When does it get too cold for you to ride?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Posts: 14
Bikes: Giant Defy 2 Fuji Absolute 3.0 Mongoose Crossways
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When does it get too cold for you to ride?
Just wondering whether riders here call it quits during the coldest months (assuming you live up north, northeast, etc).. or do you just put on the layers and keep on peddlin? And when it comes to temps how low will you go?
#2
Senior Member
For me it's about 5*C, but I do ride till there is snow on the ground...
#3
I'm from Canada. Grew up training here during the winter.
I had no trouble riding at -15c--20c as a 20 yr old.
But now at 58yr, it's absolutely 0-1c and above plus sunny or there's no chance.
Don't like the cald anymore
I had no trouble riding at -15c--20c as a 20 yr old.
But now at 58yr, it's absolutely 0-1c and above plus sunny or there's no chance.
Don't like the cald anymore
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 10
Bikes: Rossin, Eddy Merckx MX Leader
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+5C has been the coldest so far this season. Just ordered some cold weather gear to keep going until the snow hits the ground. Then it's the indoor trainer in the garage until spring comes around. 48 years and counting, I'm not a fan of winter anymore.
#5
Junior Member
My records show my coldest ride last year was 26F on Dec. 26. Coldest this year was 29F on March 17. I mostly get 8 to 10 rides a month in Jan and Feb with temps in the high 20's low 30's. This past winter was really bad here so I didn't have a lot of rides in Jan. and Feb. Besides the bitter cold the almost constant snow and ice just made the roads too dangerous. I'm 67 and the cold bothers me more every year, but riding the road, even in the cold, is better than riding that evil machine (mag. trainer) in the basement.
Jim
Jim
#7
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Never been too cold, but it has a lot to do with correct jacket/gloves/head cover etc. Coldest I've ridden in is about -5F in the Denver area many years ago.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,491 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Dry there's no lower limit. These days I won't ride wet below 35-40, though I used to routinely.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#9
Fahrradfahrer
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 367
Bikes: n+1
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
-50F believe it or not (disclaimer, I'm not quite 50, five more years -- I recognize this may change if a lifetime of being super active starts catching-up with me)
Last edited by jwarner; 10-19-14 at 04:57 PM. Reason: Darned iPad
#10
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Liked 294 Times
in
161 Posts
If the winds are calm and the sun is shining, I'll ride if the temperature is above 20f. If it's dry but overcast, I'll avoid riding below 25f. If it's windy, I'll ride if it's above 30f.
I rode during an October rain event last week, it was about 55 to 60f. I was soaked, but kept comfortable somehow. Can't imagine knowingly going out to ride in the rain if it was any colder.
I rode during an October rain event last week, it was about 55 to 60f. I was soaked, but kept comfortable somehow. Can't imagine knowingly going out to ride in the rain if it was any colder.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester County, NY
Posts: 1,299
Bikes: Giant TCR SL3 and Trek 1.5
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
To me, the "menace" is not just the temps, but the wind. Typically, the wind really picks up regularly from mid-October until mid-February, although I'm near the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains, which probably has a bit to do with it. I personally find temps easier to prepare and adjust to than wind "attacks" like we had regularly this weekend.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,491 Times
in
1,916 Posts
I guess we might ask you when it's too hot.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#14
Full Member
Here in Northern California, we can ride all year around. That said, when it gets much below 50-ish, GoalieMom and I don't really venture out. Too many nice days to ride in the cold, damp, or rain.
#15
Senior Member
There is no bad weather, only poorly chosen clothing.
Buy studs, don't stop.
Marc
Buy studs, don't stop.
Marc
#16
Senior Member
I avoid this issue by choosing to live where cold rarely happens. Sure, we have the occasional dusting of snow and a few days each year with some ice on the valley roads (and twenty or so with ice in the local hills). I'll ride at any temperature as long as the roads aren't icy. Hereabouts, that means I'll ride once in a while with temperatures in the 20s F and once a decade in the teens. However, low temperatures do restrict where I ride since I hate coming over a climb to find an icy descent.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 121
Bikes: Fuji Espree, Sun EZ-1 Recumbent Bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I generally have to ride in the dark both ways to work in the winter (night shift, go to work at 5pm, leave work at 7:30 am) and am dealing with rush hour both ways. I'll ride down to -10below zero F or -20C roughly IF the road has no ice or there is minimal wind, wind chill at those temps can be nasty. But packed snow/ice usually covers the bike lanes and the shoulders,giving me no room to ride and side streets are a joke, not plowed and rutty. I can generally ride all the way to the end of december in good years, but Jan and Feb I generally can't.
Last edited by LordMarv; 10-19-14 at 05:48 PM.
#19
Senior Member
While on a bike tour that took us through Lassen National Park a few weeks ago, my wife and I experienced 35 F temperatures and 35 mph winds. We were camping in the park, and our lightweight sleeping bags were not adequate. We also had 3600 feet of climbing that topped out at over 8000 feet. We figured it would not be a fun day. We decided that was too cold, and dropped down 6000 feet to the Central Valley where it was a balmy 91 F
Last edited by Doug64; 10-19-14 at 08:19 PM.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,320
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Liked 601 Times
in
314 Posts
When it starts snowing I start riding the trainer. I'm out on the open road usually the first week of March and riding in 35F and above. Wind chill can be fierce. I gotta say, 50F in March is a whole bunch warmer than 50F in October.
#21
Senior Member
Since I'm not retired, most of my riding from November to February is after sundown, so 25F is about my limit. I've ridden down to 16F during the day. As other said wind plays a big part, too.
#22
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,700
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Liked 2,230 Times
in
620 Posts
About as cold as I've done is the upper 20s. Totally doable with the right equipment. I'd probably prefer skiing at that point, though. lol
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 121
Bikes: Fuji Espree, Sun EZ-1 Recumbent Bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I really respect bike commuters in the northern states and Canadian provinces who brave those temps. But there is something exilarating about riding in frigid temps tho.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tucson Az
Posts: 1,778
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Liked 351 Times
in
198 Posts
I don't have anything resembling cool weather clothing, so I waited until it warmed up to almost 70 before I went riding this morning.
#25
Senior Member
I have the clothing for colder weather, but the reality is somewhere around 50F. And I'll bail well into the 50s if there's a cold north wind. I tried the 40s a couple times and there is indeed a bit of exhilaration that comes with colder weather, but that apparently isn't lure enough to get me to continue the activity. Where I live, I know it will be warmer in a few days. I think about riding when it's cold, but inevitably decide to wait.