cross in the cold

[rhonda70]

Any suggestions on how to handle with freezing weather and rain in this type of racing?
Milton is calling for snow and rain this weekend.

I missed the Whitby race because I got lost, and missed the race. Nice, the directions were terrible.

I got my big bird leg warmers! They work good and boy am I easy to see!:D

[stormin_30]

Hi Rhonda,

I think that there three areas that need to be looked at when you are racing cyclocross in extreme conditions… tires, clothing and skin embrocation.

With rain comes mud and with mud comes a slower bike that won’t shift and brake well. Consider using tires with an arrow design tread (TUFO Elite and Vittoria Cross EVO are good examples). This type of tread design will help to shed the mud off the tire before it has a chance to gob up your bike. Also, if you haven’t done so already try experimenting with your tire pressure. Less tire pressure usually equates to better gripping tires. Be careful not to go too low on the pressure and risk a pinch flat on a rock or root.

Your clothing requirements for training in the wet and cold will probably be different than when you are racing. Odds are you’ll overheat, and dehydrate, if you are too bundled up during a race. I have found that a cycling cap, wind stopper gloves, a thermal undershirt, knee warmers and winter socks are all I need to supplement my typical fall cycling gear. In rainy or windy conditions a cycling vest is a good choice. I find that leg warmers get too water logged and make my legs cold and rain jackets just make me too hot.

This time of year I rely on embrocation creams, like Sportscare sports balm #2, to help keep me dry and warm. The sport balm is water repellent and generates a reasonable amount of warmth on the skin. You can feel the full effect of the heat when you are in doors after your ride and you’ll know if you haven’t washed it all off when your legs are burning in bed. It should go with out saying that putting in contact lenses or using the bathroom facilities after apply embrocation cream is a no-no… unfortunately I found these things out the hard way ;).

That’s all I got. I hope that helps.

Norm

PS - There is good read on cyclocross dressing: http://www.midatlanticcross.info/Articles/cycloCROSSdressing.htm

[rhonda70]

Wow, thanks alot.
I will try those ideas for sure. Any idea where I could find those creams? Plus do you put it all over (eg your back and arms) or mostly on your legs?

I live in Woodstock, so I don't know if I can find that type of thing here but I can leave early going to milton tommorow if there is somewhere along the way?

Thanks again!

(excuse me for sounding excited but I was about to give up on cross just because I hate being cold and wet)

[stormin_30]

Hi Rhonda,

I think you should be able to buy the creams at any bike shop. The sportbalm looks like this (you want the red ones):
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/cyclocrossworld_1919_1275650

A tube should cost around $20 plus taxes.

I use the heat embrocation cream mostly on my legs but I know people that put in on their stomach and lower back.

Again, I hope that helps.

Norm

[rhonda70]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

[rhonda70]

Ok, I can't find it at both Milton bike shops, or in Cambridge or Waterloo? I didn't try Ziggy's as it is quite a way of the highway. Ryenolds Cycle in London does not have it, I am trying to find it at a bike shop on the way to Milton?
Anyone??

[stormin_30]

Hi Rhonda,

If you are really stuck and want the sportsbalm e-mail me and I'll pick some up and mail it to you.

Norm
stormin_30 @ hotmail.com

[rhonda70]

Thanks Norm, but my local shop is ordering it in.
I ended up very sick all weekend and did not go anywhere.
They will have it in by the time I am feeling up to riding, no doubt.