Wind, cold, or wet- which is worse?

[damnpoor]

Not too long ago it was real cold. Then it warmed up, and recently it's been terribly windy. Now, today, it's misting outside. It got me wondering which is least pleasant to ride in, and how you all change your ride schedule depending on these conditions.

I can ride when it's cold, and I can ride when it's windy, but I loath riding in the wet. I think I dislike the thought of all that water and road grime getting into my mechanical components more than I dislike being wet myself. Then when you add cars and their road spray it just makes things miserable.

[Beaker]

+1 for the wet, although a decent gust of wind can make you wobble, slippery pavement is worse.

[johnny99]

Just wear more clothes when it is cold. Hind from the wind in the hills. Wet is a big mess and car drivers around here don't know how to drive when the roads are slippery. Same goes for ice and snow.

[Red Rider]

I headed out around 9 this morning, into the wind (again) and some ugliness looming over the Vaca Ridge to the west. About 1/2 through my ride it started raining -- I must have ridden through 4 or 5 squalls. Wind-driven rain pelting my face like tiny darts is awful. And getting wet, then running down a hill, makes the chill come on like gangbusters. If it wasn't for the last mile being uphill and into the wind I would've been a giant goosebump. :notamused:

I think the wet is the worst.

[bigbossman]

I've frinished a ride in the wet once or twice, but I'll never start out in wet conditions. I like to have fun when I go for a ride - cycling is not punishment.

[cyclezealot]

I can hack it some what cold. But, cold and wet feet. That is too much.

[cccorlew]

I have 2 modes:
Commute-- anything is just fine. Rain is even fun in it's own weird way. I dress for it and I'm not uncomfortable.
Road riding -- I will not do it in the rain. No way. Yech.

[uspspro]

I have 2 modes:
Commute-- anything is just fine. Rain is even fun in it's own weird way. I dress for it and I'm not uncomfortable.
Road riding -- I will not do it in the rain. No way. Yech.

I have two similar modes:

Commute mode = the same. Warm rains are actually really fun.

Road/fun/training mode = No heavy rain. Light rain and/or gloominess is fine.

[Beaker]

I headed out around 9 this morning, into the wind (again) and some ugliness looming over the Vaca Ridge to the west. About 1/2 through my ride it started raining -- I must have ridden through 4 or 5 squalls. Wind-driven rain pelting my face like tiny darts is awful. And getting wet, then running down a hill, makes the chill come on like gangbusters. If it wasn't for the last mile being uphill and into the wind I would've been a giant goosebump. :notamused:

I think the wet is the worst.

I was just getting set for a ride first thing, when I felt the first spots of rain, flipped a coin and elected to stay in. Probably a good move, but I've been feeling antsy all day :twitchy: - sorry RR, but this helps in a twisted kind of way...

[damnpoor]

I was just getting set for a ride first thing, when I felt the first spots of rain, flipped a coin and elected to stay in. Probably a good move, but I've been feeling antsy all day :twitchy: - sorry RR, but this helps in a twisted kind of way...

That's kinda what I did. I made it to the end of the block when I decided I didn't want to deal with the mist. I've been looking at the weather radar hoping it will pass, but no such luck. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

[uspspro]

Looks like Monday will be the best day.

Probably a big turn out for Mt HAmmy.

[BottleRocket]

Wet=cold around these parts. Sucks!

[spingineer]

Wind really sucks! Now if you had a combination of wind and cold, that really drains you. I don't mind if it's wet, but wind and cold is just so demoralizing.

[caloso]

I ride regardless of the weather--for the most part. However, hail and lightning keep me inside. Lucky for us, that's a rare occurance around here.

And a combo of wind, cold, and rain is pretty tough. And a good recipe for hypothermia, so you've got to be careful.

[scbbbc]

mountain biking is fun when its wet

[Ty.S]

The Tierra Bella 2 years ago was a wet, soggy and pretty miserable experience. Wind is bad, but rain is worse, mostly because it just cuts right through all of your stuff. Not to mention, you have to clean up your bike and you get that funky mud stripe up your backside.

[damnpoor]

and you get that funky mud stripe up your backside.

I was wearing a white outfit today and I was scared to death I'd have a huge brown streak down my pants.

[scottmorrison99]

I have 2 modes:
Commute-- anything is just fine. Rain is even fun in it's own weird way. I dress for it and I'm not uncomfortable.
Road riding -- I will not do it in the rain. No way. Yech.

I agree, although this may be because my commuter has fenders.:thumb:

[shatdow]

I voted for the cold. Wet is a close second for me, but I decided if I could be wet but not cold, I'd rather be that than cold. The trouble is, wet so often means being cold too that it's hard to separate the two.

I voted that way, then went out for a ride. Interestingly enough it started raining lightly about a third of the way in, but it definitely was not cold. I was actually enjoying myself, and had a great ride despite the light wetness.

My worst rides have always involved some sort of cold. Sometimes you just can't dress warmly enough, especially if you're like me and sweat excessively. Two weeks ago I had a ride that started out with a hot, sweaty climb, then dropped into a quite cold valley for about 10 miles. The climb out the other end of the valley was miserable, as I even after adding an extra layer I was chilled from the sweat and sudden fog rolling in. I guess I need better cold-weather gear.

EDIT to add: wind can be demoralizing but I don't think it's that bad. Just an extra workout, and when you get your turn at the tailwind it's exhilarating!

[msincredible]

I voted for cold too.

When it's too cold, my fingers and toes are in agony and there is not much I can do. Any ride stops being fun that way. Wearing more clothes elsewhere does not help my extremities.

Raining, wet, that can be fun in its own way, you just have to have a good attitude towards it. Good raingear helps as well.

Wind, well, tailwinds can be a blast, and I just like to think of headwinds as the next best thing to hills for a workout. :) Not such a big fan of the crosswinds that blow you into the next lane over though. :rolleyes:

[Beaker]

I was wearing a white outfit today and I was scared to death I'd have a huge brown streak down my pants.

I hope that wasn't a self-fulfilling prophecy? ;)

What a difference a day makes - this morning - gorgeous

[Dchiefransom]

Wet amplifies the other two.