Commuting: building mileage and managing cold

[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