December riding (outdoors), anyone?

[emily_in_nc]

I know most of the US is socked in with snow, ice, and bitter-cold arctic temps, and I feel for those who are experiencing it. We got away from KC just time before this latest arctic blast came through. It was 5F there this morning with -6 windchill. But now we are on the southern North Carolina coast and loving it! We did just have a cold front pass through today (it's down to 50 now with a chilly north breeze and drizzle), but the past three days were great. Highs in the upper 60s and some fine, flat road riding on almost-deserted roads since it's low season here.

Here are a few photos. So nice to wear shorts and short-sleeves in December! And to be retired so we can ride on nice days and not be limited to weekends. I'm very fortunate and thankful.

Attachment 16831 Attachment 16832 Attachment 16833

Anyone else in either the US or other countries getting to ride outdoors in December?

[lph]

Shorts and short sleeves? Are you kidding me??

Yeah, I'm riding. Winter jacket, lobster gloves, studded tires, wool buff, winter shoes. As long as I don't get wet snow I'm ok :-)

[ny biker]

I don't know how I'll do it, but I really need to figure out a way to get a second home/retirement home in a place like NC or somewhere else where it's warmer in the winter.

I was thisclose to riding outside today. I had a route all mapped out, 29 miles long with two short cuts in case I got too cold, and was even going to post it as a club ride in the hopes of having a few companions. The forecast looked like we'd have some sun and temps in the low 40s. But then they added a 15 mph wind from the NW to the forecast, with wind chills in the 30s, so I decided not to do it. I'm still trying to figure out how to stay warm when it's above 40 with no wind.

I should have warmer tights soon, in a few weeks at the latest. That should help me get outside again.

[Crankin]

Same thing happened to me, NY Biker. I went for a good run, instead, and then felt pissed I didn't ride. But, my street was still wet, and there was salt around. I was more concerned with the probability of ice on the sides of the road, since that's what got my friend when he broke his hip.
It's colder today, but, I *have* to get outside and ride. I have all of the gear. I've just lost the will. But, it's making me cranky, even though I'm exercising. Once it snows, I focus on nordic skiing and snow shoeing and I don't feel so cranky.

[ny biker]

Crankin, what do you do to keep your face warm during cold outdoor exercise? I hate that cold clammy feeling from having any kind of fabric in front of my mouth. Have you found a way to prevent that, or at least minimize it?

[Crankin]

I just came back from an 8.5 mile ride. It's 31 degrees and cloudy. No wind, though. I am always nervous about wearing my PI Amfib gloves, as they feel like they are too bulky to shift. My go to solution is wear my wool glove liners under my regular full fingered gloves, with a chemical heater in between the layers. It didn't work today, and that's why the ride was so short. NY, today I had on my Terry fleece balaclava, which I have never worn for the entirety of a ride without having to remove it, because I get so sweaty. Not today. I don't pull it up over my mouth, as I tend to feel claustrophobic from that. Although, today, I did for the 1.2 miles down the hill when I started.
Not sure why I felt so cold. I was wearing my Ibex tights, wool x country ski socks, winter shoes with chemical heaters (my feet were fine), a Craft base layer and Craft thermal LS jersey and a heavy duty Assos jacket. I also think it's because I haven't been riding outside on a regular basis. The cold seems to be bothering me in a more general way, I think because we had a warm November and then it got freezing, not in a gradual way. I won't turn into one of those people who complain about it, though, as I am not going back to AZ! Once it snows, I am fine, because I love my winter pursuits. We brought the Kuotas in, to put on the trainers, and any outdoor riding will be done on the Gurus. I feel good now, that I was outside for 45 minutes and I am going to stretch.

[Becky]

Our forecasted "coating to an inch" of snow turned into more like 8" of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. So DH and I went for a night ride on the SS MTBs. That was the hardest 3 miles I've ever done- such wet, heavy, deep snow! When we weren't riding on snow, we were riding on icy, slushy stuff. Either way, hard work. I can, however, vouch for the fact that Shimano winter boots are absolutely awesome- just one pair of socks, no toe warmers, and no liners, and my feet were warm and dry at 30 F in the snow. (Oh, and clipless pedals suck in the snow, but y'all knew that already.)

