Cold Legs

[font=Times New Roman]My coldest ride has been 30F. Generally if it’s 40F or warmer I wear my bib shorts, leg warmers, cycling socks, wool socks, 2 jerseys, and a gore wind stopper jacket, a skull cap, and gore wind stopper gloves. [/font]

[font=Times New Roman]From 30F to 40F, I add a pair of denim jeans over the other cloths, add a pair of arm warmers, and I use a pair of ski gloves.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]My legs are never cold. [/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Are you sure you are not sweating under all those layers, and the moisture can’t escape, and that’s why you legs are cold?[/font]

JJakucyk said:

I've been trying to get out in colder weather, and have been putting together some winter-specific apparel. Let me give a little background on what I wear when it's cold (so far we're talking temperatures in the 40s).

First thing is a long sleeve skinsuit (don't laugh 🙄 ). It's a great way to avoid extra straps and elastic waistbands. I'd love to find one with long sleeves, full legs (not knickers!), and a chamois, but that's another story. Until recently, I've worn as many as two pairs of running tights (the plain nylon/spandex ones, with no lining or anything), and sometimes a pair of wind pants on top of that. I'll put on one of my normal jerseys and then my winter jacket. I have some thin glove liners and Castelli T-Tech full-fingered gloves. Finally, I have some Smart Wool socks, and I'll use Pearl Izumi wind shoe covers (the rubberized ones) with neoprene booties over that. I'll top it all off with a thin balaclava and my normal cycling glasses.

So with all that, my chest, arms, and head are pretty warm. My hands are a little chilly at first, but they seem to warm up after about 15 minutes or so. The trouble is that even with 3 layers of spandex 😄 and the wind pants, my legs (mainly my inner thighs) still get quite chilly, and that eventually spreads down my legs and into my feet. I'm pretty sure that if I could warm up my legs, then I wouldn't have a problem with cold feet.

Recently I substituted the running tights and wind pants for a pair of Assos AirBlock bib tights (I got them cheap for just $149, so I don't feel too bad about it). Anyway, I have the short legs and padding from the skinsuit under the AirBlock bibs. It was about 40° today when I finally got to try them out, and my inner thighs were still very cold. 😠 It just seems like I don't generate much heat in my legs, like a lot of you guys. What can I do at this point? I can handle an extra pair of thin tights, as that would be just one elastic waistband to deal with, but I don't know how much they would help. Would they be better over or under the AirBlock tights? I'd really like to avoid the wind pants, since they slide around and never seem to sit right anyway (these aren't cycling specific pants, though, but I'm trying to make due with what I have at this point). I don't mind layering, but after a certain point, enough is enough. I guess it's true that I inherited my mom's poor blood circulation. 🙁

G'day JJackusyk, Sounds like your'e abit of a [censored] cat son, Bike Riders are meant to "SUFFER" or didn't you know that. 🙄

That's how you get "TUFF", hear me "TUFF" ! 🙄

Throw away all the rubbish you've been talking about and just get a set of "Long John Woolen Underwear" cut the crutch out so you actually sit on the chami' of your shorts, then put the licra longs and arm warmers over the top and then just get out on yer bike and "Stop Whinging Like a Big Girls Blouse. 🙄

Either that or move to another state, or country where you don't get cold, gees mate you're letting the side down? Just think what's going to happen when the girly riders read what you've posted, they'll [censored] themselves laughing? :o

If all that fails, give up riding a bike and take up crochet, then you can sit nice and warm with the grannies sipping tea and eating scones with jam and cream.

On yer bike son, don't think about it, stop whinging about it, just do it.TBC

Bikeguy, no I'm not sweating. I've found some sweat around my chest or arms after a ride, but it's never much. That's certainly not happening around my legs, though.

And Brian, if you're not going to post something helpful, stop being a jerk and wasting my time.

JJakucyk said:

Bikeguy, no I'm not sweating. I've found some sweat around my chest or arms after a ride, but it's never much. That's certainly not happening around my legs, though.

And Brian, if you're not going to post something helpful, stop being a jerk and wasting my time.

G'day JJakucyk, That was the real thing mate, I used to ride in the wind, rain, snow and the bloody cold weather in England and Europe, minus 5f and we didn't complain. One of our favourite rides was the Boxing Day 100 Miler.

