We here in Southern AZ are having some high 40s and low 50s this week, I might miss a day.

Now you know why I call it The Hyperbole Channel.

White stuff on the beach , here, this morning..

Two days ago we had 80F high temps, yesterday a cold front came in with temps below freezing, freezing rain/sleet/snow, and winds.
Today is a Lets Just All Stay Inside day. Streets and sidewalks have a layer of ice covered with sleet and there are plenty of wrecks from the few drivers out there.
Normally we would see dry streets and temps > 40F in a few days after an ice storm. I schedule my rides around the weather.
Cold with sunshine and no wind on clean streets is OK down to about freezing. Other days, it is nice to have a gym/pool membership.
One of these days I'll get my bike trainer set up.

The warm weather leaves us in NW Florida late tonight, its been nice and unseasonably warm this week. I rode yesterday and today in shorts and a ss jersey, in rain showers, that's not going to happen tomorrow from the temperature differential we are seeing. The local forecast has this front doing the normal, for here, move through, back up as a wet warm front then head back off shore even colder, all in a 2 day period. Our high tomorrow is supposed to be 49°F, getting out the winter weight socks, ls jerseys, tights, balaklava and full finger gloves for the next week, at least. Hope no one here had any problems with all the icy roads and downed power lines from this front, the next one is supposed to be more of the same.

Bill

I ride all winter on a 14 mile commute. Commuting is a great motivator, especially to answer that perennial question, "You didn't ride your bike today, did you?."

To better define the challenges of winter (= cold) riding, I would offer this definition of a cold ride, from the Winter Cycling Forum: One on which your water bottle freezes solid---a function of temperature and distance (time). For my 14 mile one-way ride, it happens at about 15* F and below.

This was my first time back since starting the thread. Thanks for all the info folks. I rode this week but wussed out this morning. I got up before the light and said NOT! It was +2*F with a light wind per the wind chimes. I bike commuted all week. We had temps in the 60s (F) Monday but my department decided Friday was the best day for requal on the shotgun. Went to the range and waited for a bunch of nonshooters to qualify before I could shoot. Out in the wind for 2.5 hours @ under 15* F unneccessarily just did me in. May go for a leisurly ride after church tomorrow.

I was pondering this today.

Here is a post on the "did you ride today" thread: I had a nice spin 6 miles to the office. On the way home I picked up some groceries. It's all good.

Here is the American Mainstream Journalism coverage of the same ride: AN EPIC RIDE FOR THE AGES!!!!! TODAY I MOUNTED MY SWIFT STEEL STEAD OF DEATH, I HOPPED POTHOLES THE SIZE OF THE GRAND CANYON AND CURBS THE SIZE OF THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!!!! I CAUTIOUSLY ENTERED MY PLACE OF EXPLOITATION, UM EMPLOYMENT WHERE MY EVIL CORPORATE OVERLORDS SUCKED THE LIFE FORCE OUT OF ME, TOSSED ME BACK ON THE ROAD TO STRUGGLE MY WAY HOME, AND CANCELLED MY HEALTH INSURANCE!!!! ON THE WAY HOME I WAS PASSED BY GASGUZZLING SUVs WHOSE DRIVERS MAY HAD ILLEGALLY OBTAINED FIREARMS AND CONSIDERED SHOOTING ME!!!!! I BOUGHT GROCERIES TAINTED WITH PESTICIDES AND POLLUTION FROM FRACKING!!!! I GOT HOME ONLY TO FIND MY FAMILY WATCHING FOX NEWS!!!!! OH THE HUMANITY..........

I just got the bike back from the shop after having the studded tires mounted. I thin k this is the earliest they have gone on in 13 seasons. Our first wintrer storm is forecast for tomorrow and Monday.

I still commute but only a couple days a week during ST. Walking is my cross training during the winter. Instead on riding a 20mi fitness ride I.ll take a 5mi walk,dog loves it too.

I actually ride all winter as long as the roads are not icy or snow covered.
I use layering under my windstopper jacket that is dependent on temperature.
This morning was not windy, just cold, about 30 or 32F. I wore leg warmers and tights on my legs, and a base plus fleece mid layer under the jacket. It was actually too warm as when I got back after 12 mile ride,I noticed that the base layer was wet from perspiration in the lower chest(beneath pecs) area. I assume this is because while the base layer wicks well, the fleece layer above it does not.
Anyway, I do bike all winter, at least down to the low 20's. Here in central NJ it is not often that cold during the day.
Best regards