57 outside

[GLC1968]

I am just learning what works for me at what temperatures. I'm actually keeping a list of notes so that I can refer back to it. From what I am learning, it's a little different for everyone, so there will be some trial and error.

Last week, I commuted in when it was 46 degrees. I wore a short sleeve jersey with a bolero under an unlined wind jacket. I had a buff on my head (under my helmet), long fingered gloves, wool socks and shorts (I didn't own any longer bottoms yet). My knees were cold, but the rest of me was good for my 14 mile commute...I was just careful to keep my legs moving steadily the entire time.

This week, I commuted at 58 degrees and wore the same as above but I put on my new knee warmers (with a wind block panel on the front) and I was a sweaty, uncomfortable mess. Apprarently, I'm more 'warm-blooded' than I thought! I would have been fine if I'd lost both the jacket and the knee warmers (and the long gloves!).

Bear in mind, I do have a lot of extra 'padding' on my lower body. My husband needs leg protection at much cooler temps than I do (he wears polypro long underwear over his bike shorts for 60 degrees or cooler). Neither of us has biked below 40 degrees yet!

I came back to add something: both of my 'cold' rides were in the early morning...so it was dark. There was no sun to warm me up at all...had there been, I might have worn even less!

[pooks]

It's not just about whether or not you're cold-blooded or warm-blooded. When you're exercising, you create heat and don't need as much. Even when my friend and I were only walking in the mornings, on sub-freezing mornings we'd start off bundled but have to strip off layers after we'd gotten a half mile or so.

[GLC1968]

It's not just about whether or not you're cold-blooded or warm-blooded.

Well, of course not! That's just a figure of speech!!

I just mean that it's different for everyone. I've lived in the south for the past 9 years (7 in FL and 2 here in NC) and I was suprised at how I STILL handle cold-weather activity really well. When the guys I ride with need more coverage, I'm still comfortable in shorts or without a jacket. My advice? Start with the general guidelines (i.e. cover your knees below 65 degrees), and then tailor to your needs.

[pooks]

Well, of course not! That's just a figure of speech!!

I just mean that it's different for everyone. I've lived in the south for the past 9 years (7 in FL and 2 here in NC) and I was suprised at how I STILL handle cold-weather activity really well.

I've lived in Dallas my entire life and have never handled hot weather, activity or no activity. Sigh.

I hope we retire to someplace with seasons, grrrr.

I'm glad to know the general advice about covering knees at 65 degrees, though. It's helpful to have a rule of thumb to begin with, even if you discover you need a slightly different, um, thumb.

[chickwhorips]

I'm glad to know the general advice about covering knees at 65 degrees, though. It's helpful to have a rule of thumb to begin with, even if you discover you need a slightly different, um, thumb.

i'm striping off clothes at that temp.

i just check on temp, winds and rain. usually layer up so that way i can take stuff off. my general rule is if i step outside and i'm a bit chilly in what i have on i know it will be good. if i walk out and i'm warm or comfy i know i'll be to hot.

[Crankin]

Everyone is really an individual when it comes to cold weather riding. I can tolerate cold OK for sports with less wind resistance, but with cycling, I am always the one who has the most on. I know you are supposed to feel slightly cool at the beginning, but I hate feeling that way. My first mile from my house is downhill. It is freezing when it is cool out. I do tend to layer more now than when I first started riding, but what gets me are the people I see riding with shorts on when it's 55 or even 48 outside. I like wearing knickers between 55 and 65. If it's that temp. in the beginning of a long ride, I'll wear leg warmers, so i can be in shorts later when it goes above 65. As far as the top goes, I usually have too much on, but I'd rather feel sweaty than cold. For temps in the fifties i usually wear a regular long sleeved jersey with a heavier hoodie jacket, or a lightweight wool jersey (feels like cotton) and my wind jacket. Lower fifties, I go to a mid weight wool jersey with a vest or wind jacket. Less than 50, a mid weight wool jersey and my hoodie or wind jacket. I have a Gore Tex rain coat that is really warm, too and a Go Lite jacket that i wear X country skiing. I have worn that a few times when I've cycled in the winter. I wear full fingered gloves below 58 or so, one pair for temps in the 50s and the other for really cold riding and mountain biking. I also wear a skullcap or headband when it gets below 55 or so. Wool socks, yes, light weight ones most of the time up to 65. I have woolie bullies for when it's really cold, but they are a little thick with my shoes. I also have booties. Don't laugh! I wear them at times when it's in the 50's, but definitely in the 40's.

[Geonz]

I have so often ridden right beside people who are working as hard or harder as I am, are as much or more dressed, but they're shivering and turning blue and I"m not. I do tend to have more natural insulation than they do, and I want my (uninsulated :-)) ears covered oh, about at 49 degrees. 55 is my generic "want the jacket" temperature tho' that depends on sunlight and humidity, too. I was chilly today at 59 heading down to the LBS. I've never worn booties, even at 4 degrees (F). Thick socks and sneakers have always been enough for the 7-8 mile commute, and my feet get hot easily.

[Geonz]

Temperature aside, it's when my legs turn into alligator skin and start flaking off that is a bummer.

[JmcG]

When it's in the 50s here, I usually wear a long sleeve Under Armour layer under a short sleeve jersey. sometimes I put on a windproof vest too, depending on how windy it is. I'll wear full finger windproof gloves (but not thick bulky ones yet). On the bottom, I wear a pair of knickers, and a pair of socks. Oh, and I'll wear a headband to cover my ears under my helmet.

A good rule of thumb is that you should start out your ride somewhat chilly and that's a good indicator that you'll be comfortable on the ride. If you're too cold, add another layer; too hot, take one off.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Temperature aside, it's when my legs turn into alligator skin and start flaking off that is a bummer.

Sue,
Try getting one of those bath loofah type scrubbies or loofah washcloths and scrub down with some hair conditioner or some moisturizing bath lotion in the hot shower. You may be good for a week of soft flake-free smoothness afterwards.

[chickwhorips]

Try getting one of those bath loofah type scrubbies or loofah washcloths and scrub down with some hair conditioner or some moisturizing bath lotion in the hot shower. You may be good for a week of soft flake-free smoothness afterwards.

if that doesn't work mix up some salt (regular table salt works or if you want a coarser scrub use sea salt) mix it with some oilve oil and scrub it on while in the shower. sloughs off dead skin, hydrates and makes you feel all soft. you can add oils to the mix to make it smell pretty too.

[kelownagirl]

I swear by the Aveeno oatmeal products - body wash, lotion, oatmeal bath packets.... Haven't had any dry skin or excema since I started using it two years ago.

[Dogmama]

Anything below 65 is cold. I prefer to wait until it gets warmer. Or, I grab the spin class at my gym.

BUT, when I do ride in the cold I have booties for my feet - if my toes are cold, I'm miserable. Black booties and black tights - makes you look like an elf. With a BIG WHITE HEAD.