As I said you get used to it and learn to suffer, that's what bike riding's all about believe me. As I also said "You don't need all the gear you were talking about". By cluttering yourself up with all the stuff your defeating the object of "Being Loose" and "Free Flowing" while riding the bike? 🙄

I'll Spell It Out Once More, Read The List Again:-

Long Johns, Woolen Socks, Nics, Road Shirt, Leg Warmers, Arm Warmers, a Pearl Azumi Spray Jacket, a Bandana under the Stack Hat, (you do ride with a stack hat don't you?) and if your still not satisfied, a set of Over Socks and Long Finger Gloves. Now if your Feet are Getting Cold you might find your Shoes are Too Tight. Another trick is rub some linament into the thighs just before you go out, "Linament" (Hot Stuff), "Dencorub" (Hot Stuff) or something like that? 😎

If you get stuck into the training you won't feel cold either, as it's all in the mind? 🙁

That's how it was when I rode in cold weather, although I now live were the sun warms my bones all day every day. Today's temperature was 32C and yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, being sub tropical is what it's all about.

I made the move, "to where the weather suits my cloths" (bones too) 😎

You obviously don't know what a "Long John Woolen" looks like, (Grandfather's used to wear them and they really work, sailors use them as underclothes, you can be soaking wet and still stay warm, the trick is to have a windproof layer, not two or three, over the top) ask at your locl friendly mens clothing store, not the place where you buy your bike gear, they'll only want to sell you expensive trendy stuff? I'm sure they still make Long Johns, they do here. 🙂

And if that lot doesn't work get some thin Neoprene shorts but cut the crotch out so you sit on the chami'?

And as I also said "Don't be a Big Girls Blouse", or I'll rip your arms awf 😄
Keep turning the wheels, TBC

Someone says

"As I said you get used to it and learn to suffer, that's what bike riding's all about believe me. "

What a load of [censored]. I commute 20 miles a day Summer and Winter and while I would have no problem with hardship I don't see the point in aimless discomfort.

We dont get very cold weather here - say about 0% to -5% celcius. What I use is pair of leg warmers, these are the ones which go up your thigh, then a pair of knicks over these. Lastly and the important piece is a pair of cycling shorts with no chamois, they are a kind of windproof, rain proof job, Giordana make. On my feet two pairs of socks,one light wool pair the other heavier wool mix pair. Have been out in pretty cold weather in this set up and works well.

Brian

motorhommer said:

What a load of [censored].

Thank you! I'm glad someone agrees with me here.

motorhommer said:

Someone says

"As I said you get used to it and learn to suffer, that's what bike riding's all about believe me. "

What a load of [censored]. I commute 20 miles a day Summer and Winter and while I would have no problem with hardship I don't see the point in aimless discomfort.

We dont get very cold weather here - say about 0% to -5% celcius. What I use is pair of leg warmers, these are the ones which go up your thigh, then a pair of knicks over these. Lastly and the important piece is a pair of cycling shorts with no chamois, they are a kind of windproof, rain proof job, Giordana make. On my feet two pairs of socks,one light wool pair the other heavier wool mix pair. Have been out in pretty cold weather in this set up and works well.

Brian

G'Day, Motorhommer, You have a valid opinion, I say good luck to you too, I appreciate that. If what you do works for you, that's good also, some people, however don't know how to take good advice.

As far as suffering is concerned you miss the point completely, it's part of riding a bike mate?

I said nothing about aimless discomfort, that's got nothing to do with suffering on the seat of a bike?

As far as the two pairs of thick and thin woolen socks is concerned, my shoes will not and have never been able to accomodate them, unfortunately, and that was also when I too rode in really cold weather.

Others just love to whinge, "Like A Big Girls Blouse"?

Keep the wheels turning, I do and don't give a [censored], any more?

[quote="Brian Cotgrove"]
As far as the two pairs of thick and thin woolen socks is concerned, my shoes will not and have never been able to accomodate them, unfortunately, and that was also when I too rode in really cold weather.
QUOTE]

With the amount of commuting that I do I bought a second pair of shoes - half a size bigger, these were in the sale as there is normally a lot of sell off in the Fall, so I think they were 50% off, these allow the two pair of sock, then Altura overshoes for the wet and very cold and I arrive with the same cycling high but none of the down side of wet windy and cold. But then I spend 1 1/2 hour a day on the bike, 5 days a week.

