December riding (outdoors), anyone?

[lph]

Shorts and short sleeves? Are you kidding me??

Yeah, I'm riding. Winter jacket, lobster gloves, studded tires, wool buff, winter shoes. As long as I don't get wet snow I'm ok :-)

[ny biker]

I don't know how I'll do it, but I really need to figure out a way to get a second home/retirement home in a place like NC or somewhere else where it's warmer in the winter.

I was thisclose to riding outside today. I had a route all mapped out, 29 miles long with two short cuts in case I got too cold, and was even going to post it as a club ride in the hopes of having a few companions. The forecast looked like we'd have some sun and temps in the low 40s. But then they added a 15 mph wind from the NW to the forecast, with wind chills in the 30s, so I decided not to do it. I'm still trying to figure out how to stay warm when it's above 40 with no wind.

I should have warmer tights soon, in a few weeks at the latest. That should help me get outside again.

[Crankin]

Same thing happened to me, NY Biker. I went for a good run, instead, and then felt pissed I didn't ride. But, my street was still wet, and there was salt around. I was more concerned with the probability of ice on the sides of the road, since that's what got my friend when he broke his hip.
It's colder today, but, I *have* to get outside and ride. I have all of the gear. I've just lost the will. But, it's making me cranky, even though I'm exercising. Once it snows, I focus on nordic skiing and snow shoeing and I don't feel so cranky.

[ny biker]

Crankin, what do you do to keep your face warm during cold outdoor exercise? I hate that cold clammy feeling from having any kind of fabric in front of my mouth. Have you found a way to prevent that, or at least minimize it?

[Crankin]

I just came back from an 8.5 mile ride. It's 31 degrees and cloudy. No wind, though. I am always nervous about wearing my PI Amfib gloves, as they feel like they are too bulky to shift. My go to solution is wear my wool glove liners under my regular full fingered gloves, with a chemical heater in between the layers. It didn't work today, and that's why the ride was so short. NY, today I had on my Terry fleece balaclava, which I have never worn for the entirety of a ride without having to remove it, because I get so sweaty. Not today. I don't pull it up over my mouth, as I tend to feel claustrophobic from that. Although, today, I did for the 1.2 miles down the hill when I started.
Not sure why I felt so cold. I was wearing my Ibex tights, wool x country ski socks, winter shoes with chemical heaters (my feet were fine), a Craft base layer and Craft thermal LS jersey and a heavy duty Assos jacket. I also think it's because I haven't been riding outside on a regular basis. The cold seems to be bothering me in a more general way, I think because we had a warm November and then it got freezing, not in a gradual way. I won't turn into one of those people who complain about it, though, as I am not going back to AZ! Once it snows, I am fine, because I love my winter pursuits. We brought the Kuotas in, to put on the trainers, and any outdoor riding will be done on the Gurus. I feel good now, that I was outside for 45 minutes and I am going to stretch.

[Becky]

Our forecasted "coating to an inch" of snow turned into more like 8" of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. So DH and I went for a night ride on the SS MTBs. That was the hardest 3 miles I've ever done- such wet, heavy, deep snow! When we weren't riding on snow, we were riding on icy, slushy stuff. Either way, hard work. I can, however, vouch for the fact that Shimano winter boots are absolutely awesome- just one pair of socks, no toe warmers, and no liners, and my feet were warm and dry at 30 F in the snow. (Oh, and clipless pedals suck in the snow, but y'all knew that already.)

[Donna1960]

I rode 34-1/2 miles and it was 29F...no wind though. I would have went further but my feet were cold. An ultracyclist who rides centuries November through February as well as other events told me to invest in neoprene socks and goretex socks which fit in most cycling shoes. Might be a Christmas present to myself. I will ride here in upstate NY until there is snow on the ground..