How do they do it - Student Riders!

[Crankin]

I stopped fighting with the kids (12-13 yr. olds) about wearing coats when we went outside about 5 years ago.
I don't get it, either. I was not "warmer" as a kid. Yesterday, when it was about 13 out, I went to the dentist, near my kid's old HS. While everyone I saw was wearing a jacket, some of them had on what I would consider to be a spring jacket, none had gloves, or hats on as they spilled out of the Starbucks.
And I also don't understand some of the riders and runners I see wearing shorts when it's 50, 40, or 30. Last week I saw 2 runners in my neighborhood in shorts. It was around 25 out and their legs were bright red. While I definitely have developed more of a tolerance for cold, the more I ride, I have to wear tights when it's less than 55, maybe 52. Between 55-65 I can do knee warmers or knickers.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I also suspect that most teenagers and young people run around in the freezing cold without gloves, hats, or jackets simply because they keep LOSING them.

DH's son used to keep telling us his stuff was 'stolen'. Replacements were purchased. After 2 winter coats were "stolen" in succession, further interrogation revealed that he actually LEFT the coats hanging over some fence in the baseball field or at the park, and then when he went back to get them like two days later they were gone....thus, "stolen".

I suspect when they go off to college there is a period of time during which they are astonished when replacements don't 'magically' appear...and eventually (when they run out of clothes) they stop shedding apparel like autumn leaves everywhere they go.

[Crankin]

Yes, it is amazing that my older son has not lost a coat since he graduated from college and he wears a hat, gloves, and a scarf all of the time. He once lost his brother's winter coat, that he had worn because he liked the color better! Although he did lose his backpack about a year ago; the same LL Bean one I bought him in 1992.
My other son still has his winter coat I bought him in HS. He doesn't need it too much in San Diego, but when he was stationed in VA, he wore it. He doesn't lose it, because he keeps it in the back of his Subaru.

[Tuckervill]

My legs, being well-insulated, are better able to take cold weather, and therefore if the weather is iffy, I'd opt to cover my upper half rather than my lower half. When I come in from a cold run and get in the shower, I am often surprised to feel how cold the skin on my outer thighs is (even when wearing pants)! I never notice outside.

Karen

[Mr. Bloom]

After starting this post, I researched some more and actually found the frostbite table.

At those temps, assuming a 15mph ride, it would actually take about 30 minutes for frostbite to set in. So, a couple miles on the bike - while unpleasant - may not be dangerous to the skin or extremities...but as for me, I wouldn't have done it when I was 20 (and the top of my head was naturally insulated then!)

[LadyinWhite]

I ask myself "How do they do it" all the time - I'm the advisor for the brand new Monmouth University Cycling Team and although they have moved their training indoors for the winter, the team still heads out 1x a week to ride out of doors for 50 - 80 miles in just arm warmers, tights and gloves for "winter gear".

They say "Come on Theresa! 7am - join us!"


ummmmm... I don't think so!