I confess - I am a fair weather cyclist

[Brina]

I was supposed to go on my first group ride today. A beginner/intermediate, women's only ride. Yesterday was a glorious 80 degrees and sunny. This morning it is 60, windy and threatening rain. I am going to spin class. I am bummed, as I have been really looking forward to this ride ever since I learned about it two weeks ago. Last week i couldn't go since it was my daughter's preschool end of year picnic. I need to learn to stop being a weather wimp.

[KSH]

I too use to be a weather whimp.

Under 70- not riding.

Wind blowing above 10 mph- not riding

Rain- not riding


The way I got over it, was signing up for a Tri 101 program that started in February. I refused to miss my workouts, because I paid for it. So, this year... I have ridden on the coldest day of the year... I have fought 25-30 mph headwinds.

I still REFUSE to ride in the RAIN though. I just think that's dangerous.


Even though won't need to, I might join the Tri 101 program again next February. All that training early in the season helped me get out the door, and prepared for the MS150 in May.

[caligurl]

i'm still a fair weather rider.. UNLESS i've already paid for it! (case in point.... the heartbreak hundred 2 weeks ago... not only paid for... REQUIRED to get the king of the mountains jersey... it ws in the 30's... YES... i said the THIRTY's!!!!!!!!! i NEVER ride when it's that cold! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

wind i'll ride in... i have to... it's almost always windy her in the afternoons (and above 10 mph unfortunately!)

i'll go as low as the 40's... for SHORT rides in the winter... but i don't like it! so my time out on the bike really suffers!

rain... won't leave in it unless i've paid for it! have gotten caught in it...

sorry your ride was ruined! hopefully they'll have another one, soon... that you can attend!

[SandyGirl]

Me too! But my purpose for riding my bike more this summer/fall has to do with workout/fitness routine boredom. I want to get some mid-life weight off, faster, and also this adds to my indoor routine. My plans aren't to do marathon races or century rides. (famous last words???) I just want to be outdoors for my aerobic excercise and add some spice to my workouts. I have always enjoyed recreational riding so the weather has to be decent for me to ride.

[maggiedatongue]

I'm fairweather too. Ride for recreational and commuting reasons. Won't do rain but I do wind cause if I didn't, I'd never get to ride!

[Grog]

I'd rather ride in fair weather, but will ride in the rain and high wind and cold weather, because otherwise I wouldn't be riding much! I just dress appropriately and I'm fine.

When for four days at the foot of the Alps I had awful weather, raining most days. Three out of four days I went out and didn't regret it. It was beautiful and the clouds hanging in the mountains made it fantasy-like. Usually it wouldn't rain all day, but with booties and a good jacket and warm gloves (and a change of gloves in my jersey pockets) I ended up being fine...

I must say though that I'm more likely to ride in the rain in the Winter than the late-Spring like now...

[Tater]

I'll ride in pretty much anything. Commuted to work/class last fall and winter when the temps dropped below freezing, even rode in the snow. Wind I don't particularly care for, but if I waited for a light wind day around here, I'd never get a ride in! I won't go out if it is raining, but like last night's ride, I have been caught in it and don't mind too much. (Did have to spend most of the evening cleaning and lubing the bike, though.)

Brina, there is still plenty of summer left to get your rides in! Hope you make it to a group ride soon.

[Nanci]

Hmmm, I kind of like riding in rain. I love riding in rain in the summer on a paved trail. Having nice rain clothes helped me be ok with riding in cold rain. I am looking forward to testing my sandals on a nice rainy day! I think living in a warm climate influences this.

I hate cold, and especially hate wind.

Nanci

[Running Mommy]

I have one cure for fair weather-itis... Sign up for an Ironman! There are two things in play there.. If you don't do the distance in training, you won't make it to the finish line AND you paid nearly 500.00 that you'd be out!
I was forced to do some long rides in 20 degree weather last year, and I'm a cold weather WEENIE! Which of course explains why I live in Phoenix Az!! ha ha :D
Being in the desert we pretty much always have wind. I don't much notice it anymore unless it's well over 15 mph. I guess that's a good thing.

