Are you stupid too....

[totallyfixed]

Went out for a spin round Rutland Water today and I am once again amazed to see cyclists in shorts. The temperature was just above freezing, oops, need to edit that first sentence - Went for a spin round Rutland Water today and the usual machismo types were out with bare legs on their mountain bikes.
One note of interest, out of the seven mtb'ers I saw, five were men and two were women, no prizes for guessing who wore the shorts.
Someone out there tell me why? An engine needs to be warm to work efficiently and knees are the same, if they are cold then damage long term will occur.

 

[asterix]

Not me. SJSC fixed me up with some thick 3/4 length leggings that are very warm and comfortable. Did a ride to the Wolds yesterday no bother at all (I then had to go and sort a neighbours frozen pipe when really I wanted a nice hot bath).

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I have seen a number of MB riders out around here in the last few days wearing shorts. Don't they realise that they can do serious damage to knee joints in these temperatures?

Never see a roadie so dressed.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Maybe they were so unfit after their festive indulgencies that they needed to keep as cool as possible. Either that or they were just trying to be macho.
Anyway, I usually wear tracksuit bottoms, you know the shiny/matte kind (which if stretched gives a VPL, but I don't care ). Keeps me warm enough and they aren't too baggy either.

Either that or I'll just wear my jeans with a trouser clip if I'm out on squeaky bike to the shops, etc.

 

[hambones]

Not overly stupid but pretty lazy... Can you post up the links indicating scientific evidence which supports covering knees in colder weather?

Thanks

 

[fossyant]

Always keep me legs toasty..............

From my club days............it was drilled into me - shorts are for racing, or very hot days only........

 

[krushavik]

I think the people who wear shorts in this weather must have their brains in pickle jar at home. Love my wind proof legging in this weather.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Not overly stupid but pretty lazy... Can you post up the links indicating scientific evidence which supports covering knees in colder weather?

Thanks
/quote]

Happy to oblige. This is but one of several I could quote:

http://www.cyclocamp...e_Pain-124.aspx

 

[mgarl10024]

Maybe they were so unfit after their festive indulgencies that they needed to keep as cool as possible.

shorts are for racing, or very hot days only........

Being quite unfit, I find that riding is a very exothermic activity for me, so I'll expect to be back in shorts by March at the latest (I'm currently wearing joggers with ankle clips). If I'm going for it a bit, then I reckon I could get away with shorts in this weather, but the concern is when you have to stop for something like a p*ncture or a tea-break - it's amazing how quickly you can cool down.

Can you post up the links indicating scientific evidence which supports covering knees in colder weather?

Gramps tells me of a time when he spent a lot of his youth led with his back on a cold concrete floor whilst repairing lorries etc. and his foreman saying "you'll regret that when you're older...", however him ignoring it thanks to the invincibility of youth. He now has very bad arthritis in his shoulders/neck.
Not doubting what people are saying about cold and long term damage to knees, but I too would be interested to read about it.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Another: http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/11322/1/Techniques-to-Avoid-Cycling-Knee-Pain.html

 

[Gerry Attrick]

And another: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/104323/

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Another: http://bicyclecentreseverett.com/bu...ool-weather-cycling-ig187/knee-warmers-41.htm

 

[Gerry Attrick]

One more for luck: http://www.ehow.com/about_5380809_knee-patella-pain.html

 

[mgarl10024]

One more for luck: http://www.ehow.com/...tella-pain.html

"There's a saying among some cyclists: below 70 degrees, cover your knees."
That's ~21 degrees Celsius! I'd be cooked at that temperature, as I find about 8 degrees is the short/leggings boundary.

 

[Ghost Donkey]

I used to be the type of peson who did this until a runner I worked with very kindly pointed out potential knee damage to me. I've passed this on to people I know but never shouted it after a stranger.