Question after my Etape failure

suzyb

I was totally unprepared for how cold it was on Sunday. I didn't take any "winter" clothing because I didn't want to overheat and thought it would be better being a little cold on descents if it meant not getting too hot on ascents.

Is it better though? Or should you try and dress for the cold even if it means sweating a bit when putting the effort in on ascents or if it gets a bit warmer.

springtide9

Had a similar experience (I think)... but mine was post event... as I had cycled to the event and was planning on cycling back to the inlaws (as it was mothers day)...

Did the event fine... but the heavens opened and it really poured. The temperature dropped and I found myself having to push really hard to keep warm (not ideal after the event).

Luckily I didn't have that far to go to meet the wife as she drove half way to meet me.

Personally I think I'll pack better and carry a little extra if I know it's going to be a very long day or a distance/intensity that I'm not confident with.

Funnily enough... I had taken a small rucksack... so had space.

The issue is British weather....
One minute it can be sunny and 21c.. the next blowing a gale, 5c and raining.
I guess in the middle of the summer (late June/July/Early August) ... it is more predicable (and had been really really random the last few weeks).

ForumNewbie

suzyb wrote:

I was totally unprepared for how cold it was on Sunday. I didn't take any "winter" clothing because I didn't want to overheat and thought it would be better being a little cold on descents if it meant not getting too hot on ascents.

Is it better though? Or should you try and dress for the cold even if it means sweating a bit when putting the effort in on ascents or if it gets a bit warmer.

You need extra thin layers that you can take off and put in your back pocket when it gets warm. Get a gilet (and arm warmers) - see my post yesterday - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12777273

Anonymous

I'm always over-prepared for the cold, mainly based around the assumption I could be at the top of a big cold windswept hill and have a mechanical or worse, crash.

Both have happened to me.

It's not nice!

Bobbinogs

A simple packamac is good for long rides in changeable weather. Lots of options available out there and even the simple shower proof ones will keep the wind out which can be a godsend, particularly if the wind is an icy northerly. The Altura ones are so light that, tucked in your back pocket, if you don't need it then it is no bother either way.

When you say "failure", did you have to abandon or just not do as well as you had hoped?

suzyb

Abandoned and didn't do as well as I hoped Got caught by the sweep bus at mile 26 and was so cold I just climbed on board instead of continuing outside the event.

I was wearing arm warmers so my arms were OK but my body was cold and my feet were absolutly freezing as I left my overshoes at home (overestimated how warm my new shoes would be).

I did buy one of those waterproofs from Aldi last week so will take that with me in future.

meanredspider

Thin, windproof, waterproofs might have helped (like the Montane Featherlite stuff). That said, the temperature rarely climbs a lot at this time of year (with the exception of clear still skies) so whatever the weather at the start of the day, you aren't going to see much of a change (perhaps one layer). I have this challenge with the 7am commute and the 5.30pm return.

It sounds more like just starting completely wrong and guessing the temp rather than dressing to the real temp. One of the most useful bits of commuting kit I have is an outside thermometer. I know how to dress according to that - I rarely get it wrong.

rolf_f

I think you need to take cold feet seriously. I suffer from that and found that Woolie Boolies, Northwave Celsius boots and BBB Ultraflex overshoes still weren't enough to keep my toes warm during the winter.

On the Fred Whitton last week, I had arm and leg warmers, Planet X overshoes and the Aldi lightweight and that was just about enough. I got soaked but not at high altitude so I was never that cold but I did briefly regret not having worn my sealskins socks.

Otherwise, I knew the above kit was enough as long as I was able to keep moving. The Aldi jackets are a good call - not the sort of thing I wear often but the boil in the bag effect does keep the temperature up. There was no reason not to bring that.

I wouldn't worry about it - just err more on the side of caution next time. Make sure you have all options covered - eg for the Fred, I bought my Camelbak rucksack. Whilst I wouldn't normally use it whilst road biking, I knew that once the temperature gets beyond a certain point my water consumption increases exponentially - to the extent I might have had to ration between feedstops without the Camelbak. In the end, I drank little more than one bottle and certainly didn't need the Camelbak. But the point is, I had the option with me.

And don't let this put you off entering next year.

suzyb

I'm not going to rush to enter again, will wait until I'm more confident that I'd be able to finish it.

But yes, bad planning on my part on the clothes to take with me. Annoying thing is I had planned to take my overshoes and a long sleeved top but decided not to bother thinking I wouldn't need them. Did remember the sealskin socks though after the soaking I received the previous week but instead of wet it was cold. :roll:

We live and learn I guess. I'll know next time I'm doing any cycling away from home to take all my clothing just in case

AndyD2574

suzyb wrote:

I was totally unprepared for how cold it was on Sunday. I didn't take any "winter" clothing because I didn't want to overheat and thought it would be better being a little cold on descents if it meant not getting too hot on ascents.

Is it better though? Or should you try and dress for the cold even if it means sweating a bit when putting the effort in on ascents or if it gets a bit warmer.

Its a question of layers......rode the etape too and you are right....it was chilly. I was wondering what to wear as I didnt want to take a long sleev top..........so.......vest, short sleeved top, arm warmers and a waterproof (VERY thin) jacket. Had all layers on and stopped about 5 mile in and stuffed thin waterproof into pocket and that was me for teh day. 'Cool' on teh downhills and a wee bit swaaety on the climb. Play about with your layers and you will get it right. You will find a system that works for you.

dgstewart

For me too warm is always better than too cold - you can do something about being warm, but nothing about being cold. As already stated above, several thin layers are best for days where the weather might change a bit. My preference is some combination of:

1) One or more thin base layers, the number and warmth (and sleeve length) of them depending on the likely temperature range.

2) Arm warmers. Great bits of kit, and there's nothing to say you can't wear two pairs for added flexibility.

3) Also, knee warmers are good for cold starts, but again there's no harm on having 3/4s or full tights on even if your legs get a bit warm.

4) Socks and overshoes. Often wear two pairs of socks, and have thin overshoes as well as the "full monty" winter versions. I rarely find too warm feet being a problem!

bompington

It was quite chilly this year - I didn't find it too bad waiting at the start, but then I was standing in a fairly dense crowd for less than 15 minutes before I started.
I'm pretty well padded and quite cold tolerant so I started as I intended to keep going - thin long sleeved jersey & shorts. There were definitely times on the "into the wind" leg past the lochs when I felt pretty cold, and I wasn't really aware of sweating much at all, which is quite unusual for me. I only drank half my water too, felt a bit frustrated at carrying a full bottle round the whole way!

Suzy - I know it doesn't help to say this now, but after the turn at the end of Loch Rannoch the going was much more pleasant, and I think you would have warmed up fine, as well as the effort needed dropping sharply.
What you can take from that is that it definitely was an unusual combination of circumstances that got you: as bit more kit as others have advised (I always love the cosy feeling overshoes give, quite out of proportion with how much of you they actually cover), a bit more training (you don't need to call it training, just go out and ride), a bit better luck with the weather - and it could all be very different.

suzyb

If I hadn't been caught by the bus when I was I would may have got round the loch. But I'd been struggling before the feed stop (although felt 10 times better after the few minutes rest) but I was so cold I didn't want to continue outside the event as I felt, if I did want to abandon later it would be a looong walk back to Pitlochry.

cougie

Yes with experience you'll find that its best to be too warm rather than too cold. You can always take kit off or unzip things. When you're crying with the pain of frozen hands you cant do much about it.

At least it will be a good lesson for next time.

(plus the weather is messing us all around at the moment. Shorts and short sleeves one week, thermals the next)