Colorado Kid

i saw in the news today of a commuter in Farbanks, AK who was riding in the cold. It was only -43F! Is there a limit of how cold someone can ride without suffering from the effects of the low temps.?

king_boru

Why don't you volunteer your time. For science. Then report back here when you thaw out.

TenSpeedV2

Obviously it is colder than -43F or there would be an obituary rather than an article. Everyone has a different temperature threshold so it would really be hard to nail down a single temperature that is just too cold.

dabac

Depends on what you mean by "suffering".


I do get some yearly exposure to well below -30 yearly, but below -40 is unusual.


Anyhow, within the range of my experiences, of course you have to pay close attention to what you do.
And returning indoors is usually a relief.


But "suffer" - no. Not as long as things go according to plan.


Riding isn't much different than any other comparable outdoors activity at that temperature.
I've ridden in pretty much all the temperatures I've skied or skated in.
It's possible to go a bit faster than on skates/cross-country skis, so you get a bit more windchill.
And you'd want to manage your breathing fairly well.


IMO, you do need a good bailout plan in case of failures.


Doing pretty much any kind of roadside repairs at those temperatures becomes seriously risky for you hands and fingers within minutes.


For that reason, I prefer a kicksled https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kicksled instead of a bike when running errands at very low temperatures. Not much to go wrong with those.

bmthom.gis

Eh, I know some Canadians who love going out to play hockey in temps around that.

2manybikes

I think -200f might be a problem.

Gresp15C

The limit of my experience -- on or off a bike -- is somewhere around -20 F. But then I figure that there are people who have to work outside at ridiculously cold temperatures, such as military and emergency personnel, Eskimos, researchers and explorers, even kids walking to school. They've figured out gear and habits for surviving it. Whatever they've figured out, should be do-able on a bike, perhaps with some minor adaptation of the bike and the gear.

I ride throughout the year, and people seem impressed, but honestly it's not all that heroic. If you dress warmly enough, your body thinks it's warm out. I think it's mainly psychological: Being mentally prepared for it, and thinking your way through your gear requirements and survival habits.

Darth Lefty 

I've been out and about, walking or skiing, in some really cold times. But never -43 to begin with before wind chill! And always with shelter close by. The jacket I had was very poofy and came with a stuff sack, but I think it was synthetic, not down. I've been trying to recall lately what became of it, I have a vague memory I gave it away.

Haha, it's funny what you can find in your gmail account. Bought from REI in 2007! Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero Jacket in Lava, $109.93. But no clues where it went.

ptempel

Is that the temp when hell freezes over?

2manybikes

I've gone sking at -30f. Some of that gear works on the bike too. I discovered that the gas shock struts that keep the tailgate of my car from crashing down on your head don't work at -30f.

2manybikes

I see you've been there too.

ptempel

Heh. Not yet, but someday. But back on topic, major chapeau to all who have ridden in negative temps. I have never seen them so never needed to plan or have the clothing for that. Respect!

Joe Minton

I've ridden snowmobiles at -24F -- interesting experience?!

I wonder, though, if there might not be problem with one's lungs when breathing heavily at such temperatures. Anyone have a clue or link? ;o)

Joe

king_boru

I've worked in -62c, last year, and it wasn't the lungs. It was you eyes freezing open or shut, you nose hairs freezing together, Snot freezing to your face, muscles working at 10% of their capacity and not being able to pee because your manly bits have retreated far beyond where a pair of tweezers can venture.

That's my 2 cents anyway.

BassNotBass

It all depends on what you're doing at a given temp but I'd rather be riding when temps are near or below 0°F instead of standing at a bus stop, that's for sure. I love riding but if there's snow on the ground I'd rather get on a pair of XC skis.

Joe Minton

king boru:

Yeah, I remember feeling the moisture freeze on my nose hairs when I breathed in & melting on the way out ;o)

I threw a large glass of water up into the air and watched it turn to snow on the way down; great fun.

Also, at those temps (-24F), the air is very dry and the sky a deep and perfect blue -- quite beautiful.

Joe

jfowler85

I've been out in -20f before, both on and off a bike. It's cold, but not the worst thing in the world...as it has been said many times before the keys are 1) layers and 2) don't stop pedaling. I haven't found the farthest reaches of my cold tolerance yet, but I'll tell you I'd rather freeze off my nuts than sweat them off in a high wet bulb index. That's just plain miserable.

MNBikeCommuter

Another unanswered question is how far is the fellow riding at -43F? A few blocks in that temperature is different than a few miles. My cold weather tolerance diminished when a new job changed my 10 mile one-way commute to 23.

SloButWide 

And -200°C is even worse: