Peddlin’ Press
What a difference a few days make! Last week we had a great ride out of Fairbrook with nice weather. Then it went downhill from there, with temperatures stuck in the 50s with clouds Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There were windows to get out each day (I managed to sneak in some miles each day), but you had to dress in layers! The clouds parted for a time Sunday, only for the clouds to return and the winds to just howl in the afternoon! Today was considerably nicer, though still a tad windy.
Tuesday? Ride night? Picture perfect weather! Sunshine and temperatures in the 70s! And if you’re a fan of summer heat? We have that Wednesday and Thursday with highs well into the 80s - and some humidity, too!
While hydration is always important when you exercise, it becomes that much more so as the temperatures rise and we naturally sweat that much more. And if you’re like me, and you seem to sweat more than others, and you leach out electrolytes, it’s imperative to keep up with both fluids and electrolyte replacement! I don’t know if you’ve been out for any lengthy ride in the warmth and humidity of summer, and suddenly you got cramps in your legs. But if you have, you know how painfully debilitating that is!
I will readily admit this is one mystery that I am still trying to solve. At last Septembers’ Civil War Century out of Thurmont, MD, I consumed 240 ounces of liquids to combat fluid and electrolyte losses as we climbed nearly 7,000 feet with temperatures that peaked at 92 with dew points in the mid 70s. It was enough. I was two miles from the finish and locked up and needed further assistance from a fellow rider to get me even more liquids to limp to the finish line. So I am still researching how to beat this bugaboo for me, and welcome your input!
This week we are at the Mount Nittany Middle School for a 6 p.m. start. I will be posted the slate of rides for June and July later this week, so stay tuned!
Thank you to those who have volunteered to be ride coordinators already. You are lifesavers! There’s still plenty of room for more! The more, the merrier. It spreads to load out over many bodies, making it lighter and easier for everyone.
If you want to host a ride at any other time of the week, simply post it on the web site - when you plan on starting, where you’re starting from, how long the ride will be, and the pace you’re going to ride at! People are looking to ride all of the time!
See you on the roads!
Joe
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
May Sometimes Brings Cool Rides!
We’ve entered May, though it feels like we have stepped backward into late winter all of a
sudden! But the rides go on! All you need to do is dress for the elements.
Which brings up a great question: how do you dress for cooler weather riding? Many of us
have shorts and jerseys and gloves. But if it goes below 60 degrees, many either ‘tough it
out’, or simply bail on riding, when the weather is still fantastic to ride in! In fact, many
actually prefer temperatures in the 50s to ride in as opposed to the 70s and higher. It’s a
matter of preference, I guess. I have grown to love riding in the very warm and humid
days of summer - as I get older, it’s easier to get loose and warmed up in that kind of
weather!
Some cooler weather gear items you may want to consider adding, if you don’t already
have them:
Knee warmers. This are ‘sleeves’ that are pulled up to the bottom or mid thigh, and most
cycling shorts go right over top of them so that you have your skin covered to the tops of
your shins. Studies have shown that when the temperature drops below 60 degrees, that
it gets hard on your knees if they are unprotected for a long enough period of time, and
you can do some damage to them.
Capri length ‘tights’. Shorter than full length tights, they serve the same purpose as knee
warmers. These can come either padded, like normal cycling shorts, or unpadded, in
which case a pair of cycling bibs or shorts would be highly recommended!
Full-length tights. Again, these can come with or without padding. In many cases, it really
depends on what temperatures you’re riding in. The colder it gets, most prefer these to be
fully padded so that you have a thicker tight on, and that’s sufficient to block the wind and
the cold.
Arm warmers. Much like knee warmers, these fit right underneath the sleeve of most
jerseys, and run the length of your arm to your wrists. Instead of wearing another layer or
windbreaker, sometimes this is sufficient. And it provides the added advantage that it is
an easy layer to shed if the temperature goes up, or you feel too warm.
Long sleeved jerseys. These are readily available in all sizes, and come in various
thicknesses, based on the temperature you plan on riding. Some are for 50s and 60s.
Some are thicker that can be worn down into the 40s. And the thickest can be worn to
freezing and below and offer more wind resistance. If you plan on riding in the rain, some
of these are also water resistant, and the best are water repellent.
Jackets. Again, several options to choose from. I am currently using one that is a light
windbreaker - just enough of a layer to help in the cool conditions to keep the arms and
core a little warmer. Mine also has detachable sleeves, so that you can ride with just a
vest on. You can get these in various weights. I prefer one that breathes under the arms
to let some heat escape. Some windbreakers that you might wear on a walk don’t have
this ‘breathing’ capability, and heat can quickly build underneath them. If you’re not
careful, you can start sweating too much, and actually add to you chilled discomfort later
in the ride as that moisture gets evaporated away from your body as you ride through the
wind.
Full-fingered gloves. Try out various thicknesses. If you’re like me, and you tend to sweat
a lot, this is another area to be careful of to not go overboard with protection!
Balaclava - these are great for temperatures in the lower 40s and below to keep your
head toasty warm!
Helmet covers. - A different way of reducing the amount of cold air coming onto the top of
your noggin, but not as effective.
