Is it the cold ...

fairweatherbiker

I've been getting stitch in my side - its happened 3 or 4 times recently - about 2 miles in to my commute. I ease off a bit and it generally goes and doesn't come back. I've been commuting daily for ages and never had this till recently.

Could it be the cold - should I do a few warm up excercises before starting out?

I thought it was caused by lack of oxygen or something (I've a vague memory of a biology lesson at school)

STEFANOS4784

How long before you leave do you eat? I find i get stitch if i eat shortly before leaving :?

Littigator

Apparently cold air can contribute to stitch so try breathing in through your nose which warms the air more so than if you breath in through your mouth.

fairweatherbiker

Same eating habits as ever - toast around 6am - leave around 7:15, then lunch around 1pm - leave around 4:30. But its dark both ways now and f.f.f.f freezing

I'll try the nose breathing - but its gonna be messy for anyone following :twisted:

lost_in_thought

Litts is right, also the relative humidity of cold air is higher, which can affect you adversely, and may have an effect on oxygen levels.

Maybe try wearing a buff or similar which can create a warmer environment around the mouth... might help with the cold air side of things.

fairweatherbiker

lost_in_thought wrote:

Maybe try wearing a buff or similar which can create a warmer environment around the mouth... might help with the cold air side of things.

a buff? - you mean something like this http://www.gotpollution.com/outlawmask.html