Frozen Lungs
#1
Pants are for suckaz
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Frozen Lungs
The cold doesn't bother me too much except my lungs. As i ride, i breathe deeper and my whole chest starts to ache from breathing the cold air.
Anyone else experience this?
Any solutions other than waiting until it isn't so cold out to ride?
Anyone else experience this?
Any solutions other than waiting until it isn't so cold out to ride?
#2
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Spend more time outside in general. You'll get used to it.
Oh ... you're in Tennessee? How cold could it possibly be?
Oh ... you're in Tennessee? How cold could it possibly be?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#3
I'll ride for free
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 209
Bikes: Cannondale MTB, K2 Road bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I always have a balaclava or neck gator in cold weather, breathing through that warms the air before it gets to the lung, no problems unless the fabric freezes over from the moisture in my breath. Then I can't breath and start seeing spots.... I cut airholes, that took care of that problem.
#4
Pants are for suckaz
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
right now when it's "cold" its in the high 30's or low 40's. I know this isn't cold to most people but i think you hit the nail on the head- if I'm not used to it it feels cold to me.
Thanks for the great advice, I'll see what I can find.
Thanks for the great advice, I'll see what I can find.
#5
Peddlin' Around Detroit
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 740
Bikes: Legend, Saluki, Trek 730
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Out of curiosity, I bought a heat exchange mask (the Exchanger II) from PolarWrap (and a pair of Toasty Feet insoles) from PolarWrap.
< https://www.polarwrap.com/exchangermask/index.htm >
I've never used a heat exchange mask, but on paper, the dynamics of the mask make sense. But then again, the theoretical design of the bumblebee should preclude flight, and yet they've flown in my bonnet a time or two...
Anybody ever use the heat exchanger masks?
< https://www.polarwrap.com/exchangermask/index.htm >
I've never used a heat exchange mask, but on paper, the dynamics of the mask make sense. But then again, the theoretical design of the bumblebee should preclude flight, and yet they've flown in my bonnet a time or two...
Anybody ever use the heat exchanger masks?
#6
assonfire
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Out of curiosity, I bought a heat exchange mask (the Exchanger II) from PolarWrap (and a pair of Toasty Feet insoles) from PolarWrap.
< https://www.polarwrap.com/exchangermask/index.htm >
I've never used a heat exchange mask, but on paper, the dynamics of the mask make sense. But then again, the theoretical design of the bumblebee should preclude flight, and yet they've flown in my bonnet a time or two...
Anybody ever use the heat exchanger masks?
< https://www.polarwrap.com/exchangermask/index.htm >
I've never used a heat exchange mask, but on paper, the dynamics of the mask make sense. But then again, the theoretical design of the bumblebee should preclude flight, and yet they've flown in my bonnet a time or two...
Anybody ever use the heat exchanger masks?
#7
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
The temperature goes over the low 40sF here for only a very short part of the year ... like 2-3 months, and even then the nights get down to that during that time. So ... I'm used to it. And that is what it boils down to. I spend as much time as I can outside, even in very cold temps ... walking, eating lunch on a bench, cycling, etc. That would be my suggestion ... don't just go outside for rides, go outside whenever you can ... even a walk around the block at lunch time or whatever.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#8
Pants are for suckaz
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'll try this, and if I need something to help me cheat a little bit until my lungs develop an imunity to the cold/dry air I can use a scarf or something.
#9
Biscuit Boy
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Speeenard 'laska
Posts: 1,355
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Breath through your nose or a bala. I've also developed a method of breathing through a sort of overbite, which also directs the outflow down into my jacket instead of fogging my glasses up.
#11
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Get a neck gaiter rather than a scarf .... much more convenient.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#12
Peddlin' Around Detroit
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 740
Bikes: Legend, Saluki, Trek 730
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
1. I made several buys for my feet, to experiment with.
* Toasty Feet from PolarWrap for MTB shoes.
* Fleece insoles for MTB shoes (I'd give credit to the cyclist on BikeForum that mentioned these, but can't remember his name).
* Sidi Toasters for MTB shoes. And ...
