Getting acclimated to low temperatures
Our Community › Forums › Freezing Saddles Winter Riding Competition › Getting acclimated to low temperatures
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Boomer Cycles.
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November 29, 2023 at 3:33 am #923026
Amyrglover
ParticipantRide 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…..
November 29, 2023 at 5:35 pm #1127009Meh
ParticipantCovering 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.
November 30, 2023 at 9:01 pm #1126979arlcxrider
ParticipantI 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.
December 1, 2023 at 2:23 am #1127033mstone
ParticipantTrial 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”.
December 8, 2023 at 8:38 pm #1127144Amyrglover
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…
December 8, 2023 at 8:42 pm #1127146Amyrglover
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….
December 13, 2023 at 1:20 am #1127209AT_Hiker59
ParticipantI use BarMitts brand pogies. Then depending on the weather I use fingerless gloves to thick gloves. Throw in hand warmers and a snack.
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December 13, 2023 at 3:11 pm #1127217n18
ParticipantBarMitts 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.
December 13, 2023 at 7:51 pm #1127227jen_stoly
ParticipantI’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.
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December 14, 2023 at 5:06 pm #1127259Steve O
ParticipantNote 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.
December 14, 2023 at 8:14 pm #1127266Kbikeva
ParticipantI 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.
December 14, 2023 at 9:22 pm #1127267izzie
ParticipantLove the Bar Mitts idea! What gloves do folks recommend?
December 17, 2023 at 2:29 pm #1127316DCmessenger
Participantit will be real deal winter this(next) year
December 19, 2023 at 12:52 am #1127304Kbikeva
ParticipantFS’er Nigel Brockton posted this in the FS 2024 Facebook group. Hope it’s helpful.
December 26, 2023 at 8:55 pm #1127445Jessica Hirschhorn
ParticipantAnd the SECOND hardest part is getting all your layers tucked in the right order (and smoothly) after PortAPotty.
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