Last Sunday I went out for a bike ride (on the road). A couple of years ago this wouldn't have been any big deal, but I've been off the bike completely for a year due to a busted arm. Only a couple of day rides since then. I wanted to get up to Middleham if I could, and planned to go across to Northallerton to get the train home.
Forecast was for cold drizzle, so I put on 'winterweight' cycling tights, lightweight merino top, thicker cycling top, a buff and took a pertex showerproof. Some cheap ski mitts for my hands. Could only find one neoprene bootie for my feet and that was torn so only mtb shoes on with wool socks.
Day started ok, if chilly and the first 30miles was fine. Feet soon soaked in the puddles. Hands were cold, mittens soaked. I own waterproof overmitts but had left them at home. Showerproof had gone on very soon after leaving home.
To cut a long story short, by the time I got to Middleham, 50 miles in, I was soaked and cool. Stopped in a pub but really didn't feel like food. Forced down some chips.
Cold and slow ride to Northallerton.
When I got home, two toes were dead white and part of my foot. Toes went black in the shower. No feeling. No appetite for food either. That didn't come back until the next day.
On reflection, I was in the first stages of hypothermia. I didn't have the fitness to ride hard enough to generate the heat to deal with the conditions. It was about 1c all day with constant drizzle, water splashing up my feet.
Sat at home were waterproof overmitts that I could have been wearing on my hands. A pertex and pile jacket that, although filthy, would have been a better choice for clothing - it wouldn't have got soaked and clammy like the cycling jersey. In the past I wouldn't have ridden without overshoes, either (I've bought replacements).
I enjoyed my day out, but it was a bit marginal and I feel a tad foolish, in retrospect. I was close to being one of those idiots who need emergency services or are found dead from exposure.
Forecast was for cold drizzle, so I put on 'winterweight' cycling tights, lightweight merino top, thicker cycling top, a buff and took a pertex showerproof. Some cheap ski mitts for my hands. Could only find one neoprene bootie for my feet and that was torn so only mtb shoes on with wool socks.
Day started ok, if chilly and the first 30miles was fine. Feet soon soaked in the puddles. Hands were cold, mittens soaked. I own waterproof overmitts but had left them at home. Showerproof had gone on very soon after leaving home.
To cut a long story short, by the time I got to Middleham, 50 miles in, I was soaked and cool. Stopped in a pub but really didn't feel like food. Forced down some chips.
Cold and slow ride to Northallerton.
When I got home, two toes were dead white and part of my foot. Toes went black in the shower. No feeling. No appetite for food either. That didn't come back until the next day.
On reflection, I was in the first stages of hypothermia. I didn't have the fitness to ride hard enough to generate the heat to deal with the conditions. It was about 1c all day with constant drizzle, water splashing up my feet.
Sat at home were waterproof overmitts that I could have been wearing on my hands. A pertex and pile jacket that, although filthy, would have been a better choice for clothing - it wouldn't have got soaked and clammy like the cycling jersey. In the past I wouldn't have ridden without overshoes, either (I've bought replacements).
I enjoyed my day out, but it was a bit marginal and I feel a tad foolish, in retrospect. I was close to being one of those idiots who need emergency services or are found dead from exposure.
