Cooler temps

I've been looking forward for quite some time to riding in 60 degree temps and sunshine in the evening. I got my chance today! :cool: :D

Except...I am apparently a cool weather wimp :o :( I've become so accustomed to riding in 90-98 degree temps without thinking much about it (and hotter, but I think about that more) that my body didn't know what to think tonight.

It was 61 degrees, a bit breezy/windy, sunny...perfect. I thought at least. I figured shorts were fine so I just had on shorts and wool socks for my lower half. My upper body was layered with a long-sleeve smartwool base layer and a short sleeve Swobo merino wool jersey. Though my lower arms were a bit cool, my upper body was fine. My lower body however FROZE, and my feet were getting cold. I tried to hang in there, but after an hour I was still cold...so I packed it in.

Just goes to show that I should have followed my instinct to wear leg warmers...and that when we are accustomed to the kind of summer heat most of us have had, cooler temps require some adjustment. I am mad at myself for cutting my ride so short, but I was just so cold.

I guess this differs individually as to what temps we need to adjust to, anyone else notice this at 61-62 degrees?

For anything cooler than 65 degrees, especially in the evenings, I cover my knees and wear wool socks and lightweight full fingered gloves. I prefer knickers this time of year. I don't sense a big adjustment until the tights come out.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

For anything cooler than 65 degrees, especially in the evenings, I cover my knees and wear wool socks and lightweight full fingered gloves. I prefer knickers this time of year. I don't sense a big adjustment until the tights come out.

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I think this would have been perfect - I ALMOST wore my mtb gloves, and leg warmers would have been fine, knee warmers would have been better if I had any. Lesson learned ;)

This time last year I was already about off the bike, so I didn't get to experience the change of season while riding. I remember wanting to chase leaves with my bike so bad I could taste it - and I got to do some of that tonight!

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Originally Posted by indysteel

For anything cooler than 65 degrees, especially in the evenings, I cover my knees and wear wool socks and lightweight full fingered gloves. I prefer knickers this time of year. I don't sense a big adjustment until the tights come out.

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+1 on covering the knees for any temperature below 65. If it is close to 65, I can still use short fingered gloves and sometimes even short sleeves. My knees, however, are sheltered. I like knickers, too.

+1 on the knees and arms. I need FF gloves if it's below 70°.

Got it, new shopping list:

- wool socks (thicker)
- knee warmers

I just thought my legs would be working enough that it would be ok. I never did warm up, not really. Lesson learned, and thanks!

I also have asthma, and both cold air, and the rhinitis (spelling?) caused by riding on colder temps are far better triggers for me than riding in really hot/humid temps. I actually noticed a bit of this tonight :eek:

Catrin, try using a saline nasal spray before and even while you are riding for the rhinitis. My doctor suggested it at the beginning of the summer and it has really helped. I bring it with me on long rides.
I used to wear knee warmers or knickers up to 70 degrees, but now I can go as low as 60 or so, if the sun is out. But, I like my knees covered. I have so many thicknesses of wool socks, one of them is usually right for anything below 70, too. The gloves, though, I do short fingered down to the low fifties, as my hands seem to sweat a lot!

Our daytime highs in the last few days has been 68 with clouds and I LOVE it. Last week it was 95!

yesterday the temperature was 101- the first time on September 14 since 1918. I just wish it would get a little bit cooler.

marni

It was 47 here yesterday morning. Brrrr. I ran in long sleeves and capris. The morning before it was 68 and I ran in shorts and a light tank top. Crazy weather but I do think fall is here. This is a wonderful time of year to ride. I get bummed to think it's going to be cold soon and we can't ride.

60 degrees is my guideline for donning leg warmers and/or knickers. And my feet get cold too, Catrin. I use wool socks and toe covers for anything under 60 degrees. Do you have covers, Catrin? If not, I would definitely invest in a pair.

