rumrunn6

or is it just commuters out there? (40F or lower)

OH~Treker

I sure do and I think it's great. The only thing I really Don't like is the wind chill.In my area it's so much less populated on the roads and it's just plain peaceful during late fall and winter. I enjoy riding at night after the winds die down also. On my work days I'm trapped in a factory for 12 long hours a day so ANY time I get to ride is a blast. Enjoy the cold, it gives you something to remember when it's 90+ and humid!!

StephenH

I just keep riding, and I don't commute. I don't think of it as "joy riding", but it is recreational riding.

Right now, I don't have adequate foot or hand coverings to keep my feet and hands warm under 40 degrees, but I'm working on it. I did a couple of rides last year where it was around 30 degees at the start, and there wasn't much joy until it warmed up some.

wahoonc

I do, especially after or during a snow storm. People think you are nuts, but it is great to be out and about.

Aaron

Alan@TreeFort

Yes, its great. Here in Michigan there are lots of dirt roads, and these make excellent routes for winter riding. They have less traffic, are less prone to slick ice (there is still ice, but its less like an ice rink than paved roads can be), and have beautiful scenery. I'm actually going out today! Probably 20-25 miles, its 28 degrees with about 2-3 inches of snow.

surfrider

Yep. Even in Southern California it gets into the 30F range in winter in the early morning when I got out for 20-25 mile rides (4-5:30AM). Its nice and quiet at that time, and very few cars on the roads here in the suburban wastelands of Los Angeles Only two problems with the near-freezing temps: 1)Frozen sprinkler run-off on the roads 2) My nasal system turns into a raging river of snot. I've got to launch a few snot rockets every 3-4 miles. Yuck!

tsl

Yes.

While the majority of my winter miles are commuting and errands, on weekend days when it's nice enough, I get a ride in.

After today's errands, I'm planning a little 25-miler out to horse country and back.

knobster

I've tried but didn't like it. I was dressed appropriately and had my bike setup for rain, but I was just miserable after 20 miles. The ride itself was 40 miles and I swore afterwards that I'd never do another one. So now I'm just a fair weather rider.

Northwestrider

Yes, and it can be a blast. Recently here in Washington State the temp was about 28 or 29 F with a couple of inches of snow. It was very enjoyable. I must say seeing my tracks in the rare snow fall that we get, was nice. Just dress warmly

Northwestrider

The areas of my body that seem to need more protection from the cold are, my face ( I'll wear a complete face mask to solve that ) and my hands ( a couple of gloves which are covered with a wind breaker like shell as the third layer ) seem to be what I need. Give it a try.

garage sale GT

I do but haven't pegged exactly what to wear on the face to keep the breath warm but keep the goggles from fogging up.

You do have to take special care to keep the face and hands warm, and the wind can be a bear, but unless my gear wasn't in order, it's usually been fun.

Noobtastic

I hate the cold, but I love cycling to death. I went for my first freezing weather nightride yesterday with knee socks, jeans over my bike shorts, polyester cap and jacket, padded skateboard shoes and windproof glasses and it was awesome. It still isn't too cold in north florida but I think I need gloves and a facemask for the windchill.

I think I was comfortable wearing all that because I was riding with my buddy so we just took a lane and talked while riding pretty slowly. When I'm alone I can't help riding like I'm speed racer and I get annoyed by weird things like the cold feeling of my brakes or my glasses fogging up during a climb.

Artkansas 

I did once. It was 20 degrees out, so I went out and rode just to complete my "Fahrenheit Century" by having ridden in 120 degree heat and 20 degree heat. I had done the 120 degree heat several years earlier in the California desert.

Inertianinja

last winter, 45F was my cutoff.
this year, 35F in the mornings (when it's pitch-black) is my cutoff.

today i would have gone riding, but i had to go back to the parents for tree decoration day.

FunkyStickman

I do, yes.

neilfein

I tour in the cold, does that count?

sknhgy 

Me too. Things people say get back to me but I don't care. They don't know how fun it is to ride during or after a snow. Especially at night. You just have to figure out what clothes and gear you need. I rode today in mid 30's temps with wind and drizzle. It was awesome. Get some wool. Real wool. Temps are dropping so the studs go on tonight!

