Body hardening-degrees of acclimization

When it gets warmer for cycling, I carry less and less extra clothing for extra warmth. (When sunny,I know distance for riding and know route itself, I won't even carry windpants/waterproof jacket on that day. ) I just like to haul around less when the weather looks so fine.

So occasionally I get into a ride and find it's colder than what it appears from window. (& even after checking weather temp. prediction before leaving home). So I just slog along, shivering abit.

Like this morning: 9 degrees C (48+ degrees F) at 7:00 am when I started off, sun and not much wind. Temp. didn't seem to improve much after I finished 2 hrs. later. I was wearing lycra shorts, about 7 inches above knee, with long-sleeved summerweight jersey, light sleeveless fleecy jacket and light (shell) cycling jacket. A tad cold for me.

However ,my body will harden over the next few months with regular cycling. The same temp. by beginning of Sept. will be "warmer" and feel perfect for cycling to me.


Does your body harden to temperatures with regular cycling? If you wore what I wore today, what temperatures would that be for you?

I think the opposite is true for me. I quickly get used to the warmer temps, and can't believe I was able to ride comfortably at 20º F. When a cold day comes after the warming trend, I over-layer because I'm quick to freeze.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

I think the opposite is true for me. I quickly get used to the warmer temps, and can't believe I was able to ride comfortably at 20º F. When a cold day comes after the warming trend, I over-layer because I'm quick to freeze.

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Vancouverites who have never lived elsewhere in Canada, complain that 20 degrees C (isn't that what you meant, redhodie?) is hot. That would be the approx. norm for Vancouver peak summer season.

Give me a break, I consider 30 degrees C at 100% humidity hot and common in Ontario during summer.

I'm pretty sure she meant 20 degrees F. She rides all winter...
I build up my tolerance for cold in the fall and early spring, but I tend to wear too much if it's cool in the summer. Mostly I layer with arm warmers, vest, maybe a base layer, wool socks, etc.
I could never wear shorts at 48 degrees. It has to be close to 70 for me to wear shorts. Usually I'm in knickers or knee warmers between 55 and 70.

I have to acclimate a bit to heat (over 85°F) and especially humidity, but I never really acclimate to cold. If I'm riding out in the morning and it's expected to get to 68 or 70 in less than a couple of hours, I may go in shorts and short sleeves, maybe arm warmers - sun, humidity and wind can really change the feel of any given temperature. But if it isn't expected to get over 65, it's long sleeves and knee warmers; full Lycra tights and a lightweight base layer below 60, shoe covers below 50 or even 55. I've got wool tights, wool jerseys, a mid weight jacket, and of course a balaclava, but I don't even ride if it's not expected to get over 40. I'm a wuss, I know, but it's so few days I'm exposed to those temps each year that it's not even worth it to me to buy the heavyweight gloves and shoe covers I'd need to ride in cooler temps, or re-adjust my helmet straps to accommodate a wool cap.

I wear shorts if it's in the 60's and above, otherwise it's knickers or tights.

I almost always have a jacket with me (might be rolled up and stuffed in a jersey pocket); even if it's hot out, I will probably need it for descents. Plus I tend to run very cold.

I will ride in weather down to 20F but it's a challenge. Even with layers on, including 2 layers of gloves and socks, my feet and hands freeze.

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Originally Posted by msincredible

I will ride in weather down to 20F but it's a challenge. Even with layers on, including 2 layers of gloves and socks, my feet and hands freeze.

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I'm impressed for anyone who cycles at 20F. I will cycle down to 0 degrees C or just a tiny bit colder. But I wouldn't be going far on a ride..no more than 15-20 kms. at most. And preferably with no strong cold wind under those temperatures.

And I've never worn shoecovers when I cycle at freezing temp. for the distance I stated. However my partner might wear shoe covers at same temp. However my fingers are sensitive to cold, since I have Reynauld's.


I don't have any wool cycling gear.

I always feel coldest in spring, when I start taking off the winter layers, but that's pretty obviously a psychological factor - I haven't felt air on anything but my nose and eyes for months! :p So the slightest touch of a breeze on my arms and legs has me going "Erk! It's FREEZING here!" By autumn I'll be biking barelegged even though they're turning blue. Almost.

Biking in winter is all about the right clothing - I'm a lot "warmer" in winter, as in I don't experience that much of a temperature range inside all my clothes, than in summer when my internal thermostat has to adjust to the varying effects of sun, wind etc instantaneously.

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Originally Posted by lph

... By autumn I'll be biking barelegged even though they're turning blue. Almost.

Biking in winter is all about the right clothing - I'm a lot "warmer" in winter, as in I don't experience that much of a temperature range inside all my clothes, than in summer when my internal thermostat has to adjust to the varying effects of sun, wind etc instantaneously.

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Yep. It's kind of crazy. I'll wear shorts down to 55F by fall, but in spring that feels awfully chilly. Winter, though, I'm so well insulated it's hard to tell the difference between say 15F and 5F. I never thought I'd say that! I do avoid riding below 10F cause the windchill starts getting nasty even all bundled up, but it's true that with the right clothes you can ride through most anything. Winter is just much more of a psychological workout than the nicer months.