Training in the cold - health issues

['Dale]

 

 

I wished you said this a year ago, last year August went out for a cold winters thursday morning ride, I had flu for the passed 2 weeks and it was TransBaviaans on the Saturday. so I had to ride, just to feel if the legs were there. I felt my left ear had a hectic "wind noise" and till today its still not 100s. Started fast and furious in the baviaans and after 4km felt like I was dying, lactic acid got the best of me and I wanted to quit right there and then. I soldiered on with stiff legs and a sky high heart rate all the way. just couldnt drop my partner who trained all winter.

 

Eish!

Yeah, my cycling collar goes right up to the ears if need be

[Guest EdEdEd]

Good morning to everyone

 

I have posted this before - need some guidance/insight.

 

How does one manage breathing in the cold air? I have only been taking riding seriously the last 10 months or so - want to be riding through winter this year.

 

My question is more with flu/bronchitis - won't breathing the cold air result in flu / bronchitis issues? How does one prevent it? Will a buff over the mouth help?

 

I have used first ascent bamboo undies in the Upington winter to very good effect...also one of those buffs over the face to take away the worst burn

[HappyMartin]

Never got sick riding in the cold. Get sick from working 7 day weeks and long hours. Got sick from not getting enough rest and sleep. Got sick from not eating a healthy diet. Got sick when I used to smoke.

 

Riding in winter feels great. That warm buzz you have when you get off the bike and have a cup of coffee. Marvelous.

[CogitoErgoSum]

Never got sick riding in the cold. Get sick from working 7 day weeks and long hours. Got sick from not getting enough rest and sleep. Got sick from not eating a healthy diet. Got sick when I used to smoke.

 

Riding in winter feels great. That warm buzz you have when you get off the bike and have a cup of coffee. Marvelous.

 

Yeah, nothing beats the solitude of an early morning ride. I just love it. The last few weekends it has been misty here - so much that you couldn't see more than 50m in front of you. Having so much mist around you on a singletrack - its priceless. That's why I have asked about breathing in cold air, I have a slight niggling cough from the early rides..

 

Anyway, I am going to get me a buff then.

['Dale]

Pop star Katy Perry

 

Brrrrrrr

[r0adrunner]

Is the problem I have at the moment. Have a post nasal problem, so all the symptoms that go with it. Lost my voice again for the 3rd time this year.

 

Address the root of the problem. Why do you have a post nasal problem?

 

If you don't have a post nasal problem, you'll be fine!

[Danger Dassie]

Buffs are incredible and unobtrusive, one under the helmet and one round the neck that can be pulled over the mouth if need be.

Gillets/wind vests are also inexpensive and lightweight. I can't handle booties, so put a sandwich bag over my socks before putting shoes on, works a charm.

Had a pair of fleece lined gloves with a plastic/vinyl cover on the outside, also worked well.

 

Generally I've found the best cold weather gear is stuff that isn't too bulky and provides more wind protection than padding.

[Cois]

Not sure. Been snotty form 7 April. Had a bad case of flu then was okay for 3 days and been snotty since...

Not great for my moral at the moment.

[Guest dirkieuys]

 

Is the problem I have at the moment. Have a post nasal problem, so all the symptoms that go with it. Lost my voice again for the 3rd time this year.

My post nasal also causes this. Used that sinus flush for a few days and its been gone for a few months. Hope it stays away, as winter is my favourite time of the year to ride.

[leona]

I had to chuckle at this thread. I know the climate varies wildly across sa but i cant help but think most of you don't really know what a proper winter is like?

i am happy to be corrected of course!

 

winter is bloody long in england so i feel well placed to comment on this. we have cyclocross in winter so not only ride/train but also race at very high intensity. the only time I've suffered from the cold is when I've done an especially hard race when its been very very cold. winter 2010 was especially vicious and we regularly had to race in 0 to -5 temps. my lungs felt really sore after, you almost expect to be coughing up blood but it never happened thankfully! i think the problems come from not looking after yourself. if you get very cold you are using a lot of calories to keep warm and you need to take that into consideration post ride.

 

the key to staying warm is layers. no sense in going out wearing a thick coat coz you will get hot and sweaty which is an absolute disaster if you have to stop (puncture etc) as you will freeze. merino wool is a big thing at home, not sure of availability of it here? Id start with a decent base layer. wool is great but so are synthetics if you don't mind getting a bit smelly

 

so, baselayer - id normally go short sleeves and wear arm warmers as i can take them off if i get warm but if its properly cold then long sleeve with arm warmers too. over that id wear a long sleeve jersey and then a windproof gilet. i don't like wearing a hat under my helmet as i get too hot but a windproof ear cover does the trick. the hardest thing is keeping your hands and feet warm and i also go for layers in that case. wool thin glove with thick winter/windproof/water resistant outer glove and as many overshoes as i can fit on!

[HappyMartin]

In Joburg at least our winters are dry. Bone dry. Hard on skin and eyes in those cold mornings. I remember riding in July as the sun was coming up. Temp around zero. Not as harsh as Europe but cold non the less.