[Donna1960]

I rode 34-1/2 miles and it was 29F...no wind though. I would have went further but my feet were cold. An ultracyclist who rides centuries November through February as well as other events told me to invest in neoprene socks and goretex socks which fit in most cycling shoes. Might be a Christmas present to myself. I will ride here in upstate NY until there is snow on the ground..

[SheFly]

Indeed! I've ridden outdoors every day in December despite frigid temps, and today, snow! Of course, some of that is racing (just finished our big CX series here this weekend), but much is training. Here's a [blurry - I took it through a ziploc bag] pic of first tracks on the way to the chiropractor this morning



Happy riding!

SheFly

[emily_in_nc]

You gals rock! I am a weather weenie and generally won't ride unless it's in the 50s. I don't have the gear for riding in much colder temps, and I am easily chilled. After posting photos of our rides in shorts the first three days here at the Carolina coast, it turned rainy and much cooler, so we haven't been out for a couple of days. Today is slowly warming up and fog lifting but looks like an afternoon ride will be doable. I hope so!

[ny biker]

You gals rock! I am a weather weenie and generally won't ride unless it's in the 50s. I don't have the gear for riding in much colder temps, and I am easily chilled. After posting photos of our rides in shorts the first three days here at the Carolina coast, it turned rainy and much cooler, so we haven't been out for a couple of days. Today is slowly warming up and fog lifting but looks like an afternoon ride will be doable. I hope so!

In past years my minimum temp for outdoor rides was 50. That was largely due to asthma problems with cold air -- it's no fun when it hurts to breathe. But the asthma seems better than it was some years ago, at least in terms of cold weather, so I'm trying to get comfortable with temps down to 40. If I can manage that, I'll see if I can go lower.

So far I'm finding that you can accomplish a lot by layering jerseys, regular windbreakers and vests. It's the legs and extremities that need special clothing, at least for me.

[thekarens]

I won't ride in less than 50. I just don't tolerate the cold at all.

And this is why http://yestotexas.com/10-reasons-tex...-cold-weather/

Just a little Texas humor

[marni]

I won't ride in less than 50. I just don't tolerate the cold at all.

And this is why http://yestotexas.com/10-reasons-tex...-cold-weather/

Just a little Texas humor

After living in Northern Europe for almost 20 years and being able to cope wearing only a thick wool sweater, hat and gloves, having to put on extra layers here in Texas when it gets cold gets aggravating. Yes it goes to show how thin my blood has become , how much body fat I have lost , and how many years I have added but it is still aggravating.

Fortunately I have a lot of wool under layers and a gore tech outer layer which helps, but it is still bloody cold- I refuse to let it stop me, I will do cold and wind or cold and rain but not all three, and it always a grind and miserable, but it makes the after ride beer that much sweeter and as the song goes
" that which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Molecules in motion may last longer."

[emily_in_nc]

I could ride in temps < 50; after all, I do have wool socks, nice tights, fleece outerwear, and full-fingered gloves, but truth be told, I just find it too hard to get motivated to head out when it's really cold. And so often those lower temps bring even colder winds -- not much I can do to keep my face warm. I think winter is nature's way of reminding us that life isn't all about cycling. I like hiking and walking -- and reading! -- more in the winter.

I did finally make it out today, but the ride was much shorter than I'd planned. It was so incredibly foggy I didn't dare go out until the fog lifted at around 3 pm. By then the sun was trying to peak through, and the temp had risen to 60! So I donned my bike clothes (tights and windbreaker over shorts and long-sleeve jersey) and headed out. Felt great at first, but when I turned around to head in the opposite direction of our loop here, I realized that the fog was rolling back in -- and it was getting chilly! I went as far as I felt safe, but when it got to the point that I couldn't see cars because my glasses were so fogged, I didn't want to take any chances on them not being able to see me, so I ended up with only 37 minutes of riding. Pffffft!

It's always something, I guess. Not used to dealing with the type of pea-soup fog we're getting lately at the NC coast.

[OakLeaf]