12-11-2004, 03:30 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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| | Re: Bicycling in Cold Weather
rk73737@yahoo.com wrote:
> I want to bicycle at casual speed for 5 to 10 hours a day in
> temperatures 20F-35F. How should I dress? This is what I think:
>
> 1. Wicking base layer
> 2. 100 wt fleece top
> 3. Waterproof shell
> 4. Midweight running tights
> 5. Warm streamlined winter boot/shoes
> 6. Woll socks
> 7. Fleece hat
> 8. Windproof gloves
>
> Is this ok? I don't want to freeze and I want to have a comfortable,
> painless ride.
It will vary by individual, but at these temperatures, I
think the only real problem will be hands and feet.
Once you get going, pedaling will keep you mostly warm
enough, even over a 5-10 hour period (a very long winter
ride!). Hands and feet could end up forcing an early
end to your ride.
I wouldn't skimp on the socks and glove protection, even
at 30-35F which isn't especially cold for a "normal"
duration ride. If you can layer up your hand and foot
protection, you can adjust as the ride progresses. It
will give you an idea of just how your extremities will
handle the cold for that long on the bike, and how to
dress without excess.
Best to avoid sweating as much as possible during cold
weather rides. A wicking layer is really worth having,
but try slowing down or speeding up dependent on your
"sweat state".
I personally find my hands ice up within the first 20
minutes of my ~1 hour commute, then start warming, even
in sub-20F temps. My feet on the other hand just slowly
keep getting colder, possibly leveling out at close to
the end of the commute.
I'd definitely need to add more foot layers if I was
going to be pedaling 5-10 hours!
SMH
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