Too cold to ride
01-11-10, 09:06 AM
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Ok, it's chilly here in AZ mountains, and sometimes quite cold (below zero, yes, really!) Question: With my current pair of tights my legs can take it down to about 35 or 40 degrees. The rest of me I can layer up so I'm quite comfortable for the first part of the ride. But once I get sweaty, I start heading home because I begin to feel very chilled. I usually make only about 10 miles by the time this happens.
I don't have this happen when hiking or cross country skiing, I guess because I am going slower, less wind chill? I can hike or ski for many hours when it's really cold, but on the bike when it isn't even all that cold (40 isn't really very cold, after all) I just feel chilled and slow and unhappy. I have really tried to toughen up and ride in the cold, but I just don't enjoy it that much. Any suggestions? I can't afford the indoor trainer right now, and it also sounds awfully boring.
I don't have this happen when hiking or cross country skiing, I guess because I am going slower, less wind chill? I can hike or ski for many hours when it's really cold, but on the bike when it isn't even all that cold (40 isn't really very cold, after all) I just feel chilled and slow and unhappy. I have really tried to toughen up and ride in the cold, but I just don't enjoy it that much. Any suggestions? I can't afford the indoor trainer right now, and it also sounds awfully boring.
Bud
01-11-10, 05:44 PM
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I've had good luck with my poly base layer; fleece shirt; fleece vest and cycling rain jacket. even when I sweat I have enough insulation to stay warm. I regulate the temp with the zippers. if it's in the 30s then i don't need both the fleece shirt and vest. Friday i rode home with just the base layer; fleece vest and rain jacket. I always wear the rain jacket now because it is yellow and I put a bunch of coast guard approved reflective tape on it. it is cycling specific and i got if for 1/2 price at REI for $49. so ... gonna get my money's worth, you know?
01-11-10, 07:35 PM
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Ha! Wind chill is minimal and the Southern exposure of the windows often means lots of sunlight... I usually wear a baseball cap on the spinner to keep sun out of my eyes. 
And Eureka! The thermometer actualy broke 30F briefly here today! With all the snow around, I fear flooding is next for us...
And Eureka! The thermometer actualy broke 30F briefly here today! With all the snow around, I fear flooding is next for us...
01-13-10, 02:12 PM
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Thanks everyone. I have thought about upgrading to the windchill tights, for sure, in fact I was just looking at those on Perf. Bikes. As for the upper layering, I do that with the wicking fabric (at least I think it is, it's not cotton, its bike and hike shirts and fleece and Layers long underwear top.) I also need better gloves.
Lately, though, I have been hiking. Not enough snow to xc ski, unless I drive a long ways.
Lately, though, I have been hiking. Not enough snow to xc ski, unless I drive a long ways.
01-15-10, 06:03 PM
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I LAUGH when I read this thread title..............HUMOR
It is NEVER too cold to ride............if one has clothes in the closet and some DESIRE in the heart............ <<
It is NEVER too cold to ride............if one has clothes in the closet and some DESIRE in the heart............ <<
01-16-10, 01:31 AM
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Last weekend and I went out to the hills. Not much riding done- only about 20 miles- but once we hit the open hills- the temp dropped drastically. It was a 5 layer day for me and I was nice and cosy till on the way back. Even my Face and head was getting cool and that was with the Ski Mask on.
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01-16-10, 07:05 AM
#32
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Its supposed to get up to 54 today, but its raining now.
01-16-10, 07:27 AM
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You get used to it. You can dress for anything, if you want to, that is.
01-16-10, 10:47 AM
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So... will it might not be too COLD... at times it is not prudent to ride. SAFETY first.
01-16-10, 11:18 AM
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gonna be cold today,, 52º F (yes a joke)gettin' ready for 20 along the Platte and Cherry creek...still doesnt make up for the week, it really was to cold ,
And mostly snowy/ icy....
Bud
And mostly snowy/ icy....
Bud
01-16-10, 12:44 PM
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In spite of doing regular (2-3 times a week) intervals on the trainer to keep in shape, it seems that riding in the winter just isn't for me. I've tried two club rides this winter in "milder" weather (upper 20s/low 30s F) & had to drop out both times.
Oh well. We're going for Florida for the month of February & I'm taking the Super Le Tour with me.
Oh well. We're going for Florida for the month of February & I'm taking the Super Le Tour with me.
01-16-10, 04:16 PM
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Jeeze, I was being funny about forcast 52ºF,today, Just got back from 23mile ride and its 57º at 3PM....
Guess its Makin' up for the -9;ºs....
Bud
Guess its Makin' up for the -9;ºs....
Bud
01-16-10, 04:20 PM
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It flirted with 50 today so I hit it: 20 glorious leisurely miles where I was not hypothermic at the end
01-17-10, 10:49 AM
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I think everyone has their own personal "temperature limit". I have noticed that as I age, my tolerance for biting cold does seem to be getting less robust. This is going to be somewhat problematic, since I'm looking at Portland, Maine as a retirement place. Nice summers though!
01-18-10, 10:13 AM
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I think everyone has their own personal "temperature limit". I have noticed that as I age, my tolerance for biting cold does seem to be getting less robust. This is going to be somewhat problematic, since I'm looking at Portland, Maine as a retirement place. Nice summers though!
DRESS for it.... need some motivation? Go sit in the entry way of your local clinic.. watch all the ******es woddling in.. Type 2ers I think of them.. jelly bellys and NO fitness a-tall. Exercise?? Not the most of them.. fork time is their exercise.
Yea... I sound a mite harsh here. Yet I imagine the air is cold too 6' under>>>>>>..
01-18-10, 10:31 AM
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Pedaled too far.
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From my recent experience, it seems that hands and feet are my limiting factors. They get too cold much below 15. We're talking frostbite not discomfort. Even with ski gloves over neoprene gloves. I've got to find some better answers that work on my recumbent.
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01-18-10, 04:34 PM
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just keep riding
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One good thing about living in the South is that I don't have to wait too long for the weather to be nice enough for my wimpy limits of cold weather riding. If it stayed very cold for very long, I would have to equip myself for serious cold weather riding to avoid months of trainer riding. But I rarely have to wait more than a week or two for a beautiful day like today to come along. Sunny, mid 60s and calm wind. Nice enough for a morning MTB ride and an afternoon road ride.
01-19-10, 05:16 AM
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I remember when 65 was my limit. Then got some arm and leg warmers and went lower. Added some more gear and 50 was the limit. You know how it goes. Then 40. Then 30. Went out last Saturday on a sunny 43 degree and damn it was warm! I may have to move north of the border for the summer. LOL.
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