2. Winter boots, to repeat the above cycle of Toasty Feet, fleece insoles, and Sidi Toasters.
The only time I've ridden more than 15 miles in cold weather was February of this year, and it was just below freezing. If the Michigan winters are particularly mean, the wind chills can get below -40 F, but the usual bad winters (in January) would probably be -20 F. I'm really curious to see how the foot stuff holds out ... and if the toes stay on.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Averill Park, New York
Posts: 105
Bikes: Specialized Tricross; Raleigh single speed; Dahon MU SL folding bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am wondering if you're not asthmatic. I am, that is, the cold can take my breath away. I take it easy when I go outside until my body gets used to the cold. I would suggest trying not to take too much air via your mouth vs your nose. I backpack in winter where it gets well below 0F but an initial walk in the early cold air used to be humbling.
__________________
John
Rivendell Saluki, Specialized Tricross, Dahon Mu SL
John
Rivendell Saluki, Specialized Tricross, Dahon Mu SL
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Are you wearing a t-shirt? Lift the collar over your face and breathe. Warm?
In the winter I wear a thin windbreaker under my coat...but it is worn backwards and the collar is up, so I have a turtleneck under my chin. When the air gets too cold for my face or lungs I tuck my mouth under the collar. Now I am breathing inside my body tent. 10 seconds is usually enough for me to recover.
This method is hands free as well. An unintended design benefit of wearing a top backwards is that the entire garment is pressing the collar against your throat. A shrug of shoulders creates enough space for you to tuck in, and when you pull your mug out again the collar rides back against the neck sealing out the cold air.
Because of condensation from your breath I don't recommend sticking your face under your collar for the whole trip, it's not a substitute for a balaclava or other face protector but it is good for the giving your lungs a break every now and then. Anyways the main reason why I do this is to have a seamless barrier to keep my neck and chest warm: high collar and no buttons or zippers to leak in cold air.
In the winter I wear a thin windbreaker under my coat...but it is worn backwards and the collar is up, so I have a turtleneck under my chin. When the air gets too cold for my face or lungs I tuck my mouth under the collar. Now I am breathing inside my body tent. 10 seconds is usually enough for me to recover.
This method is hands free as well. An unintended design benefit of wearing a top backwards is that the entire garment is pressing the collar against your throat. A shrug of shoulders creates enough space for you to tuck in, and when you pull your mug out again the collar rides back against the neck sealing out the cold air.
Because of condensation from your breath I don't recommend sticking your face under your collar for the whole trip, it's not a substitute for a balaclava or other face protector but it is good for the giving your lungs a break every now and then. Anyways the main reason why I do this is to have a seamless barrier to keep my neck and chest warm: high collar and no buttons or zippers to leak in cold air.
#15
Pants are for suckaz
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
------- in other news ------
I got a pair of insulated cover-alls and a pair of thermal "compression" pants @ Wal-Mart last night. I got up @ 5:30AM and went for a walk with them on. It was about 32* but there was little to no wind. My lungs didnt hurt too much but I was only walking so I wasn't breathing as deeply as i do when I ride. The cover-alls felt great though! I am planning to try to commute by bike at least once a week and I think they will be just great for keeping me warm.
Again, thanks to everyone for all the great advice. Stay warm and have fun out there!
#16
Senior Member
From my own experience, I wouldn't be surprised if you do have a mild form of asthma or reactive airways. I do. I get the same catching sensation in my chest on cold days. I find that it is not as bad if I do a warm-up exercise inside before I go out in the cold (literally a set of jumping jacks or whatever). The cats think I'm insane, but it seems to get the blood flow going in my lungs so they aren't as twitchy. I have an inhaler but learned the hard way that you shouldn't take those when it's below freezing
#17
okay maybe not.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: waukesha, wi
Posts: 598
Bikes: oh a bunch.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
how old are you? When I was in my late teens and early twenties I used to get a terrible hacking cough after any cold weather heavy breathing. Ten years since then I have no problems at all, even down to -20F. So maybe age has something to do with it? Maybe you just need to get used to it?
__________________
question everything.
question everything.
#18
Have bike. Will travel.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: -=Toronto=-
Posts: 2,157
Bikes: '06 Orbea Orca, '03 Rocky Mountain Vertex 70, '05 Surly Steamroller, '06 Fetish Fixation
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I often feel like I just smoked a whole pack of cigarettes when I get back from a winer ride/commute.