Getting acclimated to low temperatures

Our Community Forums Freezing Saddles Winter Riding Competition Getting acclimated to low temperatures

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)
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  • #923026
    Amyrglover
    Participant

    Ride to the metro in 29° weather. It wasn’t bad, still getting acclimated to low temperatures…🌬🚲💨😃🧤 I think I’ll be ready for the competition when it arrives…..

    #1127009
    Meh
    Participant

    Covering your face can help. There’s a blood constriction reflex that’s very strong when cold hits your face – heart rate shoots up on low efforts, things get hard.

    #1126979
    arlcxrider
    Participant

    I find the most challenging part of a cold-weather ride is putting on the gear and getting started. I accept the first half-hour or so is going to suck until my “internal furnace” gets going and “pushes” the heat into the extremities.

    #1127033
    mstone
    Participant

    Trial and error. I have a whole hierarchy of layers depending on the temperature. Trust your feelings–the first time I rode in single digits with the same stuff I wore in the 30s, my hands hands started to hurt and then got numb within the first mile. I probably would have gotten frostbite by the end of my 20 mile commute if I hadn’t turned around. (I had trouble moving my fingers when I got back to the garage.) After going to a whole ‘nother level of heavy gauntlet gloves (too hot to wear them at all if the temperatures are above the low 20s) I had no issues the next time. Hands are the worst, as they’re so far from the core and so thin. If your rides span the 30 degree temperature swings we get this time of year you may need to be ready to add/remove/swap layers because that’s a really big range for one set of clothes to cover.

    arlcxrider is definitely right about starting out cold–if you’re not a bit cold at first, you’ll be melting by the end. The trick that only comes from experience is predicting the difference between “cold”, “too cold”, and “melting”.

    #1127144
    Amyrglover
    Participant

    @Meh 226409 wrote:

    Covering your face can help. There’s a blood constriction reflex that’s very strong when cold hits your face – heart rate shoots up on low efforts, things get hard.

    Thanks. If it’s under 40 or lower I wear a mask, and it definitely helps…

    #1127146
    Amyrglover
    Participant

    @arlcxrider 226418 wrote:

    I find the most challenging part of a cold-weather ride is putting on the gear and getting started. I accept the first half-hour or so is going to suck until my “internal furnace” gets going and “pushes” the heat into the extremities.

    @mstone 226422 wrote:

    Trial and error. I have a whole hierarchy of layers depending on the temperature. Trust your feelings–the first time I rode in single digits with the same stuff I wore in the 30s, my hands hands started to hurt and then got numb within the first mile. I probably would have gotten frostbite by the end of my 20 mile commute if I hadn’t turned around. (I had trouble moving my fingers when I got back to the garage.) After going to a whole ‘nother level of heavy gauntlet gloves (too hot to wear them at all if the temperatures are above the low 20s) I had no issues the next time. Hands are the worst, as they’re so far from the core and so thin. If your rides span the 30 degree temperature swings we get this time of year you may need to be ready to add/remove/swap layers because that’s a really big range for one set of clothes to cover.

    arlcxrider is definitely right about starting out cold–if you’re not a bit cold at first, you’ll be melting by the end. The trick that only comes from experience is predicting the difference between “cold”, “too cold”, and “melting”.

    Thanks for the advice & tips. I’m getting better with the layers, but it hasn’t gotten too cold either. So well see….

    #1127209
    AT_Hiker59
    Participant

    I use BarMitts brand pogies. Then depending on the weather I use fingerless gloves to thick gloves. Throw in hand warmers and a snack.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    #1127217
    n18
    Participant

    BarMitts with lighter gloves are better than bulky and heavy gloves. BarMitts block the wind when it’s colder in the morning, and you don’t have to use them in the return trip if it’s warm enough.

    #1127227
    jen_stoly
    Participant

    I’m finding that a good pair of ski googles make a huge difference. I’ve been out in under 30F temps and no eyes watering, face is comfy. I’ll have a cowl for the bottom of my face and a hat. I’m pretty warm otherwise so 2-3 layers is enough for the rest of my body. But my eyes were so painful that it was discouraging me from riding. My layers are a thin wool t-shirt, heavier wool quarter zip shirt, fleece jacket. The zippers help me regulate as I warm up. I wear shorts or tights under some REI loose bike pants. Socks are wool. I have some foot warmer packs because on longer rides at low temps my feet get cold. Gloves are simple knit style and that’s enough for me these days.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    #1127259
    Steve O
    Participant

    Note that everyone has their individualities. The trick is to keep trying various combinations to learn what works best for you.

    For instance, I passed a cyclist this morning with no gloves. NO GLOVES! I gave him a kudos and an admiring raised eyebrow, and he did sheepishly admit that his hands were cold. But still.

    I never wear anything on my face, no matter how cold. Usually not my neck either, unless it’s well below 20. However, my toes get cold when it’s 50 degrees out, and sometimes I wear long-finger gloves when it’s 60.
    YMMV on all of this, so you be you.

    One always useful piece of advice is to make sure you have options. Carry with you a way to shed a layer or add a layer. Or switch gloves. If you leave home with no options and what you have is not working, then you will have to suffer with it. No biggie if you have a 5-mile commute. But it you’re going to be outside for an hour or more, you’ll really want to be able to make changes if needed.

    #1127266
    Kbikeva
    Participant

    I have an old nylon weather shell that was designed for rain which had detachable sleeves. It was always useless as a rain jacket but as an in between layer it is perfect. It keeps my core warm which means my body sends the warmies to my toes and fingers more quickly. I couldn’t find it all of last winter and was about to buy a cheap shell and cut the sleeves off but it showed up when I went into the box of Halloween bike decor. I guess last year “orange” meant Halloween. I wear it on top of my base layer (most days that’s a smart wool long sleeve embarrassingly decrepit shirt), and then layer another light jacket on top of it if necessary.

    +1 for the bar mitts.

    And when it’s stupid cold, I use Lake cold weather biking boots, but we’re not there yet.

    Some people keep a chart. I’m not that organized. But you can search the forum from past years and probably come across some.

    #1127267
    izzie
    Participant

    Love the Bar Mitts idea! What gloves do folks recommend?

    #1127316
    DCmessenger
    Participant

    it will be real deal winter this(next) year

    #1127304
    Kbikeva
    Participant

    FS’er Nigel Brockton posted this in the FS 2024 Facebook group. Hope it’s helpful.

    #1127445
    Jessica Hirschhorn
    Participant

    And the SECOND hardest part is getting all your layers tucked in the right order (and smoothly) after PortAPotty.

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