Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Activation Energy

12.14.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

Guest poster Don Blount discusses how to deal with cold weather riding.

I feel it this time of the year. For that matter, I think we all do. When the temperatures fall, the wind howls and the days get shorter, we find it takes a bit more “oomph” or work to get out and ride.

The weather, which is much more dreary than in the spring and summer, surely plays a part in it. But so do a few other things.

For example, I have to keep a closer look at the weather. Instead of sunny and warm or sunny and hot, I have to monitor if it is going to be rainy, foggy or overcast or how low the temperatures will go. Thank goodness snow is not a concern for where I live in Northern California.

And instead of just putting on light base layer, jersey, bibs, gloves, socks, gloves, helmet and going, I have to decide what I am going to wear. Do today’s conditions require long sleeve or short sleeve base layer? What about warmers or thermal jersey and tights? Toe covers or shoe covers, medium or heavy gloves? After going through all of this, it takes longer to get dressed and out the door. And on some days there is additional time to clean the bike after a ride.

Spring and summer riding is fun. Most often my biggest concerns are getting out before it gets too hot and making sure I have enough food and water.

Preparing for fall and winter rides turn into work.

A New York Times story described it best as that exercise this time of the year requires more “activation energy.” That’s a chemistry term describing the amount of energy needed to start a reaction.

For cyclists and others trying to exercise it means the amount of effort needed to begin our activity. It takes more during these months. Some people crosstrain, others train less and still some just keep going no matter how much “oomph” it takes just to get out the door. I try to be in the last category, no matter how much work it takes.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // Cold weather Tags // cold, training

Comments

  1. RamonH says

    December 14, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    Cold weather also means there will be a lot of no-shows at the rides, and let’s face it: riding below 50F is just not much fun as it takes a lot longer for the muscles to warm up.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      December 14, 2010 at 9:02 pm

      You’re right. (I’ve seen you mention no-shows on your Facebook posts.) I’m afraid I’m increasingly becoming one of the no-shows when it’s cold. But I will activate if I want it bad enough — and if the wind is reasonable — and if it’s above 40.

      Reply
      • Mel Hughes says

        December 14, 2010 at 10:10 pm

        Above 40 sounds really good right now! So does no snow! We only got about 7 inches this weekend but it really put the damper on any desire I had to go out and ride, especially with the highs barely getting above the 20 degree mark. I am in the process of overhauling my old Bianchi Tangent. I just put 32mm Continentals on it. Once I repack all bottom bracket and headset, I am installing a set of full-coverage fenders. I already ditched the clipless pedals in favor of older “touring” pedals without toe clips or anything else that requires a dedicated shoe. I can ride this bike in hiking boots if I need to.

        I went out on my regular road bike before the snow storm in 48 degree weather. With enough layers, it wasn’t uncomfortable – or wouldn’t have been if I had found my toe covers before I left. But it was a lot of work to get out the door. I am hoping my Bianchi will give me the opportunity to ride more in regular clothes. Out here on the farm, it is not unusual to wear long underwear bottoms under jeans for regular chores. A thermal top is pretty normal as well. I can easily substitute my riding jacket for the fleece lined work jacket, pull on a thin silk or capilene ski mask under my bike helmet, slip on some heavier gloves and go out for a slower, shorter ride. But at least I will be getting out the door!

        Reply
  2. B.J. Ondo says

    December 16, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    LOL, I find the same thing, except it’s for “Riding the resistance trainer/bike”. If it’s 30F and sunny, I’ll pile on the layers and RIDE, I don’t need the motivation but “having” to ride the trainer, just KILLS my spirt and I dread the thing. Finding the “Activation Engery” for that is really, really hard for ME! Jmho, Ymmv. 😉

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d