Is this normal?

[kimba]

Lately I've noticed that when I come home from a ride- I am freezing cold.
Now I know the weather here has been particularly cool - but this seems weird. I can't remember ever having anything happen like this before.

I notice, when riding, that my legs and arms are quite pink- and even if it's a bit chilly and other riders have jackets on- I am quite warm.
Post ride, though- my body temperature plummets.
Is this bad? Is it normal?

Could it be because I am now wearing sweat wicking technical gear, that the garment gets damp inside and that contibutes to the temperature decrease?

For example, today was fairly chilly out- I went on a long ride, very windy and rainy - but I was quite warm in my cycling tights and jacket. I thought maybe this would help with the temperature thing, because I was still covering up my extremeties. But sure enough- on the drive home- I was freezing cold.

I had to come home, take a hot shower and layer up with tons of fleecy sweatpants and shirts- and a down comforter wrapped around me-
and fuzzy hand knit wool socks!

I actually do quite well in the hot weather- inheriting a particularly efficient heat exchange system from my Mom- : )
Yay! genetics!

I sweat quite easily- I used to do heavy costume work in the middle of the sweltering summer- I rarely had difficulty with the heat. Other characters were dropping like flies- but I just kept going...

could this also be a contributing factor?

So- should I worry- or is it nothing? I don't feel crampy or sick or anything...

Kimba

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by kimba
Could it be because I am now wearing sweat wicking technical gear, that the garment gets damp inside and that contibutes to the temperature decrease?

For example, today was fairly chilly out- I went on a long ride, very windy and rainy - but I was quite warm in my cycling tights and jacket. I thought maybe this would help with the temperature thing, because I was still covering up my extremeties. But sure enough- on the drive home- I was freezing cold.

No scientific data here, but I also chill easily after a work out. If you drive to workout (ride, run whatever) be sure to take an extra set of warm clothes so you can get out of your wet stuff as soon as possible.

At home I find that eating, drinking warm fluids (tea) and taking a nice warm shower help too.

[kimba]

Thanks for the advice!
I know now that I have to bring those extra toasty items...and a nice thermous of tea or hot chocolate for after the ride!
It was just weird, I mean, I can expect a bit of a chill- but this is downright freezing! It's not something that I remember happening before and that's why I was a bit worried.
Oh well- we'll see if it continues into the summer...ambient temperature and all....

Kimba

[grannydea]

Just a thought here and please ladys tell me if I am wrong, but could it be because you are not eating enough and you are burning up to many cal with your workout? I find that if I haven't eaten good cals before and during a long workout (ie. longer than 1 1/2 hours) and eat something right after I get off the bike, even though I get out of sweaty clothing I get cold like this even if its warm out. Input anyone???
Dea

[kimba]

That could be it I suppose-
I'd only eaten some soup- enough to feel full mind you- a couple of hours before my ride....
maybe soup isn't a good pre ride food for me...

Kimba

[ausgirl]

This is just a thought, but when you are training your heart rate is probably at above 65% of your max heart rate. If its a hard ride maybe even above 80%. So say your max is 200 as an example, your 65% is 130 and your 80% is 160, when you get off the bike your body isn't demanding oxygen and nutrients from the blood as quickly so your heart rate will probably drop to under 50% (100bpm), a drop of at least 30bpm (probably far more). The blood flowing through your body helps to keep you warm and maintain your body temperature, but now its not doing that as fast and you start to get cold. Strip off any sweaty wet clothes quickly, eg socks, tights worn over knicks, armwarmers and quickly replace with a warm fleecy tracksuit if you can. If you can duck into a rest room for a minute its probably worth taking off all your clothes, towelling dry and putting warm stuff on.

[kimba]

I was talking to a scientist firend of mine, and she said that that's part of it- and-
in addition to the cardio action, the capillaries bring blood to the surface of the skin to help dissipate the heat caused by muscle activity.
When the muscles stop working, there is a delay in
the reaction by the capillaries- which are still attempting to cool the now non existant heat from your muscles.So- it's like airconditioning - when it's still on high and the temperature drops outside- you freeze...

She suggested I take a walk after my ride to help the capillaries adjust to the temperature decrease, and decrease cooling my body.
And also- to take warm clothes with me, and change right away.

Thanks for all the suggestions, y'all!

Kimba

[betagirl]

Hey Kimba

No idea why, but just wanted to add that I have that problem too. On particularly cool days, I get SO cold after the ride. If I had to drive to the start of the ride, I go home with the heat on full blast. Then I take an extra hot shower to try and thaw out I do wear a wicking long sleeve top under my jersey, but apparently that doesn't really matter. It's so nice to have it warm out now. No more layers of clothes and no more of that nasty chill!

[kimba]

Well- nice to know I'm not alone.: )
I'll be carrying an extra pair of fleece or sweats in the car just in case, from now on.
And a towel!

Kimba