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How cold can you go
So was just curious...if I am wimping out unnecessarily...How cold/What kinda temps are you riding outside in? What are you wearing? and are you doing quality work or JRA?
I was ok in the mid 40's...recently though we have been in the 30's and I simply have bagged going outside...but then this morning I saw a few guys bike commuting in the AM...it was like 30 outside?....but they were pretty bundled and not "doing a workout"
Is it worth doing some outside riding just for saddle time and endurance at this point of the year...or skip it and stick inside with the Work?
Would you have the same answer if you had an early season IM (May)...and thought you might not get outside again until April?
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Up until I stopped going to work 4 days a week (now its about 5/month), I would regularly bike commute 10 miles each way in almost all weather. My IF for that was about 65-70%, so I was not doing intervals or long steady state (too worried about not being a traffic statistic). But my mantra was:
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing"
Although snow or ice on the road surface would keep me in my car. Of note, I was doing the commuting on my standard road bike with 23c tires, with fenders and a rear rack added - it's actually more like a cross bike with wide space between the stays for fenders.
As to doing the VO2 or FTP workouts outside, I'd say, not in the rain or sub-freezing, otherwise, just dress properly and find a safe place.
The coldest I've gone cycling is probably the mid-30s for a group ride. I refuse to go if ice, or snow, as I like my bones to not be broken.
Last year, I had big plans to cycle to work, but only ended up cycling in to work one time due to time and training constraints. Besides, I was getting better workous on the trainer during the week so I went with it. Also, the courses of home ot gym, and gym to work are not very bike friendly.
If it is dry outside, mid-30sF for the bike. If raining, 50F but I usually won't go out if it is already raining. Will ride in the rain if I get caught in it. No riding on ice or snow covered streets regardless of temp.
For running, I'll run in anything down to -10F wind chill. Won't run if chance of lighting.
I'm with Al on the "no bad weather...." concept. I won't bike if the roads are snowy/icy, but I'll run in pretty much anything. Once it starts to go negative I'll go inside. I did IMSG a couple of years ago and tried to stay outside as much as possible for the longer rides on the weekend. Luckily the snow/ice in CO wasn't that bad that year so I didn't get stuck inside on too many weekends.
Much below 15F and it doesn't work for me. I've invested in top of the line cold weather cycling apparel over the years and it's paid off, big time. I hate indoor workouts and I avoid them like the plague. Plus it helps that I live in the most moderate climate in the North East.
Now that I'm riding a velomobile it really doesn't matter; I'm toasty warm no matter how cold it is.
For workouts or even just group rides with some of the EN and other folks locally we ride until it gets to about high-30's after that it's miserable and the bike goes on the trainer. And once it's on the trainer it stays there until the weather gets CONSISTENTLY better...i.e. 50's in the springtime...
Rain? Cross bike just for fun.... I learned some scary lessons this year riding my roadie on carbon wheels when I got caught in a downpour I was not expecting.
For me, 40's is where I really have to convince myself to ride. My main issues are toes and face. I have toe covers, which helps a ton. A balaclava works pretty well for the face, but then I have lots of fogging glasses, especially when climbing at lower speeds.
Biking: has to be above 30 degrees and no fog.
This is exactly why the temperature has to be projected to get above freezing within the first hour of the ride. I know my routes pretty well, and once the temps get above 32 the roads don't stay iced in those areas where they might be bad. If the temp's going to be below freezing the whole time, I'm out.
40F and dry for the bike, 20F and not dangerous (e.g. no electrical storms, no ice-storms..) for the run. This means I generally bike indoors early-Nov..early Mar, and I run outdoors with very few exceptions.
For the run, nothing less than 40F unless it's a race - then I can brave just about anything.
If it starts raining while I'm already out (riding or running), no choice but to continue. But if it's raining before I start, then I'm less and less inclined to start in the first place.
Down here in S TX, I don't even get out of bed unless it's in the fifties. I drive a desk for a living and have delicate skin. In fact, if the thermostat drops below 72 at the office, I'd probably contact the ACLU. I'd probably draw the line at riding at 60. Brrrr. (Hate if you must.)
Bart - if that was my standard I'd never make it outside.
x2 Bart. I would be in bed from october to may.