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

I use wool socks and toe covers for anything under 60 degrees. Do you have covers, Catrin? If not, I would definitely invest in a pair.

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Toe covers are great! I use those more than shoe covers. Once I need shoe covers, it is too cold for me to enjoy a ride...

I know we all are different when it comes to cold/heat tolerance, but it never ceases to amaze me when I see people riding in shorts and just a jersey or a light jacket and it's 45 out. It can't feel good! Over the years, I can wear less layers on the top, well at least thickness of layers, but my bottom half and feet need warmth.

Yeah, I had to drag out the sweatshirts. I'm so used to 90-degree and humid air hitting my skin that this cooler, drier air has me all confused. Now I don't know what to wear for my Saturday morning ride. Arm warmers and my wool base layer, probably. On second thought, it's 43 degrees right now. That's jacket weather!

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Originally Posted by pll

Toe covers are great! I use those more than shoe covers. Once I need shoe covers, it is too cold for me to enjoy a ride...

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Me, too. Plus, getting full shoe covers on is such a PITA, and I've never found that they keep my feet all that much warmer than the toe covers.

I love my Shebeest Pedal Pusher knickers in this kind of weather. The fabric is kind of cozy, and because I have pretty short legs, they hit me on my lower calf. So, most of my leg is nice and warm.

Catrin, I wonder if you could get by without knee warmers and just use your leg warmers instead once it gets cold enough to cover your knees. I find that I don't mind it if my legs are "overdressed." It's my upper body that I need to careful not to over (or under) dress.

As for wool socks, I find that thicker isn't always warmer either. They just end up making my shoes too tight.

I'm the other way around, toe covers restrict circulation so much that my feet are warmer without them. I might have lightweight shoe covers on before I even break out the knee warmers.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I know we all are different when it comes to cold/heat tolerance, but it never ceases to amaze me when I see people riding in shorts and just a jersey or a light jacket and it's 45 out. It can't feel good! Over the years, I can wear less layers on the top, well at least thickness of layers, but my bottom half and feet need warmth.

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Despite being acclimated to the southern climate and the wicked hot summer temperatures in TX, when winter comes (temps in the 50's) I still ride in shorts. I'm just the opposite of you - my lower body never has a problem with the cold, but my arms and hands do tend to get uncomfortable. So my concessions to the coldness are a long sleeved jersey, light wind breaker jacket, full-fingered gloves, and Icy Hot on both knees.

I simply cannot stand to have anything binding on my knees when I ride. I don't see how y'all can ride comfortably with knickers hindering your knee movement.

Jean

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Originally Posted by Hi Ho Silver

Despite being acclimated to the southern climate and the wicked hot summer temperatures in TX, when winter comes (temps in the 50's) I still ride in shorts. I'm just the opposite of you - my lower body never has a problem with the cold, but my arms and hands do tend to get uncomfortable. So my concessions to the coldness are a long sleeved jersey, light wind breaker jacket, full-fingered gloves, and Icy Hot on both knees.

I simply cannot stand to have anything binding on my knees when I ride. I don't see how y'all can ride comfortably with knickers hindering your knee movement.

Jean

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Huh? I've never felt like my knee movement was hindered by knickers.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

...Catrin, I wonder if you could get by without knee warmers and just use your leg warmers instead once it gets cold enough to cover your knees. I find that I don't mind it if my legs are "overdressed." It's my upper body that I need to careful not to over (or under) dress.

As for wool socks, I find that thicker isn't always warmer either. They just end up making my shoes too tight.

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I had been wondering that about my leg warmers. I think I am ok if my calves start sweating :) I remember last spring I was trying to decide the difference between them and my Mid-Zero Sugoi tights as far as the temperature range for them. My tights I can't wear lower than 40 degree temps, regardless of what they are called.

Good point about the socks, even with quite thin socks I have to be careful about leaving them adjusted as loosely as possible to prevent hot spots/numbness. Thinking back to last night I don't think I actually had wool socks on to begin with. My upper body was fine with the two wool layers.

