Commuting: building mileage and managing cold

[RoadRaven]

Ahhh... I am SOOOOO pleased I do not have the dilemma of wanting/needing a ride and the weather being THIS inclement and cold...

And if I did... wow, what a wealth of wisdom being shared here.

As always, I am very impressed by the depth of advice and suggestions given here... wishing you well and much warmth, thinpaper...

[Duck on Wheels]

Hi! Just got back from Christmas holidays in Norway. Haven't been out biking in the cold, but been walking a lot testing some cold weather gear I picked up "back home". I was skeptical when I saw a climbing/trekking shop advertised a wool bra. I envisaged some scratchy saggy homespun homeknit thing. Not! It's the most comfortable bra I've ever worn. Even comfier than the Playtex 18hr bra. It's by Aclima, and it kept my boobs toasty warm in weather down to -20C (5F), but wicks well and doesn't overheat indoors. Good support too, and even without padded straps no binding. Next trip home I'm getting more of these! I also got some lightweight wool/silk blend underwear that's pretty good in moderate cold, and some duolayer stuff (polyester liner + washable wool top layer) by Devold that is great for extreme cold. The top also has an extra bit of length at the back that I imagine would be handy for biking (why else would bike jerseys have that feature?), though I plan on just doing spin classes through the winter here. Tried biking in the cold one day and though I was warm enough everywhere else it gave me a splitting headache.

[Geonz]

When I started commuting (7 miles each way) I didn't *have* a big warm coat. So I would wear a t-shirt or silk long underwear under a sweatshirt, under two windbreakers. Since I'm riding through town, there usually isn't *that* much wind anyway. If it gets down to the single digits, it's a turtleneck and the silk longjohns and the sweatshirt and the two jackets.
My thighs are what gets coldest (and then there are the alligator ankles), but I have one really good pair of warm fleecies, and if I put on thin tights, the warm fleecies, and thick sweatpants, I can get across town before the cold gets through the layers. By then, I'm putting out enough heat to get things moving, too.
I have some warm gloves but I think I'm better insulated than most people. I also noticed that it takes between 7 and 10 minutes for my heater to kick in - so if I've still got the bike on the trainer, I'll get on and give myself a few minutes' head start before I even walk out the door.
When I got a big ol' LL Bean Warm Thing, I fouind it was 'way too warm. I want more layers anyway, to keep the wind off. So I usually do the two-jacket thing... and maybe it *looks* like I'm wearing everything I own, but that just makes drivers treat me more kindly :-) That also makes it easier to make adjustments for higher temps when I'm going home, as sometimes happens.
I can't help with the tired thing except it's prob'ly a food thing. I've never been too tired to ride and it wakes me up and energizes me... if I *don't* ride I'm yawning all morning. I would definietly explore the Iron thing.

[CorsairMac]

When I got a big ol' LL Bean Warm Thing, I fouind it was 'way too warm. I want more layers anyway, to keep the wind off. So I usually do the two-jacket thing... and maybe it *looks* like I'm wearing everything I own, but that just makes drivers treat me more kindly :-)

Nah - I think they treat us more kindly in the winter coz they feel sorry for us. I think they think we don't have any other way of getting to work - us poor dears eh? LOL

[MomOnBike]

It could be that the drivers try to stay out of our way 'cause we're obviously nuts riding a bike in such awful weather.

They may have a point there...(she says remembering some rides she took when any sane person would be safe at home - but the rides were glorious!)

Which brings up a new(ish) thought. Who remembers a (any) drive to work? I'd almost bet you remember more bike commutes than drives - good, bad or just a ride. Your bike builds more than muscles and cardio-vascular health, it builds memories. I file that under Good Things.

/lecture

[Geonz]

This week has been strange - I've driven in three of five days
I blame less exercise (even though I did the indoor training ride Tues. night) for forgetting what I was doign and leaving my bike in the hall by my office Thursday morning... public safety made me SQUIRM before they'd give it back, but I also know they don't like filling out theft reports (and, ahem, they pulled it out of the stairwell next door when I stuck it there while I looked for my lock a month ago, so I USED UP my stupid points...)

But my Free Radical is on its way... then I can carry *everything* and commute *everywhere.* (That's not the one... but what it'll look like...)

[Crankin]

I am also short and had difficulty finding rain pants/jackets. I got a pair of pants from Perfomance (extra small) that have velcro on the ankles, so you can bunch up any extra material. They work well; I wore them in Europe during our tour this summer (it was about 50 and raining out). I also have a pair of wool/lycra pants from Ibex that I wear x country skiing, with thin long underwear. i have worn these mountain biking and road cycling in the winter, with shorts underneath and they are very warm. I have hiked in them at -7 degrees!

[nicolezoie]

I've been commuting in the low 30s, and while I think I finally figured out my right clothing combo for my 16 mile commute, it often takes me *hours* to warm up afterwards. As soon as I'm off my bike, changed and cooled off from the ride, no amount of hats, socks, warm sweats, coffee, help me warm up. We don't have showers at work, so that's not an option.

Any suggestions?

[DirtDiva]

It could actually be that you need to eat more after your ride. I often find that if I've been a bit cold for quite a while that I warm up at last after a meal. It is the burning of calories that creates body heat in the first place, after all.

[CorsairMac]

I've been commuting in the low 30s, and while I think I finally figured out my right clothing combo for my 16 mile commute, it often takes me *hours* to warm up afterwards. As soon as I'm off my bike, changed and cooled off from the ride, no amount of hats, socks, warm sweats, coffee, help me warm up. We don't have showers at work, so that's not an option.

Any suggestions?

drink hot/warm liquids. You need to get your core warmed back up so drink a cup of coffee or tea or soup. Heck some days I just drink a cup of warm water. If you can tolerate it hot right away, drink it hot. I'm usually fine the first 30-45 mins after I get here THEN my core cools down and that's when I get chilly. I've found hot liquids help.

[ladyjai]

hot liquids and a personal space heater on your toes :-D

[nuthatch]

I've got the same problem - almost like that efficient furnace turns itself down to "vacation" setting when I stop moving (whether from an actual commute or my morning trainer ride). I load on the clothes and everyone at work laughs at me. The only thing that works is getting up and doing a few jumping jacks or such to rev things back up. I don't think I'm the ultra-fit athlete or anything but my heartrate goes way down, body temp way down and brrrrr!! Maybe an electric blankie at work??

[mainerider]

I have this problem too. I haven't thought too much about what I eat and drink after a ride, usually whatever is on hand, will give the hot stuff a try.

[thinpaperwings]

I figured I should give an update, and thank you all for your wonderful advice.

I found a Novara waterproof windbreaking jacket that, while rather large on me, breaks the wind very nicely and makes a huge difference for my ride. The weather hasn't been as cold as it was before, so I don't know if it will stand up to near-freezing temperatures, but so far it has been great.

I've also gotten a better water bottle and am drinking more on my ride: I've noticed a big difference there, too. Thanks for pointing out how important drinking is during the ride.

A third difference is that I've changed my commute so that I don't ride through downtown anymore, and I have fewer lights to stop at. Most of the ride is along the river, and while it gets windy, I stay warm because I don't have to stop.

Overall, I think the biggest improvement is the windbreaking jacket.

Thanks again!
Sara