Bicycling in Cold Weather - Page 2

12-11-2004, 10:35 AM

On 10 Dec 2004 22:05:57 -0800, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] 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.

First, I ride through out the winter, in NJ, generally rides up to 40
miles (< 3 hours) in temperatures of 20 and above. I doubt I could
ride for 5 hours in 20 - 30 as my feet would become too painful. So
with that said here is my advice:

This is a tough call. The temperature variance is a bit large. As
others have said you'll have trouble with keeping from over heating to
being too cold. You'll have to adjust your layers as the temperature
changes and depending on other conditions. The wool socks work great,
I like the thick ones, also something windproof across the top of your
feet will help. I tend to wear booties at 20 but I leave the backs
open to keep from overheating (they're neoprene). Just make sure not
to have your foot wear tight, you want them loose but not too
loose. At 30 - 35 I prefer not to have a windproof shell on but you
may want some wind block across your knees, it makes them more
comfortable. For my chest I wear a windproof vest with a mesh
back. Below 28 I wear a windproof jacket. Gloves are a real pain for
me. I tend to find windproof gloves cause my hand to sweat too much
and then they get cold. You'll have to adjust accordingly for wind,
and cloudyness. The more wind the more you need windproof. But also
the less sun the colder it feels (you're not absorbing the suns heat).
Like I said, tough call.

--
Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Text only)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (HCS II)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] My HA Blog

12-11-2004, 10:35 AM

On 10 Dec 2004 22:05:57 -0800, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] 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.

First, I ride through out the winter, in NJ, generally rides up to 40
miles (< 3 hours) in temperatures of 20 and above. I doubt I could
ride for 5 hours in 20 - 30 as my feet would become too painful. So
with that said here is my advice:

This is a tough call. The temperature variance is a bit large. As
others have said you'll have trouble with keeping from over heating to
being too cold. You'll have to adjust your layers as the temperature
changes and depending on other conditions. The wool socks work great,
I like the thick ones, also something windproof across the top of your
feet will help. I tend to wear booties at 20 but I leave the backs
open to keep from overheating (they're neoprene). Just make sure not
to have your foot wear tight, you want them loose but not too
loose. At 30 - 35 I prefer not to have a windproof shell on but you
may want some wind block across your knees, it makes them more
comfortable. For my chest I wear a windproof vest with a mesh
back. Below 28 I wear a windproof jacket. Gloves are a real pain for
me. I tend to find windproof gloves cause my hand to sweat too much
and then they get cold. You'll have to adjust accordingly for wind,
and cloudyness. The more wind the more you need windproof. But also
the less sun the colder it feels (you're not absorbing the suns heat).
Like I said, tough call.

--
Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Text only)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (HCS II)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] My HA Blog

12-11-2004, 10:35 AM

On 10 Dec 2004 22:05:57 -0800, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] 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.

First, I ride through out the winter, in NJ, generally rides up to 40
miles (< 3 hours) in temperatures of 20 and above. I doubt I could
ride for 5 hours in 20 - 30 as my feet would become too painful. So
with that said here is my advice:

This is a tough call. The temperature variance is a bit large. As
others have said you'll have trouble with keeping from over heating to
being too cold. You'll have to adjust your layers as the temperature
changes and depending on other conditions. The wool socks work great,
I like the thick ones, also something windproof across the top of your
feet will help. I tend to wear booties at 20 but I leave the backs
open to keep from overheating (they're neoprene). Just make sure not
to have your foot wear tight, you want them loose but not too
loose. At 30 - 35 I prefer not to have a windproof shell on but you
may want some wind block across your knees, it makes them more
comfortable. For my chest I wear a windproof vest with a mesh
back. Below 28 I wear a windproof jacket. Gloves are a real pain for
me. I tend to find windproof gloves cause my hand to sweat too much
and then they get cold. You'll have to adjust accordingly for wind,
and cloudyness. The more wind the more you need windproof. But also
the less sun the colder it feels (you're not absorbing the suns heat).
Like I said, tough call.

--
Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Text only)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (HCS II)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] My HA Blog

12-11-2004, 04:34 PM

>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.

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
temporary discomfort.

But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
all.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

12-11-2004, 04:34 PM

>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.

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
temporary discomfort.

But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
all.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

12-11-2004, 04:34 PM

>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.

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
temporary discomfort.

But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
all.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

12-11-2004, 04:34 PM

>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.

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
temporary discomfort.

But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
all.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

12-12-2004, 10:58 AM

>Subject: Re: Bicycling in Cold Weather
>From: "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>Date: 12/11/2004 8:34 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <geNud.41459$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.com >
>
>>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.
>
>You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
>is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
>dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
>(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
>things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
>temporary discomfort.
>
>But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
>option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
>experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
>time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
>wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
>less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
>terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
>very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
>all.
>
>--Mike Jacoubowsky
>Chain Reaction Bicycles
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member
>

Dry clothes are important. You might want to pack extra socks, t-shirt and
tights, hat.
You might want to consider what's on your feet if you have to walk, or carry
along gore tex hiking boots.

12-12-2004, 10:58 AM

>Subject: Re: Bicycling in Cold Weather
>From: "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>Date: 12/11/2004 8:34 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <geNud.41459$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.com >
>
>>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.
>
>You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
>is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
>dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
>(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
>things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
>temporary discomfort.
>
>But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
>option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
>experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
>time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
>wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
>less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
>terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
>very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
>all.
>
>--Mike Jacoubowsky
>Chain Reaction Bicycles
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member
>

Dry clothes are important. You might want to pack extra socks, t-shirt and
tights, hat.
You might want to consider what's on your feet if you have to walk, or carry
along gore tex hiking boots.

12-12-2004, 10:58 AM

>Subject: Re: Bicycling in Cold Weather
>From: "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>Date: 12/11/2004 8:34 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <geNud.41459$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.com >
>
>>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.
>
>You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but one thing glaringly missing
>is that, on a ride of 5-10 hours, the danger of blowing it (in terms of
>dressing appropriately) are substantial. If you're doing a shorter ride
>(say, 2-3 hours), you're never more than an hour and a half from home, so if
>things don't work out, you turn around and head back, and suffer mostly from
>temporary discomfort.
>
>But if you're four hours away from home, and haven't planned a bail-out
>option ahead of time, things could get very bad very quickly. In my
>experience, you can ride comfortably in cold weather for extended periods of
>time if everything's right (the clothing, how hard you're working, lack of
>wind, etc). But changing conditions even slightly can result in a
>less-than-pleasant experience... what felt so nice before suddenly becomes a
>terrible nightmare. And once things get bad, it seems to take your body a
>very long time to recover when things get nice again... if it recovers at
>all.
>
>--Mike Jacoubowsky
>Chain Reaction Bicycles
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member
>

Dry clothes are important. You might want to pack extra socks, t-shirt and
tights, hat.
You might want to consider what's on your feet if you have to walk, or carry
along gore tex hiking boots.