jeff-o

I'll take 13C over 32C. But I'll take 32C over -13C. I hate the cold more than I hate the heat.

The thing with 32C up here, is that it's almost always accompanied by gobs of humidity, making it feel closer to 40. Combined with the smog it's a rather uncomfortable ride...

al-wagner

I did not vote because neither temp. bothers me. I just dress for the weather. I'll ride in 90 deg. F or -20 deg. F. If I have to worry about the weather before I ride I might as well ride in a CAR

sbhikes

What does 9F feel like anyway? I've never been in anything that cold. I know taking a walk at 17F my face nearly froze and when I talked I sounded like a drunk, blithering idiot.

way124

Tough call. I think neither bothers me too, but if touring (with camping and such) I would very much prefer 90F. Less gear to bring, and I hate shivering.

Simplebiker

I prefer the 90F. I was born in Memphis, TN in April. Perhaps that's why I like warmer weather better. Also, the sites you see on the trail are better in the warm weather even though many people head back inside when it gets that hot.

recursive

Yeah, if your face (or hands) is exposed to cold enough temperatures for long enough you start to temporarily lose the dexterity to make small movements accurately. You can open and close your mouth, but actually forming consonant sounds can be a challenge. Keeps pointless conversations to a minimum.

The effect is more prominent the colder it gets, and my hands always seem to be affected before my mouth. I think my feet are pretty susceptible too, but I typically don't use my toes as prehensile anyway. Operating my key and doorknob when I get home on cold days though can sometimes be quite an exercise in patience.

pedex

neither are extreme enough to even be an issue, no preference

oh ya, 9F doesnt = 13C methinks, 32F=0C

Marge

why such extremes? how about 55 degrees F. 13 degrees C.

Juha

You're right, I for one did not bother to do the conversion. Thread title and poll now edited, per Daily Commute's request. But I stick to my story, I would still prefer -13C, although it's a close call now.

--J

bubbajoe72

Here in Texas, 90F is jacket weather

vtjim

In Vermont, we get severe heat warnings and tips on keeping cool, having pets indoors, and checking up on the elderly.

Of course, at 9F, we start wondering how much snow will fall soon and whether the skiing will be good.

Monument Man

my problem in the cold is that i have to wear lots of layers, and i end up a sweaty stinky slimy mess. plus the cold is always accompanied by lots of huge snowbanks and ice which make the ride miserable (no shoulders, etc)

i ski all winter and do winter camping. i enjoy the cold weather, but i do not enjoy super aerobic cycling types of activities in the cold. much prefer the heat.

coney

I like it hot. Yes, I can dress warm for colder weather, but I like to feel the wind on my skin and I like to sweat.
When it's 9F, my nose hurts, my eyes water and my toes go numb. My knees don't operate as well. In the heat, your joints stay limber, they don't stiffen up.

I'll ride when it's 9F, but I don't like it nearly as well.

BraveSpear

Wow.. kinda ruins the daily commute, huh?

recursive

Yeah, I figure that's what it must look like any time it hits 90C, if we were alive to see it.

Michel Gagnon

My ideal temperature range would be -8 to +20 C. Definitely tough below -20 C or above +28 C. So I'd rather cycle at -13 C – and I do lots of it!

Moonshot

I can acclimate myself to heat. But cold weather causes my nose and eyes to run and how the heck can I get a good average with three layers of clothes flapping around?

Anyway, the lowest temp around here last winter was about 20F.

LCI_Brian

I voted for 90F!

Actually, here in Southern California, the temperature swings on dry winter days can be more annoying than the absolute temperature. It can be 35 F when I leave the house in the morning, up to the 50s when I arrive at work, and then in the 70s (or even 80s on occasion) when I leave for my ride home.

One January we had the warm Santa Ana winds, and it was 70 degrees (!) when I left my house in the morning. The temperature cooled as I headed towards the coast and away from the influence of the inland winds. When I hit the protected valley near my workplace, the reading on the bank thermometer was 35 degrees.

Stubacca

I put a vote in for 90F, but it depends on the humidity. In Denver, 90F for sure - low to no humidity makes the heat really easy to deal with. Back in Australia (or out in Florida where I am this week), I think I'd be praying for a 9F day! The humidity can make a hot day pretty bad, but with good hydration it's still bearable.

I haven't ridden on too many days as low as 9F, but I don't think I'd last for as long as I could at 90F.

vtjim

I'm curious: What do other "severe-cold" riders wear when they ride? When I was commuting, which is only 6.5 miles, I found I could wear only slightly more than I'd wear on just "cold" days.

When it was below zero, I wore polypro long underwear under fleece, top and bottom, plus a windbreaker on top. Gloves, balaclava, warm socks and hiking boots for extremities. Oh and ski goggles. No exposed skin!

I stayed quite comfortable and I wasn't all layered up or bulky. Only once did the top of my thighs get cold, and that was when it was -10F and I had a strong headwind.

Guest

I'll take heat over cold anyday. I hated having to wake up an extra half hour early so I could figure out the wind chill and temps for the day, then peel on all that layering crap. What a waste of time!

Koffee

moxfyre

For most any activity, I would prefer 9F over 90F... I'm a cold weather kind of guy, I love the snow and don't mind bundling up. But for cycling I really like to have freedom of movement.

In 90F weather you just have to wear light clothes and ride moderately fast, and the air will cool you significantly. In 13F weather, there is always some kind of slippery surface on the ground, and that's just bad news for speed and skinny tires. So for cycling, I'll take the 90F weather.

lala

Single digits are just nasty!