Surviving the Cold

I won't mention the rider's name, but if you know me, then you'll know who I'm talking about. After a particularly cold ride a few years ago, we stopped at a diner to get some chili and warm up. Most of us froze our fingers and toes off in temperatures in the low 20's with some snow and ice kicking up on our bikes, and hand and toe warmers only worked so well.

I don't remember the exact phrase he used, but it was enough to perk up a few ears from the patrons around me. He suddenly asked me, "Is your dick freezing? Mine is so frozen I can't feel it." Now, I couldn't feel my fingers, toes, nose, or ears, but I assured him that the family jewels were quite warm. I guess that either he wasn't well covered, or he was too covered and sweat through his clothes down there, or wet his pants.

In any case, I've developed my own system for fighting the elements to prevent such catastrophes and felt the need to type them in here so I don't forget. I'll start with how to dress for the weather, and then add some stuff about actions just before and during the ride.

Cold Weather attire:

I cover my legs below 60 degrees, my arms below 55, and fingers and shoes below 50 degrees. In sub-32 weather, I wear a dry thermal(nike fit-type stuff) layer and a long-sleeve bike jersey on top. I use tights covered by bike shorts because I never buy the tights with the chamois. I insist on Specialized Sub-Zero gloves with the core layer. I use neoprene booties that cover the entire shoe, leaving only a hole for the cleats. I also use the balaclava for sub-32 and just a head-cover from 32-45 degrees.

You can pick different levels of tights, but I only tend to use the "thermal" stuff below 32.

Cold wet weather attire:

Even if there's no rain or snow, the wet roads can kick up enough muck to make you wet and cold. I replace the neoprene booties with some waterproof booties and wrap them tight around the shoe. The tights are still important, but I use a lighter layer with some waterproof pants. Then I sub one of the layers on top with a rain jacket. Also, those little fender/blades are handy to keep the bike from kicking the water up your back.

Ride Preparation:

Your body tends to get a bit shocked when you step out of the house or car into the cold, so you'll put on extra layers to fight the cold when you're not moving. Then when you get warmed up on the ride, you'll get all hot and sweaty -- when eventually turns into cold and wet. So here's my suggestions for combating that intial shock:

1) Get completely dressed before you step out of the house. That means all Jerseys, vests, pants, headgear, shoes, and booties. If you're driving to the start of the ride, change into your bike shoes and booties before you step out of the car to unload.

2) Prep the bike as much as possible indoors. That means oiling and cleaning the chain and pumping up the tires and whatever else you want to hang on the bike. The bike should be ready to go as soon as you step outside or out of the car. When driving to the ride, the only things I leave off the bike are maps and computers.

3) If you do need to prep the bike or unload it, do everything with your cycling gloves on. If you expose your skin to the elements, it'll take a long time to warm back up once on the bike.

4) When I use handwarmers, I pull them out of the package at least a half-hour before departing. They need some fresh air to really work, so just pulling them out of the package and stuffing them in your gloves and shoes won't work as well if you don't give them time to get warm.

During the ride:

While riding - it's all about keeping warm and dry at the same time. If you're too cold, things start to go numb. If you're too warm, you sweat, get wet, then get cold and numb. Here's my strategy:

1) Peel layers at the first sign of being too warm. In other words, don't wait until you're sweaty to start stripping.

2) You should feel slightly cold to start the ride, but bring extra layers just in case. If you're still cold after a few miles, add the layers.

3) Keep your head and torso warm. If you're warm there, and the blood is flowing, the hands and feet should take care of themselves.

4) Force yourself to drink. I know that water is ice cold, so take it in little sips.

After the Ride:

Get indoors and change out of the bike clothes quickly. I like to shower just to warm my body up. But those cold and somewhat sweaty clothes will keep you cold until you get out of them. Warm liquids helps warm up your insides and can be quite tasty.