Short wearing madness?

DavidTQ

Last year I wore shorts up until christmas as thats all I had, got myself some bib tights and a few other bits over christmas break what a difference they make My knees were hurting a lot in the cold (I have knee problems at the best of times)

thedaffodilfish

blackworx wrote:

nickthetrick wrote:

(do I have a choice on Leith Walk?)

Easter Road FTW

Easter Road then up over Regent Road to the end of Princes St/North Bridge - No cars and a cracking view!

Sewinman

I was wearing shorst until very recently but found my knees started making crunchy noises - anyone know what the crunch is? I am now wearing an old pair of navy chinos tucked into white socks...its a unique look. No crunch since the chinos.

wgwarburton

Hi,
Keep the knees warm!

A lot of people have knee or back problems. They seem to be weak points in the human body, and problems in them can be very inconvenient. Cycling is generally good for knees becasue it exercises them and builds up strength without too much strain or impact.

Look after them (and your back) and you've a much better chance of being fit and healthy in later years.

Cheers,
W.

Crapaud

WGWarburton wrote:

Hi,
Keep the knees warm!

A lot of people have knee or back problems. They seem to be weak points in the human body, and problems in them can be very inconvenient. Cycling is generally good for knees becasue it exercises them and builds up strength without too much strain or impact.

Look after them (and your back) and you've a much better chance of being fit and healthy in later years.
Cheers,
W.

^^^this^^^

Your knees don't have a lot of nerves, so they don't tell you that they're cold.

When the temp drops below 15 deg. C (opinions on the temp vary) the lubricating fluid in the joint starts to become more viscous and less efficient. This causes micro-tears on he joint's lining. This in turn wears the lining away over time and fcuks your knee up big time.

At a minimum, wear knee warmers at this time of year.

TL;DR Shorts at this time of year are just stupid!

vorsprung

chromehoof wrote:

Its definitely a lot more comfortable cycling in shorts. I'd imagine 3/4s or tights to be a little on the hot side.

If you get tights with a "windstopper" front but quite thin backs this is not the case
Gore Classic Action tights are like this

audaxvirgin

Have you never come across the idea that muscles work better when they're warm? Apart from which, air this cold takes the skin off your face and there's more skin on your legs! And that's without the cold air having better access to your crotch via shorts - even I've been wearing shorts under my bikesters, and I'm not a boy with balls to worry about!

cee

audaxvirgin wrote:

Have you never come across the idea that muscles work better when they're warm? Apart from which, air this cold takes the skin off your face and there's more skin on your legs! And that's without the cold air having better access to your crotch via shorts - even I've been wearing shorts under my bikesters, and I'm not a boy with balls to worry about!

not with a bush that size

lost_in_thought

vorsprung wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Its definitely a lot more comfortable cycling in shorts. I'd imagine 3/4s or tights to be a little on the hot side.

If you get tights with a "windstopper" front but quite thin backs this is not the case
Gore Classic Action tights are like this

I didn't write that!

nickthetrick

thedaffodilfish wrote:

blackworx wrote:

nickthetrick wrote:

(do I have a choice on Leith Walk?)

Easter Road FTW

Easter Road then up over Regent Road to the end of Princes St/North Bridge - No cars and a cracking view!

Ah yeah sometimes I go up Easter road then you gotta contend with the perpendicular parkers who pull out with out seeing ya. The view at the top is nice tho but Regent Road's got more a climb than you think. If I go that way I usually bomb down to holyrood and then chuck in a lap or two of arthurs seat!

Back on topic... I recently found out booties (not sure if this is the correct term and they don't look too cute on me) are a godsend for real long rides in the cold.

blackworx

thedaffodilfish wrote:

blackworx wrote:

nickthetrick wrote:

(do I have a choice on Leith Walk?)

Easter Road FTW

Easter Road then up over Regent Road to the end of Princes St/North Bridge - No cars and a cracking view!

Yep that's my route most days - the view never fails to lift the spirits. I'm the out of breath speccy git with the grey Trek, yellow top and red rucksack

nickthetrick wrote:

Ah yeah sometimes I go up Easter road then you gotta contend with the perpendicular parkers who pull out with out seeing ya. The view at the top is nice tho but Regent Road's got more a climb than you think.

Doesn't it just. Exposed too - it's a b*tch in the wind. Great fun coming the other way though as it's always pretty much empty. As for the parked cars on Easter Road, I'm always wary of them but touch wood never had it happen. There's almost always some fool pulling out on me at any number of the crossroads down there though. They are usually doing that "looking the other way and pulling out" thing we're all so fond of :evil:

chaley

It's baggy shorts all year round for me, not because it's big or clever, I just don't do trousers full stop unless I'm at work. And no I'm not welsh or a PE teacher :P
Chaley

ansbaradigeidfran

chaley wrote:

It's baggy shorts all year round for me, not because it's big or clever, I just don't do trousers full stop unless I'm at work. And no I'm not welsh or a PE teacher :P
Chaley

You mean you're BOTH? :shock:

simon_ramsey

I used to ride my MTB all year in shorts even with snow on the ground :?

Couldn't quite bring my self to buy full length tights but have a pair of 3/4 lengths that I wear baggies over for my commute. Shorts on a bike in central london in december just isn't right.

Northwind

I suppose it depends on your commute length and style, I'm commuting for fitness so I basically hammer it, but it's short- only 4 miles. So I tried tights, and long trousers, and found I overheat in either, so I'm back on shorts with no problems at all. I'm up the hills in shorts at the weekend, no reason road riding is any different. If I was on a longer commute, I'd have to knock the pace right back so I'd be wearing something warmer.