I'm happiest at 85 and above. In north Florida, we have some winter days in the 40s and I haven't tried that. It's almost always gray with strong north wind. 50s can be fine, even pleasant, if it's sunny and calm or too miserable to be worth it with a north wind.

Northern boy here. Hate the really hot stuff. You mention 50's...... where I live, that is not cold. I have been riding in the low 40's/upper 30's for about two weeks. I can ride right until the snow flies, but as some have said....I don't ride in the snow or rain. That is what my weather has turned to over the last week, so it's time to mount the bike on the spinner and wax up the cross country skis. The cold weather clothing that has come out in the last 10 -12 yrs is great. Multi layer, warm and breathable. Once you find the right combination of layers, it's a walk-in-the park!

I live in the upper Midwest and back when I had motorcycles I rode as long as the roads were clear. The day I took my Suzuki 750 for a test ride it was -3 deg. F and there were patches of ice on the side streets. The salesman, a friend of mine, won $50 off the mechanics by betting them I wouldn't crash on the ice. Love riding in the cold! 50 Deg. F is PERFECT to me, BUT....... this....

:)

Yeah ... problem is, where I live (Virginia Piedmont) when it starts getting above 80 degrees it's almost always accompanied by high humidity. You know the saying: "it's not the heat, it's the humidity."

Don't get me wrong. I still ride even when it's way up in the 90s (both heat and humidity). It just taxes me a little more and pretty much forces me to ride very early in the day. There's a double benefit there, though- lower heat/humidity and few cars on my backcountry roads.

In the Tidewater area as well. When it gets to those temps and humidity, I start my rides around 0430~0500. During the school year, when I have a sub job, I have to ride at those times in order to get a ride not in sweltering heat and humidity. I have though done daytime(late morning, early afternoon rides) during the summer--I just make sure to take plenty of water. Fortunately for me, much of my ride has shade.

jppe

Im totally with you. I will ride when it is 100, but when it gets below 55, Im in the house under my blankee.

I just dont like to be all bundled up while riding. My style is t-shirt and shorts, as I hate to ride with anything on my legs.

I don't mind the cold, as long as it's not pouring rain. Gotta have the right clothes, though.
When I lived in the mountains I rode my mtb in the snow quite often, it's great fun!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...john53/005.jpg

Sometimes I even get a group to go up high.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...john53/392.jpg

Sometimes the snow gets in the way, however.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u.../S20100073.jpg

^ Nice!

I'm in the 50-60 is comfortable range myself. I hate it above 90 and try not to ride at that temp. I've been in the upper 20s to low 30s and breezy this week. Not too bad. I found that the sun helps a lot. I rode yesterday, cloudy, and my toes got cold. Today 5 degrees colder and sunny - no problem. I have ridden down to 7 degrees, about 1 1/2 hours. That was about 20 years ago I don't think I can take that cold anymore though.

Bill

I prefer the heat... but here in the Midwest we also have winter. Normally I get a few cold weather (high 40's) rides in if the roads aren't too wet and/or salty. But mostly I've spent the winter months watching cycling movies, reading cycling books, and wrenching on a project bike. I tried the exercise bike, swimming at the recreation center, even jogging. But mostly winter remained a waiting game.

This winter I am trying something different. I bought a used (yard sale) mountain bike. It's a nice bike. It needed new tubes and tires and a BUNCH of scrubbing to get it cleaned up. But it rides nice.

I don't ride everyday. But most days I get a few miles in.... even if raining, snowing, or freezing cold. My original idea came from an older gentleman I meet that doesn't ride far.... but rides every day. Six 20 minute aerobic work-outs a week is enough to keep a heart healthy (everything else being normal). And I can bicycle in almost any weather for 20 minutes.

Turns out... plowing around in non-cycling clothes and wind resistance nylon pants on a fat tired mountain bike.... is a real hoot. I even bought myself some goggles so my eyes can handle the cold. And I've acclimated to the weather pretty fast too.

Next week were expecting some high 50's sunny days. So I'll be on my road bike and wearing tights and a wind proof jersey/jacket. But the 50's will seem more like a warm summers day this winter.

I've been doing ok down into the 40s. A couple of rides in the 30s, though, and my fingers and toes started stinging after an hour. I could maybe warm my feet with heavier socks but I hate to wear bulkier gloves. It would make snacking while I ride very difficult and that may be my favorite part of the ride.
Ron

It was 29 F when I got home tonight. Perfect riding weather with appropriate clothing. Perfect !!

Rode last night...62 and 20-25 mph wind...58 when I finished. My speed was down 1+ mph, and the gusting side wind nearly blew me over on one occasion. Cold and miserable, even with arm warmers, leg warmers, and full gloves. Rode this morning, and while it was the low 50's there was very little wind, and it was enjoyable (with a jacket). I moved from Ohio for a reason...I like riding in the 80-95 degree range.