Head-numbing cold

andyeb

Last few rides haven't been on particularly cold days (4-8 degrees C), but the usual skull cap just isn't doing the job and I'm getting back with a head numb-to-the-core with cold. What is strange is that I've ridden in temperatures lower than this before, using exactly the same riding and not had a problem.

Typically it tends to get really bad as the temperature starts to drop around 3pm at the moment.

Can't seem to work out what the underlying cause is - whether it's the combination of high humidity and cold or something else. I had been wondering whether it was normal wind chill, but today there was only a 3mph wind - so very little additional wind chill. Most of my rides are longer/lower intensity rides, so I don't think it's the additional wind chill associated with riding faster.

Does anyone else have the same problem or have any ideas what might help? I could try another skull cap, but as I say, the current one has been doing the job until now.

thanks,

Andrew

rickeverett

hmmmm...


Are you keeping warm on the whole?

The reason why I ask is because I'm toasty on rides that cold - sometimes sweating or getting hot a tad too much. Thats because my whole body temp is up therefore my head is warm too.

In the past when I have had head-numbing cold I found it was because I wasn't insulated enough as a whole. I found as well as a cold bonce I would have a freezing stomach and arms.

crescent

Funnily enough, my head is the one area where I don't feel the cold anymore. I wear a skull cap and also have a 'buff' round my neck and pulled up to sit on my chin. I used to find that if my neck was cold I would automatically start to clench my jaw - this in turn used to give me a headache :? It took me a while to realise it but the buff actually kept me head warm in a roundabout way. I have a Gore windstopper balaclava which is very warm, possibly too warm to be honest. It comes right up to eye level and there is a cut-out for my nose and perforations for my mouth. It's fine on the flat or downhill - absolutely toastie - but going uphill it tends to become a bit of a mess as I breathe/drool/salivate/cry etc.

Fingers and toes - that's my achilles heel......so to speak, my heels are in fact quite warm.

andyeb

Overall I'm keeping quite warm on rides - with a wind-proof gillet, neck warmer etc. It's just my head that's getting cold.

Wondering about getting one of those bike helmet covers, in addition to the skull cap to stop airflow through the helmet, which I think is what is contributing to the coldness experienced. Bit worried it might get too sweaty though. Does anyone have any experience of using a bike helmet cover to help with staying warm? Normally I think they are worn as a water-proofing measure.

MattC59

rickeverett wrote:

Are you keeping warm on the whole?

Does that require a heated saddle ?

keith57

I use one of these, haven't been cold yet!!



Oh - and last year's all black version of these on my feet

butcher of bakersfield

Helmet too tight?

When I first start wearing a helmet, I used to get an ice-cream head every ride. Even in the warmer weather. Then I realised it didn't happen when I loosened my helmet off. Never been bothered by it since.

andyeb

butcher of bakersfield wrote:

Helmet too tight?

When I first start wearing a helmet, I used to get an ice-cream head every ride. Even in the warmer weather. Then I realised it didn't happen when I loosened my helmet off. Never been bothered by it since.

Yeah - "ice-cream head" is a pretty accurate description of what it feels like.

Funny - I was wondering about that too. Maybe with the skull cap and possibly one of the kids fiddling with the dial at the back, it's got tighter?

Will give it a try and report back.

Thanks!