No limit. When it gets really cold, cars won't start, but bikes always do. Plus, you can use studded tires so they are a lot better than cars on icy days. On the other hand, cars are better as warm weather fun toys.

As long as the roads aren't icy, it's time to ride!

Well, kinda a zombie thread from 2011 by a banned OP? But, no real temp limit, provided you're willing to be slower. I'm a commuter with a nominal one-way time of 60 minutes, so see my time vs temp chart below. What to wear is just a function of temps, I use a clothing chart with 5 degree increment.

I live in a country where lowest temps are high 70's at night, normal daytime temps are mid 90's.... so no chance to ride in the cold.. as I kid I delivered newspapers in the snow.. in the U.K. Probably below freezing, didn't think about it, had to be done... I imagine 55-65F must be nice for cycling.

Just got done ridong 10 miles at -24f. Very little wind and a beautiful sunny day. As long as I am warm and my bike can function I will ride in anything.

31-40 degrees. in southern california, in the winter, lots of early morning rides in the foothills, lower mountains or deserts will start in that range and warm up
25-35 degrees so layering stuff and a windbreaker that compacts nicely are huge. will usually try to bring a mix of full finger gloves, glove underliners, regular gloves,
a warm skull cap, cycling cap, neck gaiter, arm warmers and either that windbreaker or medium weight jacket that doesn't compact. it can be a tough balance
depending on wind, how much effort you're putting out, how much it's actually warmed up, if you're in and out of the shade and if you can be bothered to stop
and take the minute-3 minutes to make the change(s). how much annoyance can you take before pulling over (or trying to make changes while moving)?
i usually end up opting for overheating so that i only have to make one longer change.

37 is my bottom limit. Screw it, otherwise. It's just too cold for my bones.

I do not have much experience riding in colder weather. Last ride in the local mountains had frost and black ice on the road. Rode through it very cautiously and came out without a fall but can't see myself doing this as a solo rider often. Hats off to those that commute regularly in far worse conditions.

Wow. I guess it's all just what you are used to. Here, 58F is shorts and shoret sleeves riding. And lots fo smiles.

Back in Ma I never considered temperature, just jumped on the cyclocross and rode the 10 miles to work. Now that I live in SoCal when it get's below 70 I'm on the cross bike.

Hadn't really thought about it until this poll. And the temp that I'll ride in has gone up 20 degrees or so from when I was in my 30's-early 40's.

Yet another Zombie thread!!!!

We gotta be taking up a lot more server space with all these oldies!!

So far, this is where I’m at as well. I think I could go a little lower but it’s the wind that really kills the fun in the cold.

Rode in -30°F with some decent winds last winter. Once it's that cold, you make sure not to expose any skin at all!

I've ridden in 20f. I need ski goggles if Im gonna do that again.

Less than ten years asleep................

14 degrees here right now. I'm heading (in a car) to the YMCA this afternoon to use their great facilities. (Free benefit of my Medicare Advantage plan.)

One year I got caught on a mountain ride (Glendora Mtn Rd/ aka GMR), surprised by pouring rain. Dropped down to 29 degrees. Soaking wet wearing an under layer, jersey and shorts. I felt my bike shimmying on the 20 mile descent. Got off to check it then realized it was me shaking. Got so cold that I wanted to lay down on the side of the road and go to sleep. That was the worst ride ever.

Other than that, by choice, climbed up GMR at night, 39 degrees. And once with a threat of rain, but prepared this time. Also in the 30's, some hail and snow. But was looking for something different.

Other than that, not much cold weather here in So Calif.

39 degrees but we managed to stop on the way down for some photo fun!

I only ride during the day and the lowest temperature I will ride at is the high forties. Past 9 AM here in West LA/Santa Monica and along the coast or in the mountains it never gets below fifty degrees.

This was the topic on Sat morning with my 3 riding buddies. Mt. bike ride at the local trails system that we've all been riding together for 15-25 years or so. Way back when were in our 30's to 40's we'd be able to handle down to 5-7 at the lowest, with 15 -20 being pretty good for local conditions.

On Sat we wimped out at 17, 2 with frozen feet, me with pain on my frostbite damaged and sensitive fingertips after a few decades of year round outdoor activities.

Not sure I want to try tomorrow, it'll be down to 15-16 or so again. I'm pushing 65 now and may pass.

Here in Socal. We rode into the Santa Monica's yesterday, our usual stomping ground at our front door. Temps in high 30's in the canyons. Two layers, plus medium weight jacket, leg warmers, full face and head covering, short gloves with glove liners. Had to go slower at the beginning because my hands froze! Feet cold and body mostly okay. Only gear I didn't take were the lobster mittens but they are too bulky to stuff and the temps were expected to be warmer by mid-ride.

Yeah, it got into the high 50's near the end and I barely took anything off! This is about my limit temps for the start. Anything colder is a trainer day. We get plenty of decent weather days so no need to stress on missing a cold start.

19 degrees a cpl days ago. wasn't so bad. good day for hot honey water

I'm going out today to do some single track. I'm waiting for it to hit 60 before I go.

Supposed to hit 79 today.

With the windchill from the open air of the road bike, the low temps I will ride in are the fifties with adequate apparel. On my motorcycles, with a lot of gear, the lowest I ride is forty degrees due to black ice that does exist at lower temps. After riding for so many decades and now sixty seven, I'd rather jump on a spin bike and get a high intensity workout comfortably than fighting cold wind temps that chill me to the core. YMMV.

Annual Toronto Coldest Ride of the Year has come and gone.


That's me from 1:14 to 1:17.