Riding in the cold (not really) poll

[bazzawill]

So I decided to create a poll for a bit of fun. I finally have the opportunity to head out as the boys are in childcare and I am on holidays. It is winter here in Australia, which means it's not really cold for most of you but cold enough for me (13C with a maximum of 15C).
I thought I would ask those that ride in the relative cold (not real cold, rain or snow). Just cold enough to make you bring a chill to the skin. Do you rug up?

 

[woodguy]

1st thing I had to do was convert 13C to F = 55. That is a heat wave for me here in Wisconsin USA during the winter! I will ride regularly at 40F = 4.5C. Get out there.

 

[RojoRacing]

Remember back a few years ago when I first got the V20 and did the 24hr worlds race the first time? So at night my garmin was recording 28F down the back half of the course which I believe is -2C and 32F on the front half. My finger were in so much pain by the 6th hour(we started at 6pm) it eclipsed the crippling tail bone pain from the seat.

If it's super cold I'll normally opt for the mtb which requires much more effort at much lower speeds. Plus on a mtb when going DH you are working your body hard on what should be a technical trail. Worst case there's always zwift but honestly it was 115F this week so I'm staying inside for the opposite reason.

 

[benphyr]

15C is my standard switch to for sure don't need pants nor jacket unless torrential downpour. 13C if the weather is nice = shorts and shirt too. Your poll makes me feel like some kind of super-hero or arctic inhabitant. 45 latitude is only half way from the Tropic of Cancer to the Arctic Circle! Therefore, option #1.

(Hypothermia: If the poll was talking about actual cold like Rojo's comment and especially on a recumbent then I would argue that the poll needs to speak to cold situations and you would need to maintain a balance of the right insulation and the right heat output because in real cold it is imperative to prevent sweating. Once you get below conditions where your particular mix of heat output, insulation, water retension, etc. can overcome the external conditions/temperature then you have to be careful else you get hypothermia (lowered core body temperature) which can be serious trouble up to and including death. Rojo's description sounds like he was probably pretty close though it is the very next step where they pain disappears that is when the danger typically begins. Thankfully there doesn't seem to have been any lasting damage to the Donut Power nor the Wise-guy.)

 

[bladderhead]

I put warm clothes on. But I found that recumbents are warmer than DF.

 

[ChaleJake]

When it gets cold, I head to Fl and ride so I never ride in the cold. Warm weather gal.

 

[1happyreader]

When it gets cold, I head to Fl and ride so I never ride in the cold. Warm weather gal.

There are at least two or three cold days a year in Central Florida !
Right now they are but a fond memory.

 

[jond]

Yes 13 deg c and below time to start layering.

Above short sleeves and shorts.

Cool.

Skull cap and buff gilet leg arm warmers down to -2

But how to keep glasses from fogging up and eyes watering??

 

[The Brook]

But how to keep glasses from fogging up and eyes watering??

I'll put on my Ski Goggles, they work perfectly.
Denis

 

[jond]

But how to keep glasses from fogging up and eyes watering??

I'll put on my Ski Goggles, they work perfectly.
Denis

This weekend audax at temora nsw. Overnight temps down to -2 deg c.

So three layers and winter gloves and stop seldom.

Ski goggles but what about sweat Denis do they fog at all. Maybe too bulky too but worth consideration thank you.

What does everyone else use in the cold for eye protection that might resist fogging.

 

[bladderhead]

So it actually gets cold there.

 

[bazzawill]

So it actually gets cold there.

For a certain value of cold

 

[Seth Cooper]

I'm a fan of warming up in warm-up gear. Arm warmers, gloves, and knee high wool socks are nice in that I can push them down / take them off while riding. With a small bag on the back of the bike, stopping to strip off is really easy.

The coldest I've ridden my fat bike is 10F (-12c). The coldest I've ridden my DF road bike was 22F (-5c) I get a bit nervous with the road bike below freezing because of icy patches. At those temps I'm wearing my Lake boots, lobster claw gloves, face covered etc.

 

[benphyr]

Keeping the wind off is the most important part of the equation in the cold. Simple handlebar guards that keep the wind off of the hands means that I can wear XC full finger but very ventilated gloves down to -10C but without it is more like 0C!

 

[Gary123]

My feet are always the first thing to get cold. What works best?

 

[ed72]

My feet are always the first thing to get cold. What works best?

wool socks and keeping the rest of your body warm works for me in 30-40F temps.

If below 30 F, I wear TT type covers. If below 15F, neoprene covers.

 

[Seth Cooper]

My feet are always the first thing to get cold. What works best?

I agree with Ed, I like the wool socks, and shoe covers. I wear my boots below 30F, they are a little overkill above 25, but not enough to be uncomfortable.

 

[benphyr]

Even more important with hands (as arms have less mass), the keeping the rest of the body warm - Because: when the body gets cold it restricts blood flow to the extremities (survival instinct) but you want to keep blood flow there so you have to manage the warmth to ensure heat is going to the hands and feet where you need it.

 

[paco1961]

Below 50F I go to leg covers but never ride on the road below freezing. Only takes a patch of ice the size of a postage stamp! When it gets that cold I go to the mtb. I ride in Smartwool Sox year round and add neoprene shoe covers below about 40F. On a long ride in the cold I add heat paks under the toes. On the eyes I stick w my normal glasses but add a light polartec head band to cover the tops of the ears. Down near freezing I go w a compression turtleneck w a wind jacket on top. Keeps me plenty warm if I’m working.

 

[Seth Cooper]

This thread is fun for me because in the USA right now it is summer, so I can better appreciate the warmth by recalling how it feels to be cold! Benphyr is of course right, once your core warms up your hands and feet will usually be ok. I am used to the winter routine of:
1. Start riding in relative comfort
2. Slowly get colder, after 10 min fingers are cold
3. Slowly get warmer as core warms up, after 20 min hands are feeling fine