Do you bike in bad weather?

[Toby]

I cycle to work 12 miles daily. Right now I draw the line at about 10 F. The reason is not the cycling itself. I realized the danger at this temperature when I suffered a tire puncture about halfway to work. It was all I could do to get my tube changed with fingers stiffening by the second.

About 45 F and dry is actually my ideal cycling weather.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Toby

I cycle to work 12 miles daily. Right now I draw the line at about 10 F. The reason is not the cycling itself. I realized the danger at this temperature when I suffered a tire puncture about halfway to work. It was all I could do to get my tube changed with fingers stiffening by the second.

About 45 F and dry is actually my ideal cycling weather.

Good point about mechanicals.

[MetroMPG]

Yes, very good point!

While I don't cycle long distances on any given trip in the winter (a couple of km each way), I actually keep a "back up" bike on standby in case of mechanicals.

Finger freeze ups aren't a risk for me - I'll just push the bike the probably short remaining distance and then swap bikes until I can get the wounded inside for a repair.

[COcyclist]

I ride in all weather, even through the Colorado winter. I have two dedicated commuter bikes. One is a 35 year old ten speed (that I have been riding since it was new) with a rack, fenders and a big mud flap in front and fender skirts on the rear. The other is my "ice bike". It is an old mountain bike set up with big knobbie studded tires, a rack and mtb fenders. It regularly gets to double digits below zero F in winter. I use a lot of ski gear to stay warm in those temps and I have insulated handlebar covers that fit my heavy ski gloves inside.

That said, if it is a downpour when I am about to leave the house in the morning, I may be tempted to take the car.

[bdesj]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

That said, if it is a downpour when I am about to leave the house in the morning, I may be tempted to take the car.

Rain will stop me before ice/snow/cold will also. I hate getting wet.

[Dennis D'Angelo]

I bike about 12 miles round trip to work per day. Have an urban bike built here locally in Germany and a very inexpensive mountain bike...which I am converting to a single speed. I use the urban bike year round and keep it in good functioning order by washing and lubing weekly--I wax it monthly.

As for weather; "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes."

I wear the predecessor to the North Face Halo Jacket...had it for 5 years of biking and still going strong. I carry wet gear in my backpack and wear high-top water repellant hiking books. I have a multitude of gloves for each season...hate cold hands...and a Jack Wolfskin ski cap for my bald cranium.

With the above combination I am good to -10F and all the snow you can throw at me...yes, I do take a fall or two when riding on snow or ice even with studded tires.

Enough talk...go ride.

[bdesj]

So, what kind of clothes do you wear to make wind good weather?

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by bdesj

So, what kind of clothes do you wear to make wind good weather?

Parachute pants

[Dennis D'Angelo]

For windy, cold, and wet weather...ski pants. For just windy weather regular sweat pants. Parachute pants are OK too.

dd

[Jean-Seb]

I'm too lazy to go buy rain gear, so I avoid rain. But winter is almost my favorite riding season, the colder the better. I rode my bike to work one day, it was something like -35C with strong winds and snow (-40C with wind chill). Loved it ! On my 4km commute, I've seen probably three cars and zero bikes. The worst is really the first 100 meters lol. And I prefer riding in those conditions then trying to start the car, and freeze my butt off all the way to work.