DnvrFox

I've been doing more cooler weather riding this year than before, and I am really enjoying it. "Cooler weather riding" to me means somewhere between 30F and about 40F, and, as always, we have wind with that - usually 5 - 10 mph.

I haven't been taking long rides as 1) I am confined to my very slow mtn bike due to my surgery/fusion recovery and the need to not stretch out too low; 2) I also do not have all my energy back, due to my surgery recovery; and 3) Everything just seem SLOWER in these temps. I have found a combination of clothes, hoods, gloves, etc., that keep me warm enough even in the wind chill of 30F and a 10 mph wind.

Today, I had a snow shower on the way back this am from swimming at the rec center/

It SURE beats the indoor trainer.

And, again, due to my fusion, etc., I won't be riding when the trails are icy.

So, how about you? Riding in cooler (or cold) weather? I know some of you far outshine me - i.e., tsl in Rochester and COdude, but some of us mere human folks find even 30F a great experience.

akohekohe

We've been having lows in the mid 60's and highs in the upper 70's and I'm enjoying it. Funny, everyone else around here is in sweaters and winter jackets but I'm still riding in my shorts.

stapfam

Will find out tomorrow morning.

Doing one of my commutes home from work and the forecast temp is below freezing. Don't think that will be a problem but with the amount of riding I have not been doing- the 35 miles and 3,000ft of climbing may be.

Daspydyr 

The cold I've been able to dress for. Its that stinking wind that makes me grind my teeth! I had a very nice 3 hour ride Saturday.

Artkansas 

It was in the high 30's when I rode to work on Sunday. Almost no traffic and brilliant fall colors so it was a nice ride.

NOS88

+1 I hate the indoor trainer.

Although I admit to setting my up this afternoon. After going for a ride, that is.

It's been frosty in the mornings here, and I've got the cold weather gear out. So, yeah, I've been enjoying cooler weather riding.

oldster

[It SURE beats the indoor trainer.
Slamming your thumb in a door,beats indoor trainers,
Bud

BluesDawg

Yes, I am enjoying riding in the cooler weather. But cooler for me is 50 to 70, not 30 to 40. That's just plain cold to me, but still better than riding on the trainer.

surgeonstone

I prefer cooler weather cycling. Having been an avid skier and hockey player as a kid (when winters were winter), I came to really love the cold. Much easier to stay warm in the the cold than cool in the summer.

RonH

It was rather cool last Sunday. 43F when I left the house and 56F when I got home. That's about as cool as I like.
I REALLY like 80-95F.

The Weak Link

Not no but hell no. Cold weather sucks and anyone who likes it might be a fascist.

Ken Brown

Yes, but it has been an excellent November so not really that cool. For the past week it has got up to 50+ most days, which ain't bad for Canada.

cyclinfool

Compared to warm weather riding I don't enjoy it, compared to not riding at all I do enjoy it, compared to a trainer it is shear heaven.

hikeandbike

Love to ride when shorts and a t shirt are called for. Riding here in the 50's with a breeze means layering. Still having trouble keeping my toes warm. I think it's a circulation thing. Still great to be outdoors and feeling alive.

Barrettscv 

I hope to get in another 500 miles between now and X-mass. I'm good down to 25f on a clear day with light winds.

trackhub

I also hope to get in some more miles before the snow, ice, and freezing rain start flying. Some winters around the Boston area aren't too bad though. I have even ridden in January if the roads are good.
Riding in "the off season" has its advantages. The winter sky and weak sun, the bare trees, the dark that comes as soon as 4 PM all add a bleak, other-worldly feel. It's frequently quiet. If you ride on the MUPS, they are all but deserted. You'll receive friendly nods from the rare other cyclists you see. It's a "We all a little nuts, aren't we?" look.

You have to dress for it. This means spending a little more capital on such things as a good jacket, gloves, good tights, and something to keep you ears and head warm. You DO NOT WANT "red ear".
I have a pair of Pearl Izumi tights for winter riding. The outer layer is heavy spandex weave. The inner layer is a fleece consisting of 50% wool, and 50% acrylic. Warm? You betcha! And yes, they are machine washable.
The only thing is that when you come in, you'll need to take them off asap. You'll get hot fast if you don't.

Low 30's is about my limit though. I have found that as I age, I am more sensitive to it. Anyone else run into this?

iManda

So far, so good. Had my first day of sub-40 degree commuting last week and it was surprisingly pleasant. Two layers were enough. I am ALL about the pit-zips! When the temperature dips below 30, I can see that some kind of head/ear cover will be needed so I'm contemplating the options.

eddubal

This is the first year that I've been riding this far into winter. Even though I'd rather have temperatures in the 50's to 60's F, I'm finding out how to ride in the 40's and still be comfortable. I hate starting out, but once warmed up, I'm very comfortable with a short sleeve jersey and arm warmers while wearing shorts. My legs don't even feel the cold. If the wind is blowing hard, I need a windbreaker, but that seems to be it so far.

Oh, I'm forgetting about ear warmers. Once temps are below 50F the ear warmers are worn. Otherwise they get really really cold. I also do Chap Stick. My lips get horribly chapped otherwise. Above 50, it isn't so bad. I'll have to find out once the weather turns colder, but so far, if the sun is shining, I'm out and spinning.

lhbernhardt

It hasn't got really cold yet in Vancouver; still around 6 deg C, today it was a downright balmy 10 deg C. I'm still confined to the rollers, but I am outside in the carport on them, in a thin long-sleeve jersey and in shorts, since there's no wind. This way I don't start sweating until after about 18 minutes on the rollers. It looks like it will rain all week, and when the rain comes, the temperatures rise a bit.

Looking forward to being back on the road in December. With good shoe covers and warm gloves and a thin cycling cap underneath the helmet, cold weather is no problem. I'll also be riding on the indoor velodrome once or twice a week, too. Sometimes they don't turn up the heat inside the air-support structure, so it can take a few laps before you start getting warm. But even then, it's nothing like riding outside.

L.

doctor j

I'm not a big fan of winter. As a matter of fact, winter sucks, but I'm still riding. We rode 65 miles in tights on Saturday. Even though these tights are fairly stretchy, I still felt that my legs were a little bound up. The ride turned out to be pretty nice because the leaves are at or near peak in these parts.

On the previous weekend, we rode 70 miles. It was a cold start, about 28F. The first half of the ride included tights, neck gaiter, balaclava, wind jacket etc. It warmed up enough that I shed all the winter stuff except for the wind jacket on the return trip. We had a SAG for snacks and a clothes dump. Having the tights and most of the other junk off made a big difference. Riding felt right again.

I plan to continue riding all winter (except in snow or ice) as I did last year. The wind front tights will come soon enough, and they are a big drag on the legs as well.

Louis

I rather enjoy riding in colder temps - after the first few miles, that is. What I dislike is the 'getting dressed' part that comes first.

miss kenton

+1

surgeonstone

-2

jdon

Winter riding lays the ground work for that first glorious spring ride in bib shorts and jersey again..

NOS88

Louis, you've hit the nail on the head!