Fifty Plus (50+) - How Cold do you Go?

Current predictions have it dropping to -12 here on Saturday morning, with the wind chill expected to be down around -25. Does anyone here ride in weather like this?

The coldest I've ridden in this winter has been 37. I think I'm up for riding down to around 25, but aren't sure I want to go any colder.

What are your lower temp limits for riding?

I think minus 12 would be insane but no doubt someone has done it before. Just think -12 going down a big hill at 40mph makes the wind chill ? Don't have a chart but got to be -20 or less.

Rode today at 40f when I started. Windy and by the time I was halfway done, snow was hitting the ground.
Below 35 I usually staying put.

I'd have to be really determined to go out when it was under about 45 degrees. Maybe a little lower if I knew it was going to get warmer during the ride. Where I live I would rarely need to wait more than a few days for warmer weather.

I've ridden in weather cold enough for sleet & hail & I never want to do that again. I think anything under 40* for anything that's not training or event-oriented is insane. I've done my time in NJ & CO & S. Korea in winter, and now that I'm in CA I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a cold-weather weenie.

Enjoy!

Not anymore. Last year I would ride in any weather. Years prior to that I'd ride on New Year's day regardless of the weather. Now, however, when the combined temp and chill factor go below zero degrees F, I stay on the trainer inside.

I don't get out at all in the winter. I have an older hybrid that I put on a trainer, use the elliptical, and that's about it. Riding when it's even in the 40's is not a thrill for me. I don't even OWN any winter type biking clothes. Living in MI that kind of shortens the riding season. I am in Chicago this week for work and the other morning it was 4. I am right down town, and even at 4 you would be amazed at the number of people that went buzzing by on a bike. I did get in the spirit of things though by buying me a new bike. Picking it up today when I leave. Driving does have it's perks when you travel.

I was riding last year when it was as cold as the mid 20's, but I have decided this year not to ride unless it is above about 35 with little wind. I bought a trainer this year, so I can somewhat satisfy my habit on it.

I love riding my bike but when it gets cold I decide that I love building bikes more. I probably quit in the fall when it drops below 45 and start again in the spring when it gets above 40. On the other hand I am quite happy to ride when its 95/100.

I commute to/from work - 15 miles each way.

My lower limit on temp is about 10F, below that it starts to get uncomfortable for me. If the commute were shorter, then my low temp limit would probably be lower - at 10F, the 15 miles takes me over an hour which gives my toes time to get cold :)


I also don't like riding in deep snow, or when the roads are covered in ice, even if the temp is relatively warm.

Current predictions have it dropping to -12 here on Saturday morning, with the wind chill expected to be down around -25. Does anyone here ride in weather like this?

The coldest I've ridden in this winter has been 37. I think I'm up for riding down to around 25, but aren't sure I want to go any colder.

What are your lower temp limits for riding?
Almost 20 years ago I cycled the 9 miles to work at -15°F, into ahead wind. I learned that day that pants with metal zippers or glasses with a metal frame were not a good idea. This year the coldest temperature so far for the 12 mile commute was 4°F. Sweat pants with no zippers, plastic framed glasses; adequate mittens, hoodie, down vest with denim jacket and good winter footwear, long johns - no problem.
Tomorrow is my 60th birthday.

I have found that 40 or a litle lower is my limit. I have figured out how much clothing I need to keep warm at that temp... My riding is all pretty much level (Kansas) so don't need to fight the hills. This year I have not ridden much in this cold stuff ,,plus the streets are snowy...

What are your lower temp limits for riding?

I don't commute so all my riding is for fun. My cutoff for fun is 25F. I also won't ride if there is snow on the roads. I have the winter cycling gear but find it a pain to get ready for the cold weather rides.

I have no problems riding solo during warm weather but shy away from riding alone in cold weather. I just don't want to be found frozen in the ditch along one of those country roads.:(

I don't commute so all my riding is for fun. My cutoff for fun is 25F.
Just to clarify, I commute by bike for fun. Of course nice weather is even more fun. My cutoff is when it is no longer fun. Hasn't happened yet. Except for ice on the roads, then I drive to work, about 3 or 4 times a year.

Just to clarify, I commute by bike for fun. Of course nice weather is even more fun. My cutoff is when it is no longer fun. Hasn't happened yet. Except for ice on the roads, then I drive to work, about 3 or 4 times a year.

I would love to commute and I would consider it fun, too. Unfortunately I have a one hour commute each way on interstates:(

I grew up walking or biking to elementary school in temperatures down to -20 F. With the proper clothing, this is no big deal.

