How cold is too cold? - Page 2

01-26-2007, 05:39 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
>
> On Jan 24, 2:38 pm, "Josh Hassol" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>> Temps (with wind chill) for my daily commute (14 miles each way):
>>
>> Today: 21 F . . . no problem
>> Tomorrow: 9 F . . . hmmm
>> Friday: -9 F . . . too cold?
>>
>
> Why don't you just ride and find out for yourself what your
> tolerances are?
>
> It used to be I'd commute no matter what the temperature.
> For me it's not too bad until the temp gets below about 0F (-20C).
> Below that cycling sux donkey dick, IMO. The wind chill effect
> becomes extreme, and on a bike all your extremities are exposed.
>
> Fortunately there are no longer many, if any, days out of the
> the years where the temps stay below zero all day.
>
> BTW, the coldest I've ever cycled in was -27F (-32C). Less than
> 5 mile ride and it was awful. Honestly walking is a far more civilized
> way of getting around when it gets really cold.
>
At -27F I would be wearing a ski mask, goggles, AND a full face
motorcycle helmet, pretty serious gloves. I have been outdoors in
Minnesota, chatting with the guy filling my 500 gallon propane tank and
it was about -15F with about a 15 MPH wind. Since I wasn't doing
anything I almost froze solid right there. There are days when it is too
cold to ride (sanely) but then your car might not start either.
I found out that when you put on enough clothing for the cold (just
standing) it is too much for riding since you will work up a sweat even
riding slowly. It beats walking but you sure can't ride at training speeds.
Bill Baka

01-26-2007, 06:40 AM

On Jan 24, 5:14 pm, me <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Good Luck if you try it and let us know how it turned out.

It was about 6F at 7:30 this morning, and getting windy. I decided to
drive to the subway. Driving is boring, but warm. My biggest concern
was not staying warm on the bike, but what would happen if I got a
flat? In that kind of cold, a roadside tube change would be difficult
if not impossible.

- Josh

01-26-2007, 11:44 AM

Josh Hassol <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> On Jan 24, 5:14 pm, me <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>> Good Luck if you try it and let us know how it turned out.
>
> It was about 6F at 7:30 this morning, and getting windy. I decided to
> drive to the subway. Driving is boring, but warm. My biggest concern
> was not staying warm on the bike, but what would happen if I got a
> flat? In that kind of cold, a roadside tube change would be difficult
> if not impossible.

Marathon Plus tires help mightily with that. I've only changed one flat
on my commuter since I put them on Oct 2005. Thankfully that was less
than a mile from work, so I just walked the rest of the way and changed
it at my leisure while I was at work.

--
Dane Buson - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Human cardiac catheterization was introduced by Werner Forssman in 1929.
Ignoring his department chief, and tying his assistant to an operating
table to prevent her interference, he placed a ureteral catheter into
a vein in his arm, advanced it to the right atrium [of his heart], and
walked upstairs to the x-ray department where he took the confirmatory
x-ray film. In 1956, Dr. Forssman was awarded the Nobel Prize.

01-26-2007, 03:36 PM

On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:38:01 -0800, Josh Hassol wrote:

> Temps (with wind chill) for my daily commute (14 miles each way):
>
> Today: 21 F . . . no problem
> Tomorrow: 9 F . . . hmmm
> Friday: -9 F . . . too cold?
>
> I have the poly-pro balaclava for under the helmet, the face mask, the
> booties, the lobster mittens, etc. But at -9F I'm thinking it may be
> smart to take a day off.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> - Josh

Here it is currently -4C with 28Km/hr North wind gusting 40Km/h
I am riding home 30 mins from now then going to visit some friends.
When I come home about midnight it is forecast to be -16C with similar
wind, (though it will be behind me) I'll let you know tomorrow how
it went. I am using a thin windblocker under the helmet, Visorgogs,
Fleece/neoprene face mask, fleece undershirt/windblocker Goretex
Jacket, Addidas windblocker thermal tights with another pair of similar
over those.Thick socks and exura winter shoes. This will be the coldest
I have tried to ride in.

-4C=25F -16C=3F

01-27-2007, 06:57 AM

anything less than 60F. is too cold.

Josh Hassol wrote:

> Temps (with wind chill) for my daily commute (14 miles each way):
>
> Today: 21 F . . . no problem
> Tomorrow: 9 F . . . hmmm
> Friday: -9 F . . . too cold?
>
> I have the poly-pro balaclava for under the helmet, the face mask, the
> booties, the lobster mittens, etc. But at -9F I'm thinking it may be
> smart to take a day off.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> - Josh

--
Tp,

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--- ( )/ ( ) ---- -\<.
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-----------------------------------------

No Lawsuit Ever Fixed A Moron...

01-28-2007, 01:18 PM

On Fri, 26 Jan 2007 05:38:36 +0100, Andy Gee wrote:

> 14 f for me in NY on Friday; I haven't ridden in cold like that for years.
> My plan is underarmor thermal, heavy flannel, fleece liner, and snowboard
> shell. Wind-proof balaclava on top and snowboard gloves; acorn fleece
> socks. I'm trying to decide on glove liners and a sweater between the
> flannel and the liner.
>
> The only thing that really gets me on a cold day is my fingers, so I'll
> probably take the glove liners with me.

The only problem for me is keeping hands, feet, and face warm enough.

Other than that I never need more than a couple of thin layers plus
windbreaker, down to about 15F. I have some Bellwether Windfront tights,
which are more than warm enough down to 5F, the coldest I've tried them in.

Lately I've been riding around town at night in the 20s F in jeans, a
normal button-down shirt, and a windbreaker with a thin fleece liner, and
even that's almost too warm. My hands get cold though, and I get "ice
cream" headaches going downhill fast with just a thin skullcap.

Try [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Matt O.