Crankin, I will try the saline nasal spray. This is only a problem when the temps drop to the lower 60's, never a problem when it is warmer. I am unsure if the rhinitis tweaks my asthma or the colder air itself - probably both. Time to find my rescue inhalor...

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I'm the other way around, toe covers restrict circulation so much that my feet are warmer without them. I might have lightweight shoe covers on before I even break out the knee warmers.

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By toe covers, I mean the ones that go on the tops of my shoes. Is that what you're talking about?

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Originally Posted by indysteel

By toe covers, I mean the ones that go on the tops of my shoes. Is that what you're talking about?

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Yep. The ones that squeeze the life out of my midfoot so as to hold on to the tops of my shoes. :p

And +1 on knickers and knees. And knee warmers, too. With a gripper above the ankle, they put pressure on the kneecap the way full-length tights don't. I can wear knee warmers as long as I'm careful about how I put them on. With knickers, it's the combination of the knee issue, plus the way longer legs pull the chamois around, that makes me prefer shorts.


Here's what I hate about cold weather: having to START from freezing cold indoors before my workout, to strip naked, to put on workout clothes that not only are themselves freezing cold, but are less than will keep me warm outside until I'm fully warmed up. There are two times all day I get nekkid when the temperature in the house is below 67°, and one of them is to jump right into a hot shower. I do NOT look forward to dressing for a run or ride when I'm already freezing.



Plastic bags inside my shoes work as well as shoe covers in a pinch, and don't take any room at all. :)

I guess I've never had a problem with toe covers. It may have to do with the brand/style of shoe or toe cover. I have PIs that have a tiny bit of give to them. DH bought a different pair of PIs and can't stand them.

And I can't say that my knickers bother my knees either. I prefer the longer Shebeest knickers to the PIs that hit right below my knee. The latter bug the back of my knee a bit and aren't as comfy.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Huh? I've never felt like my knee movement was hindered by knickers.

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Really? I can feel the pressure of the tights on my knees and it is very uncomfortable. Maybe it is because I have such bad knees to begin with.

Jean

I've never felt as though knickers or leg warmers/knee warmers restricted my movement... good thing too because I live in them in Maine. :D I will say that after having five knee surgeries, I'm a bit more sensative with the cooler temps... so will do whatever it takes to keep this old body warm. LOL

It's cool here today... 52 here today with winds gusting over 35. BUT, I'm not complaining, because it's one more day that I get a chance to ride outside.:rolleyes:


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

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Originally Posted by Hi Ho Silver

Really? I can feel the pressure of the tights on my knees and it is very uncomfortable. Maybe it is because I have such bad knees to begin with.

Jean

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Could be. What brands have you tried? I'm not saying you're imagining it, but while I am aware of something being on my knee, I wouldn't say that I feel like my movement is impaired. But I definitely prefer the longer length of my Shebeest pedal pushers.

It was 45 when I left home at 6am this morning! In a couple months, that'll seem downright balmy, but it's been 65 for the last few weeks.

T-shirt, super light (but windproof) jacket, full lightweight gloves, light shorts covered with non-bike capris (I'm cheap and I tend to layer capris/tights over shorts rather than buying multiple pairs of longer pants :). Wool socks, as always.

Upper body was cool but fine, knees/calves were cold... I'd forgotten how much riding in the cold saps your energy. And my feet were COLD-- I bought new shoes this summer and while they're great in the summer, I can see the need for some kind of covers this fall/winter/spring...

It was nice, I just need to readjust and remember what to wear when :)

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Here's what I hate about cold weather: having to START from freezing cold indoors before my workout, to strip naked, to put on workout clothes that not only are themselves freezing cold, but are less than will keep me warm outside until I'm fully warmed up. There are two times all day I get nekkid when the temperature in the house is below 67°, and one of them is to jump right into a hot shower. I do NOT look forward to dressing for a run or ride when I'm already freezing.

