Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

One more excuse to skip riding when it's cold

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

One more excuse to skip riding when it's cold

Old 12-05-22, 12:23 PM
  #1  
climber has-been
Thread Starter
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 6,959

Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3298 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times in 1,715 Posts
One more excuse to skip riding when it's cold

So it's cold out, do you take an outdoor ride or stay indoors?

Well, if you're looking for excuses to stay cozy and warm indoors, cold weather reportedly can:
  • cause heart attacks
  • damage your lungs
This is from an article by Dr. Mirkin, Exercising in Cold Weather:
  • causes your body to produce adrenalin which constricts your arteries and raises your blood pressure
  • thickens your blood and makes it more likely to clot
  • causes the liver to make more fibrinogen that increases clotting
  • raises cholesterol levels
  • may reduce your body temperature, which weakens your heart muscle
  • may induce exercise-induced asthma
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Likes For terrymorse:
Old 12-05-22, 12:29 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Bald Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,668
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 799 Post(s)
Liked 1,598 Times in 756 Posts
My cardiologist loves that I ride but cautioned me about riding outdoors in the cold weather. He said it can actually do more harm to my heart than good.
Once the temps drop, I move indoors on the trainer. I've had one heart attack already, not looking forward to any more.
Bald Paul is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 12:32 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,741
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3182 Post(s)
Liked 2,460 Times in 1,489 Posts
How do the Scandinavian/Nordic people manage to not die?

I go to the gym and ride a stationary bike/class or do something else. The gym always has good scenery.
seypat is offline  
Likes For seypat:
Old 12-05-22, 12:41 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,963
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18269 Post(s)
Liked 15,185 Times in 7,172 Posts
Precisely why, during this time of year, I drive my Hummer a half a mile to my warm. cozy local bar to watch football. Preferably the team with the best record in the NFL.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 12:51 PM
  #5  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 381

Bikes: Trek FX 7.3, Specialized Roubaix, Scott CR1 SL, Huffy RedRock (first bike), Aostimotor S17 ebike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 180 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 120 Posts
any idea what they consider 'cold'? I rode in 40F weather last week and was fine, except the tips of my fingers froze almost immediately. Thicker gloves would probably solve the issue.
XxHaimBondxX is offline  
Likes For XxHaimBondxX:
Old 12-05-22, 01:00 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,863

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3899 Post(s)
Liked 7,162 Times in 2,897 Posts
Originally Posted by indyfabz
Precisely why, during this time of year, I drive my Hummer a half a mile to my warm. cozy local bar to watch football. Preferably the team with the best record in the NFL.
Cold weather is also bad for your Hummer. You should let it warm up for 15 minutes before you drive to the bar, and leave it running while you're there.

Last edited by tomato coupe; 12-05-22 at 01:15 PM.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 12-05-22, 01:07 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: US
Posts: 811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 184 Times in 120 Posts
For me there is cold and there is cold/wet. In places with high humidity, the humidity compounds the temperature.
Chuck Naill is offline  
Likes For Chuck Naill:
Old 12-05-22, 01:11 PM
  #8  
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,701

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4769 Post(s)
Liked 7,739 Times in 3,658 Posts
What temperature is considered "cold"? In So Cal, anything less than 50, and the natives are bundled up with thick jackets. In MN, that's t-shirt weather.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Likes For Eric F:
Old 12-05-22, 01:17 PM
  #9  
52psi
 
Fahrenheit531's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,133

Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 800 Times in 390 Posts
Whatever. They can pry my bike from my cold dead fingers.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Fahrenheit531 is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 01:20 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,939

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 609 Post(s)
Liked 558 Times in 423 Posts
Challenge is one thing. Strain is something else. Damage, beyond that.

Can sometimes be hard to know which is which, with a given activity. One nice thing about conditioning and fitness, though, is that (in general) it helps raise one's threshold and guards against such threats better than if one is less fit.

Back in the day, I used to run distances. Often quite hard. But in the colder times of the year, it'd be with appropriate clothing only, and it'd be at a pace and intensity more-suited to the situation. While at the time I'd never heard of cold weather being any more of a threat to heart, lungs or anything else, it made sense that the added stresses cold could impose would, at some point, be an unwarranted risk. And so I'd typically ratchet-down the intensity on such days. If for no other reason than avoiding the icy-cold part of the impact on the lungs, cardio-heavy that running is. Nicely, such overall fitness stood me in good stead during back-country hiking, ocean swimming and a host of other outdoor activities in less-than-hospitable conditions. I doubt I'd have survived half of the bad days, on such excursions, had I not been that fit and trained in anticipation of such days.

