ill.clyde

So we're in that miserable limbo between winter and "warm" spring, and I'm sitting here trying to figure out if I'm going to ride outside today, or put the bike back on the trainer (which I loathe doing at this point).

High temps today are forecast for low to mid-50s. I know in years past I'd have no qualms kitting up in layers and going out to ride, but I'm feeling like a wimp these days.

What's your low temp threshold?

FWIW, I'm sure I'll go ride outdoors today ... I'm just being a baby

DrIsotope

Freezing. I live in Southern California, and the amount of cold-weather gear I own will just get me to freezing. Low-to-mid 50s are most of the winter here, and that's shorts and short sleeves weather. Tights go on in the 40s along with full-finger gloves. Unlike your locale, we aren't usually hit with days "too cold to ride." Too hot is another story entirely... 90º by 6am? Yeah, we get that.

MRT2

Low 50s sounds pretty rideable. Temps around 50 degrees, I can usually get by with merino wool socks and base layer, jersey, and wind vest. And maybe leg warmers.

I am in the same part of the world as you, so I get it. We went though this last year, too. Some unseasonably warm weather in february or early March and you think consistent temps in the 60s and 70s are just around the corner. Then nature laughs and puts us into a holding pattern of 30s and low 40s for the next 2 to 3 weeks, or at least into the first week of April.

FBinNY 

For rides of up to an hour or so, I haven't yet found my low threshold. For longer rides, I'm willing to start out below 50, but only if it's predicted to get at least close to 60. I consider anything between 60 and 75 as ideal.

Willbird

My coldest longest ride was 20 miles at 17F :-).

Coldest ride in rain was 20 miles at 37F.......it was REALLY pouring from mile 9 to mile 20 too.

Bill

NYMXer

On my mtb, I have done many rides at around 10 degrees, no problems at all. On the road bike, the higher speeds bring a wind chill factor that stops me from riding if it is under 20.
One of the reasons I like to mtb, shelter from the wind, sun and other elements not too suitable for a road ride (ice).
I enjoy my road bike rides but am a little more particular when I do them. One thing is for sure, they are different rides and different workouts but after a two hour ride, they are both exhausting.

Turzy

Mid 40's usually, but at some point it depends more on the wind than the temperature...I have ridden once at -5°C (23°F), but it was sunny, no wind, it was really nice.

sdmc530

55 is my bottom in spring in and fall, summer it drops to 50. Summer 50 in SD is warmer than 55 in spring or fall.....

ClydeTim

My coldest ride would be a GMR night ride in the 30's. Wearing an underlayer, windbreaker, and tights.

But, around here we also get the 100+ temp rides. One century we did topped out at 105 with an average of 94.

Jarrett2

27 and overcast is my cutoff. Anything above that is doable for me.

65-68 is perfect riding weather, imo.

I've ridden as high as 104, I think. My second century was 100 degrees. That sucked a little.

Clyde1820

I'm reasonably good down to about 40ºF or so. Have done to as low as freezing, but that's not nearly as fun. Did a 10mi ride in 20ºF once ... exactly once.

Of course, if I acquired proper winter cycling gear, it'd be fine. Then, it would become largely a question of surface grip. Don't have any studded ice/snow tires, so currently I don't generally use the bike when the roads aren't decent.

jsigone

I think mid 30's if it has a chance to heat up. Never done a long consistent ride in that cold of a temp before. Good ol socal living.

Yendor72

It all depends on the wind chill. We live in a really flat area with little tree cover on our favorite path. Always a cross wind, for some reason, too. With that being said, winds of 5-10 mph and I would have no problem at or near 0°F. I'll sweat through my light jacket at 20°F and then freeze when I stop moving. That's really bad. I dislike riding in the torture chamber, even with our new 40" TV in there.

JamesGTRS

I've ridden at -30C...I wouldn't make it a regular thing.

I think I wouldn't want to go much lower than -10C. Once you start going, you get warm pretty quick.

JamesGTRS

ill.clyde

Well, I stopped being a baby and kitted up ... it's somewhere between 46 and 48 at this moment. Wasn't gone long, 40 minute mid-work day ride.

I was fairly comfortable. At the start, into a very mild headwind of 5-6 mph my chest was a bit cold, but once I got a mile or two in I warmed up nicely. The only thing really "cold" are my feet, but they're not that bad.

For the record, fleece beanie, arm warmers, base layer, jersey, tights and shoe covers. For gloves I had my usual spesh gloves but underneath them I wear cold weather golfing gloves.

Leebo

Boston rider here. 20 F for my 17 mile commute, done colder, really cold is when you have an eyelid freeze shut. Off road, 5 F or so. Fat bike keeps the heat going.

Hokiedad4

I've ridden down to about freezing in this jacket. My problem is my hands, so two pairs of gloves.

The perfect temperature for me is about 60°F.

Black wallnut 

In cold weather the temp sets the duration. I've started my late November birthday rides at 30°F before.

travbikeman

I've ridden trails when it was around 25 degrees F. Found that my bikes brakes really squeak loudly at this temperature. Not sure if the discs keep getting iced up on the back of the car when driving to the trails and just don't do well for the duration of my ride.

Otherwise I'm more comfortable riding above freezing though.

Full hat cover ears, full winter gloves, thicker socks and toe covers along with a winter riding jacket are what I use when riding in anything under 40 degrees.

travbikeman

That is a similar jacket I've got in yellow and love it! I could still find myself sweating in this jacket when riding at temperatures below freezing.

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/tall-...ng-jacket.html

I have these gloves and have not had any problems with cold hands when riding below feezing.

Louis Garneau Torrent Gloves - Performance Exclusive

LiquorLad

Biked in 4F @ 6:30am.

MikeRides

50 degrees as long as it's dry, but I've ridden in ~30 deg with wind chill of 25 once, I simply didn't like riding all bundled up.

Of course I'd rather not ride in the rain, moreso rain and below freezing temps, but there's nothing like getting caught in a sudden downpour on a 90+ degree summer day

Dennis609

I headed out for a ride expecting the high 50s, because the smartphone told me that was in the cards.

Felt a little cold for the 50s.

20 minutes into the ride, I realized that the data to my phone was set to "off." No updates from the previous day's high.

Actual temp? 22.

Pretty sure that's on the wrong side of whatever my threshold is. I haven't quite worked it out, but I'm pretty sure it hovers near "freezing."

1nterceptor

5 Fahrenheit/-15 Celsius by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
Biking during winter by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

2cam16

I'm a warm to hot weather person. When it's warm outside is when I'll ride and so far, not much warmth for me. Anything north of 65-70 is my heaven.