Worst ride conditions
 

I rode today in 35 degree temperatures in pouring rain, through Arlington and DC, on the W and OD trail and the C and O canal. On a carbon bike. My shoe covers kept my feet fine for half an hour then I was riding with lakes in my shoes. My left cleat broke, so if I pull up or use any of the available float I unclip. New handlebars are great though (3T rotundo pro)... Excellent ride though.

What are some of the worst conditions you've ridden in (your choice - not stranded and change of weather)

worse than that.

Well yeah. But still, willing to go out in that wasn't great. It was worse than racing cross on ice last week.

Before you all measure yourselves and post the miserable results here, most bike messengers deal with a lot worse...for work, not just pleasure or commuting.

I dont much like rain.
I dont much like cold.
I dont much like dark.
I dont much like wind.

But I've ridden in all 4 at the same time. And I've only ridden in crazy conditions like that coz I got inspiration from other BFers. Before that, I never knew people could be so dumb. Then I visited the cyclocross forum...

The worst conditions I've ridden in was a commute home that started in those conditions and went down from there. Temperature dropped, roads iced up and the slush froze solid. Going out in those condition when you don't have to is well...

"Full conditions," as the Scots call it.

Worked as a messenger in -30 C weather and have commuted when it was -46 C.

It was not as bad as you think... the worst thing is always freezing rain followed by snow which we will probably get next week.

well I was riding home from work in the snow one evening and I took a shortcut through a local park. my headlight suddenly blacked out and in the faint light conditions I saw some odd shadows closing in on me. it turned out to be a flock (gaggle? herd? murder?) of rabid, starving Emperior Penguins, just when I thought I was going to be their eveining meal a huge polar bear trundles upon this horrible grizzly tableau and to my suprise mauls and chases the penguins away. while the penguins and polar bear where having at it I was able to find a small cave to crawl into which turned out to inhadited by a Tazmamian Devil which suddenly woke up and .....

why?

sunny and high 50's F. very light breeze.

I'd say this was pretty bad.

http://www.fatcyclist.com/wp-content...ster-trans.jpg

I rode in the same weather, Greenbelt Station to Laurel, and today sucked. Agreed it could have been worse, but it was bad enough. It's a wet ride when the debate is not seeing cars because my glasses are covered with water or taking them off and not seeing anything at all.

Not sure I see the point. Does not sound fun to me and if it isn't fun then what's the point? Ill ride the trainer for a few extra days to avoid making silly decisions while on the bike due to hyperthermia from the rain and cold temps. Ill ride in rain, Ill ride in very cold but I won't ride in both at the same time.

As far as my enjoyment of rides goes, I think wind (especially gusty winds) + ice/snow/rain in the face would usually be at the top of my list, partly because of struggling not being able to see as the wind gusts push you every which way. I tried going for a ride a couple of days ago and started off in >50km/h snowy winds. I didn't dress properly (should have worn a balaclava), and turned around pretty early, but that was mostly due to my chain constantly falling off (I was testing out my winter bike which has no front derailleur at the moment).

The weather in DC is really never all that awful. Just ask some of our cousins to the north! It could have been 15 *, right? And besides, you're young, so that was a character building ride you got in:) But, the broken cleat, well that must have sucked.

As for bike messengers...most of them in DC are drunk all the time so they tend to not notice the weather. The only thing they notice is when their Sparks is empty...

Because a "bad" day riding is still better than walking, driving, or taking the bus.

Why? I went to the gym in the same conditions, rode a trainer, and lifted weights. Riding/training hard is difficult, it's dangerous, and you run the risk of injury that really can set you back. Assuming you don't need to ride for transportation, it doesn't make sense.

Anyone know the hill right after chain bridge on the Arlington side? I was an idiot and unclipped for a second, then I couldn't get back on the bike long enough to clip in before stopping completely and had to walk up.

I really don't care for hail. Been hit by golfball size once and it hurts. Everything else is ok though. Just adjust speed and handling for the conditions.

Worst for me?

115 degree F heat in Albuquerque, NM, ran out of water 30 miles in, suffered heat exhaustion, got three flats and someone on a 'bent tried to draft me.