tc83

I've lost the last couple of battles, and today the weather unleashed a really dirty trick-- Today was a beautifully clear day with a twist, a 39 degree twist. I think that the weather figured that today it would deliver the death blow to my knees, but I was too crafty and averted this trickery.

So, I bundled it up. 2 pairs of tights, plus the bike shorts (for the chamois). But I used a secret weapon today. I duct taped LL Bean hand warmers, the kind they use for skiing, to my patella tendon on each knee. I havent had the chance to get the warming cream that people have talked about, so I figured this was my best bet. Threw on a few layers up top, filled up a water bottle, and intrepidly marched out into the new hampshire wilderness (ok... I live in Manchester, its not quite wilderness. But I want you guys to think tundra)

So I did 26 miles (I actually just wrote smiles, as a typo. what a weird pre/post ride ritual that would be), taking it real slow for the first 10, easing into it. Knees felt alright, which was good because there were quite a few hills. Got a little bit wreckless on a descent, going too fast and swerve a foot or so into the wrong side of the road. There are rarely cars on the stretch were the big downhill is, but I need to work on my bike handling nonetheless.

On the flatter, 10 miles on the way back there was an okay tailwind I think, so I pushed it pretty hard. Mostly because there was some cars/traffic and I wanted to hammer home the idea, to them, that cycling is the superior mode of transportation. So I was like a duck-- on the surface I looked like I was taking it easy, but BENEATH the surface I was working my ass off. Nevertheless, it is really hard to stay anywhere near the speed limit and this is new hampshire-- cyclists arent quite admired for their physical prowess. Now, if I were wearing camo and had a rifle, boy would I have been the awe of my peers.

Anyways, I digress. I am back from the ride, its been like 45 minutes. I've taken some ibuprofen and some glucosamine to preempt any achy knees, and I wait. I am feeling pretty good though, so I am going to post up this running score, counting today as a victory.

Cold Weather: 3 Me: 1
(3 for the previous 3 rides I have completed this fall that I have put my knees out of comission.)

over and out.

DrPete 

Buy some PI escalation bib tights and you'll be down to one layer on the legs. Nice and toasty, and no duct tape necessary.

A little Elite Ozone Warming Oil is always nice on a cold morning too....

timmhaan

do you have something wrong with your knees to begin with? i think 2 layers of tights is a bit of overkill for 39 degrees. weren't you really hot?

tc83

well, a little background.. I've ridden 3 times this fall with just shorts on, and my knees got murdered and since I've never had bad knees, I was baffled. I finally realized, through the help of some bf'ers, that not protecting my knees was likely going to kill them. so, now i'd rather overdo it and have my legs sweat than deal with being crippled. To be fair, the tights I have aren't the thickest/warmest tights in the world either.

timmhaan

yeah, you definitely don't want to screw up your knees. they are good to have in proper working order.

i always have to wonder about the guys who are still riding around with shorts on. now that would kill my knees.

DrPete 

You won't be crippled, and you really don't need to make your legs sweat. Really, on 39 degree days I've worn just my normal bibs and a pair of PI knee warmers, though I might throw the Escalation bibs on if I feel like it.

The knees will get better now that you're getting over the tendinitis you caused before, and you really don't need to go nuts with the bundling.

bac

His knees, as mine, are very sensitive to the cold. I generally use knee warmers if temps are below 65F, and more when temps hit the freezing mark. If I do not, my tendons are not happy, and the next ????, I'm off the bike.

here and there

I sport knee warmers with temps as high as 75 degrees. Regardless of air temp, the cool coastal winds are what bugs my knees. Most of the time I'm fine in knee warmers down to the mid 50s depending on the weather. Below those temps the leg warmers come out. In the evening I often get out a jar of vaseline and give my knees a massage. Man does that work wonders for stiff knees.

Vinokurtov

Gore Windstopper tights. The circulating air is what rips heat out of your knees, you need something that's windproof up front. Usually that's enough but if I need another layer (sub 30) I put on a pair of silk long underwear. No chafing, very light, and <$20 at Sierra Trading Post.

Take my word on the Windstopper tights though, I've had one surgery in the last 3 years so I'm pretty sensitive also.

Duke of Kent

I'm usually in shorts down to 45. Then I rock the full length tights.

With the handwarmers; I tried the same thing but with them taped to my toes. I was outside on the bike a couple nights ago at around 25*F and my toes were dying on my warmup lap, so I took some electrical tape and two "HotHands" and wrapped my feet up underneath my polyester/cotton oversocks. I'll be getting my neoprene booties back when I go home for winter break this weekend, but nice to find an alternative solution.

Machka 

2 layers of tights AND handwarmers at 39 degrees**********?

My knees just ache at the thought of all those layers restricting knee/leg movement.


I tend to be cold when I ride, and so I have to use knee warmers, leg warmers, and/or tights most of the year ... but I hate it. When I can wear shorts by themselves, my knees feel great. The moment knee warmers, leg warmers, or pair of tights comes in contact with my knees ... they hurt. Too many layers, like what I have to wear to survive bitterly cold centuries, and I suffer from patello-femoral pain syndrome for days/weeks after.


I'm in awe that you could do that and NOT be in pain!

Smoothie104

stretch your hamstrings, in know it sounds odd, but having loose flext hammys takes pressure and strain off your patellar tendon and other parts of your knee