Cyclists in shorts in very cold weather

FlacVest

Your body makes heat when you use muscles; I'm ~150 and am practically all muscle.

As a result, when it's ~75 or higher outside, I sweat, because i'm constantly making heat. Now that it's getting colder, I walk around in a shirt and maybe some jeans ~50 F or so, because I warm up from just walking.

Cycling? Compression jersey that's long sleeved, gloves, and shoe covers. I have a might metabolism as well, so there's that.

dynamicbrick

Down here on the coast, where there's usually a bitingly cold wind during the winter clothing becomes a bit of a pain in the proverbial on the seaside runs, especially if I'm doing loops.

Tights = nice and snug to start with, but then I boil when the wind is behind me. Shorts = cold knees aren't funny, and neither is cramp in the calf muscles when freewheeling with the wind behind. Leg warmers = sometimes useful, sometimes the worst of both worlds and you have to stop to remove them, at which point you suddenly cool off and have to repeat the process.

But yes, know what you mean. Driving over Devil's Dyke on Sunday late afternoon and it was fairly cold - down to 2oC in the dip - and the usual array of MTBs and Roadies are out in long sleeves, tights or 3/4s, gloves, hats, etc... all except one chap who's pounding up a hill in a pair of football shorts, t-shirt, and trainers, on what looked to be a mid range Bianchi.

MrSweary

I'm actually surprised by how much clothing I generally see people wearing whilst on my London commute. I think I'd tog up a bit more if I were on a 30 mile loop but on my 12-13 mile commute shorts are the order of the day throughout the year.. I'll up the foot and hand protection when it is very cold and I'll have a base layer and shell of varying thickness but very rarely anything else. I have a hot head (not related to the username I might add) so the above is quite sufficient.

If I were wearing as much as I see most people in every day I'd be boiling my bottom.

amaferanga

FlacVest wrote:

Your body makes heat when you use muscles; I'm ~150 and am practically all muscle.

As a result, when it's ~75 or higher outside, I sweat, because i'm constantly making heat. Now that it's getting colder, I walk around in a shirt and maybe some jeans ~50 F or so, because I warm up from just walking.

Cycling? Compression jersey that's long sleeved, gloves, and shoe covers. I have a might metabolism as well, so there's that.

150 - wow you're old. Or do you mean 150 pears.

And what's that, 75 bananas outside? Or oranges?

And I'm utterly confused about what capacitance (the F for Farad) has to do with anything....

declan1

amaferanga wrote:

FlacVest wrote:

Your body makes heat when you use muscles; I'm ~150 and am practically all muscle.

As a result, when it's ~75 or higher outside, I sweat, because i'm constantly making heat. Now that it's getting colder, I walk around in a shirt and maybe some jeans ~50 F or so, because I warm up from just walking.

Cycling? Compression jersey that's long sleeved, gloves, and shoe covers. I have a might metabolism as well, so there's that.

150 - wow you're old. Or do you mean 150 pears.

And what's that, 75 bananas outside? Or oranges?

And I'm utterly confused about what capacitance (the F for Farad) has to do with anything....

I think he means he's around 150lbs in weight. F stands for Fahrenheit.

bompington

FlacVest wrote:

~150 and am practically all muscle.

That's quite impressive, the average man is about 40-50% muscle. Did you have your bones surgically removed?

amaferanga

declan1 wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

FlacVest wrote:

Your body makes heat when you use muscles; I'm ~150 and am practically all muscle.

As a result, when it's ~75 or higher outside, I sweat, because i'm constantly making heat. Now that it's getting colder, I walk around in a shirt and maybe some jeans ~50 F or so, because I warm up from just walking.

Cycling? Compression jersey that's long sleeved, gloves, and shoe covers. I have a might metabolism as well, so there's that.

150 - wow you're old. Or do you mean 150 pears.

And what's that, 75 bananas outside? Or oranges?

And I'm utterly confused about what capacitance (the F for Farad) has to do with anything....

I think he means he's around 150lbs in weight. F stands for Fahrenheit.

Um well yeah I could have worked that out (actually I did). But F is the SI unit for capacitance. That he's actually bothered to use a unit is good, but he should have used the right one (°F).

bompington

amaferanga wrote:

he should have used the right one (°F).

Give yourself one geek point for getting a ° in there. But really it's the "I'm such a hero, mine is 300,000µ long and is bigger than yours" tone which we object to, isn't it? ;-)

DavidJB

Herb71 wrote:

tiredofwhiners wrote:

.... if he breaks down then he's in trouble. .

Never even thought about that side of things....

I got caught out under dressed one day it rained and I broke down...I got hypothermia....never again

amaferanga

bompington wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

he should have used the right one (°F).

Give yourself one geek point for getting a ° in there. But really it's the "I'm such a hero, mine is 300,000µ long and is bigger than yours" tone which we object to, isn't it? ;-)

Even when I was typing it I was thinking I sound just like my Physics teacher. But then I am a physicist and there's no excuse for being lazy with your units

Joeblack

DavidJB wrote:

Herb71 wrote:

tiredofwhiners wrote:

.... if he breaks down then he's in trouble. .