Machka 

Would this be considered a "joy ride"? https://www.machka.net/brevet/Coldest_Century.htm

I've done three CAMs (Century-A-Month) where I have ridden an imperial century in each month of the year. In 2003 I was in Manitoba (the story above describes my February century that year), and in 2005 and 2006 were in central Alberta.

In addition to the winter centuries, I also enjoyed getting out and snow-biking. There are some winter cycling photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1430288...7602332361641/

But 40F (5C) in your "(40F or lower)" isn't actually cold. It's a bit cool, but no reason to put the bicycle away. It's summer here in Australia and yesterday morning when we set off on our ride it was 43F (8C). Not a big deal. I had knickers and a jacket on over my shorts and jersey, and was quite comfortable.

hobkirk

I'm a high-mileage novice (4,300 miles in first 6 months). I find it pretty easy to ride 40-50 miles at 40 (F). 30 degrees requires careful dressing and probably taking off some clothes after 10 miles. At 20 (my coldest ride so far) I found the cold was a major issue that kept a good chuck of my focus at all times. I haven't worked out keeping my feet warm enough yet, so my current limit for 20 degrees is around 30 miles (I don't mind my toes getting cold, but I don't want them to become completely numb). But I am sure I will work out the feet, even if it means buying some cheap bigger SPD mountain shoes or wearing regular boots with platform pedals.

However, there's no getting away from the fact that 20 and down is cold. It's cold for anyone doing anything outside. The wind chill makes riding more difficult than most other activities. And there's an intrinsic problem for cyclists to protect the face from the wind without fogging up glasses or goggles while breathing very hard. The cold also has an element of danger - any emergency (flat, broken spoke, spill) 20 miles from home is potentially a big problem. You're dressed for staying warm while pedaling hard, not standing around. And you're sweating wearing damp clothing. I don't worry about it, but I am aware of it. (I'm not shy about knocking on doors, flagging down cars, dialing my cell phone, etc.).

Ask me again in two months!

Mr. Beanz

SoCal here but it does drop to about 35 in the mountains at night. I go climb up 2200ft in 8 miles then descend at 30mph. The descent is cold. Did the rides just to see what it was like up there at night.

oban_kobi

I love it. Wind chill can get a bit annoying on my face, but other than that it rocks. It feels more peaceful somehow. It's honestly not cold enough here. San Joaquin Valley, CA, if anyone was wondering.

Velo Dog

Just started it a few years ago. I grew up in California and thought anything lower than about 55 was too cold for cycling. Here in Reno we may not see 50 degrees again until April. Finally it dawned on me that if I could dress to be warm when running or xc skiing, I could be warm on the bike, too. I've been surprised how comfortable you can be at 25 degrees (that's COLD for us Santa Monica guys) with just a little thought to clothing.
FWIW, as recently as a couple of years ago, it was really unusual to see anybody riding around here in winter. Last year there were a few around, and so far this year the roads are still crowded. We got into the 60s today (unusual for this time of year), and I must have seen 30 or 40 bikes out.

Robert Foster

I have suspected for some time that you are nuts. Now I am sure. Doesn't make you a bad person, but you are nuts.

I ride in the dark when I have to, but I don't like it so it isn't a joy ride. I ride in the cold now and then but I prefer warmer weather so I don't consider it a joy ride. A joy ride is cruising SART or Oceanside to San Diego and back without trying to kill yourself. It is best done in 70 degree weather where you can stop at a cafe and have coffee and pie on outside tables. That is a joy ride.

Recycle

I enjoy winter rides down to the mid teens (F) as long as the roads are ice and salt free. I slow down to around 10 mph so the wind chill isn't so bad, and I try to spin a little faster than normal to stay warm. On windy days I'll ride in forested areas, but normally I'm out in the corn fields.

Last ride was 2 days ago, 30 mi at 25F with winds at 15 to 20 mph. I did stop at a restaurant about half way thru to warm up and get something to eat. My hands and feet were getting cold towards the end, and one water bottle froze solid.

stapfam

Come winter and I can only ride at weekends. Rain with wind is a no-no- but cold- rain or snow is not a problem. Have to layer up and protect the hands- feet and ears but after a good few years riding I know what I can manage. Roads are icy this morning so might leave the ride till later but I will have to get out

It's either that or kick the cat.

And a few pics of last winters riding up on the hills. Ice doesn't matter when it's like this on the MTB.



But I did call this "Fun" but it was cold and as I found out- Snow can be impossible to ride in at times.