Wow - what does the cold do to you?

[Nokomis]

I get a tickle in my chest that makes it a little difficult to breathe, and gives me a horrid sounding cough post-ride. Last winter I thought it might be a lingering cold thing, but it started up as soon as the weather dropped below 60.

Joy. Will be interesting to see if this becomes a limiter in CX.

[kfergos]

I get a tickle in my chest that makes it a little difficult to breathe, and gives me a horrid sounding cough post-ride.

I get this too, just from being outdoors in cold weather regardless of activity. I think of it as athlete's cough. Also I second (third? fourth?) the runny nose, etc. Bleck.

It makes me want to take a long, hot soaky bath afterward. Mmmmm. Also my post-commute showers at work start taking much longer...

[short cut sally]

I think my endurance is a little better in the cooler weather.. I bonk easy in heat. Yes, the congested nose might be worse but I have allergies so it's gonna flare up regardless..right now it's at its prime for some reason. I like riding in cooler weather, and I can add or delete clothing as I go along. I'm not one for riding in 20-30 degree weather, I can't seem to find the right gloves yet. Still searching. I want to take a hot long shower regardless of what the temp. is out after a long ride.

[Jolt]

My fingers lose circulation... but never all at once. It's usually just a couple at a time, and when it comes back, it hurts horribly. Otherwise, I am OK.

Ugh...happens to me too--Raynaud's syndrome. That's really my only issue with the cold, and if I dress warmly and wear good mittens it helps. I love running/hiking in the cold but riding, not so much--harder to keep hands and feet warm!

[alpinerabbit]

Not necessarily Raynaud's syndrome - I think she is describing the usual phenomenon that in my lively language is called "cow's toenails". just really freezing hands that tingle and hurt on warming up again.

[Jiffer]

Strangely, cold weather makes me complain about having to ride in it. It also makes me hem and ha over what to wear exactly. How cold is it REALLY? Is it going to warm up? Will I be too cold if I wear this or too hot if I wear that? Cold weather makes it take an even longer time to get out the door with all the decision making, changing my mind and the extra layers of stuff I have to put on.

However, lo and behold, once I get out there, I'm usually just fine ... except for the non-stop dripping of my nose. I have been continually amazed at how NOT completely miserable it is to ride my bike when it is cold out! It is these moments that I try to remember when I'm looking out at the coldness from my cozy house debating if I really am going to ride. My husband is actually pretty impressed with my perseverance to ride in the cold, because he simply opts NOT to ride, usually, and will run instead. Less head wind, which means less cold factor. I hate running, so this is not an option for me.

Of course, my cold weather experiences are in Southern California. So, while it can get quite chilly for So Cal, I really don't have a whole lot to complain about compared to much of the country. But yet ... I do.

[TrekTheKaty]

My knees don't usually bother me, but it takes about 5 miles in colder weather to get warmed up--it's been in the 50's in the am around here.

Also, DH and I have the cough. We were both hacking up a lung after a ride the other day--took me awhile to figure it out!