sparknote_s

I just went on what was supposed to be a nice relaxed ride...but I turned around when I couldn't feel my hands. It's hard to shift or break when you can't feel the levers :/ hah...it was 35 degrees and my hands froze...whats the coldest you've ridden in?

55/Rad

About 24 degrees but a lot of people have gone much lower. It's all about the gear.

55/Rad

Machka 

I did a century in February 2003 which started at -32C/-25F and peaked at -20C/-14F. That was my coldest century and also my toughest century.

But I've also commuted (fairly short ride) at -40C/F.


Last weekend, Saturday, I did a century that started at -6C/23F and peaked at 0C/32F ... it was gorgeous out! Well, after the fog dissipated and the sun came out and shone on hoarfrost on all the trees. I overheated on a couple of the climbs between the 90 and 135 km points.


If your hands are freezing in temps as warm as 35F, you need better gloves!!

LordOpie

Machka's too hardcore for me

I've ridden in 10*F and I'll never do that again

sparknote_s

heh...I figured shorts and a long sleeve shirt would suffice since I thought I'd warm up after a few minutes...I'm gathering some gear before I do that again

EventServices

It has less to do with gear and more to do with what you're used to.

We ride in sub-zero temps here in Michigan regularly. We have little choice.

I don't wear booties when it's above 25F.
I've never used those charcoal foot warmer things.

Today, for example, it was 22. I wore medium-weight tights. A base layer, a jersey, and a vest.

Hardcore is a relative term.
Up north, they probably wear even less.

LordOpie

I'll agree with that. I was born in Miami and lived there for 30 yrs... only been in Denver 3 winters. I've got all the gear and can manage <30*F just fine, but I don't like it. On the flip side, when it's >80*F and people are complaining, I'm enjoying it.

honduraz10

ive ridden my daily commute in 18f but i dont so real long rides unless its above 30f. riding at 30f with the sun out is about my favorite ride condition. not hot but i dont need lots of excessive gear.

Machka 

I think it has more to do with your own personal body temperatures. I'm cold when I ride. The temperature has to be HOT (like into the +30C/85F and up range) before I start to warm up.

On my century on Saturday, when it was between 23F and 32F, I wore: helmet, headband, neck gaiter, sports bra, coolmax longsleeved jersey, fleece longsleeved jersey, lined jacket, padded shorts, tights, light sweatpants, long wool socks, Lake mtn bike shoes (one size too large), and neoprene booties ... oh yes, and ski gloves.

Now as I mentioned, by the time it got to 32F, I was overheating a bit.

But I have to wear booties of some sort when the temp drops below about 40F because I have such cold feet.

Machka 

Cycling in winter in Manitoba!

https://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForum...er.msnw?Page=1

Actually, I'm in the process of moving my photos, so this link will probably work better:

https://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mac...=/1c00&.src=ph

squeegy200

I rode mountain bikes on the trails at Mammoth Lakes at 15F. On the road bike I think the coldest was in Solvang where temps dropped to 29F at the start of one of their prelude events.

mikemets5

1F, 30+ mph winds, and a top speed of 42 mph...what does that windchill work out to be?

NeoBinary

I agree that it has a lot to do with what you're used to. The temps that Machka rides in seem super cold, but from my point of view 85F is hardly HOT.

operator

Riding in the cold is just a whole lot more annoying as you have to put on all these goddarned layers. Other than that it's fine.

Grasschopper

Machka makes me cry. I wont ride below 10* F and that is only commuting not any century ride.

FLBandit

My lowest is 44F. Of course here in Florida it dosen't get much colder than that! I did ride a motorcycle all winter in Virginia one year. That kind of got the blood pumping in the mornings!!!

little5guy

I have done commute rides in the 20's F and high teens F, and some 20 to 30 road rides in the mid 30's F. My rule of thumb was not to avoid road rides below 30...too darn cold in the wind. But Indiana winters don't have much on Michigan winters!

my58vw

Lowest I have riden in is 35 degrees F, will not go lower than that. Typical winder rides here are in the mid 40 - 50 if not higher... I love socal!

Corsaire

-12F back in the winter of 1993-1994, going to work on a mtn. bike dressed almost as if was gonna climb Everest, for only 4 miles.
After that, this winter, last week at 2F (wind chill feel) per the thermometer on my computer.

Corsaire

DXchulo

Never under 20F. Below that I'd have more fun playing basketball, lifting, or spending quality time with the rollers. That, and I'll save 4 hours getting dressed.

BlazingPedals

I'm not sure about the coldest, but one New Year's ride I remember must have been close. It was an even 0F when we started. The ride was only 14 miles, but keeping the group together meant riding at about 7 mph; so it took forever to finish the ride and go somewhere warm!

joejack951

22.5 miles in 17 degree F with a 0 degree windchill (15 mph winds, got colder when it gusted to 25 mph). My upper body was toasty with a balaclava, Un-D shirt, thin base layer, and Performance Triflex Jersey. I had thin ski gloves with Smartwool liners underneath and my hands were sweating when I got done. On my legs I wore bib shorts and some XC skiing pants. My knees were a little cold. Then there was my feet. My toes were frozen solid (and in pain) even with thick Smartwool socks and neoprene booties. Someday I'll figure out how to keep those toes warm.

And if it matters, I'm always warm. I keep my house at 62 F in the winter and am comfortable.

Trekke

20 miles in 11 F. I regulary ride in sub 20 as long as the wind is down and the roads are fairly dry.

recneps345

I rode the other day at around 25F. That is cold for a southern boy. I am not one to shy away from cold with other hobbies, but I just cant seem to cycle in it. Also, this being my first year, I have none of the right gear. I am going to buy when the winter gear goes on sale in a month or so. When should I look for the sales to occur?

forum*rider

Coldest I have ridden in was around 50F