How cold is too cold?
Discussion
Mastodon2 said:
I only ride for fun, what's fun about being cold, wet and riding slowly on s
t-covered, filthy roads?
I've not been out since early October, it's been too cold, wet and dirty to be worth it. All the country roads are covered in mud and rotting leaves that can't be washed away by rain because there's so much of it, it's often wet and cold and the bike gets filthy and needs a deep clean after it's been out, no fun at all.
If I commuted by bike I'd happily ride until it got frosty. I've got a car though, so I don't need to ride to work.
I've had some great rides when it's cold, and I run pretty old too, there are less nobbers about t-covered, filthy roads?I've not been out since early October, it's been too cold, wet and dirty to be worth it. All the country roads are covered in mud and rotting leaves that can't be washed away by rain because there's so much of it, it's often wet and cold and the bike gets filthy and needs a deep clean after it's been out, no fun at all.
If I commuted by bike I'd happily ride until it got frosty. I've got a car though, so I don't need to ride to work.
I think its quite a lot down to the roads you're going to ride on. Commuting in -4c last week, some of the very local roads were very icy and combined with lots of leaves it was significantly more moto x than I had in mind and pretty scary. This was particularly a problem on narrow country roads when cars forced me onto very slippery ridges and were looming behind as some freezing fog fell. Not worth it in my humble opinion unless essential.
Having said that, with the temperature back above freezing its a much nicer journey by bike and I'll be back on two wheels
Having said that, with the temperature back above freezing its a much nicer journey by bike and I'll be back on two wheels
Willy Nilly said:
mybrainhurts said:
Willy Nilly said:
I've had some great rides when it's cold, and I run pretty old too, there are less nobbers about
Presumably, you stop when your willy's shrunk to nilly?Gone out in about -4C a few times.
It's not the temperature which is the problem, it's snow/ice/slush. And once I found some freezing fog near Heathrow which was a real party as it froze on my visor, so I had to ride with the visor open, so it froze on my eyeballs instead and melted when I blinked.
If you are in a drier climate, you could ride in much lower temperatures. Check out Advrider, there are plenty of people riding in a lot less than -5.
It's not the temperature which is the problem, it's snow/ice/slush. And once I found some freezing fog near Heathrow which was a real party as it froze on my visor, so I had to ride with the visor open, so it froze on my eyeballs instead and melted when I blinked.
If you are in a drier climate, you could ride in much lower temperatures. Check out Advrider, there are plenty of people riding in a lot less than -5.
creampuff said:
Gone out in about -4C a few times.
It's not the temperature which is the problem, it's snow/ice/slush. And once I found some freezing fog near Heathrow which was a real party as it froze on my visor, so I had to ride with the visor open, so it froze on my eyeballs instead and melted when I blinked.
If you are in a drier climate, you could ride in much lower temperatures. Check out Advrider, there are plenty of people riding in a lot less than -5.
When I was a teen I rode in all weathers as it was my only transport. But it isn't now and I ride for pleasure only. I still ride on nicer days in Winter to give the bikes a run though.It's not the temperature which is the problem, it's snow/ice/slush. And once I found some freezing fog near Heathrow which was a real party as it froze on my visor, so I had to ride with the visor open, so it froze on my eyeballs instead and melted when I blinked.
If you are in a drier climate, you could ride in much lower temperatures. Check out Advrider, there are plenty of people riding in a lot less than -5.
Dumping a Fizzie or X7 on the deck at sub 30mph in the snow was far less of a concern than dumping any modern plastic fantastic on the deck and copping a ginormous repair bill. Wheelspinning those old nails about was even amusing a few days a year, stopping to warm your hands on the cylinders when frostbite set in.
Dr Jekyll said:
At what point is it too cold for say a 30 mile bike ride?
Assume it's dry but frosty and unlikely to snow or get any colder.
Have done several daylight 50km rides over the last few weeks, both road and MTB while its been hovering around zero degrees, and have also done a few night rides when its gone as low as minus 6..! I'm wearing the right gear, and searching for hills to climb, so keeping warm has been fine. Rollers and turbo trainers are the ultimate in boredom, so never go near them....Assume it's dry but frosty and unlikely to snow or get any colder.
I went for a 60 mile ride on Saturday - I think it was about 4 C. Heated gloves & a thermal base layer worked a treat. I reckon I could have gone for around 4 hours. However, roads were dry & there was some sun. As others have said, its the rain that'll get you, & I am genuinely scared of roads that are damp due to salt; grip is non exisitant.
CAPP0 said:
50 mins on the bike at zero degrees or 2 hours at the mercy of the train companies and with your snout wedged up against every malevolent bacteria known to man? Zero degrees is always going to win.
If the bike isn't sliding, it isn't too cold.
This. Except the salt actually seems to make things worse.If the bike isn't sliding, it isn't too cold.
If it's dry I'm biking, doesn't matter how cold it is. I'm fortunate in that I'm just on the outskirts of London so only have regular urban roads to contend with, but as has already been alluded to I'd rather wrap up warm and brave the cold than spend any length of time on the plague pit Underground 
I ride all year round although haven't been out since end October as I have been on track in Spain
Last year on the MV I was fine to about 7-8 degrees before the Supercorsa took the fun out of it. We did a few rides that as it got going my mates bike temp gauge was reading an outside -1 and to be fair it was ok as long as you had the right bike kit on
Its just a much slower ride and the cafe stops are more appreciated! I think better tyres on my Ape would make it more enjoyable but the 1100 and supercorsa in this weather are a joke
Last year on the MV I was fine to about 7-8 degrees before the Supercorsa took the fun out of it. We did a few rides that as it got going my mates bike temp gauge was reading an outside -1 and to be fair it was ok as long as you had the right bike kit on
Its just a much slower ride and the cafe stops are more appreciated! I think better tyres on my Ape would make it more enjoyable but the 1100 and supercorsa in this weather are a joke
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