Why do I get so cold on the bike?
- Thread starter BigonaBianchi
- Start date
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meenaghman
Guru
>> toes freezing this morning....no way back from that!
winter socks and neoprene overshoes.... >>
Used to always suffer from freezing toes..
1. bought wider shoes - Sidi mega. worked wonders for numb feet.
2. I use defeet merino wool socks -aereator (woolie boolies too thick) and if need be a summer sock underneath.
3. I use adidas clima-wind proof overshoes.
Cold doesn't seem to affect my feet much now on a 3-4 hrs winter run.
winter socks and neoprene overshoes.... >>
Used to always suffer from freezing toes..
1. bought wider shoes - Sidi mega. worked wonders for numb feet.
2. I use defeet merino wool socks -aereator (woolie boolies too thick) and if need be a summer sock underneath.
3. I use adidas clima-wind proof overshoes.
Cold doesn't seem to affect my feet much now on a 3-4 hrs winter run.
Debian
New Member
- Location
- West Midlands
meenaghman said:
Again expensive bike specific stuff. I can't wear wool next to my skin anyway.
I wear cheapo JD Sports white socks (£2 for 5 pairs) inside lightweight low-cut hiking shoes. I never get cold feet. I know that's not an option if you need cleats but I usually cycle off-road so my commuting gear is the same.
tdr1nka
Taking the biscuit
- Location
- SE London, Bandit Country
I had/have the same problem.
Too many layers makes for little room for air to circulate or sweat to evaporate.
A lot of waterproof jackets trap the sweat which then gets held in the layers and that's how you stay damp and chilly.
In this last spate of cold weather I've been wearing wool socks with Sealskinz over the top, thermal running shorts and fleece bib longs.
I find as long as my lower body is generating heat I need to wear less on top, in which case I wear a long sleeve compression top with a t-shirt over the top and the trusty old Altura Night Vision with two buffs. Leaving only Altura winter gloves with silk lining gloves to make the ensemble is complete.
It's trail and error to find what works best for you.
Too many layers makes for little room for air to circulate or sweat to evaporate.
A lot of waterproof jackets trap the sweat which then gets held in the layers and that's how you stay damp and chilly.
In this last spate of cold weather I've been wearing wool socks with Sealskinz over the top, thermal running shorts and fleece bib longs.
I find as long as my lower body is generating heat I need to wear less on top, in which case I wear a long sleeve compression top with a t-shirt over the top and the trusty old Altura Night Vision with two buffs. Leaving only Altura winter gloves with silk lining gloves to make the ensemble is complete.
It's trail and error to find what works best for you.
Saddle bum
Über Member
- Location
- Kent
I predict a bit of flak for this, but here goes nothing..........
I don't accept that recreational cycling is pastime that should be undertaken in the extreme cold. By that I mean under 3degC. If there is the slightest risk of ice on the road, I don't bother.
However after many decades of riding, certain truths become self evident.
Body shape more than body mass is a major factor in keeping warm. Lanky types get cold, the more rotund riders do not. More to the point the skinny types do not have the skin area/body mass ratio to retain heat.
I don't see the benefit of riding hard in cold weather. The taking in of massive amounts of cold air is not a positive activity, also generating sweat without dispersing it effectively lowers the rider's temperature.
The hands, feet and other priority areas are difficult to protect from the cold. Your hands must be able to work the levers and feet must be comfortable when stuck to a pedal. Wind rush produces wind chill.
The base layer is the big priority. I use NIKE dri-fit and have found it most effective, bit I'm sure there is other stuff around just as good. The garment I use this weather is a long sleeve version of my summer ones.
Bugger using a a helmet - an effective hat that covers the ears is my number one, especially with a buff pulled up high at the back. Gloves are now very good but the wrist and fore-arms need to be protected as this is where the hot blood comes from in order to get to those otherwise frozen pinkies. Overshoes are no good unless effective socks are used. I have several pair of Damart long sox which protect the calves. These with Adidas neoprene overshoe mean my feet are never cold.
Also, I never stop (voluntarily), you never seem to get going again.
I don't accept that recreational cycling is pastime that should be undertaken in the extreme cold. By that I mean under 3degC. If there is the slightest risk of ice on the road, I don't bother.
