Riding in the Florida "winter"
01-25-16, 08:07 PM
#26
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Having lived in South Florida for almost 40 years, I have found the following to be true: The first winter you're here, you laugh at everyone who is wearing a jacket. The second year, you are wearing one. 
01-25-16, 08:19 PM
#27
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Not in Southern Florida, I'm in NW Florida, Escambia County, as far West as you can go, the Alabama line is about 1½ miles west of our house. I ride year round, its just a matter of putting on some extra kit for layering. I'll ride down into the mid-30s, the wind chill may pull this into the high 20s. Rain isn't a big ride stopper for me, in the winter it will bring the cut off up into the mid 40s, but I have a rain jacket and shoe covers for this. A balaclava, or a skull cap under my helmet, and some 3 season Cannondale gloves (with the removable wind covers,) all help out.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Last edited by qcpmsame; 01-26-16 at 09:00 PM.
01-26-16, 01:01 PM
#29
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guys afraid to ride in sub 50 degree weather... lol.... welp, I expect this of the guys from FLA and Cali...as well as Texas and the south...
I routinely ride through Colorado Winters in 30 and 20 degree weather... if you have the correct gear it's fine... if it's not windy and the streets are mostly clear of snow, I'll ride... I will and have ridden in light snow as well... just recently I did that and completely trashed one of my bikes... That's another thing, riding through the Winter conditions does a number on your bike and gear, esp. when you forget the ass saver... I still like to do it, but I don't do it in my nice training bikes... I have some commuter's that I go through those paces with...
If I lived in FLA I'd ride everyday sans maybe some of those hellacious downpour's ya'll get....
I routinely ride through Colorado Winters in 30 and 20 degree weather... if you have the correct gear it's fine... if it's not windy and the streets are mostly clear of snow, I'll ride... I will and have ridden in light snow as well... just recently I did that and completely trashed one of my bikes... That's another thing, riding through the Winter conditions does a number on your bike and gear, esp. when you forget the ass saver... I still like to do it, but I don't do it in my nice training bikes... I have some commuter's that I go through those paces with...
If I lived in FLA I'd ride everyday sans maybe some of those hellacious downpour's ya'll get....
I will say though, I miss the snow, I came from Northern Cal and miss Lake Tahoe. Enjoy your snow my friend
01-26-16, 01:09 PM
#30
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I think my cut off is 40 F with little to no wind. It was mid 40s on Saturday but with 25 mph wind. I didn't go more because of the wind than the temperature.
I just started commuting too. I'll try as low as 32 to commute, but I hope I never have to make that choice.
I just started commuting too. I'll try as low as 32 to commute, but I hope I never have to make that choice.
01-26-16, 02:42 PM
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This year the twin cities bike club had extra rides in Dec when it was 40F because it was so warm. :-)
01-26-16, 03:03 PM
#32
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Afraid a little rain huh lol. Look, make fun us all you want, but if we chose not to ride in sub 50 degree days we're only missing at most maybe 3 days of riding a year. It was 52 Sunday morning, this morning it was 72, 82 right now. Enjoy freezing your you know what off.
01-26-16, 03:04 PM
#33
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If it started to snow while I was riding, I would probably cry for momma or just stay in bed.
01-26-16, 03:28 PM
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01-26-16, 05:28 PM
#35
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I like to ride whether it's 32 degrees or 100 degrees, but a lot of folks in my cycling club don't share my view.
01-26-16, 07:23 PM
#36
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When I first started riding, the 'Florida winter kit' was basically just arm warmers and leg warmers. Anything more and you were spoiled, and envied. Local bike shops didn't carry serious winter clothing because it didn't sell, and internet retailers weren't yet a thing.
More (and cheaper) clothing options, and easier access to good clothing, is definitely helping with getting more people riding in the chill.
The right clothing does make all the difference!
More (and cheaper) clothing options, and easier access to good clothing, is definitely helping with getting more people riding in the chill.
The right clothing does make all the difference!
01-26-16, 08:07 PM
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Being from the north, I can tell you that a Florida 50* feels like a New York 40*
01-26-16, 09:05 PM
#38
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Rained this afternoon, I thought about this thread while I was riding, the wind/rain jacket (Champion Systems, 50+ forum group buy) did its job quite well. Even though I had no rain pants, it was not too cold with tights on, over my shorts. tomorrow will be a little different, its supposed to be a high of 52°F here, cold front is moving through right now. If its raining the new neoprene shoe covers get tried out, tomorrow.
Bill
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
01-26-16, 10:34 PM
#39
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Rained this afternoon, I thought about this thread while I was riding, the wind/rain jacket (Champion Systems, 50+ forum group buy) did its job quite well. Even though I had no rain pants, it was not too cold with tights on, over my shorts. tomorrow will be a little different, its supposed to be a high of 52°F here, cold front is moving through right now. If its raining the new neoprene shoe covers get tried out, tomorrow. Bill
Stay safe and enjoy.
01-26-16, 10:34 PM
#40
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Used to live in the midwest and had no problem riding in below freezing temps. Used a bike through several winters in chicago. On then west coast now and dont like to ride when i have to wear anything more than a t shirt and leggings. Funny how the body adapts.
I do shudder at the thought of gearing up for a cold winter ride though.
I do shudder at the thought of gearing up for a cold winter ride though.
01-27-16, 12:47 AM
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Here in the Tampa area it's been in the mid to upper 30s lately and windy. Instead of riding at 7am I wait until it gets to 45 degrees later in the day. I've got leg and arm warmers and a scull cap with goretex cycle jacket. I also found that cold weather golf gloves are not only better then full fingered cycling gloves but cheaper as well.
, around here
It comes in handy when the storm surge moves up the streets.....
01-27-16, 10:49 AM
#43
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01-27-16, 10:51 AM
#44
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I hate the cold but will ride in it as long as it is not raining. I would prefer 100 degrees to anything under 80 but it's Florida and we get what we get, which is still better than the rest of the country.
If it started to snow while I was riding, I would probably cry for momma or just stay in bed.
If it started to snow while I was riding, I would probably cry for momma or just stay in bed.
01-27-16, 11:02 AM
#45
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People go to the beach year round out here. It's just that they need three layers including goretex.
01-27-16, 03:14 PM
#46
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scott s.
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01-27-16, 04:58 PM
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01-28-16, 08:07 AM
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Another winter hazard for Tampa...parade season. The Bayshore area is all messed up with the Gasparilla parade for a couple of Saturdays. Even when it's over there's all the broken beads everywhere for a couple of weeks.