Paul

I think the answer depends of what the norm is for where you live. Personally I usually don't go out too often below 25 F, but if I lived somewhere where it was below 25 F a lot of the time my cut off would be lower. OTOH if I really want to get out on a particular day I would go in any weather we have here. Since we have so few days where it doesn't get into the upper 20s it is almost never a problem.

On a weekend, I'll ride in nearly any temperature. I just layer up. It should be noted that temperatures in my area seldom go below freezing during the day. On work days, I'll usually ride the trainer in the garage at temps below 50 or whenever (as is the case now) it is dark in the AM before work.

During the winter of 2005 and last Jan, Feb, Mar. I would ride my excerise ride in any cold weather. We don't get much snow, but mornings (5:30am) it is not unusual to be in the mid 20's.
This winter I made a pledge to myself that if the temp was below 30, I would not do my morning ride. I just found that I don't enjoy it and hated getting out of bed to face that cold even if dressed properly.
I know I will lose some level of fitness, but during the year there was some discussion here about losing the enjoyment of riding with the majority of opinion being that if you don't enjoy it you might need to take a break.
I felt that applies to my cold weather riding.

Unfortunately I have a one hour commute each way on interstates:(

my sympathies: what a drag...

What are your lower temp limits for riding?

Depends on whether it's the 4-mile commute or a longer recreational ride. Compared to most of the posters, we don't get any 'real' cold weather. This year has been unusual having almost a month of mid-30's at night and only warming to high 40's / low 50's during the day.

For commuting, I just get dressed for the weather and do my 20-minute ride to work. Rain and strong winds are more of a deterrent than temperature.

For recreational riding, probably anything below 40 would dissuade me from getting on the bike. I actually like riding in the colder weather since our abominable summer heat & humidity endures almost half the year.

I think the answer depends of what the norm is for where you live. Personally I usually don't go out too often below 25 F, but if I lived somewhere where it was below 25 F a lot of the time my cut off would be lower. OTOH if I really want to get out on a particular day I would go in any weather we have here. Since we have so few days where it doesn't get into the upper 20s it is almost never a problem.

This is definetly true, when I lived in Chicago I would be out running at 10 degrees and loved the snow, at 60 I would be in a tee shirt and shorts. Now living in S Fl I don't ride when it gets below 45 (a couple of mornings a year) and I am looking for a sweater when it gets below 70. I am sure if my choices were to not ride for weeks or ride in colder weather I would do so but I know I can wait until the afternoon or the next day and everything will be nice an toasty.

I don't ride much when the temp is below freezing (which in Laramie is most of the period from early November to mid March). I have all the gear to ride at colder temps, but just don't enjoy it. Someone from Alberta posted that he has ridden at minus 30 F or something phenomenal like that. Brrrrrrrrrrr

I've ridden this winter in the "teen's" and you simply dress for it. It's a little cool to start with but nothing like a hill to get warmed up. I don't know about the -15 degrees though.......I'd give it a try but would worry about the fingers and toes.

As I have aged, my fingers and toes (regressing circulation) are the deciding factor in riding. I have done many a ride with the temperature below 20, but lately the high 20's or low 30's is my cutoff. Luckily it doesn't get to those temperatures much in this area, and when it does, it climbs rapidly right after sunrise.

Coldest I rode this winter was windchill of -23F, yesterday on my way home from coffee, +5F blizzard conditions with 30 to 40 mile wind out of the north. Visibility 1/2 block. That was the coldest I have ever been on a bike.

Did you enjoy your ride?

Late fall and winter temperatures are usually between 27F and 38F in the mornings. I've ridden in temperatures around 15F. The only problem I have starts at temps below 32F - cold fingers and toes.

Below 50, and I'm probably staying home. My blood thinned when I moved to SoCal!

Did you enjoy your ride?
When I stop enjoying the ride, I won't do it anymore. It's like sex in the sense that its always good, sometimes better.

I was asking the person who posted the message before my question, where he was riding in -23 wind chill under blizzard conditions. That doesn't sound enjoyable to me.

Tomorrow is my 60th birthday.


Happy Birthday I-L-T-B, I hit the big LX in June. Don't let the candles catch the house on fire!:eek:

Happy Birthday, ILTB!

Paul

Tomorrow is my 60th birthday.

Happy Birthday ya old grouch. Here's to many more years of being the poster boy for what cycling is really all about! :beer:

(and hopefully enough years to see Penn State win another National Championship :p)

45 for the MTB
55 for MUP
60 for Road
I don't like riding in the cold. Even my LBS says if you don't like it, don't do it.
But riding the trainer is like worse than watching grass grow.

Tomorrow is my 60th birthday.
Well, it's tomorrow already, so Happy Birthday ILTB! Seriously...

My issue isn't "how cold," but "how hot."

