Ideal cycling temperature
03-08-21, 08:15 PM
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Ideal cycling temperature
I've read threads complaining about it being too hot to cycle in the summer and too cold in the winter. What's the ideal temperature for cycling? My thought is 60 degrees F (16 degrees C). Cool enough that I'm not dripping sweat all over my bike; warm enough that once I'm going, I can dress lightly and I'm not cold. What do you think?
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03-08-21, 08:21 PM
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Probably varies a bit by acclimation to geographic location. When in lived in SoCal and returned to the SF area I would freeze. Now I live in the PNW and when I return to SF, in the summer, I’m too hot.
But I do agree with 60* TO 62*
Steel maybe real but carbon rhymes with bourbon.
But I do agree with 60* TO 62*
Steel maybe real but carbon rhymes with bourbon.
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Last edited by rsbob; 03-08-21 at 08:34 PM.
03-08-21, 08:29 PM
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I like a good 60˚ ride heck I will take up to 70˚ and down to 50˚ for a pretty excellent ride. Though I will take a nice hot ride if it ends by the pool with tacos or a really cold ride if it ends with a hot tub and more tacos.
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03-08-21, 08:36 PM
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Mid 60's work for me, but i ride 20s to 90s.
03-08-21, 08:40 PM
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50F to 80F depending on wind, sunlight and humidity. 60F to 65F is my sweet spot for climbing.
03-08-21, 08:43 PM
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Because of COVID I started riding this winter in the 40 to 50s and found that since I am wearing thermal pants and a nice jacket that I enjoyed this more than warmer weather(65+). I just have to put sunscreen on my face and my arms and legs are covered. I also do not get as dehydrated as I do in warm weather no matter how much water I drink. The only down side is that I use some eye drops when I get back as my eyes do seem to dry out more.
03-08-21, 09:00 PM
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After a brutal cold February in Iowa,I got out for a nice easy 60-deg F March ride today with light wind under 5mph. Felt about perfect neither being chilled nor hot, no sweating. Wore light clothes.
Not many days like that in the year, gotta take advantage of them.
Not many days like that in the year, gotta take advantage of them.
03-08-21, 09:25 PM
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63 deg F
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03-08-21, 09:48 PM
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If it's been above freezing and the roads/paths were clear, I've been plenty happy to ride. I'm not usually going far (10-15 miles) and ride in Vans, thick wool socks, jeans, a long sleeve wool/cotton shirt and a thin wool sweater, and nice thick gloves. That's been plenty to keep me warm once I'm going. Today it was sunny and in the high 40s, so I swapped the wool sweater for a regular cotton one. I sweat easily. I also hate sweating.
I imagine my ideal temperature for riding would be when I can wear shorts and a t-shirt, ride as much as I please, and arrive more dry than not. So that'd be like... 65ish? IDK. It's supposed to be in the 60s here all week (70 on Thursday), so maybe I'll have an answer then.
I imagine my ideal temperature for riding would be when I can wear shorts and a t-shirt, ride as much as I please, and arrive more dry than not. So that'd be like... 65ish? IDK. It's supposed to be in the 60s here all week (70 on Thursday), so maybe I'll have an answer then.
03-08-21, 10:08 PM
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I have spent almost my entire life in Southern California. I ride on weekends early mornings and weekday lunch rides. The best for me is about 65f and little to no wind. This year has been very windy with hardly any rain so I have been doing shorter rides, headwinds can wear me out quickly. Yesterday was perfect. It was cloudy and low 50’s when I left for my ride and only got to mid sixties ally day with very little wind so I was able to get a long ride in.
03-08-21, 10:15 PM
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Anything in the teens Celsius is ideal temperatures for pretty much anything where you’re going to sweat. Low teens you might need to bring an extra layer for cafe stops etc, but anything between 15-20C is absolutely perfect weather for riding a bike.
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03-09-21, 12:58 AM
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98.6 or thereabouts. I try not to cycle when I have a fever.
03-09-21, 01:05 AM
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68f-90f for a general ride (can be a century). if doing tons of climbing (7k+) or a big climb(s) of 5+ miles, try to time during the ride it so that it/they fall(s) in the 62f-74f zone.
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03-09-21, 05:00 AM
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ideal is between hypothermia & hyperthermia.
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03-09-21, 05:43 AM
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Depends on terrain, humidity level and amount of sunshine and wind.
03-09-21, 05:52 AM
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I live I Central Florida so ideal is 75 degrees on up. I'll reluctantly head out in the 50s.
03-09-21, 06:06 AM
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Some of it depends on the wind where I live. Northeast CT. I'm tempted to go out when it's in the 40s but then the winds are almost always 12-15 mph. And, that combination sucks.
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03-09-21, 07:26 AM
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Reminds me of Miss Congeniality, what's the perfect date?
65 F is just about perfect, no need for warmers or jacket, but not too hot to make sweating and hydration an issue. With an 8 mph tailwind, please!
65 F is just about perfect, no need for warmers or jacket, but not too hot to make sweating and hydration an issue. With an 8 mph tailwind, please!
03-09-21, 07:42 AM
#23
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Really interesting question and one i've been pondering over the winter... In the summer i find myself ostensibly complaining about the heat, but in the winter i get cold sweat from having so much clothes on...
Around 60 is the sweet spot like you say, not too cold and not too hot
Around 60 is the sweet spot like you say, not too cold and not too hot
03-09-21, 09:28 AM
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My performance is better when the air temps are 85°F plus. I also like cycling in the higher temps. Might be because as a pre-teen and teen I did so many activities and work outside in high temps. We didn't have internet and air conditioning to encourage us to stay indoors.
03-09-21, 09:34 AM
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Here in Colorado Springs I like 48-55 when it's sunny, and 60-70 when it's overcast.
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