Never even thought about that side of things....

I got caught out under dressed one day it rained and I broke down...I got hypothermia....never again

So you wear extra clothes just in case you break down? What about the 99% of the time you not broke down? You boil?..

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

junglist_matty

For this time of year, I wear:

Castelli Nano Flex bib shorts (3/4 length)...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cas ... s-ec040805

Castelli (Team Garmin) winter jersey...
http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/p/23301/tea ... nID=479068

Pro Tarmac overshoes...
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Pro-Tarmac-H2O- ... _29975.htm


Cheap ski gloves (from Sno! zone indoor ski slope)
http://www.snoshopuk.com/pages/shopping ... 1&ProdID=1

Ski socks to keep my toes warm

Warm enough.... When the temp gets really cold I wear this under my jersey....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250762773771? ... 0022492261

And I keep a lightweight Castelli rain jacket in my saddlebag for those times when it's likely to rain (heavy rain - light rain I don't bother)...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cas ... t-ec027333


Keeps me nice and snug.



By the way, 3/4 length bib shorts because I've had trouble in the past with my right knee playing up when riding for a long time when it's cold... But since wearing the 3/4 lengths I've never had the injury come back, so I think it's a very good idea to keep your knees warm and well protected because it seriously hurts if they get injured (from past experience having to ride 20miles home with a very painful right knee wasn't fun at all).

declan1

Joeblack wrote:

DavidJB wrote:

Herb71 wrote:

tiredofwhiners wrote:

.... if he breaks down then he's in trouble. .

Never even thought about that side of things....

I got caught out under dressed one day it rained and I broke down...I got hypothermia....never again

So you wear extra clothes just in case you break down? What about the 99% of the time you not broke down? You boil?..

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

junglist_matty

Joeblack wrote:

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

Hey?????

You'd have to be a right idiot to not have a spare tube (or PRK) with you "in case" you get a puncture.... Unless of course you're a pro and have a team mechanic in a car with loads of spare wheels!

ben@31

I read a few things on mountaineers climbing in winter.

One of their train of thoughts is that you can over dress for strenuous activity in winter. Then you'll sweat buckets when working hard. If your clothes get wet through with sweat, as soon as you stop the wet clothes will cause you to suffer more from the cold.

I suppose mountaineers can carry a few layers in their rucksack and add or remove layers depending on if they're working hard or stopped.

amaferanga

ben@31 wrote:

I read a few things on mountaineers climbing in winter.

One of their train of thoughts is that you can over dress for strenuous activity in winter. Then you'll sweat buckets when working hard. If your clothes get wet through with sweat, as soon as you stop the wet clothes will cause you to suffer more from the cold.

I suppose mountaineers can carry a few layers in their rucksack and add or remove layers depending on if they're working hard or stopped.

It's the same for cyclists which is why the general advice is that if you're warm when you set off then you're wearing too much. If you're layered up and you can remove some then that's fine.

I think it's a mistake that many new cyclists make in winter - they wear a a thick warm, boil-in-the-bag jacket, sweat so much that they then get cold if they stop or even going down hills so they think they need to wear more, where as they actually need to wear less.

bompington

Problem is, conditions can vary a lot during a ride.
My commute (and most other rides I do) starts with a long descent, as I live up a hill. Going down this in sub-zero temperatures without being remotely warmed up is no fun, and requires being fairly well togged up.
But after 10 minutes or so there is a 30 minute section that is mostly uphill - punctuated by a couple of fast descents.
Windchill means that if you are doing 30mph downhill into even a 10mph wind at round about freezing point, the effect on bare skin is equivalent to nearly -20°. Even at 10°, i.e. a really mild winter day, it's equivalent to -2°.
I am, err, quite well padded, and actually (if I may be so modest) nearly as hard as nails, but I have no intention of going out in conditions like that in shorts.

herb71

TOM14S wrote:

Herb, is it you I see cycling towards Desford some mornings? I pass a bloke wearing shorts n shirt in the rain and cold some mornings and think he's crazy! :shock:

Won't be me. I don't normally go up as far as Desford, and I don't commute. Normally to be found at weekends and the odd lunch time on loops out from Swinford.

I might think about packing a light jacket in case of mechanical. This thread has got me thinking, but we are all different. Some of us obviously don't feel the cold as much as others. Conversely, I can't run when it gets hot, I start to feel nauseous pretty quickly, so tend to take to the bike in summer and mostly cross country running in winter.

cougie

It's amazing the difference in kit you see people out in. I know I've been out on the odd hot summers day in shorts and short sleeves and met guys in jackets, longs and gloves. I don't know what else they'd wear if the temperature dipped below 25.

A rain jacket or gilet in the back pocket is a good idea. You might not need it when riding - but if you flat - then you'll be glad of the extra layer.

ElLawro

as well as keeping hands and feet warm, you need to keep your joints (knees!) warm.

Reane_Machine

I got a pair of gloves from Lidl and they've done the job beautifully so far.

Looking into overshoes though, my feet tend to suffer the worst and I've really noticed it since I've solved the problem of cold fingers with the Lidl gloves.