Don't get me wrong I spent a good few years toughing it out, this year spent a few bob on comforts, not very much, and like all things wish I had done it earlier.

JJakucyk said:

I've been trying to get out in colder weather, and have been putting together some winter-specific apparel. Let me give a little background on what I wear when it's cold (so far we're talking temperatures in the 40s).

First thing is a long sleeve skinsuit (don't laugh 🙄 ). It's a great way to avoid extra straps and elastic waistbands. I'd love to find one with long sleeves, full legs (not knickers!), and a chamois, but that's another story. Until recently, I've worn as many as two pairs of running tights (the plain nylon/spandex ones, with no lining or anything), and sometimes a pair of wind pants on top of that. I'll put on one of my normal jerseys and then my winter jacket. I have some thin glove liners and Castelli T-Tech full-fingered gloves. Finally, I have some Smart Wool socks, and I'll use Pearl Izumi wind shoe covers (the rubberized ones) with neoprene booties over that. I'll top it all off with a thin balaclava and my normal cycling glasses.

So with all that, my chest, arms, and head are pretty warm. My hands are a little chilly at first, but they seem to warm up after about 15 minutes or so. The trouble is that even with 3 layers of spandex 😄 and the wind pants, my legs (mainly my inner thighs) still get quite chilly, and that eventually spreads down my legs and into my feet. I'm pretty sure that if I could warm up my legs, then I wouldn't have a problem with cold feet.

Recently I substituted the running tights and wind pants for a pair of Assos AirBlock bib tights (I got them cheap for just $149, so I don't feel too bad about it). Anyway, I have the short legs and padding from the skinsuit under the AirBlock bibs. It was about 40° today when I finally got to try them out, and my inner thighs were still very cold. 😠 It just seems like I don't generate much heat in my legs, like a lot of you guys. What can I do at this point? I can handle an extra pair of thin tights, as that would be just one elastic waistband to deal with, but I don't know how much they would help. Would they be better over or under the AirBlock tights? I'd really like to avoid the wind pants, since they slide around and never seem to sit right anyway (these aren't cycling specific pants, though, but I'm trying to make due with what I have at this point). I don't mind layering, but after a certain point, enough is enough. I guess it's true that I inherited my mom's poor blood circulation. 🙁

I find running tights not good. I was in the Uk lately and guy in bike shop sold me a pair of these Ron Hill track suit bottoms, treated for the wet. In fairness he did say that some people found them cold. Well he is bloody right. Disaster job, might as well wrap myself in tissue paper. I find the leg warmers to be the best man. I have used Winter tights also, but find the leg warmers more comfortable - I think they are castelli or something like that make. Well people differ so thats just my experience

JJakucyk said:

Thank you! I'm glad someone agrees with me here.

phoooey ! do you ride with your knees pointed out to catch more air?

if you're warm in the first few miles.... you have too much on. brian is right on the mark and offers good advice. A typical 40 degree chicago windy lake weather outfit is shorts, leg/arm warmers thin shoe covers, long fingered gloves, long sleave thick jerseys, an extra base polypro shirt, and a cap under the helmet. thats a lot less than what you were wearing and I'm refreshingly comfortable. 🙂

really, if your torso, feet, hands, ears and cojons are warm... you should be good to go. 🙂

bmhosey said:

really, if your torso, feet, hands, ears and cojons are warm... you should be good to go. 🙂

Well, obviously not! Geeze, can't you people understand that we're all made differently? What works for you doesn't necessarily work for the next guy.

JJakucyk said:

I'm pretty sure that if I could warm up my legs, then I wouldn't have a problem with cold feet.

Sorry, I was being bit of a smart a$$ and didn't explain my point very clearly... the above quote is what I disagree with.

legs should be protected enough that they get warmer as you ride. your feet should start warm and stay warm, because once they get cold, they stay cold... same with hands, ears, et cetera (generally speaking).

