Riding in the cold with nothing on their legs !

[Garz]

Even the worst of school playing fields in respect hardly had puddles!

The exposed area from the shorts to the top of the socks in the wind was not that bad. The exposure on standard bibs at the thigh to the ankle sock can be way more surface area that will soon turn a warm limb to a cold stiff primed for some lovely cramping. The other day I was out in around 6 degrees and according to the weather website a further 2 degrees could be deducted from the wind chill effect.

Good job I have hairy legs!

 

[Glover Fan]

Can anyone actually state a medical reason why the knees need to be covered up when cold?

I have always gone with the mantra that as long as your torso is warm and your vital organs are protected, then the extremities are just collateral. That bring said I wore leg earners yesterday, but I wish I hadnt bothered. 10 degrees is far too warm for my hairy legs to be coated in Lycra. I even unzipped my sleeves on my gore jacket and was wishing I had worn my summer mitts.

I can tolerate the cold, I used to ride motorbikes and trust me it's far worse when you are sat at 70mph with no physical activity than cycling, but I cannot tolerate sweating. It slows me down and makes hill climbing really not very enjoyable, even less enjoyable is the sweat freezing on descent.

Like I said, if someone can provide a convincing medical reason why I should consider wrapping up at 10 degrees, I am more than happy to review my clothing.

 

[the snail]

I can tolerate the cold, I used to ride motorbikes and trust me it's far worse when you are sat at 70mph with no physical activity than cycling,

good point. You don't know what cold is if you haven't ridden a motorcycle in sub-zero conditions. I can ride in shorts comfortably below 10C, and I've not noticed any ill effects. My top half is another matter, if that gets cold then I really suffer.

 

[david k]

agreed i used to ride motorbikes, i remember nearly crying i was that cold! swapping hands so i could took one in my pants to warm them up!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

My theory is, when you have just gone outside / on the bike you should feel cold.Then after 10mins or so you will have warmed up without overheating.

Works for me anyway.

Agreed - 5 oC is my cutoff point for coat wearing during my commute; I'd take warmer clothes if I was out all day.

 

[MrJamie]

I really dont seem to feel the cold on my legs and i generate so much heat doing exercise. My upper body feels the cold and if theres enough cold that i need a jacket i tend to wear trousers to match. If it wasnt for the wind chill cycling, id last all year in shorts and long/short sleeve top as i do for running.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

From the looks of the rain today I will be wearing my swimming trunks for my commute