However after many decades of riding, certain truths become self evident.
Body shape more than body mass is a major factor in keeping warm. Lanky types get cold, the more rotund riders do not. More to the point the skinny types do not have the skin area/body mass ratio to retain heat.
I don't see the benefit of riding hard in cold weather. The taking in of massive amounts of cold air is not a positive activity, also generating sweat without dispersing it effectively lowers the rider's temperature.
The hands, feet and other priority areas are difficult to protect from the cold. Your hands must be able to work the levers and feet must be comfortable when stuck to a pedal. Wind rush produces wind chill.
The base layer is the big priority. I use NIKE dri-fit and have found it most effective, bit I'm sure there is other stuff around just as good. The garment I use this weather is a long sleeve version of my summer ones.
Bugger using a a helmet - an effective hat that covers the ears is my number one, especially with a buff pulled up high at the back. Gloves are now very good but the wrist and fore-arms need to be protected as this is where the hot blood comes from in order to get to those otherwise frozen pinkies. Overshoes are no good unless effective socks are used. I have several pair of Damart long sox which protect the calves. These with Adidas neoprene overshoe mean my feet are never cold.
Also, I never stop (voluntarily), you never seem to get going again.
meenaghman
Guru
>> Again expensive bike specific stuff. I can't wear wool next to my skin anyway.
Yes.. years of not being comfortable on the bike on winter runs.. now I'm cosy and cushty.
The wide shoes are expensive.. and I got a custom made insole put in them.. but that was because of all sorts of problems with my feet.. I'd come of the bike and not be able to walk because of pain. And they're not that expensive in real terms.. look at what a pair of football boots or trainers cost now, and its rare to wear football boots/trainers actually running/playing football for 3-4hrs regularly never mind 6hr+ in the summer.
When it comes to base layers the best one I've found is the Brynje meraklon super thermal micro string t-shirt. beware not the Cotton one. Quite difficult to get hold of now in this country. Cycleways used to do them in Ireland. Seems to keep me the driest of any base layer.
Yes.. years of not being comfortable on the bike on winter runs.. now I'm cosy and cushty.
The wide shoes are expensive.. and I got a custom made insole put in them.. but that was because of all sorts of problems with my feet.. I'd come of the bike and not be able to walk because of pain. And they're not that expensive in real terms.. look at what a pair of football boots or trainers cost now, and its rare to wear football boots/trainers actually running/playing football for 3-4hrs regularly never mind 6hr+ in the summer.
When it comes to base layers the best one I've found is the Brynje meraklon super thermal micro string t-shirt. beware not the Cotton one. Quite difficult to get hold of now in this country. Cycleways used to do them in Ireland. Seems to keep me the driest of any base layer.
String vests
Whatever happened to them?? I wear the same base and medium layers for cycling, sailing and walking (sailing kit seems cheapest, then cycling, then walking, but it's basically all the same * .
Ron Hill running trousers and ex army long johns as well it it's below freezing. I always carry a fleece or waterproof jacket to put on when I stop. Usually feel cool to med warm when riding.
String vest theory works. Pockets of warm air enable sweat to evaporate, then you don't get the radiation effect when riding to make you get even colder.
Always wear something that is windproof but not impermeable on top.
Wind chill can have a startling effect (as has been said). Have a look here: http://www.yachting-life.net/new index/frames/wind chill_frame.htm
Whatever happened to them?? I wear the same base and medium layers for cycling, sailing and walking (sailing kit seems cheapest, then cycling, then walking, but it's basically all the same * .
Ron Hill running trousers and ex army long johns as well it it's below freezing. I always carry a fleece or waterproof jacket to put on when I stop. Usually feel cool to med warm when riding.
String vest theory works. Pockets of warm air enable sweat to evaporate, then you don't get the radiation effect when riding to make you get even colder.
Always wear something that is windproof but not impermeable on top.
Wind chill can have a startling effect (as has been said). Have a look here: http://www.yachting-life.net/new index/frames/wind chill_frame.htm
I also wear goretex socks in winter. and a wooly 'at. keep the heat you have generated but lose the moisture.
* Except for the life jacket - gets in the way on the bike.
* Except for the life jacket - gets in the way on the bike.
