Acclimating to riding in cooler temps

[Catrin]

I have found that, if my core isn't adequately dressed, my hands and feet wwill feel cold no matter what I'm wearing on them. It becomes a balancing act of dressing warm enough to keep my toes warm, but venting often enough that I don't start to heavily sweat. Is it possible that you just need another layer?

What were you wearing for your ride?

I had on full Gore head cover under my helmet, not just ear-warmers. On my upper body I had a long sleeved Smartwool base layer, short sleeve Swobo wool jersey, and a convertable windbreaker - I left the sleeves on. For my lower body I had on my Terry liner with chamois and Sugoui mid-zero tights - these go down to my ankles, so they aren't too short. On my feet I had on a pair of short Smartwool socks and toe covers on my bike shoes.

I don't think I was under-dressed. Of course I was chilly when I started but quickly warmed up. It is also true that when I turned west on the return leg of my ride I was riding straight in a pretty stiff headwind, it was all I could do to ride as fast as 10 mph! Guess I've been spoiled with all of the mountain biking, no wind to worry about Hmmm, this may have been a large part of the problem.

When I got home of course my clothes were sweaty, but I didn't seem to be drenched, so I don't THINK I was over-dressed...I have much warmer wool layers for colder temps.

I am carrying 30% less weight and I find that I am much, much colder. I have heard that from others who have lost weight as well.

Thank you for this, last winter I noticed that I was a lot colder during the winter - even in the office where I had burned up before I lost the weight. THIS winter I am getting a space heater for my office

[Becky]

For me, that would be too much clothing at those temps, but that's a very individual thing. I wonder if you were sweating a lot and your body was pulling blood from your extremeties to overcome the cooling effect of sweating? Maybe try less clothing next time?

In those temps and condition, I'd probably have on a wool long-sleeve jersey, a windblocking vest or jacket, knickers, a wool cap, wool socks, toe covers, and lightly-insulated gloves. YMMV.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on the plastic bags. It's amazing how well they work. I've had zero luck with toe covers - I can't see how they would even stay on if they weren't constricting your shoes and the feet inside - but some people use them successfully.

Just make sure you can actually wiggle your toes. If you can't, it's likely you're losing circulation and warmth.

I can't have my shoes or fingers uncovered on the bike if it's below 60°F.

Head covering makes a lot of difference too. A thin knit cap will fit under a helmet without too much readjustment of straps, or a balaclava in cooler temperatures.

[nscrbug]

I did a 65-mile ride this morning. When we left the house, it was right around 34 degrees. I had on a pair of Gore windstopper bibtights, an Under Armour Coldgear top, a Gore windstopper softshell jacket, DeFeet Blaze wool socks, toe covers, a Sugoi Coldout helmet beanie, a Smartwool neck gaiter, and Gore Windstopper lobster gloves. By the time we hit the midway point of the ride, I was feeling way overdressed. Fortunately, my Gore jacket has pit zippers for ventilation...my only saving grace! And I did ditch the neck gaiter and stuffed it in one of my rear pockets. For tomorrow's ride, I will opt for some lighter weight layers even if it means being a little chilled at the start of the ride...and I'll carry a pair of light weight gloves to swap out, because my hands were cookin' in those Gore lobster gloves by the end of our ride today.

[Catrin]

Have you tried plastic bags in the shoes over the socks? That usually works pretty well.

No I haven't, but will give it a shot. It makes sense...

For me, that would be too much clothing at those temps, but that's a very individual thing...

Yep, I get COLD and pull out the tights at 63 degrees...I don't think I was overdressed and didn't see any signs of sweating overly much. My sinuses even start giving me problems in the low 60's, I am just cold-natured I guess. I just need to get the mix right for my feet. My hands were fine, I wore my full-fingered mountain bike gloves,

Toe covers aren't enough if the temps are too cold for your feet. Try some good booties. They can be pricey but much cheaper than winter boots...I think warm shoes are the best solution. It's just too hard to ride with cold hands and/or feet.

I've considered this and will probably get a pair once I return from my trip home and my finances recover a bit, and they are pricy but not as bad as winter boots. Right now I am stuck trying to decide if I should get them for the road or for mountain biking (very different shoes, same booties wouldn't fit both) - I will ride the trails deeper into the season than the road...

+1 on the plastic bags. It's amazing how well they work. I've had zero luck with toe covers - I can't see how they would even stay on if they weren't constricting your shoes and the feet inside - but some people use them successfully.

Just make sure you can actually wiggle your toes. If you can't, it's likely you're losing circulation and warmth.

I can't have my shoes or fingers uncovered on the bike if it's below 60°F.

Head covering makes a lot of difference too. A thin knit cap will fit under a helmet without too much readjustment of straps, or a balaclava in cooler temperatures.

I could tell a difference with the toe covers, though I had to cut out most of the bottoms to get them to fit over my Frog cleats so I could clip in/out. I was just surprised at how cool my toes were at the end even though it wasn't that cold. It may be that my shoes were too tight as well, I've got to watch that.

I did get a Smartwool balaclava during a spring sale last year but the face seems really loose, so I may have wasted my money...

My Gore head covering was a great help as well, and it didn't seem to be too warm, I think my hair would have been drenched with sweat if it had been, and it really wasn't outside of the usual places at the back of my neck. I almost stayed with the ear warmers but glad I chose the full covering.

Thanks everyone! It helps to know that I am not the only one who gets cold.

[lph]

All the smart ladies here have said all the smart stuff already, but I'll still pitch in with one observation:

my summer shoes are not tight, just as normally snug as they have to be. I have broad feet so my toes are always pushed somewhat together. That makes them a sitting duck once the temperature drops. I have full shoe covers in neoprene that don't really help a lot against cold (but rain and wind, yes) because they're snug too. Even very lightly constricted feet get cold fast. My winter boots are a lot better because they're really roomy and the sole barely flexes at all. When it gets colder I add loose Goretex shoe covers, that cut the wind and create another layer of air. They're a lot thinner than the neoprene ones but work much better. And when it gets really really cold I've folded and taped a layer of newspaper around the toes of the shoes before putting on the shoe covers, works beautifully.

Pre spd pedals and winter boots, I rode several winters with large, worn-out running shoes, medium socks inside and cut-up old thick socks outside, and platform pedals.

[Sky King]

if you don't care about the fashion side, even finding a large pair of socks and making toe covers helps for shorter rides. Also we us the thin foot warmers that you peel and stick to your sock, not enough coffee so the name is escaping me. they can be too hot sometimes but as they last for 4 to 5 hours you can certainly take on and off as needed. We often put them on top of our feet for more comfort than on the sole

[Sky King]

I put them on the top for comfort. Also use them in my downhill ski boots and haven't had an issue with oxygen. I think I by the time I get the package open and positioned on my foot in a comfortable fashion a few minutes have passed so apparently they are activating. I confess though if it is below 25 degrees I am usually going to opt for walking over riding. and if there is a chance of ice, i am for sure walking.