Shoe covers. Some of these are merely for the ends of your feet - ‘toe covers’. Most are
neoprene ‘booties’ that fit over your cycling shoe and add a layer of protection to reduce
the impact of the cold air on your feet. Be forewarned, though - they do have holes in the
bottom of them so that your shoe can be in contact with clip less pedals, so there’s still a
way for the bottom of your feet to get cold with time. These are effective for a time, but
I’ve found they can still lose their effectiveness on the colder days.
Winter shoes. These simply have less air holes or vents in them. Some are more effective
than others. Do your research!
You can even get battery operated socks to keep your feet and toes warm!
A good guide as you begin the ride is to still feel a little chilled in the first 10 minutes of the
ride. After a while, your internal heat engine should start to counteract this effect, and you
should stay in a relative comfort zone for the rest of your ride.
The good news is that warmer weather WILL return, and much of the above will be
somewhat of a moot point. But now might be a great time to go bargain hunting and find
some of the ‘end of the season’ colder riding gear at great discounts!
As a reminder, all rides now through August will start at 6 p.m. This week: Fairbrook Park.
Hope to see you there!
Joe Lundberg
sudden! But the rides go on! All you need to do is dress for the elements.
Which brings up a great question: how do you dress for cooler weather riding? Many of us
have shorts and jerseys and gloves. But if it goes below 60 degrees, many either ‘tough it
out’, or simply bail on riding, when the weather is still fantastic to ride in! In fact, many
actually prefer temperatures in the 50s to ride in as opposed to the 70s and higher. It’s a
matter of preference, I guess. I have grown to love riding in the very warm and humid
days of summer - as I get older, it’s easier to get loose and warmed up in that kind of
weather!
Some cooler weather gear items you may want to consider adding, if you don’t already
have them:
Knee warmers. This are ‘sleeves’ that are pulled up to the bottom or mid thigh, and most
cycling shorts go right over top of them so that you have your skin covered to the tops of
your shins. Studies have shown that when the temperature drops below 60 degrees, that
it gets hard on your knees if they are unprotected for a long enough period of time, and
you can do some damage to them.
Capri length ‘tights’. Shorter than full length tights, they serve the same purpose as knee
warmers. These can come either padded, like normal cycling shorts, or unpadded, in
which case a pair of cycling bibs or shorts would be highly recommended!
Full-length tights. Again, these can come with or without padding. In many cases, it really
depends on what temperatures you’re riding in. The colder it gets, most prefer these to be
fully padded so that you have a thicker tight on, and that’s sufficient to block the wind and
the cold.
Arm warmers. Much like knee warmers, these fit right underneath the sleeve of most
jerseys, and run the length of your arm to your wrists. Instead of wearing another layer or
windbreaker, sometimes this is sufficient. And it provides the added advantage that it is
an easy layer to shed if the temperature goes up, or you feel too warm.
Long sleeved jerseys. These are readily available in all sizes, and come in various
thicknesses, based on the temperature you plan on riding. Some are for 50s and 60s.
Some are thicker that can be worn down into the 40s. And the thickest can be worn to
freezing and below and offer more wind resistance. If you plan on riding in the rain, some
of these are also water resistant, and the best are water repellent.
Jackets. Again, several options to choose from. I am currently using one that is a light
windbreaker - just enough of a layer to help in the cool conditions to keep the arms and
core a little warmer. Mine also has detachable sleeves, so that you can ride with just a
vest on. You can get these in various weights. I prefer one that breathes under the arms
to let some heat escape. Some windbreakers that you might wear on a walk don’t have
this ‘breathing’ capability, and heat can quickly build underneath them. If you’re not
careful, you can start sweating too much, and actually add to you chilled discomfort later
in the ride as that moisture gets evaporated away from your body as you ride through the
wind.
Full-fingered gloves. Try out various thicknesses. If you’re like me, and you tend to sweat
a lot, this is another area to be careful of to not go overboard with protection!
Balaclava - these are great for temperatures in the lower 40s and below to keep your
head toasty warm!
Helmet covers. - A different way of reducing the amount of cold air coming onto the top of
your noggin, but not as effective.
Shoe covers. Some of these are merely for the ends of your feet - ‘toe covers’. Most are
neoprene ‘booties’ that fit over your cycling shoe and add a layer of protection to reduce
the impact of the cold air on your feet. Be forewarned, though - they do have holes in the
bottom of them so that your shoe can be in contact with clip less pedals, so there’s still a
way for the bottom of your feet to get cold with time. These are effective for a time, but
I’ve found they can still lose their effectiveness on the colder days.
Winter shoes. These simply have less air holes or vents in them. Some are more effective
than others. Do your research!
You can even get battery operated socks to keep your feet and toes warm!
A good guide as you begin the ride is to still feel a little chilled in the first 10 minutes of the
ride. After a while, your internal heat engine should start to counteract this effect, and you
should stay in a relative comfort zone for the rest of your ride.
The good news is that warmer weather WILL return, and much of the above will be
somewhat of a moot point. But now might be a great time to go bargain hunting and find
some of the ‘end of the season’ colder riding gear at great discounts!
As a reminder, all rides now through August will start at 6 p.m. This week: Fairbrook Park.
Hope to see you there!
Joe Lundberg
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