On Winter Riding
by Chris Oishi
It's December, and with stress from coursework mounting and the collegiate road racing season only 3 months away, now is the perfect time to do some quality riding. You don't need to worry about going fast just yet, the winter season is the time to build base milage. Combining riding with some aerobic cross training, like swimming and running, as well as weightlifting will make you nice and fast when March rolls around.
Riding a trainer or exercise bicycle indoors is good, especially since there's so little daylight available. However, spending too much time indoors on a machine will drive you to insanity. Just look at rowers who erg too much (all rowers, I suppose) or those people who are always at the gym on the elliptical runner things. Sociopaths.
Now I hear a couple of folks saying, "But it's too cold outside to ride." Well, not if you're adequately prepared. (Personally, I think the winter is much more pleasant than the summertime when it's too hot, too humid, and the air is too polluted.) In order to brave the winter you need to dress right. Wind and water lead to coldness, so the longer you can stay dry and keep the wind out, the better you'll be.
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, Performance has a lot of winter gear on sale right now. I for one love the savings that a national mega-store can provide AND I love the quality assistance and specialty parts that only an independent bike shop can provide. Support both.
Here are some suggestions on how to stay warm for three budget categories:
1) The James B. Duke: mega-tycoon. Your last name is the same name as a major corporation and money is no object, or if you are a slave for fashion, or, maybe if you're a Fuqua student, or if you just want quality gear and aren't afraid to pay for it. In any event, have you considered making a sizable cash contribution to Duke Cycling?
2) The Bo and Luke Duke: You ain't rich, but having a fast machine is a necessity. With a little help from Cooter and Uncle Jesse, you can get things done right on a budget.
3) The Duke of Broke: You've got $17, a full roll of duct tape, and a half case of Pabst Blue Ribbon. As long as you don't get frostbite and can afford to buy another half case of PBR, you're good.
James B. Duke: They say that if it's below 60 degrees, you should cover your knees. Heed their advice. Cycling tights for cold temperatures, knickers for slightly less cold temperatures.
Bo and Luke Duke: Add leg warmers or knee warmers to your regular cycling shorts. If your butt gets cold, wear another pair of shorts. Running tights over bike shorts also work great.
Duke of Broke: Wear long underwear or sweat pants over your cycling shorts. Make sure the pant legs don't get caught in the chain.
James B. Duke: Get a nice coat with a high collar and windblock material. Pockets in the back are great for easy access of food and armpit zippers help to regulate your temperature when you get too warm.
Bo and Luke Duke: Layer after layer of clothing. Wear wicking clothing closest to your body. A windblocking vest is a great addition to your wardrobe. Tuck it in your jersey pocket and it can keep your core temperature from dropping when the air gets chilly, especially if you start getting sweaty.
Duke of Broke: wear and old sweater (wool or acrylic) over a jersey. A windbreaker over that will help keep heat in and will provide some extra air drag to increase your workout effort. For a low budget windstopper vest, wear a plastic trashbag over several layers of clothing. Then put one layer on over the top of the trashbag to keep it from flapping around too much. If you're out riding and you haven't worn enough warm clothes, find some newspaper and tuck it down your shirt or into your tights to help block the wind (the pros do this in the mountains before they start descending).
James B. Duke: Some companies make winter training shoes that are water resistant and insulated. I know some other people who buy an extra pair of shoes, about a half-size bigger so they can wear an extra pair of socks.
Bo and Luke Duke: Wear the heaviest pair of socks you can cram into your shoes and top them off with some booties. Neoprene ones are waterproof while some of the gore-texy ones breathe slightly better.
Duke of Broke: Wear the heaviest pair of socks you can cram into your shoes and top them off with an oversized wool sock. Cut out just enough space on the bottom for your cleats. You can top this off with duct tape to keep the wind and water out. For a little extra warmth, wear a plastic grocery bag in between your sock and shoe to block wind (taping it around your ankle or tucking it into your tights keeps it out of your chain).
James B. Duke: Warm cycling gloves. Larger = Warmer, but make sure you can still operate your brakes.
Bo and Luke Duke: Old ski or winter gloves. Be careful if you have knit gloves, because your grip will be slippery. Oversized knit gloves with the rubber palms should fit over your fingerless cycling gloves.