When it gets over 90 here in the fabulous San Fernando Valley, I usually can handle it. But as it edges toward 100, I start to get a little spooked. I rarely bonk or pass out from the heat, but it has happened a few times, and it really scared the daylights outta me!

26 degrees this morning at 8:20.
I'm not going out until it hits 40!!

Well, it's tomorrow already, so Happy Birthday ILTB! Seriously...
Thank You. I'm warming my hands over the Birthday candles today. High temperature is expected to be 9°F.

Note: As much as I grumble about my aversion to cutsie pater on-line, and its negative affect on getting participation on those who are not part of the insider clubhttp://www.majordickwinters.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/lurk.gif I am sure I would enjoy bicycling with the BF old boy's club. Seriously!

At the moment it's-19 outside and they are predicting a 25 -30 mph wind producing a wind chill factor of -70 to -80! The roads are dry but I think I'll leave the bike in its bed today!

At the moment it's-19 outside and they are predicting a 25 -30 mph wind producing a wind chill factor of -70 to -80! The roads are dry but I think I'll leave the bike in its bed today!
Good idea. Seriously, it amazes me that anything but buffalo, and those who lived off the buffalo, could survive long term, under such conditions. Yikes!

Snowing like heck here in Buffalo, about 2" per hour right now. I chose to walk as opposed to cycling today. It is 14 degrees outside right now. I always ride in the cold weather in the small chain ring trying to keep my cadence high. Nokian tires work great in this weather.

Tom......

I was asking the person who posted the message before my question, where he was riding in -23 wind chill under blizzard conditions. That doesn't sound enjoyable to me.


I didn't mind the ride there, it wasn't snowing, but I sure was happy to get home. My wife said to me when I left "Please tell me you are not riding your bike"

I didn't mind the ride there, it wasn't snowing, but I sure was happy to get home. My wife said to me when I left "Please tell me you are not riding your bike"
That is why you should leave the house before she wakes up. Tell her, upon your return, that you were being considerate and she looked so lovely that you couldn't dream of disturbing her. Maybe she'll buy it.

Below 50, and I'm probably staying home. My blood thinned when I moved to SoCal!
It always amazes me how much this acclimation to the local conditions affects what temps we find comfortable for riding. It is hard for me to Imagine that temps in the 40's aren't pleasant to everyone, but I know some find that cold. To me that is one of the more pleasant temperature ranges for riding.

I really find it entertaining when I visit San Francisco in the "winter" and see folks with fur lined hoods, down jackets, gloves, mittens, and so on when I am in shorts. I guess SoCal is even more that way. I guess if I lived there for a while I might be the same.

Then again I see folks swimming in the SF Bay year round.

I've determined at any temps below freezing (32 F), riding simply isn't fun anymore so i don't do it. Today's high is predicted at 35, so I'm planning on jumping on the bike for a couple of hours. I've noticed my pace is also slower the more layers I wear . . . not sure why!

I've determined at any temps below freezing (32 F), riding simply isn't fun anymore so i don't do it. Today's high is predicted at 35, so I'm planning on jumping on the bike for a couple of hours. I've noticed my pace is also slower the more layers I wear . . . not sure why!

This was discussed on a local biking website and here's some information on why our speed often declines in colder weather. I know mine certainly goes down a couple mph when the temps go below freezing.

http://www.icebike.org/Articles/SlowerWinter.htm

I've determined at any temps below freezing (32 F), riding simply isn't fun anymore so i don't do it. Today's high is predicted at 35, so I'm planning on jumping on the bike for a couple of hours. I've noticed my pace is also slower the more layers I wear . . . not sure why!
I know why for me. Heavier clothes, especially footwear, and an aversion to too much exertion induced sweat when it is that cold.

I once rode home from work when it was -10, with a wind chill of around -30. I was stationed in Norway, and it was above freezing when I left for work that morning. It was an 8 mile commute, but I was prepared. I wore my wetsuit under my biking gear (the wet suit was for the swimming classes I taught), covered with polypro longjohns, and two layers of sweats. Made it home just fine. The coldest I have ridden in Colorado was 26F on a fun ride. I had been commuting to work with the temps lower than that (I think) until we got blasted by that snow storm on 20 December. The bike has been on the Trainer in the basement since the first week of January, and probably won't see daylight again until mid April.

I did about 6 miles yesterday evening. About 20 degrees F and windy. Wore a facemask. I grew up in Chicago running a paper route as a kid so it doesn't bother me. I still sweated. Even my waterproof hunting gloves were still damp this morning.

It just went negative here, and the sun is still up. Gonna be a tough one tonight. I just picked up some lobster gloves, a new balaclava with integrated neoprene face mask, and night tinted ski goggles for the Monday morning ride to the railhead. Supposed to be well below zero (F) Monday AM.

(Go Bears)