 

I tried telling my great uncle how tough it is here in winter. He was Norwegian national road champion is the 1950's. He thinks I'm a cry baby.

[Danger Dassie]

I had to chuckle at this thread. I know the climate varies wildly across sa but i cant help but think most of you don't really know what a proper winter is like?

i am happy to be corrected of course!

 

winter is bloody long in england so i feel well placed to comment on this. we have cyclocross in winter so not only ride/train but also race at very high intensity. the only time I've suffered from the cold is when I've done an especially hard race when its been very very cold. winter 2010 was especially vicious and we regularly had to race in 0 to -5 temps. my lungs felt really sore after, you almost expect to be coughing up blood but it never happened thankfully! i think the problems come from not looking after yourself. if you get very cold you are using a lot of calories to keep warm and you need to take that into consideration post ride.

 

the key to staying warm is layers. no sense in going out wearing a thick coat coz you will get hot and sweaty which is an absolute disaster if you have to stop (puncture etc) as you will freeze. merino wool is a big thing at home, not sure of availability of it here? Id start with a decent base layer. wool is great but so are synthetics if you don't mind getting a bit smelly

 

so, baselayer - id normally go short sleeves and wear arm warmers as i can take them off if i get warm but if its properly cold then long sleeve with arm warmers too. over that id wear a long sleeve jersey and then a windproof gilet. i don't like wearing a hat under my helmet as i get too hot but a windproof ear cover does the trick. the hardest thing is keeping your hands and feet warm and i also go for layers in that case. wool thin glove with thick winter/windproof/water resistant outer glove and as many overshoes as i can fit on!

 

Been there. Winters in the UK may be harsher, but our general climate varies much more. Try a KZN Midlands or Lesotho winter, as brutal as anything else out there.

Have had mates out from Germany, UK etc ... they all say the winters aren't that bad, but it's colder than they expect and the variation in climate is a bit of a mind ****

 

Joburg's climate is fantastic though, we really don't have that bad a winter. Although after 5 good winters some people are reckoning this could be a chilly very dry one.

[CogitoErgoSum]

I had to chuckle at this thread. I know the climate varies wildly across sa but i cant help but think most of you don't really know what a proper winter is like?

i am happy to be corrected of course!

 

winter is bloody long in england so i feel well placed to comment on this. we have cyclocross in winter so not only ride/train but also race at very high intensity. the only time I've suffered from the cold is when I've done an especially hard race when its been very very cold. winter 2010 was especially vicious and we regularly had to race in 0 to -5 temps. my lungs felt really sore after, you almost expect to be coughing up blood but it never happened thankfully! i think the problems come from not looking after yourself. if you get very cold you are using a lot of calories to keep warm and you need to take that into consideration post ride.

 

the key to staying warm is layers. no sense in going out wearing a thick coat coz you will get hot and sweaty which is an absolute disaster if you have to stop (puncture etc) as you will freeze. merino wool is a big thing at home, not sure of availability of it here? Id start with a decent base layer. wool is great but so are synthetics if you don't mind getting a bit smelly

 

so, baselayer - id normally go short sleeves and wear arm warmers as i can take them off if i get warm but if its properly cold then long sleeve with arm warmers too. over that id wear a long sleeve jersey and then a windproof gilet. i don't like wearing a hat under my helmet as i get too hot but a windproof ear cover does the trick. the hardest thing is keeping your hands and feet warm and i also go for layers in that case. wool thin glove with thick winter/windproof/water resistant outer glove and as many overshoes as i can fit on!

 

 

Yes, our winters aren't as cold as in Europe. Within that fact is the issue. That was the exact premise of my question - how does one manage the variables (clothing, immunatory supplementation, etc) to prevent any impact (worsening a pre-existing nasal-drip/flu, etc) that the cold could have if your body is not conditioned enough to withstand prolonged exposure to cold weather.

 

I guess the answer is to let commonsense prevail - kit up properly and protect your airways if you are not fully used to cold air.

[Lord Catapult]

Breathing in cold air could cause inflammation of the airways, this could effect your immune response, thus you get sick.

 

I am a chronic sinus sufferer, and I try to ride as much in the winter as I can. The most. Important thing. Is keeping your sinuses running clean and free from infection. I used a nasal cleansing spray like Sterimar, and a good mucolytic, can't say which one as I work for the company, to keep the mucus thin and clear.

Secondly I make sure I use a good multivitamin, Biogens one is great, and a good immune modulator, EchinaForce, is still the best.

And what ever you do, never stop a runny nose, you might just trap an infection with the mucus.

[leona]

the answer is layers. I'm in stellenbosch and just now its cooler in the mornings so i go out with a gilet and arm warmers. i can take both of these off when it warms up. same premise in winter just with more layers.

[ChUkKy]

I have used first ascent bamboo undies in the Upington winter to very good effect...also one of those buffs over the face to take away the worst burn

 

Shoots for undies.... I get that bit

WTF is worst burn, is it the worst you can get?

 

I R confused