View Poll Results: Does wind chill affect cyclists?
Yes
60
69.77%
Somewhat
16
18.60%
No
8
9.30%
Other (explain)
2
2.33%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll
Does wind chill matter to cyclists?
02-05-07, 05:18 PM
#1
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Does wind chill matter to cyclists?
What do you think? Many people cite wind chill, but we already have a 10-20 mph wind even when it's calm. If we have a 10-20 mph tail wind, then our net wind is zero. Although wind affects us, the published wind chill temperature really doesn't tell us much.
02-05-07, 05:53 PM
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Proper lane positioning will negate wind chill.
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02-05-07, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Daily Commute
Although wind affects us, the published wind chill temperature really doesn't tell us much.
In addition the published wind chill temperature actually only applies to exposed human skin. Assuming that when the temperature is cold enough to worry about wind chill, most if not all of your skin is not exposed, the wind chill temperature would be different from the published value.
02-05-07, 06:06 PM
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Understand Wind Chill
The Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely, even when temperatures are only cool.
The Wind Chill Chart below shows the difference between actual air temperature and perceived temperature, and amount of time until frostbite occurs.
The Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely, even when temperatures are only cool.
The Wind Chill Chart below shows the difference between actual air temperature and perceived temperature, and amount of time until frostbite occurs.
02-05-07, 10:29 PM
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I chose other, because I generally don't pay too much attention to it and just be sure I'm dressed right for my conditions, and have enough extras on hand should the conditions change.
It's the exposed flesh that is at risk, and I don't have a lot of it...
It's the exposed flesh that is at risk, and I don't have a lot of it...
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02-05-07, 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Daily Commute
What do you think? Many people cite wind chill, but we already have a 10-20 mph wind even when it's calm. If we have a 10-20 mph tail wind, then our net wind is zero. Although wind affects us, the published wind chill temperature really doesn't tell us much.
02-05-07, 11:30 PM
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IF you have to ride into that 10-20 mph wind, you will be going so slowly that the "30 mph equivalent" wind will have a lot more time to chill you.
PLUS, if you are riding perpendicular to the wind, the percieved windspeed will be greater than your actual speed.
AND you'll get colder when you stop.
SO I think windy days are colder than non-windy. Don't forget to factor in the humidity (heat index)!
One interesting thing from vger285's graph is that apparent temperature is not linearly related to wind speed. At 0F, the difference between 50 and 60 mph is only two degrees, but the difference between zero and ten is 15. So riding into the wind half the time + with the wind half the time you'd be warmer. But if you ride into the wind, you have to go slower, so you get chilled more. Which is to say I don't know and don't really ride much below 40 degrees anyway.
PLUS, if you are riding perpendicular to the wind, the percieved windspeed will be greater than your actual speed.
AND you'll get colder when you stop.
SO I think windy days are colder than non-windy. Don't forget to factor in the humidity (heat index)!
One interesting thing from vger285's graph is that apparent temperature is not linearly related to wind speed. At 0F, the difference between 50 and 60 mph is only two degrees, but the difference between zero and ten is 15. So riding into the wind half the time + with the wind half the time you'd be warmer. But if you ride into the wind, you have to go slower, so you get chilled more. Which is to say I don't know and don't really ride much below 40 degrees anyway.
02-06-07, 12:18 AM
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See the Windchill thread I started some time ago for further information about windchill.
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02-06-07, 07:45 AM
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Other: If we're riding 15MPH with a 15MPH wind, then no, it doesn't effect us. Turn around though, and now we've got a 30MPH wind hitting us in the face, and if it's zero F, you'd better have your face covered up.
02-06-07, 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by dobber
Proper lane positioning will negate wind chill.
(i think it affects whatever skin may be exposed)
02-06-07, 09:02 AM
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I'm sticking to my guns on this one; I've never noticed any significant chilling effect from a tail wind while cycling. Unless I'm stopped at a long red light or something.
Winds from all other directions often make me feel significantly colder.
Winds from all other directions often make me feel significantly colder.
02-06-07, 09:09 AM
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Since a non-stop commute is one of them things I rarely get to experience, I gotta vote yes, windchill matters.
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02-06-07, 12:54 PM
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Wind chill is far less significant than the true temp. In other words, dress for the temp with a wind barrier not for the wind chill. If it's 20 f. outside dress for 20 f. even if the "wind chill" temp is going to put you below zero. A basic shell and protection for exposed skin is sufficient. And conversely if it's really -20 f. with no wind, dress for at least -20 f.
02-06-07, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Portis
Windchill matters to humans. Most cyclists are human.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-06-07, 03:40 PM
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What is this chilling you speak of? Isn't that something that is done to drinks? And you have wind? All we have is warm tropical breezes...
02-06-07, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
Calling someone "inhuman" as it relates to cycling was never an insult in my book.
...or was that your point?
...or was that your point?
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-06-07, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by crtreedude
What is this chilling you speak of? Isn't that something that is done to drinks? And you have wind? All we have is warm tropical breezes...
Psst, hey Meester Gringo Patron...can I come down there and work for you?
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-06-07, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by crtreedude
What is this chilling you speak of? Isn't that something that is done to drinks? And you have wind? All we have is warm tropical breezes...
"Winds stronger than 65 km/h (40 mph) are assumed to have no significant additional chilling effect beyond the effect felt at that velocity, and the wind chill phenomenon is thought to be absent altogether at air temperatures above approximately 20°C (68°F)."
02-06-07, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
I'm so serious, I have smilies disabled. Seriously.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-06-07, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
That could be grounds to invade Canada ya know.
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02-07-07, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by pyze-guy
You can have our women, just not our beer.
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02-07-07, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
Hey!!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey