Originally Posted by
fthomas
Hypothermia can rear it's ugly head even in moderate temperatures in the 60's and 70's if you are wet and creating self induced wind chill riding a bicycle. Water temperature also plays a large part in the process. It is not just the ambient air temperature.
The Facts on Hypothermia and Cold Weather
[TABLE="width: 1"]
[TR]
[TH="bgcolor: #666666"]Water Temperature (Fahrenheit)[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #666666"]Exhaustion or Unconsciousness[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #666666"]Expected Time of Survival[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]32.5 degrees[/TD]
[TD]Under 15 minutes[/TD]
[TD]Under 15 to 45 minutes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]32.5 to 40 degrees[/TD]
[TD]15 to 30 minutes[/TD]
[TD]30 to 90 minutes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]40 to 50 degrees[/TD]
[TD]30 to 60 minutes[/TD]
[TD]1 to 3 hours[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]50 to 60 degrees[/TD]
[TD]1 to 2 hours[/TD]
[TD]1 to 6 hours[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]60 to 70 degrees[/TD]
[TD]2 to 7 hours[/TD]
[TD]2 to 4 hours[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]70 to 80 degrees[/TD]
[TD]2 to 12 hours[/TD]
[TD]3 hours to indefinite[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Over 80 degrees[/TD]
[TD]Indefinite[/TD]
[TD]Indefinite[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Those numbers are about being in the water, not about being wet. Totally different situations regarding heat transfer.
I have ridden bikes and motorcycles in the rain for about 45 years, I have been very wet and cold, but I only remember 1 time in which hypothermia was a possible issue. And, that was 28 degrees on my motorcycle without the right gear.
i do not care if others like or hate riding in the rain, I am just providing one perspective from a guy who has done it a LOT.