Pre ride warm up

stubs

With the recent cold weather made worse by the wind chill I have been having trouble warming up. By the time I have gone from a nice warm house to a cold bike shed my blood seems to have turned to treacle and it takes about 5 miles to get fully working.
Any tips on how to do a pre ride warm up and any tips on what to eat before and during a freezing cold ride the usual drinks and bars seem to be designed for summer use only

Pippen33

Well since Aug 06 I've been a family man and working just the worst shifts, so I never get out as often as I like. Now that fitness levels have dropped I find that I HAVE TO warm up and get the blood flowing, or how I put it, 'break the heart in'.

I find it best to keep out of the saddle. And I have a rule, if I'm on tarmac I'm never sitting down.

clarkson

pippen i do like your stumpy!!

usually after 10 mins or so of fairly enthusiastic peadalling im warmed up enough, and by about 30 mins totally warmed up enough.

Pippen33

Quite ironic actually, I'v just flogged it on eBay as i'm upgrading to enduro expert.

clarkson

lol another good choice!! same spec as mine, albeit a newer one!

chris_mbuk

what i usually do is try to ride up a lot of hills before u start going on ur usual trails or, where ever u go, not big hills just little ones to get u warm and out of breath, that really helps for me, after 5 mins im warm and sweaty on a cold day then ur off ! :]

Tim in Yorkshire

Try filling a camel back with warm water or juice, it's suprising how long it stays warm for and is a lot nicer to drink when out on a cold ride. I'm not sure how hot you should go, I go for warm bath temp (40 deg?). I'm not sure when the plastic will start melting, so don't fill with boiling water on your first try!

garethjones85

At the moment I am following this basic training guide

http://www.health24.com/fitness/Programmes/16-1347-2102-2107-2258-2109.asp

and do the following stretches:

http://www.health24.com/fitness/Stretching/16-1372-1443,27635.asp

Fingers crossed I haven't had any pulled muscles since.

fireheed

The mile road strach from house to woods normally has me warmed up enough to get on with it.

Matteeboy

Do a very quick stretch but I find just riding warms me up as it's pretty low impact.

I always stretch/warm up before running or surfing though.