I think you need to just stick to the higher gears, or fixed gear even, i've been riding in 30 degree weather in a sweatshirt, jeans, and bmx gloves, and been fine, If you're still cold, it's just a reason to pedal harder,

it was 25 degrees on tuesday, and snowing pretty good, so I just wore my jeans and sweatshirt to go play in the snow, until i took a turn too fast and had to limp all the way home, but until that point, I wasn't cold at all🙂

10timesbetter said:

I think you need to just stick to the higher gears, or fixed gear even...

Here we go with the fixed gears again. 🙄 I can't really do too high a gear, since I tend to get knee pain if I mash too much. Besides, I'm no star athlete. I'm going 14mph at most when it's cold, for maybe 20 miles, and all this on a hybrid bike. I'm a bit surprised, though, that being a heavy guy doesn't help some, since I have all this "natural insulation." 😕

JJakucyk said:

Here we go with the fixed gears again. 🙄 I can't really do too high a gear, since I tend to get knee pain if I mash too much. Besides, I'm no star athlete. I'm going 14mph at most when it's cold, for maybe 20 miles, and all this on a hybrid bike. I'm a bit surprised, though, that being a heavy guy doesn't help some, since I have all this "natural insulation." 😕

G'day jjakucyk, Your right of course about fixed gear, they do not suit everyone, ecspecially if you forget and try to stop peddaling. 🙁

It is however one of the best ways to get condition as there's no let up, the answer is to keep the cadence higher, (nothing new of course) which means a lower gear, 48 front chain ring x 16 rear sprocket, this will equate to a 78" gear. Most of my riding as a teenager was done on such a gear and I used to ride from my home in London, to my brothers home on Weston Super Mare, Somerset, in about six hours a total of 125 miles, there on Saturday morning and back on Sunday afternoon. The rest of the week was only 30miles a day commuting to and from work.

"78" is not too high or low a gear but going down hill the monentum will spin the cranks a bit, the answer to that is have a gentle touch on the front brake to keep it all under control. Up hill it is not too high unless your climbing the French alps.:eek:

With regards to knee pain unless you've experienced a major trauma of the knee or knees, I would suggest an "Erronous Position on the Bike" is the cause of that phenomenon, if so, you may have to get some advice from a reputable cycle coach to fix the trouble? 😎

There is a solution to every problem, answers come with a bit of perseverance and searching so don't give up ?

Just keep on keeping on?TBC

JJakucyk said:

Bikeguy, no I'm not sweating.

Just a thought that if you're cold, and not sweating, you should try & ride a bit harder? Not trying to be a [censored] here, but even on the coldest days I've always worked up a sweat. I know I do sweat a lot, but unless you're dehydrated or wearing barely anything, then you really should be sweating after over an hour's ride.

For riding through the snow in warmish conditions (considering there's snow anyway), or around 0C, for me: (I handle cold pretty well):
Thin polypropylene socks, then thick wool socks. Feet get a little chilly on the downhills, but not TOO bad. Shoe covers would fix that.
Good quality long johns, of almost any decent synthetic keep me warm enough. Shorts over that to keep the wind off my crotch.
Thermal top, followed by lightweight fleece, followed by soft shell jacket (opened up for climbs).
Good polypro gloves under full-fingered riding gloves. Hands can get a bit chilly on descents if damp.
Something to cover the ears is nice.

Also, I ride hard, so usually get pretty hot unless it's windy or I'm going downhill.

For cold feet, I would do what I do when backcountry skiing, and sometimes alpine climbing: small plastic bag over the outer layer of socks. Cycling this would stop the wind chill, and skiiing, I find it keeps a warm layer of water next to the skin. Feet get pretty clammy, but they generally do anyway if you ski in leather boots for days in a row. I haven't tried for cycling yet.

The next things I would consider would be:
Fleece lined pants, or a shell.
Warmer gloves
Thin balaclava

hey JJ, heavy or not try this, its worked for me and for the people i reccommend this to no matter what they do in the cold. its a fact that when u start to loose heat in the important organs (brain, heart, lungs ext...) your brain in particular so your body draws blood which carries warmth from your outer appendages to those vital parts like your legs for example, since u have bad blood flow it draws it from ur legs which is easier and hence the frozen drums. wear a full head insulated face hat or a heavy hood plus insulate your neck down to your waist in warm clothing much layering is not neccessary when it is really warm material and after that the rest of u could be completely naked and u will still over heat!:eek: