Early morning/evening cycling

[illmonkey]

Its starting to get lighter in the mornings and evenings, so I want to get back on the bike to build up to doing some bigger rides in the summer. The ride I usually do just for exercise is a dedicated tarmac trail.

I get up at 7am, its almost light enough, by the time I get dressed and ready it would be light enough. But it'd be really cold (like this morning!)

The same in the evening, I can finish at 4ish, so enough time to fit in a 45min ride.

Whats the best way to avoid the sniffaly nose and the really cold? Do you wear full trousers or still shorts? Full length top or T-shirt style?

I have the time, but last time I rode in January I didn't enjoy it!

[sjg]

In this weather, 3/4 length shorts to keep knees warm, then a long-sleeve merino base layer with a windproof over the top. Add another layer if it's really cold.

Full trousers are just flappy and annoying, plus they're not really any warmer.

[arryb]

I do a 14 mile fat burning ride in the morning quite often, my clothing consists of the following:

2 pairs of socks + cycling shoes + overshoes (the overshoes make all the difference to the warmth of my feet, recommended - look up SJS cycles on ebay, I managed to get a basic neoprene pair for 99p + £3.50 P+P ),
Padded underwear + thick full length cycling trousers (the trousers don't have padding, hence the underwear, but also helps with wind chill between the legs ),
Underlayer + cycling top + armwarmers (sometimes under full arm cycling top )
Full finger gloves,
Clear, blue or tinted lense cycling glasses (depending on brightness) + a helmet,
Possibly a scarf around my neck if it's REALLY cold.

Keeps me very warm

[illmonkey]

arryb said:

I do a 14 mile fat burning ride in the morning quite often, my clothing consists of the following:

2 pairs of socks + cycling shoes + overshoes (the overshoes make all the difference to the warmth of my feet, recommended - look up SJS cycles on ebay, I managed to get a basic neoprene pair for 99p + £3.50 P+P ),
Padded underwear + thick full length cycling trousers (the trousers don't have padding, hence the underwear, but also helps with wind chill between the legs ),
Underlayer + cycling top + armwarmers (sometimes under full arm cycling top )
Full finger gloves,
Clear, blue or tinted lense cycling glasses (depending on brightness) + a helmet,
Possibly a scarf around my neck if it's REALLY cold.

Keeps me very warm

So what is a fat burning ride, compared to a normal ride?

Thanks to both for the advise.

[deckster]

I'm generally up & riding by 6:30am so occasionally it can get a bit chilly. I have a weather-station alarm clock so I can see what temperature it is outside before I get up, and -

Above 10 degrees - jersey plus shorts
5-10 - long trousers, baselayer plus windproof
0-5 - long trousers, baselayer plus jacket
-5-0 - long trousers, baselayer, jersey, jacket, headband (for the ears!), overshoes
<-5 - I'll let you know

I also have three pairs of gloves of varying warmth. I reckon that if I'm not a little chilly in the first couple of minutes then I'll overheat once I get going, so if I'm at all unsure I'll underdress rather than risk getting too hot. I don't think I've ever actually been cold after the first 10 minutes riding anyway - except when I've worn the wrong gloves or forgotten the ear protection on a really cold day. Cold fingers and ears are my real bugbears, as long as they're warm I'm generally OK

[arryb]

illmonkey said:

arryb said:

I do a 14 mile fat burning ride in the morning quite often, my clothing consists of the following:

2 pairs of socks + cycling shoes + overshoes (the overshoes make all the difference to the warmth of my feet, recommended - look up SJS cycles on ebay, I managed to get a basic neoprene pair for 99p + £3.50 P+P ),
Padded underwear + thick full length cycling trousers (the trousers don't have padding, hence the underwear, but also helps with wind chill between the legs ),
Underlayer + cycling top + armwarmers (sometimes under full arm cycling top )
Full finger gloves,
Clear, blue or tinted lense cycling glasses (depending on brightness) + a helmet,
Possibly a scarf around my neck if it's REALLY cold.

Keeps me very warm

So what is a fat burning ride, compared to a normal ride?

Thanks to both for the advise.

Cup of coffee before going out (helps to stimulate fat burning) - then high revs spinning the gear rather than low revs pushing the gear. Have actually seen some good results but even if I didn't, it's nice to get out into the fresh air and a couple of mates come along too.

[Agoogy]

arryb said:

illmonkey said:

arryb said:

I do a 14 mile fat burning ride in the morning quite often, my clothing consists of the following:

2 pairs of socks + cycling shoes + overshoes (the overshoes make all the difference to the warmth of my feet, recommended - look up SJS cycles on ebay, I managed to get a basic neoprene pair for 99p + £3.50 P+P ),
Padded underwear + thick full length cycling trousers (the trousers don't have padding, hence the underwear, but also helps with wind chill between the legs ),
Underlayer + cycling top + armwarmers (sometimes under full arm cycling top )
Full finger gloves,
Clear, blue or tinted lense cycling glasses (depending on brightness) + a helmet,
Possibly a scarf around my neck if it's REALLY cold.

Keeps me very warm

So what is a fat burning ride, compared to a normal ride?

Thanks to both for the advise.

Cup of coffee before going out (helps to stimulate fat burning) - then high revs spinning the gear rather than low revs pushing the gear. Have actually seen some good results but even if I didn't, it's nice to get out into the fresh air and a couple of mates come along too.

plus wearing that much stuff you must sweat a few kilos????

[arryb]

Agoogy said:

arryb said:

illmonkey said:

arryb said:

I do a 14 mile fat burning ride in the morning quite often, my clothing consists of the following:

2 pairs of socks + cycling shoes + overshoes (the overshoes make all the difference to the warmth of my feet, recommended - look up SJS cycles on ebay, I managed to get a basic neoprene pair for 99p + £3.50 P+P ),
Padded underwear + thick full length cycling trousers (the trousers don't have padding, hence the underwear, but also helps with wind chill between the legs ),
Underlayer + cycling top + armwarmers (sometimes under full arm cycling top )
Full finger gloves,
Clear, blue or tinted lense cycling glasses (depending on brightness) + a helmet,
Possibly a scarf around my neck if it's REALLY cold.

Keeps me very warm

So what is a fat burning ride, compared to a normal ride?

Thanks to both for the advise.

Cup of coffee before going out (helps to stimulate fat burning) - then high revs spinning the gear rather than low revs pushing the gear. Have actually seen some good results but even if I didn't, it's nice to get out into the fresh air and a couple of mates come along too.

plus wearing that much stuff you must sweat a few kilos????

It's only really 2 layers all over.....! And we are talking very low temperatures where there is ice (see the thread about my syncronised crash ). Can't wait until the summer - shorts, top, socks, shoes, sunglasses