View Poll Results: Cold weather: where do you draw the line?
I’ll ride regardless of temperature or conditions
32
9.30%
I’ll ride regardless of temperature but only on ice-free and snow-free roads
68
19.77%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 0F or below
8
2.33%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 10F or below
24
6.98%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 20F or below
48
13.95%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 30F or below
70
20.35%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 40F or below
66
19.19%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 50F or below
21
6.10%
I’ll stop riding when the air is at 60F or below
7
2.03%
Voters: 344. You may not vote on this poll
Cold weather: Where do you draw the line?
#1
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
Cold weather: Where do you draw the line?
I went out yesterday for a 3 hour ride. It was between 35 and 44 degrees F. I was comfortable due to the good use of layers. I think I'll keep riding until the snow and ice become an issue.
What temperatures stop you from riding?
What temperatures stop you from riding?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#3
Beefcake the Mighty
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Scumdogia
Posts: 591
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love the cold. It does suck when your bottle freezes though. I just avoid wet/snow covered roads on my road bike.
#4
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"I’ll ride regardless of temperature but only on ice-free and snow-free roads"
Too many cars to mess with ice and snow, so that's about perfect there.
Too many cars to mess with ice and snow, so that's about perfect there.
#9
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,296
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1442 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times
in
365 Posts
It's the rare day here that is doens't get to 60. So on the rare occassion its cold I likely will ride the trainer and ride outside the next day.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#11
Peloton Shelter Dog
I'm good down to 10º or so. We only get a couple of days annually where temps don't go over 10-15º.
You're all wussyass Freds by the way. Just sayin'. But I love you anyway
You're all wussyass Freds by the way. Just sayin'. But I love you anyway
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 811
Bikes: '08 Trek 7.3FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last year it was -5F with a -25F windchill. After doing that a few times I didn't want to try a -40F windchill.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 386
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My record is 9 degrees, and I've done 4+ hour rides in the teens, which is okay as long as the roads are dry and I'm riding with my maniac friends. I hate the trainer that much.
#14
Headset-press carrier
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Corrales New Mexico
Posts: 2,137
Bikes: Kona with Campy 8, Lynskey Ti with Rival, Bianchi pista, Raleigh Team Frame with SRAM Red, Specialized Stump Jumper, Surley Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use to race XC skiing. I still have the fair weather roller ski's. I have the cycling clothes to go -10 below. The coldest days in New Mexico (yes it is not Minnesota) did not stop me from riding last year, I think we went down to as low as 15 during the day those few days
Since you move faster on bike I say 10 degrees higher than what I can tolerate skiing,
Since you move faster on bike I say 10 degrees higher than what I can tolerate skiing,
#15
Peloton Shelter Dog
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
It is seldom that simple.
I have ridden in a foot of snow and as low as 5F.
It is more of an interest thing for me.
If I want to ride I will regardless of the temp. If there is a pile of snow on the ground I may take my mountain bike out to have fun.
Other times I have no desire and would rather sit on a trainer.
You should see the stupid crap I get myself into when I have cabin fever.
I have ridden in a foot of snow and as low as 5F.
It is more of an interest thing for me.
If I want to ride I will regardless of the temp. If there is a pile of snow on the ground I may take my mountain bike out to have fun.
Other times I have no desire and would rather sit on a trainer.
You should see the stupid crap I get myself into when I have cabin fever.
#21
Used to be a climber..
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,849
Bikes: 2016 Ridley Fenix SL, 2020 Trek Emonda ALR (rim brake)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Coldest I've ridden in is 0 degrees....most interesting conditions I've ridden in was getting caught out in a snow storm halfway through a 35 mile ride, and it got dark (had my lights with me). That was interesting.
#22
Zebra
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ottawa ON
Posts: 590
Bikes: '04 Trek 1000, '05 Devinci Millenium; 07 Spec. Allez
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I discovered winter cycling last year during our city bus strike. -20C (-4F) after work on my kid's hybrid was a real treat after I interated thru the layer thing. Lower center of gravity and not being clipped in took a load of stress off my rides. Only on dry or lightly covered roads with little or no traffic of course. I racked up 800km Jan thru Mar and it made a heck of difference in April when I hit the road proper.
#23
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,784
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12736 Post(s)
Liked 7,647 Times
in
4,055 Posts
I put regardless of temp/conditions, but the coldest I remember riding in was around 10 Fahrenheit in Flagstaff, AZ.
I'd rather ride on ice than 12" of snow, however. I'd also rather ride in 2-3" fresh snow than 35-45 degree rain.
I'd rather ride on ice than 12" of snow, however. I'd also rather ride in 2-3" fresh snow than 35-45 degree rain.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,875
Bikes: Cervelo RS, Specialized Stumpy, Schwinn 974
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I rode down to -4F and wind chill is an issue, maybe pcad hasn't had to try 30-40 mph Great Plains winds, with a lot of teens riding. I would much prefer SoCal winters, when I never thought about leg covers, and a thin long-sleeve top was fine on "really cold days" like in the low 50s, thank you very much.
#25
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 32,979
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11952 Post(s)
Liked 6,602 Times
in
3,466 Posts
Good . . . we poseurs don't need to be pushing any envelopes . . .
. . . unless it's how many lattes we'll have before driving back home.
. . . unless it's how many lattes we'll have before driving back home.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon