[email protected]ospam (whinds) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, Mark Hickey
><[email protected]> writes:
>
>>I rode for about an hour, and got back to the lodge. I put the bike
>>away and noticed that the thermometer was still below freezing. The
>>only thing that had really gotten uncomfortable was my fingers, and
>>them only mildly.
>>
>>But I'd have dressed a little warmer had I been going out for a five
>>hour ride... probably would have thrown on a light vinyl jacket and
>>full-finger gloves. Anything more than that and I'd be uncomfortably
>>warm. YMMV.
>
>A half hour from shelter is not too far. Would have become a popsicle if you
>had broke down. Of course you could stay warm jogging while carrying your bike.
>For awhile. Eventually hypothermia would get you.
The only time I've ever really worried about hypothermia was while
cross-country skiing. When it's 10 degrees F (-12C) I'd be wearing
long tights and a long-sleeve thin polypro T-shirt, with a windbreaker
tied around my waist (start out wearing it, but overheat if I leave it
on). I'm always soaking wet due to the sweat (XC skiing IS a great
workout, after all). Once I broke a binding and had to walk back to
the car - it was only a mile or two, but it's not hard to see how it
would become a problem if the hike was a lot longer.
> I'm always shocked how cold
>my skin is under the vinyl jacket when I finish. Now as the temperature drops
>I keep a change of sweats and fleece jacket nearby to go to as soon as I
>finish. Feels so good. I guess everything is ok as long as the core temp stays
>up.
My problem with riding with wind-proof jackets much above freezing is
that I simply get soaked under the jacket. Net / net, I'm not as
comfortable or warm as I'd be without the jacket. I've done a couple
rides recently in the low 40's with a wind jacket, and find it's OK if
I'm taking it easy, but horribly uncomfortable if I'm going hard.
I should mention that I carry the jacket in my pannier when it's cold
out, so if I do have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere I can throw
it on. I should also mention that I'm more comfortable in the cold
weather than most people who live in Florida or Arizona (where the
heavy coats come out at ~60 degrees F - 15 C). ;-)
Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame