Now I\’m freezing!

It isn\’t unusual for our first cold weather of the season to arrive abruptly. One day it\’s in the 80s; and the next morning it\’s down to 40 degrees!

If riding in the heat presents problems, riding in the cold comes with its own set of difficulties. I don\’t want to collapse with hypothermia like that poor bicycle on the left!

Where I live, snow; ice; and sleet are extremely rare. A little sleet shuts down the entire city; but when the temperature starts to get much below 60 I really feel it. I always was sensitive to the cold. I guess I should be glad I don\’t live where I\’d need icebike.org.

If a humid climate makes heat seem worse, it also makes cold seem worse; the chill seems to penetrate right down to the bones. Post-Katrina I stayed with my sister in eastern Washington State; and there, temperatures in the teens are more comfortable than New Orleans at 40 degrees!

When the weather turns \”brisk\”, I bring out the skull cap; leg warmers; and so on. But perhaps the biggest annoyance about cold-weather riding is the way my nose runs; especially if there\’s a wind. If I don\’t want to keep wiping my nose on a glove, the only alternative is the snot rocket.

Yes, it sounds disgusting; but what can a body? If I want to keep in shape, I\’ve got to ride in all weathers; even if now I\’m freezing. If only layering could take care of that nose!