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What I hate is how much extra time it takes to dress for a cold ride. When it's hot, it takes me five minutes tops to get my clothes on and my gear ready. When it's cold, it takes me so much longer. Beyond the layers themselves, I seem to lose track of my winter gear more often, in part because some of it gets worn off the bike, too. By the time I'm dressed, I've often lost the desire to ride. I do think I might spring for padded tights this year. The double waistband thing makes me really uncomfortable and it'll mean once less layer to put on.

I really cannot wait until my endo clears me for more strenuous exercise again. I find it easier to run after work than to ride. Plus, I actually like to run when it's cold out.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Here's what I hate about cold weather: having to START from freezing cold indoors before my workout, to strip naked, to put on workout clothes that not only are themselves freezing cold, but are less than will keep me warm outside until I'm fully warmed up. There are two times all day I get nekkid when the temperature in the house is below 67°, and one of them is to jump right into a hot shower. I do NOT look forward to dressing for a run or ride when I'm already freezing.

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How about a space heater? I have one in my bathroom because the genius who renovated this house didn't put a heat vent in there.

In some ways, cold weather saves me time getting ready- no need for sunscreen! I figure it's probably a wash time-wise, though there's definitely more stuff to keep track of.

I need to splurge on some wool knee socks to wear with knickers this year. I have an adversion to tights until it's in the 40s, but I hate having cold calves at the start.

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Originally Posted by Hi Ho Silver

Really? I can feel the pressure of the tights on my knees and it is very uncomfortable. Maybe it is because I have such bad knees to begin with.

Jean

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Depending on the tights, I can feel them tugging on my kneecap a bit.

Contemplating on splurging on a nice wool base layer, either short- or long-sleeved. Perhaps one of each. ;)

It takes me forever to get ready for cold-weather riding (all those layers!), and longer to figure out what to wear that day at this time of year, because of how much the temperature can change in the space of a ride...Short sleeves and arm warmers? Long sleeves? What about a base layer? Leg warmers or no? And Oak, I'm totally with you on that. Add to that the fact that when I'm properly warmed up, I sweat buckets and am overheating...

I don't feel anything on my knees from knee warmers, knickers, or tights. And I have very sensitive skin, get "lines" from almost every waistband or jersey I wear, and break out in welts from even the slightest thing rubbing on me.
I have Sheila Moon knee warmers and they are awesome.
Toe covers don't bother me, either, but I have to keep my shoes very loose, all of the time, so maybe that's why. I have super thin wool socks, kinda thin wool socks, medium wool socks, and finally, my Woolie Bullies. Sometimes I even wear my thinner x country ski socks that are tall, under my tights.
Catrin, the nasal spray might help the rhinitis from triggering your asthma, but the cold is part of it, too. Could you use a buff and put it up over your mouth, so you aren't inhaling cold air into your mouth? I do that when it is really cold.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

How about a space heater?

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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I have one, too, downstairs in what used to be my workout room. It might be the changing room now. :p

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Originally Posted by Crankin

..... Could you use a buff and put it up over your mouth, so you aren't inhaling cold air into your mouth? I do that when it is really cold.

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I had to ask a silly question, but what is a buff? :confused: I've searched for that term but can't seem to come up with anything that seems appropriate. I am unfamiliar with the term.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I had to ask a silly question, but what is a buff? :confused: I've searched for that term but can't seem to come up with anything that seems appropriate. I am unfamiliar with the term.

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It's one of these: http://planetbuff.com/

It's a tube of fabric that you can wear a million ways.

Thanks! They are a little pricy, but I understand what they are now. There are a lot of pretty ones on that site!

I'll probably ask my brother for one for Xmas. They're a good $20 gift.

I think this one would go with your bike, Catrin:

http://www.planetbuff.com/Murano-Purple

I suggested a buff, since they are not heavy fleece or wool.