Duke of Broke: Sorry, but you're going to have to shell out some dough here, or else you won't be able to type your term paper. Otherwise, wear gardening gloves, or duct tape up some knit gloves or something.
Everyone: Get a headband that will fit under your helmet. They are cheap and necessary. And ALWAYS wear your helmet.
James B. Duke: Little hats are also nice and baklavas can keep your mouth and chin warm when it's really cold.
Bo and Luke Duke: Use a bandana to cover your mouth if it's really cold, or to rob a wild west bank.
Duke of Broke: Grow a beard.
James B. Duke: A dedicated rain bike with full fenders will keep your racing bike from getting too gunked up in the winter and will keep your body dry. Cyclocross bikes are great for this. Some people ride fixed gear bikes to improve their pedal stroke.
Bo and Luke Duke: You only need one chariot and its name is the General Lee (but without possible racist connotations). Clip on fenders that attach to the seat post and the down tube help to reduce the spray of water on yourself as well as anyone else crazy enough to be riding with you.
Duke of Broke: So your butt's wet. What do you care?
James B. Duke: Light levels are lower and the sun goes down early, so regular sunglasses may not be idea;. Large sized frames with clear or light lenses are good in low light conditions and keep the wind out so your eyes don't water too much. They also keep road grit out of your eyes and keep your contacts from getting all messed up.
Bo and Luke Duke: Ski goggles should fit over the back of your helmet.
Duke of Broke: Steal safety goggles from Gross Chem to keep road debris and carbolic acid out of your eyes.
James B. Duke: Buy the complete 2003 Tour de France DVD when you just can't make it outside. Then call me. I'll be over in fifteen minutes.
Bo and Luke Duke: Hot water or tea in one of those insulated water bottles can add a little added warmth. It may also prevent your beverage from freezing (this has happened to me and it is not cool.)
Duke of Broke: Borrow your roommate's Vaseline and apply it to any exposed surface before you go out. I think this is gross and do not partake, but some people do it.
Feel free to post your own tips or comments on my various suggestion.
Happy riding and stay tuned for the Daisy Duke guide to leg shaving and the Boss Hogg guide to nutrition . . .
Riding a trainer or exercise bicycle indoors is good, especially since there's so little daylight available. However, spending too much time indoors on a machine will drive you to insanity. Just look at rowers who erg too much (all rowers, I suppose) or those people who are always at the gym on the elliptical runner things. Sociopaths.
Now I hear a couple of folks saying, "But it's too cold outside to ride." Well, not if you're adequately prepared. (Personally, I think the winter is much more pleasant than the summertime when it's too hot, too humid, and the air is too polluted.) In order to brave the winter you need to dress right. Wind and water lead to coldness, so the longer you can stay dry and keep the wind out, the better you'll be.
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, Performance has a lot of winter gear on sale right now. I for one love the savings that a national mega-store can provide AND I love the quality assistance and specialty parts that only an independent bike shop can provide. Support both.
Here are some suggestions on how to stay warm for three budget categories:
1) The James B. Duke: mega-tycoon. Your last name is the same name as a major corporation and money is no object, or if you are a slave for fashion, or, maybe if you're a Fuqua student, or if you just want quality gear and aren't afraid to pay for it. In any event, have you considered making a sizable cash contribution to Duke Cycling?
2) The Bo and Luke Duke: You ain't rich, but having a fast machine is a necessity. With a little help from Cooter and Uncle Jesse, you can get things done right on a budget.
3) The Duke of Broke: You've got $17, a full roll of duct tape, and a half case of Pabst Blue Ribbon. As long as you don't get frostbite and can afford to buy another half case of PBR, you're good.
Legs:
James B. Duke: They say that if it's below 60 degrees, you should cover your knees. Heed their advice. Cycling tights for cold temperatures, knickers for slightly less cold temperatures.
Bo and Luke Duke: Add leg warmers or knee warmers to your regular cycling shorts. If your butt gets cold, wear another pair of shorts. Running tights over bike shorts also work great.
Duke of Broke: Wear long underwear or sweat pants over your cycling shorts. Make sure the pant legs don't get caught in the chain.