Pros and cons, as with anything we do.
Clyde1820 is offline  
Likes For Clyde1820:
Old 12-05-22, 01:27 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,741
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3182 Post(s)
Liked 2,460 Times in 1,489 Posts
Originally Posted by indyfabz
Precisely why, during this time of year, I drive my Hummer a half a mile to my warm. cozy local bar to watch football. Preferably the team with the best record in the NFL.
My daughter is a freshman in college and plays in the band. I've been to 4 games this year.
50's, sunny but windy.
50s, rainy/windy.
40s, sunny and windy.
60, overcast and windy.
I couldn't get the clothing right. I was cold at every one of them wishing I was watching on TV. The wind is what makes it hard to dress for.
seypat is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 01:31 PM
  #12  
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,701

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4769 Post(s)
Liked 7,739 Times in 3,658 Posts
Originally Posted by seypat
My daughter is a freshman in college and plays in the band. I've been to 4 games this year.
50's, sunny but windy.
50s, rainy/windy.
40s, sunny and windy.
60, overcast and windy.
I couldn't get the clothing right. I was cold at every one of them wishing I was watching on TV. The wind is what makes it hard to dress for.
It's the wind. I hate the wind. Especially when I'm on a bike....unless it's a tailwind. It's never a tailwind.

What part of the world is your daughter's school?
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Likes For Eric F:
Old 12-05-22, 01:50 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,741
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3182 Post(s)
Liked 2,460 Times in 1,489 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
It's the wind. I hate the wind. Especially when I'm on a bike....unless it's a tailwind. It's never a tailwind.

What part of the world is your daughter's school?
The 50s, rain game was brutal. It was a 3:30 start. We had to stay for the after game performance. By that time, it was cold! The daughter is a James Madison University MRD in Harrisonburg VA. If you want to march in the band in college, JMU is one of, if not the best places to go. The band is going to Italy this year to perform for the Pope. ESPN Game Day has been there twice when they were an FCS school. They were thinking about going there again this year, but Appy State lost the week or two before the JMU game.


Last edited by seypat; 12-05-22 at 02:14 PM.
seypat is offline  
Likes For seypat:
Old 12-05-22, 01:57 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,750

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1927 Post(s)
Liked 2,143 Times in 1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
What temperature is considered "cold"? In So Cal, anything less than 50, and the natives are bundled up with thick jackets. In MN, that's t-shirt weather.
Things are relative. Back in my 50’s I’d go out on dawn patrol with our teenage sons and their friends. There would be frost on the roofs.

Those days are gone, but it was so weird for the water, in the dead of winter, to be warmer than the sand.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Likes For 70sSanO:
Old 12-05-22, 02:12 PM
  #15  
Standard Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,212

Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1279 Post(s)
Liked 885 Times in 469 Posts
I sweat a lot, so the only thing that keeps me home is the risk of having to stop (for a puncture, especially). After the first 5-7 minutes of the ride, I'm warmed up, but I know I have to keep pedaling or the sweat will freeze on me. In the cold, an uphill, just ahead, can be a welcome sight. I breathe slowly, to keep the air warm in my nasal passages, upper lungs. This gets back to what Clyde1820 was saying about limiting the intensity. (I'll add duration to that equation).
Moreover, if I was to experience a mechanical difficulty that I could not remedy, I'd be walking back whatever distance I rode, because I do not carry any wireless devices.

Last edited by 1989Pre; 12-06-22 at 03:35 AM.
1989Pre is online now  
Likes For 1989Pre:
Old 12-05-22, 02:20 PM
  #16  
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,227

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4230 Post(s)
Liked 3,841 Times in 2,563 Posts
I will say this like in any situation do things in moderation and know your limits. If it is colder than maybe don't go as hard but saying it is harmful is silly because there are tons of winter sports and activities that people do and thrive on.

Just be aware of your own body and if you don't feel comfortable being outside don't and if you do, do it, you will be OK.

Last edited by TMonk; 12-07-22 at 07:48 AM.
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:
Old 12-05-22, 03:05 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,595
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2964 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times in 758 Posts
You are too funny. There is nothing wrong exercising in cold weather.
prj71 is offline  
Likes For prj71:
Old 12-05-22, 03:11 PM
  #18  
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
I am not saying cold dry air is good for you it isn't but I think framing it in a way that it is totally bad is not fair. It is fine in moderation. Obviously athletes take a greater toll on their bodies but if you are just having a nice ride and not going crazy or trying to hit the KOM things on a daily basis in the weather there isn't a ton of harm.

I also don't mean to attack Mirkin the quip I made was a joke. I wouldn't compare him to Oz (and I know you weren't suggesting that and were responding to someone else), Oz is a medical fraud and complete quack. Plus he is another denier of the Armenian Genocide but this could devolve into P&R quickly so I will stop on that.

I think you just have to take his advice with some usage of the brain and make sure you are doing what is right for you. If you have a lot of health conditions then yeah don't go out if you don't be smart about your body and you will be fine.

