a bit cold for shorts?

[Mike Legg]

This morning on the way to work I saw a guy on a road bike wearing shorts.I was wearing all kinds of layers and I was still cold. It was 7:45am, December, and only just light.Is this a roadie thing or was he just mad/eskimo? Or am I just a big softie?

[paul trimble]

don`t know but saw a very atractive girl cycling to uni this morning at 8 in a very small pair of lycr shorts, yumm

[marco framboli]

he is probably a novice who has yet to experience crippling knee pain bought on by pushing big gears throughout winter whilst wearing shorts.Me and my mates have all previously suffered it and have now learnt our lesson

[Pimpmaster Jazz]

I've been wearing shorts at the weekend, but I reckon it'll soon be time to dig out the knickers.

[Dylan Lang]

Good point Marco - but have a look at loads of the pros - they often race with loads of kit up top but then shorts. and overshoes...Bizarre..

[paul trimble]

your knees shouldn`t really be that much of a problem if you warm up properly before hand! cold air on the lungs however really do you over.

[Neal Milne]

The pros probably train with tights on when its cold. Also when they race in the cold and wet they have their legs oiled which provides some protection. From what I've seen roadies seem to wrap up much more than MTBers.

[Jonathan Lewis]

Cause they tend to go quicker hence more windchill

[Keith Edwards]

What will you poor things do when winter comes. I find if my body and feet are warm then my legs are warm enough unless the weathers freezing or cold and wet.

[Nik Johnson]

it's been bloody cold up in glasgow, and a few of the mtb guys I was out with last weekend at Glentress were wearing shorts!I, however was in my (almost) full winter gear, just don't get it.

[lee taylor]

Shorts are you mad???

[Simon Jones]

The ancient cycling lore, as handed down through the cycling clubs over the generations, is very clear on this subject.Keep your knees covered in the autumn and winter! It does not matter that you knees themselves don't feel cold, they need to be protected.Regulate your temperature by adjusting your hat, gloves and front zipper, but keep your knees covered.

[Alan Morris]

Easter Knee" was/is tendonitis caused traditionally by combination, in early season tests, of cold on poor unprotected flesh combined with unaccustomed big gear efforts. Effected pros too - with result that they learned quick to keep em covered up (days off cost money and placings)As qualified fitness/trainer aswell I really notice the increased number of pepole in shorts in this relatively mild weather. most seem to be recreational - great to see them on bikes and as theyre not covering much distance or going fast thy'll probably survive ( but do they enjoy their cycling or do they think its about taking their medicine? I guess they think its the way you should do it) Problem comes as they get stronger, go further and faster and use bigger gears as they have not learnt to pedal. Incidentally the subjective feeling of warmth after some exercise isnt a good indication of the effect of all that cold air on vunerable knees (theres a fair bit of muscle and possible fat over the rest of the legs and they will get warmed up with all that blood flowing around)Oil looks good but in cold wet everyone uses midly astringent (and v.smelly) embrocations. They come in different grades and vary in hottness like curries. Note:a) they still wont protect the knees all that much even when you put a double layer on b)dont have your before-event piss after putting the hot embrocation on, without washing your hands first....took me days to get any feeling back in the old man..other riders offering helpful suggestions as I was pouring cold water over didnt help either....sad really."

[Pimpmaster Jazz]

Bit like chilli willy?Ouch.