Upper body:
James B. Duke: Get a nice coat with a high collar and windblock material. Pockets in the back are great for easy access of food and armpit zippers help to regulate your temperature when you get too warm.
Bo and Luke Duke: Layer after layer of clothing. Wear wicking clothing closest to your body. A windblocking vest is a great addition to your wardrobe. Tuck it in your jersey pocket and it can keep your core temperature from dropping when the air gets chilly, especially if you start getting sweaty.
Duke of Broke: wear and old sweater (wool or acrylic) over a jersey. A windbreaker over that will help keep heat in and will provide some extra air drag to increase your workout effort. For a low budget windstopper vest, wear a plastic trashbag over several layers of clothing. Then put one layer on over the top of the trashbag to keep it from flapping around too much. If you're out riding and you haven't worn enough warm clothes, find some newspaper and tuck it down your shirt or into your tights to help block the wind (the pros do this in the mountains before they start descending).
Feet:
James B. Duke: Some companies make winter training shoes that are water resistant and insulated. I know some other people who buy an extra pair of shoes, about a half-size bigger so they can wear an extra pair of socks.
Bo and Luke Duke: Wear the heaviest pair of socks you can cram into your shoes and top them off with some booties. Neoprene ones are waterproof while some of the gore-texy ones breathe slightly better.
Duke of Broke: Wear the heaviest pair of socks you can cram into your shoes and top them off with an oversized wool sock. Cut out just enough space on the bottom for your cleats. You can top this off with duct tape to keep the wind and water out. For a little extra warmth, wear a plastic grocery bag in between your sock and shoe to block wind (taping it around your ankle or tucking it into your tights keeps it out of your chain).
Hands:
James B. Duke: Warm cycling gloves. Larger = Warmer, but make sure you can still operate your brakes.
Bo and Luke Duke: Old ski or winter gloves. Be careful if you have knit gloves, because your grip will be slippery. Oversized knit gloves with the rubber palms should fit over your fingerless cycling gloves.
Duke of Broke: Sorry, but you're going to have to shell out some dough here, or else you won't be able to type your term paper. Otherwise, wear gardening gloves, or duct tape up some knit gloves or something.
Head:
Everyone: Get a headband that will fit under your helmet. They are cheap and necessary. And ALWAYS wear your helmet.
James B. Duke: Little hats are also nice and baklavas can keep your mouth and chin warm when it's really cold.
Bo and Luke Duke: Use a bandana to cover your mouth if it's really cold, or to rob a wild west bank.
Duke of Broke: Grow a beard.
Bicycle:
James B. Duke: A dedicated rain bike with full fenders will keep your racing bike from getting too gunked up in the winter and will keep your body dry. Cyclocross bikes are great for this. Some people ride fixed gear bikes to improve their pedal stroke.
Bo and Luke Duke: You only need one chariot and its name is the General Lee (but without possible racist connotations). Clip on fenders that attach to the seat post and the down tube help to reduce the spray of water on yourself as well as anyone else crazy enough to be riding with you.
Duke of Broke: So your butt's wet. What do you care?
Eyes:
James B. Duke: Light levels are lower and the sun goes down early, so regular sunglasses may not be idea;. Large sized frames with clear or light lenses are good in low light conditions and keep the wind out so your eyes don't water too much. They also keep road grit out of your eyes and keep your contacts from getting all messed up.
Bo and Luke Duke: Ski goggles should fit over the back of your helmet.
Duke of Broke: Steal safety goggles from Gross Chem to keep road debris and carbolic acid out of your eyes.
Other tips:
James B. Duke: Buy the complete 2003 Tour de France DVD when you just can't make it outside. Then call me. I'll be over in fifteen minutes.
Bo and Luke Duke: Hot water or tea in one of those insulated water bottles can add a little added warmth. It may also prevent your beverage from freezing (this has happened to me and it is not cool.)
Duke of Broke: Borrow your roommate's Vaseline and apply it to any exposed surface before you go out. I think this is gross and do not partake, but some people do it.
Feel free to post your own tips or comments on my various suggestion.
Happy riding and stay tuned for the Daisy Duke guide to leg shaving and the Boss Hogg guide to nutrition . . .