CharlyAlfaRomeo

Walking is the worst in the cold. You don't exert yourself enough to warm up. By contrast cycling in even a little bit of snow is a serious workout, you just have to make sure your skin is covered and you aren't otherwise overdressed so as to sweat too much. Even without some snow you just have to pick up the pace and you'll warm up.

Summer comes slowly around here so I have time to adjust. Come July I'm fine up to the mid to high eighties, though the first really warm ride is a bit grueling.

I will say that without an adjustment period exerting myself in heat is awful. I traveled to Argentina one February and since it was their summer I planned to do a bunch of skateboarding.

It was -13 F no humidity to speak of when I went to the airport here, and 109 F with 100% humidity when I arrived in Buenos Aires.

For every five minutes I spent riding at the skate parks I would spend the next ten pouring ice water over my head.

T13

The worst idea ever is wearing those waterproof socks. Yer feet sweat like crazy, then freeze.

OntheRun.

Usually anytime its below 30 degrees I tend to not ride only because the only thing that bothers me the most are my feet since I do not like wearing bulky shoes. They are never warm enough. But I got me some Defeet Woolie Boolie socks and hope they work!

Mumonkan

two words: shoe covers.

Flatulentfox

Absolutely.

I picked some up recently. They're a game changer.

Huffandstuff

I've got some pairs of those socks and they get a thumbs up from me.

When it gets down to the thirties and raining I'll do a pair of those socks, longer wool socks over that, shoes and then shoe covers and my feet are invincible.

BilbroSwaggins

I don't think these guys get that for us lowcountry South Carolinians, temps in the 50's are ****ing cold. we get summers that are in triple digits with 100% humidity so we get used to it being warm. ill ride in anything but if its 55 or lower I'm in full winter kit.

MattoftheRocks

If I'd had a car over the last few years, it would have been used on the crap wet days 27-45F. Crispy, dry snow is pretty nice to ride on/through. 2nd the wool. Dbl wool socks in big rubber boots and water resistant windproof pants, balaclava, goggles and flip-mitts down to 10F, and full snowboard mitts below 10. I'm usually plenty warm at mile 1 and sweating at 2.

stryper

HTFU. Low 20's on cold winter nights, not uncommon to hit 105 on hot summer days. Welcome to nor cal.

BilbroSwaggins

I was using 50's as an example because he said that was his cutoff and most South Carolinians consider that cold. It has stayed around 30 for the lows every night. And I'll take 105 degrees all day. We live in what's basically a swamp. It's the humidity that gets ya. Not the heat

thewilson 

I've gone down to 10 degrees but my water froze in under 30min and that sucked. Usually if it's below 25 I'll stick to the rollers.

TenSpeedV2

I don't think that it is supposed to break 20° here today, and it is currently snowing. We are expecting 8-12" by Monday morning. There is at least 2" on the ground, and I will be riding to work today in a few hours. The low tonight will be 8° and some wind. I will make sure that I have no exposed skin, and will be wearing my Specialized Defroster boots with thick SmartWool socks. Taking water with me will be a waste of time because it will probably freeze, as mentioned above. My commute is 7.7 miles if I cut it down, and usually takes about 32 minutes depending on traffic. I will be giving myself ample time since I have no idea what the paths and roads will be like. I have ridden in this cold of a temperature before, but not in this type of snow. At this rate, there will be at least 4" or so if not more on the ground when I leave.

inCOGneto

Well I rode the other day when it was 55 with a long sleeve and shorts. ears and face got cold at first but after a solid 10 miles ( half of ride ) I felt great. Today is 63 with full sun and I'm gonna take advantage

TenSpeedV2

You got cold at 55? I would be in a t shirt and shorts sweating like a hooker in church. Man what I wouldn't give for mid 50's right now.

jbenkert111

Your stated occupation is a Marine, so "Semper Fi". However, as a retired Army guy, you have to toughen up Marine. :-) I would suggest you might try wearing loose pants (like BB warm-ups) with some kind of long johns or pajama pants under them to keep warm. You should be able to get use to them after a few rides.

inCOGneto

I have been in some pretty damn cold environments. and it gets VERY cold in Afghanistan during the winter, however I have never gotten used to it and hate the cold with a passion. I even lived in Canada for a year, still hate the cold..

LesterOfPuppets

For me, 50-55 is the zone where I wonder if i should wear shorts or long pants/tights.

Below 20 is when I start thinking I'd rather just stay home.

It's usually cold rain that keeps me in, though. Like right now. 40 degrees and raining. No thanks.

Mumonkan

while i love the purist bottles, theyre ****e for winter riding

gotta get on them podiums

if we can spare a broment, i think our beards are the same length now, and similar colors

brofist.

franswa

So, have we determined who has the largest testicles in this forum?

jemdet

Haven't met a cold I can't bike to work in... granted, my commute is only 6 miles each way!

I've done a century below freezing with ~25 mph winds. It's made a lot easier with warmers for your hands and feet, but that didn't stop my water from turning into a block of ice

50voltphantom

All the difference in the world right here. I did two rides last December when it was around 40 degrees. The first one was miserable, the second was near-perfect because I was wearing shoe covers.

thewilson 

I salt my water to prevent freezing.
My beard is now 2 month longer from that photo.

Mumonkan

ruined my dreams. least we still got gingerbeards.

what kind of gear are you rockin up in old ham to keep you warm and dry these days? i need new gear.

john4789

HTFU. I'd rather put on some extra clothes than not ride.

RISKDR1

cold is when you fall asleep in a warm 10 man army tent in the Alaska winter wilderness and wake up because the stove ran out of fule and your face is coated with frost and its your turn to go outside and change the fuel can.