[li10up]

i'm still a fair weather rider.. UNLESS i've already paid for it! (case in point.... the heartbreak hundred 2 weeks ago... not only paid for... REQUIRED to get the king of the mountains jersey... it ws in the 30's... YES... i said the THIRTY's!!!!!!!!! i NEVER ride when it's that cold! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

I don't want to ride in the 30's but send us some of that cooler weather. It's already in the mid 90s here!

[makbike]

I'm proud to be a fair weather cyclist. I won't ride when it is wet, I hate to be wet. I won't ride when it's cold, I hate to be cold more than I hate to be wet and I love to ride when it is hot and humid. I would prefer to ride on a windless day but I realize that is pushing it. If I'm going to be wet and/or cold I figure I might as well stay at home for I won't be having fun and that is what is all about or at least that is what it is all about for me. I figure there is always tomorrow.

[mimitabby]

I'm proud to be a fair weather cyclist. I won't ride when it is wet, I hate to be wet. I won't ride when it's cold, I hate to be cold more than I hate to be wet and I love to ride when it is hot and humid. I would prefer to ride on a windless day but I realize that is pushing it. If I'm going to be wet and/or cold I figure I might as well stay at home for I won't be having fun and that is what is all about or at least that is what it is all about for me. I figure there is always tomorrow.

but Makbike when you ride don't you GET wet from sweating there where you live?

I don't like to ride when it's wet out, but sometimes (living in Seattle)
i haven't much choice.

[Geonz]

I used to be a fair weather rider, but as the addiction has taken over, I just can't draw the line. I've found that I don't dissolve (and rain is not significantly more dangerous here - not talking lightning or major deluges), I don't freeze (my hands don't even get numb with reasonable gloves), and I'm more comfortable at 35 than 95 degrees any time.
However, I am **hoping** that my historically excellent good fortune with weather will hold up this week on the GITAP ride! Taking off tomorrow for Rochelle... we successfully stuffed my Xtracycle *and* a recumbent into the back of a Protege with room for two passengers and gear!!! Mirabile dictu!!! (we did a practice run today)

[caligurl]

I don't want to ride in the 30's but send us some of that cooler weather. It's already in the mid 90s here!

the 30 degree weather was two weeks ago... about 3 hours from me.... we drove to the organized ride... here... where i live... it's been in the 100's in the afternoon's by the time i get home from work and can ride!

[Brina]

thanks ladies, I feel like less of a weinie now. Part of the problem is I don't have appropriate clothing. I also had an excellent spin class as an alternative this morning. Apparently, I need to do some more shopping.

[makbike]

[QUOTE=mimitabby]but Makbike when you ride don't you GET wet from sweating there where you live?QUOTE]

Mimitabby, it is a different kind of wet and one I don't mind. I can take the hot, humid conditions any day (I'm very cold natured most likely due to my thyroid issues). However, I hate to feel my socks swimming in pools of rain water in my shoes, not to mention how hard it is to see when my glasses are covered in rain. I don't mind the sweat, in reality it keeps me cool as I buzz around the back roads here.

[hirakukibou]

I agree makbike. I hate riding when there are puddles in my shoes. Although I am getting more tolerant of cold and want to be able to ride in all weather. Hmmm. I guess I need to go shopping too.

[makbike]

I've got the wind tights, the wool tights, the winter jersey, jacket, hat, gloves, shoe covers, etc and I still get cold. To be more specific my hands and feet are the problem. I had a minor case of frost bite on my hands and feet in college and since that stupid mistake my hands and feet get cold quickly, go numb and then start to ache severly. So though I have all the cold weather "stuff" I hate to ride when it is cold, typically won't go out if it is below 50F - not much of a threshold I agree but it beats soaking my appendages in bowls/sinks of warm water in an attempt to restore circulation.

[Dianyla]

To be more specific my hands and feet are the problem. I had a minor case of frost bite on my hands and feet in college and since that stupid mistake my hands and feet get cold quickly, go numb and then start to ache severly.
What you're describing sounds a lot like Raynaud's disease (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/raynaud.html), which can be caused by frostbite damage.