I think it's pretty obvious that these factors are going to affect some people pretty badly and others pretty much not at all. I've noticed that as I developed some health issues in the last couple years that are directly related to the issues on that list, I was a lot less enthusiastic about riding in sub-50 degree weather. Having seen this article, I now think my body was telling me something, and I should listen to it rather than trying tp "tough it out".
livedarklions is offline  
Likes For livedarklions:
Old 12-05-22, 04:07 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,963
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18269 Post(s)
Liked 15,185 Times in 7,172 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
What temperature is considered "cold"? In So Cal, anything less than 50, and the natives are bundled up with thick jackets. In MN, that's t-shirt weather.
Heh. When I did Cycle Oregon in 2002 we camped on a cattle ranch in eastern OR the first night. I was in the beer garden when it was probably upper 40s. People used to that weather were sitting around in shorts, sandals and mid weight tops. Didn’t seem to phase them at all. Being from the east coast, I thought they were nuts. That night it got below freezing. When I awoke, there was ice on my tent poles and fly.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 04:32 PM
  #20  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,487 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by terrymorse
So it's cold out, do you take an outdoor ride or stay indoors?

Well, if you're looking for excuses to stay cozy and warm indoors, cold weather reportedly can:
  • cause heart attacks
  • damage your lungs
This is from an article by Dr. Mirkin, Exercising in Cold Weather:
  • causes your body to produce adrenalin which constricts your arteries and raises your blood pressure
  • thickens your blood and makes it more likely to clot
  • causes the liver to make more fibrinogen that increases clotting
  • raises cholesterol levels
  • may reduce your body temperature, which weakens your heart muscle
  • may induce exercise-induced asthma
The article is absolute nonsense...and BTW we just had a thread about a guy who died on his indoor trainer.
wolfchild is offline  
Likes For wolfchild:
Old 12-05-22, 04:37 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,863

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3899 Post(s)
Liked 7,162 Times in 2,897 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
What temperature is considered "cold"? In So Cal, anything less than 50, and the natives are bundled up with thick jackets. In MN, that's t-shirt weather.
One of the funniest things I saw when living in So. Cal. was someone putting a dog sweater on their Malamute when it dipped below 50°. It was probably the only time that the dog actually would have been comfortable.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 12-05-22, 04:38 PM
  #22  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,487 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Eric F
What temperature is considered "cold"?.
Cold is an illusion that plays tricks on human mind and prevents them from getting outdoors and enjoying life....I live in Canada and I have never yet encountered a temperature that was too cold to ride.
wolfchild is offline  
Likes For wolfchild:
Old 12-05-22, 04:58 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Boston area
Posts: 2,039

Bikes: 1984 Bridgestone 400 1985Univega nouevo sport 650b conversion 1993b'stone RBT 1985 Schwinn Tempo

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 542 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times in 100 Posts
As I read the article, it seems that cold weather is dangerous to people who already have heart or lung problems. I've always exercised in winter.... skiing, both alpine and x/c, snowshoeing, skating, pond hockey when I was young, etc. As far as biking in cold weather, a few years ago minus 10 Celsius or 14 Fahrenheit, was my limit. Now it's about 0 Celsius, or freezing.

Dress warmly.

Last edited by ironwood; 12-05-22 at 06:45 PM.
ironwood is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 05:09 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 585
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times in 105 Posts
I have been riding bicycles, skating and skiing in the winter for well more than a half century and I’m going to continue to as long as I can.
ARider2 is offline  
Likes For ARider2:
Old 12-05-22, 06:30 PM
  #25  
climber has-been
Thread Starter
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 6,959

Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3298 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times in 1,715 Posts
It appears that some here did not read the article. Specifically, the Tips for Outdoor Exercise in Cold Weather:

​​​​
  • If you have heart disease, your doctor probably will recommend that you should not exercise outdoors in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Exercising in cold weather can cause chest pain in some people who have no problems when they exercise in warm weather...Cold hands will not cause chest pain, but a cold face can.
  • Wear a silk or loosely-woven polyester inner layer that wicks sweat away from your body...The outer layer material should be tightly woven so it blocks the wind...Winter jackets do not need to be heavy, they just need to provide insulation and a barrier from wind and rain.
  • You feel cold most in your fingers, ears and toes, so be sure to cover these areas.
  • To help keep your hands warm on cold days, wear mittens that do not let wind or water in...If your hands still feel cold, swing your arms around rapidly from your shoulders with your elbows straight.
And the My Recommendations section:

If you suffer from heart or lung disease, you should be very careful about exercising in cold weather. Breathing dry cold air constricts arteries and increases clotting to increase heart attack risk, and constricts bronchial tubes to reduce oxygen intake through the lungs. When the temperature drops, people with known heart disease or lung disease are safer exercising indoors where they can breathe warmer air.
Seems to be pretty sensible, reasonable, and science-based advice.
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Likes For terrymorse:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.