[LordOpie]

Even in past winters I only rode when it was reasonable out, but I'm commuting when it's 25-30°F in the morning and I am wiped out.

I'm wondering if I'm just a wuss or if cold and windy weather can really affect performance that much?

I'm only wearing one layer of leg warmers. Should I wear something heavier?

Do you ride as well in cold as you do in warm weather?

 

[ire]

I think it takes an adjustment period. After doing long base miles during the winter, the first week of warm weather kills me. I dress warm and typically sweat a fair amount....I would rather sweat than freeze my a** off on six hour rides

 

[Wumpus]

25°-30°F is at least double layers on the legs, but I'm from Texas and a big weeny.


I'm thinking about picking up some of the Craft Windstop pants for the cold rainy rides.

 

[BikeMike]

Wind sucks motivation out of me as fast a Just James acquires fancy new bikes.

It doesn't get that cold around the coast, so I don't have much to say, other than try riding faster? I know I perform better in cool weather than warm weather...but actually being cold is different.

 

[Mr. Hankey]

I rode to work the past couple days in low 30deg weather. Under armour top and bottom, and riding shorts, and jersey worked great. When it gets in the upper 30s I shed the under armour lowers, and just use the top. Also use some 661 Cedric Gracia gloves. Only thing that got cold was my toes in my Nike Altea IIs.

 

[Heidi]

I have some heavy windproof tights I wear when it gets below 25 usually. I would generally say that I don't feel as if I'm performing as well when it's that cold out, but it's perception. I have taken to using some warming oil on my knees as well...just to keep them feeling decent.

 

[ire]

Only thing that got cold was my toes in my Nike Altea IIs.

I've had good luck with these:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24344&subcategory_ID=1344

 

[ire]

...warming oil on my knees as well...

I used some at a race a couple of weeks ago. I put it on and then probably 15 minutes later went and took a leak....BIG mistake....watch what you touch after using that stuff

 

[Zutroy]

Cold weather is really tough on your body. Breathing air that cold and probably dry, messes with your lungs and airways. So that's always an issue.

Also it sounds like you're not wearing enough for sure. If you're cold you're body is spending a lot of energy to keep you warm, it's also going to restrict blood flow to your muscles to try and keep your core temp up. General rule of thumb is, is you're not sweating even in temps that low or lower, you're not wearing enough.

 

[LordOpie]

those Craft Windstop pants looking pretty good.

...you're not sweating even in temps that low or lower, you're not wearing enough.

Thing is, I sweat a lot on the cold morning commutes. I do NOT wear a skullcap and have pretty good vents in my helmet and my head is soaked with sweat when I get in.

I have taken to using some warming oil on my knees as well...just to keep them feeling decent.

great idea! I'll try that next week and see how it goes.

 

[miatagal96]

I don't road ride when it's really cold (my excuse is salt on the roads), but I'll mountain bike down to 6 degrees F (if it's sunny).

Last winter, I had a cough all winter from cold-temperature riding. It stopped once the temperatures warmed up. Some people are much more susceptible to asthma in cold weather.

I don't really notice a drop in performance, but I do notice that everything seems a little tougher when I'm bogged down with layers of clothes (especially gloves).

I rode today at lunch. It was 50 degrees and I still feel it in my lungs. I wore 'Totes' rubber shoe protectors with holes in the bottom and they worked well (cheap at around $10). If it was any colder, I'd need neoprene over-shoes.

I usually don't need a cap under my helmet, but I do need a headband and I duct-taped the vents in my helmet.

I have a friend who commuted all winter in Alaska. He had big insulated pogies over his handlebars and had to cover every inch of his body.

 

[LordOpie]

Some people are much more susceptible to asthma in cold weather.

me too. Even have an inhaler for those rare occassions.

Fortunately, it doesn't happen to me until about 3-4 hours into aerobic and my commute on a bad day is 45 mins.

 

[James]

Wind sucks motivation out of me as fast a Just James acquires fancy new bikes.

It doesn't get that cold around the coast, so I don't have much to say, other than try riding faster? I know I perform better in cool weather than warm weather...but actually being cold is different.

Hey now, I don't get bikes that fast!

But I agree with the folks above, just keeping your body temp up when it's that cold out uses a lot of energy. I do also prefer cool temps, preferably with some light rain or fog, my favorite road riding conditions...

 

[SPINTECK]

The feet theory is dead on. I wish I knew when I was younger how much my power and motivation decreases when my feet get cold. It really is like shutting down the throttle. It's obviously a circulation issue that I was never aware of.

To be honest, i should have known about it because in bio we studied how the legs of water foul act as heat exchangers by regulating blood flow.

25 degrees is the coldest i go, but that's in the woods. probably 35 degrees on the road. It probably does more harm by breaking down your body than good at some point.

 

[Wumpus]

I've had good luck with these:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24344&subcategory_ID=1344

Do those run true to size? I have got to get something for my feet this year.

 

[LordOpie]

Do those run true to size? I have got to get something for my feet this year.

I have no clue how they size them!

I took my shoes to the store to experiment. I wear a size 10 and wound up buying neoprene boots "size 13"... whatever that means.

FWIW: the shoes at the time (3-4 years ago) were Diadora Gekos. So, whatever extra sizing/cleats/stuff caused me to buy size 13.

 

[Serial Midget]

I'm only wearing one layer of leg warmers. Should I wear something heavier?

Smokey the Bear says: Only YOU can prevent forest fires.

Serial Midget says: Be sure to keep your happy bits warm - craft makes great wind stopping, junk warming underwear.

 

[Wumpus]

I have no clue how they size them!

I took my shoes to the store to experiment. I wear a size 10 and wound up buying neoprene boots "size 13"... whatever that means.

FWIW: the shoes at the time (3-4 years ago) were Diadora Gekos. So, whatever extra sizing/cleats/stuff caused me to buy size 13.

That's what I'm worried about. I wear a 13 and really need to get a 14 next time I buy shoes.

 

[LordOpie]

Smokey the Bear says: Only YOU can prevent forest fires.

Serial Midget says: Be sure to keep your happy bits warm - craft makes great wind stopping, junk warming underwear.

My junk has never gotten cold while cycling. However, on the ski lift just sitting there at 10*F with wind and no trees... brrrr.

That's what I'm worried about. I wear a 13 and really need to get a 14 next time I buy shoes.

If there was ever a time to buy something from your LBS, it's neo-boots... bring your cycling shoes