How cold is too cold?

[nscrbug]

I rode 41 miles this morning...it was 25F (sunny and dry) when we left, and topped out to just above freezing by the time we got back home. I felt a bit cold at first, but once we got past the first 30 minutes or so, I was okay. Having the wind at our backs on the way home made it feel warmer since the cold wind wasn't blasting me in the face. I wore a balacava on my head, 2 Under Armour layers (1 a Coldgear, and the other a thermal), my Gore Windstopper jacket, Gore Windstopper gloves, Gore Windstopper bibtights, DeFeet Blaze wool socks, and my newly acquired (thanks Pll!!!) Sugoi Resistor booties over my shoes. This combination of clothing worked quite well in this temp range, so I will definitely use it again.

[Tri Girl]

Like others have said, you'll just have to try it and see what your personal tolerance is. Your bike will be OK (since you're in the midwest and not in the Arctic).

I commute all throughout the winter. Last week I rode two days when the temps were low 20's F and the wind chill was mid teens. I don't ride when wind chills are single digit- unless I will have a tailwind both ways.
Layering is key. Go to the thrift store and find a couple 100% wool sweaters (one lightweight and one thick). Wool is the BEST! Wool socks, wool glove liners, wool beanie under the helmet, etc. I just bought some wool tights to wear under my work pants (I ride in my work clothes) and they are DREAMY and keep my legs toasty warm.

Good luck finding the perfect temp for you.

And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.

[tealtreak]

Like others have said, you'll just have to try it and see what your personal tolerance is. Your bike will be OK (since you're in the midwest and not in the Arctic).

I commute all throughout the winter. Last week I rode two days when the temps were low 20's F and the wind chill was mid teens. I don't ride when wind chills are single digit- unless I will have a tailwind both ways.
Layering is key. Go to the thrift store and find a couple 100% wool sweaters (one lightweight and one thick). Wool is the BEST! Wool socks, wool glove liners, wool beanie under the helmet, etc. I just bought some wool tights to wear under my work pants (I ride in my work clothes) and they are DREAMY and keep my legs toasty warm.

Good luck finding the perfect temp for you.

And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.

ditto the wool advice- keeps its insulating properties even when wet..........

[zoom-zoom]

I have been hoping to ride more outdoors this Winter than in the past...but I'm finding that my asthmatic lungs may not allow this. Today I rode 24 miles with friends into a lot of wind and really struggled (temps weren't even all that cold...upper 30s). In the Summer it's a piece of cake for me to finish a ride with an average speed of 16mph or faster for 4x that distance. Today our average was <15 and I was hurting. Tonite my lungs are really angry and my throat feels so raw.

So...I think I might be able to do some slower rides on my cyclocross bike or mtn. bike, but even with dry roads I may have to give up on faster road bike rides.

I'd give anything to have an even average set of lungs.

[Crankin]

My average is a little lower than yours at the peak of the season, about 15.5. Right now, I am happy if I average 13. Riding in the cold is a whole other thing. The cold doesn't bother my asthma, but after I get dressed like marshmallow woman and take a half hour to get ready to actually go out in cold temperatures, it takes a lot more effort. Especially with wind. Be happy you are still out there, riding.
Take your inhaler before you ride and don't breathe through your mouth!

[zoom-zoom]

Take your inhaler before you ride and don't breathe through your mouth!

Did the first, can't do the 2nd...related to my asthma is horrid sinuses/allergies (I always ride with a hanky, because my nose is always plugged-up and running like a sieve, especially lately as I battle a post-headcold sinus infection. I'm a mouth breather. So sexy... ).

[FlyingScot]

Thanks LPH! That's just the info I was looking for. I don't have a lot of money to spend on bikes and I don't want to ruin what I have out of pure ignorance. As for what to wear. I'm not too worried about actually figuring that out. I'm a downhill skier and my second job in the winter is as a ski patroller so I'm pretty savvy at putting the right combo together for the weather. I probably have all I need for the top half but will have to invest in some winter cycling bibs as my ski pants are far too bulky (shouldn't have thrown out my early '90's in the boot stirrup pants they would have been perfect! Well maybe a little fred but I would have been warm)

And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.

I'll check on that for you. I got mine out of the NSP catalog but it's not available to the public.

I'd give anything to have average lungs too. It's frustrating and scary sometimes.

[FlyingScot]

I found it available commercially!

http://cozywinters.com/shop/coldaven...-facemask.html

[lph]

Thanks LPH! That's just the info I was looking for. I don't have a lot of money to spend on bikes and I don't want to ruin what I have out of pure ignorance. As for what to wear. I'm not too worried about actually figuring that out. I'm a downhill skier and my second job in the winter is as a ski patroller so I'm pretty savvy at putting the right combo together for the weather.

Oh great! Then you're probably all set. I wear much the same XC skiing as I do biking, but hands and feet are more exposed, so thicker, more windproof gloves and something windproof that lets you wiggle your toes is in order.

[nscrbug]

Did the first, can't do the 2nd...related to my asthma is horrid sinuses/allergies (I always ride with a hanky, because my nose is always plugged-up and running like a sieve, especially lately as I battle a post-headcold sinus infection. I'm a mouth breather. So sexy... ).

Asthmatic here, too! And also a mouth-breather. Several years back, I was having a root canal done, and my dentist tried to insert some sort of rubber barrier into my mouth to prevent "debris" from getting into other areas of my mouth. I literally felt like I was suffocating with that thing covering my mouth. I immediately ripped it out and yelled at my dentist that I have asthma and I'm a mouth-breather and that he can NOT cover up my mouth like that. I think I scared the crap outta him.

The cold affects my breathing, as well...especially when hills are involved. I always take a hit of my rescue inhaler before I head out on a cold ride, but I carry it with me as well, just in case. It's the only time I ever need my rescue inhaler (I'm on Advair the rest of the time, which controls it). I find that I tend to hyperventilate more easily during a cold ride...which sucks.

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

Linda, I'm oddly reassured to know that I'm not the only mouth-breathing freak around here! Yeah, I hate dental work for that very reason.

[Catrin]

I have been hoping to ride more outdoors this Winter than in the past...but I'm finding that my asthmatic lungs may not allow this. Today I rode 24 miles with friends into a lot of wind and really struggled (temps weren't even all that cold...upper 30s). In the Summer it's a piece of cake for me to finish a ride with an average speed of 16mph or faster for 4x that distance. Today our average was <15 and I was hurting. Tonite my lungs are really angry and my throat feels so raw.......

I'd give anything to have an even average set of lungs.

I hear you ZoomZoom, I have asthma as well. It hardly ever flares these days but cold air is the one thing that WILL aggravate it for me. Riding in 95 degree heat doesn't affect it at all...My average speed is certainly lower than yours so I've no advice, just hope you can find something. Nothing wrong with mountain biking on frozen hard trails or cyclocross...