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Ideal cycling temperature

Old 03-17-21, 01:31 PM
  #76  
SpeedyBlueBiker
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Originally Posted by Bmach
I seem to ride better when temps are upper 80s and above. I have never not gone for a ride because of high temps but I have for cold temps.
I agree. I'm not fond of cycling in cool or cold weather.
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Old 03-17-21, 07:21 PM
  #77  
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52°
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Old 03-25-21, 07:17 AM
  #78  
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80F / 26.6C would be nice.

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Old 03-25-21, 07:24 AM
  #79  
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The worst part of extreme heat is wind does not do a damn thing for evaporative cooling. Add the Central Valley's humidity and air pollution and I would not last 10 miles before aborting the ride. One more thing, riding up a grade is agony with the sweat stinging my eyes and blurring my vision. I'll take the cold any day as long as there is no ice.

Originally Posted by Leinster
We get some days high into the 100s in the Central Valley towards Sacramento; riding on the flat in that is like the moment when you open the oven, only you don't get the smell of dinner cooking, and it goes on and on for the whole length of your ride.

I've gone climbing in the mid-high 90s, but usually sticking to routes with a bit of shade.
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Old 03-25-21, 07:44 AM
  #80  
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Originally Posted by Random11
I've read threads complaining about it being too hot to cycle in the summer and too cold in the winter. What's the ideal temperature for cycling? My thought is 60 degrees F (16 degrees C). Cool enough that I'm not dripping sweat all over my bike; warm enough that once I'm going, I can dress lightly and I'm not cold. What do you think?
I did some nerding around with my stats ... I agreed that +/- 60F is ideal for my performance (with clear skies). I know that I run hot, so I like colder temps, I'm known to start an endurance race with start line temps around freezing in summer kit with just an extra base layer on my core. I'll ride temps as cold as -30F and as hot as 95F (air temp - without wind chill or heat index). I know when temps drop below 40-45F, I can't get as much power from my muscles; and when temps get over 80F, the heat is too much for my cardio to perform well.

OTOH, for a social ride, sunny 75F is most enjoyable.

EDIT/AFTERTHOUGHT: I'm jonesing for that first 75F ride of '21! Next week might get up to 70F in Minneapolis for the first time this year.

Last edited by Hypno Toad; 03-25-21 at 09:08 AM.
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Old 03-25-21, 10:45 AM
  #81  
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
The worst part of extreme heat is wind does not do a damn thing for evaporative cooling. Add the Central Valley's humidity and air pollution and I would not last 10 miles before aborting the ride. One more thing, riding up a grade is agony with the sweat stinging my eyes and blurring my vision. I'll take the cold any day as long as there is no ice.
Throw a liberal application of sunscreen into that mix and my eyes can be basically bleeding by the top of any climb of reasonable length/gradient.

When it's colder and colder, you can just add more and more layers. No real comparable option as the temp climbs.
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Old 03-25-21, 11:48 AM
  #82  
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It actually depends on the person, because some prefer to ride in warmer weather and some in colder weather.
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Old 03-25-21, 01:43 PM
  #83  
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gearing up sucks. ever have to undo the gear because now all of a sudden you have to poo poo? The bowels know this, just like when rain happens after you wash the car.
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Old 03-27-21, 10:08 AM
  #84  
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Wind is a more important weather factor for me than temperature. And we get a lot of wind in SE Wyoming. That said, I prefer cooler temperatures to extreme heat. I can layer up for cold. Not much I can do about heat except time the rides for early morning or late afternoon.
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Old 03-27-21, 07:08 PM
  #85  
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I much more prefer commuting in Autumn and Winter. Easier to get warm than it is to stay cool.
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Old 03-27-21, 09:02 PM
  #86  
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I jive at 65.
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Old 03-28-21, 06:41 AM
  #87  
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Seems rare to have just the right temp so wearing layers is not that much fun but if you want to ride you dress for the weather what ever that might be, ! prefer it perfect like the rest of you.
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Old 03-28-21, 12:17 PM
  #88  
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I get my kicks at degree sixty-six.

My enthusiasm for riding declines the more I have to wear to keep warm. Will ride into the low 90s, though.
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Old 03-30-21, 02:20 PM
  #89  
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Wind is definitely worse than the cold. I'd rather ride at 20°F and calm, than 72°F with winds at 15mph or above.
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