Quote Originally Posted by Nokomis View Post
Looking for advice in improving riding with cold legs. DH tells me I don't ride well in the cold because I "mash too large of a gear." Well, it's the same gear I would ride on a warm day in order to maintain that 18 mph pace, and if I gear down to spin faster (more friction to warm the legs?) then my speed suffers. If I try to compensate and keep the speed up - well, the cardio backing just isn't there.
I know exactly what you are saying. I have the same problem, come winter. I know I start out the season spinning well, but I think my legs kinda "forget" to spin, spin, spin as the season winds down and by the time winter comes around, I'm mashing more than is good. Then I know it's time to concentrate on picking up my cadence, to keep the legs warm. It is difficult at first, but if you keep at it, it gets easier. It does take more cardio for me, too, but that's ok - I know I need to work on it!

As for tights, depends on the temps and how your legs deal with it. Go for full-length if you are cool in capris. Still cold? Try some poly-pro lined tights, or wool ones. There are also tights with wind-proof front panels, if you really need to keep those quads warm.

Annie