didn't notice any difference.
Questions:- Why didn't the vest make a significant difference? It's a Louis Garneau 2010/11 Men's Vent 2 Cycling Vest. I was quite surprised that it didn't make my torso noticeably warmer, like my jacket did (or maybe it didn't, and I was unknowingly led astray by my arms being warmer).
- Any observations or suggestions that might help?
This is another case where I am awed by my ignorance. I've backpacked in winter, mountaineered, and run distance throughout many, many winters. It doesn't seem I should need ask these questions, but I've learned you guys (and gals) are good.
Thank you!
It sounds to me that you just need some better breathable wind protection on your torso. And perhaps a little more insulation. The light windbreaker vest's are usually not wind resistant enough for below freezing temperatures. Above freezing they can work for many. Even though your inner core will stay warm in below freezing temperatures when you are working hard. The wind can remove far more heat from your body at these temperatures than you can generate for a long period. Thus, on a long ride your outer layer of skin down to an inch or so is cold even though you are warm enough on the inside or core of your body. This large temperature difference often can cause flu-like symptoms with some people. I personally think it's a little unwise for riders to do this. You will eventually become hypothermic in this situation. Perhaps after 5-7 more hours and the body gets too tired to keep itself warm.
Since you seem to be the type that needs to keep your arms cooler, I would suggest a full on Gore-tex or event cycling jacket with zip off sleeves. They are much warmer and more wind resistant than a standard lightweight vest or jacket. And you can carry the sleeves with you in your back pocket if you need them. You might also consider heavier weight jersey or base layer when it is 20 degrees. Generally you need a little more on at 20 as opposed to 32 degrees or so.
I have been where you are at. You are closed to getting your cold weather cycling clothing dialed in. But you have to respect the wind chill issues when riding for longer periods in below freezing conditions.
Another option that might work for you is to use your long sleeve jersey as a base layer and then wear a cheap department store fleece vest over your jersey. Then use a full Gore-tex cycling jacket. You will only have one layer of insulation on your arms and a wind resistant outer shell. Your torso will have more insulation with the fleece vest under the cycling jacket.