Winter Gravel Road Riding

[limewave]

I'm going to embark on my first gravel road ride this weekend. It's supposed to be 15 degrees at the start. 35 mile ride.

Any advice is welcome! What to wear. Nutrition to pack. Do you think my camelbak will hold coffee well? ;)

[chicagogal]

That is COLD!!!! Make sure you dress well. Warm gloves, wool socks, maybe chemical hand/feet warmers.

Other than the temps, it will be lots of fun. My teammates and I do a lot of gravel trail riding in the winter (pea gravel) on our cross bikes. It is much safer than the road when temps drop below freezing, and is just nice for a change of scenery. However, I am a temp wimp, and when it gets as gold as 15F, I bust out the trainer . . .

I think you were kidding, but I still wouldn't put coffee in the camelbak!! However, assuming you are driving to the ride start, keep a thermos of coffee or something warm in the car, and a change of clothes. If you get wet out there, and you probably will (sweat and/or water on the trails) you will want warm, dry clothes immediately.

[indysteel]

The last time I rode in 15-degree weather last year I wore: a Gore windproof jacket, a Nike microfiber vest under that, a longsleeve jersey and a long sleeve wool baselayer on top. On bottom, I wore a pair of shin-length knickers and tights. On my extremeties, I wore PI Gavia gloves, wool glove liners, wool socks, , wool socks, and my regular cycling shoes with charcoal warmers inside, a balaclava, a hat and my helmet.

Thirty-five miles in those temps would probably undo me. I usually follow the adage of "ride the temperature," so if it's 15 degrees, I ride roughly 15 miles, at most. Is it going to warm up much through the course of your ride? If it is, then just make sure you can take a layer off if you start to overheat.

[limewave]

Thirty-five miles in those temps would probably undo me. I usually follow the adage of "ride the temperature," so if it's 15 degrees, I ride roughly 15 miles, at most. Is it going to warm up much through the course of your ride? If it is, then just make sure you can take a layer off if you start to overheat.

It probably won't warm up too much. It's a group ride. I've never done it before and I'm not familiar with the area. I'm going to do some research tonight to see if there's a short-cut. I could always turn around and backtrack if I think the mileage might be too much.

[bonnypriest]

Oh my gosh that's cold! I'm a total whimp about the cold so if it were me...I'd stay by the fire, but I know that's not exactly what you want to hear. Bundle up!!! I hope you have fun & stay safe! :D

[SheFly]

Are the gravel roads sheltered at all? If so, this will be closer to an MTB than a road ride, and you will need LESS clothing as you will be working harder. When I go out in the woods in these temps, I wear a baselayer, thermal or wool jersey and winter cycling jacket (wind layer) on top, knickers, knee-high wool ski socks and GORE tights on the bottom, winter cycling shoes (the Pearl Izumi are the best), a skull cap (I can't STAND a balaclava) with my helmet, and lobster claw gloves with wool liners.

The important thing is that if you start to sweat, you MUST remove a layer or unzip or otherwise regulate your temp. Getting wet will be your undoing. Sweaty feet and hands tend to be my issue, so those get wet and then get cold.

As for the CamelBak - put it under your jacket if you can. The hose will definitely freeze. I've tried blowing the water back into the bladder, but the bite valve freezes pretty solid, leving you with no hydration. Insulated hoses will also help (but not always prevent the bite valve freeze issue). Putting some coffee into an insulated bottle isn't a bad thing either (or, last night, the boys added some *ahem* antifreeze of the alcoholic variety to their water ;).

Enjoy it and have fun. If you are dressed right, the 35 miles won't be a problem. I've been out already for 3 and 4 hour rides in 20F temps, and it's only going to get colder.

SheFly

[bluebug32]

It will suck for the first few minutes. After you suddenly warm up, you'll be fine and you'll start having fun! Just don't dress in too many layer. Start the ride off on the cool side. Have fun!