It's so much worse when they're wet too, if only it could be cold and dry i'd be fine!

giropaul

Bizarre isn't it - people want to copy the pro's frames, the pro's wheels, the pro's kit - but don't feel that copying what the pro's wear in colder weather is in any way worth-while.

jouxplan

It's great to see that my original post has generated this much conversation - and I don't seem to be alone in wondering about you guys who wear shorts and things!

One thing no one has (dared?) mention on here - unless of course it is just me - but basically, even though I wear about 17 layers and still manage to arrive home feeling a tad cold after a few hours on the road in say 5 degrees C, by the time I stagger into a hot shower, I find that I no longer can find what might be described as my 'undercarriage' :oops: I am as averagely endowed as the next well hung man but I can tell you that despite wearing lots of layers, after winter bike rides my willy shrivels to a size that defies a long search!

This rather begs the question: what the hell happens to those of you who only wear shorts in cold weather?

Or is it just me

Reane_Machine

jouxplan wrote:

It's great to see that my original post has generated this much conversation - and I don't seem to be alone in wondering about you guys who wear shorts and things!

One thing no one has (dared?) mention on here - unless of course it is just me - but basically, even though I wear about 17 layers and still manage to arrive home feeling a tad cold after a few hours on the road in say 5 degrees C, by the time I stagger into a hot shower, I find that I no longer can find what might be described as my 'undercarriage' :oops: I am as averagely endowed as the next well hung man but I can tell you that despite wearing lots of layers, after winter bike rides my willy shrivels to a size that defies a long search!

This rather begs the question: what the hell happens to those of you who only wear shorts in cold weather?

Or is it just me

You're not alone. My Mrs often makes a retort asking if i've lost it on the way round or left it at the top of some hill in the Pennines.

I assume that those in shorts either have sufficient mass to allow for some shrinkage or are too busy combating hypothermia to notice they are temporarily female.

Joeblack

junglist_matty wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

Hey?????

You'd have to be a right idiot to not have a spare tube (or PRK) with you "in case" you get a puncture.... Unless of course you're a pro and have a team mechanic in a car with loads of spare wheels!

You mean you ride without a team car!!!???

I mean seriously who doesn't have car support :roll:

Reane_Machine

Joeblack wrote:

junglist_matty wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

Hey?????

You'd have to be a right idiot to not have a spare tube (or PRK) with you "in case" you get a puncture.... Unless of course you're a pro and have a team mechanic in a car with loads of spare wheels!

You mean you ride without a team car!!!???

I mean seriously who doesn't have car support :roll:

Does my ohter half on standby with the car count?

SHADOWMATE

I don't really get too cold on rides. It takes me a while to warm up but then i tend to run warm.
If there's one thing i hate its being too hot. I can't really understand the base layer thing because my long sleeved jersey and jacket are all i need. Even when i am at work on the deck in the wind and cold i still go for a tshirt and jumper max combo.
Undercarriage shrinkage? I'll get the wife to confirm next time but not that i remember. lol
Plus ... Cycling in shorts in cold rainy weather is badass. But bibtights FTW.

Joeblack

Reane_Machine wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

junglist_matty wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

That's like saying you carry a spare inner tube 'in case' you get a flat!!! Ridiculous

Hey?????

You'd have to be a right idiot to not have a spare tube (or PRK) with you "in case" you get a puncture.... Unless of course you're a pro and have a team mechanic in a car with loads of spare wheels!

You mean you ride without a team car!!!???

I mean seriously who doesn't have car support :roll:

Does my ohter half on standby with the car count?

Has it got livery?

If so yes, if not you need to get decals (speak to Ez Ryder)

mustgettaller

jouxplan wrote:

It's great to see that my original post has generated this much conversation - and I don't seem to be alone in wondering about you guys who wear shorts and things!

One thing no one has (dared?) mention on here - unless of course it is just me - but basically, even though I wear about 17 layers and still manage to arrive home feeling a tad cold after a few hours on the road in say 5 degrees C, by the time I stagger into a hot shower, I find that I no longer can find what might be described as my 'undercarriage' :oops: I am as averagely endowed as the next well hung man but I can tell you that despite wearing lots of layers, after winter bike rides my willy shrivels to a size that defies a long search!

This rather begs the question: what the hell happens to those of you who only wear shorts in cold weather?

Or is it just me

Nope it's not just you. I'm in the shorts camp, and it, erm, goes countersunk!

ManOfKent

bompington wrote:

Problem is, conditions can vary a lot during a ride.
My commute (and most other rides I do) starts with a long descent, as I live up a hill. Going down this in sub-zero temperatures without being remotely warmed up is no fun, and requires being fairly well togged up.
But after 10 minutes or so there is a 30 minute section that is mostly uphill - punctuated by a couple of fast descents.

Sounds like you need to move house.

Back to the OP, we have a guy in the club who often wears about four layers in spring and autumn and is always among the first to go to three-quarters and winter gloves. He feels the cold and rarely sweats, apparently. He mentioned the other day that he and his wife sleep under a 15-tog duvet all year round. I suspect these facts may be related.