[pyxichick]

Brina,

Sorry to hear that you missed your first group ride because of the weather. I went on my first group ride on Tuesday and it was wonderful! All women from a local team/club and they took us on some really hilly roads that challenged me in a way I would've never challenged myself if I was alone.

It's worth making it to the group ride next time. And the right clothing makes any weather tolerable.

[salsabike]

I don't have Reynaud's but have always had trouble keeping hands and feet warm. I went to REI this winter and said, "Show me your warmest stuff for feet and hands", and left with great Sugoi Resistor Bike Booties and very warm ski gloves. I do ride year-round here no matter what the weather is doing (unless there's lots of snow or ice). Having the gear that keeps you warm and dry is the key. That includes a good, ventilated rain jacket, helmet cover, rain pants. Sometimes I wear two pairs of gloves, one thin, one very warm. I can ride in temperatures in the low 30s, and in even heavy rain, with no problem, as long as I wear the booties, smartwool socks, and the ski gloves.

[Selkie]

Unless it's icy/snowy or pouring rain, I ride. I'm with Nanci--riding in the rain can be peaceful, so long as you're extra mindful about your reduced stopping ability and the potential to hit slippery spots. Yesterday, I got caught in the rain. Had the trail pretty much to myself, which was wonderful. The worst ride ever was last winter---11 degrees---my gatorade froze.

[margo49]

When I was "young" (or on my Big OE for the kiwi's on the forum) I messenger-ed for 2 years in Central London on a beat up blue Raleigh. :cool:
As I said... London; i.e. cloud every day (well 362/year), rain about 1/2 the time and snow in the winter when all the other companies were off the roads and ours made a mint .
That cured me of all-weather riding for *life*

However I do occasionally go out in the rain (which is even more occasional in this part of the world) just for the sheer joy of it :D

[Kitsune06]

Hear, hear.

Living in Eugene, we went about a year without a vehicle at all. That winter cured me of fairweatheritis for good. That and a good set of rain gear. =) With all that, I really actually enjoy biking in rain- the harder the better as long as my eyes are protected (Hate, Hate, Hate rain melting my hair gel and making my eyes sting!)

...and afterwords, my bike gets well-dried and re-lubed with love.

[KnottedYet]

didn't UK post something about "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing"?

I like riding in light rain, if I'm on a bike path. Being on the road isn't much fun, because I assume cars can't see me at all and I get nervous. The rain itself isn't the issue for me, it's the traffic IN the rain with me!

[Geonz]

Our bike paths cross too many driveways and roads - talk about being INVISIBLE! - so I set all my lights a-blinkin' and have my brights on. Can't remember the last time it rained when I was doing a non-commute ride.

[Nanci]

I've had some _really_ exciting MTB rides in rain- downpours where the trail is six inches under water! I _do_ worry about falling trees, though. But it's really fun, in the summer.

Nanci

[mimitabby]

So though I have all the cold weather "stuff" I hate to ride when it is cold, typically won't go out if it is below 50F - not much of a threshold I agree but it beats soaking my appendages in bowls/sinks of warm water in an attempt to restore circulation.

I hate to go out when it's below about 44 degrees. And I have all the gear too.
There has been more than one ride that I boycotted, to my husband's great disappointment. I have no desire to have ice crystals form on my body!

An older male rider talked me into getting these big fat fluffy gloves to go OVER my bike gloves on cold mornings. They are great. I got them at REI and they resist rain as well. I wore them for a 3 hour walk in the rain once, and it was only the last 30 minutes that i started feeling the damp and cold.

[DebW]

I can ride comfortably down to about 30F, but I try to avoid ice. That means that if the overnight temperature has been at or near freezing and there has been recent rain, I won't ride in the morning. If there is snow on the sides of the road and the temperature has been above freezing during the day and below freezing at night, I won't ride in the morning. Doing the morning commute to work in the spring is often not doable because of icy roads, or those occassional ice patches. But sometimes I get lucky and the roads are dry, so below freezing is OK then.

[Brandi]

Hmmm, I kind of like riding in rain. I love riding in rain in the summer on a paved trail. Having nice rain clothes helped me be ok with riding in cold rain. I am looking forward to testing my sandals on a nice rainy day! I think living in a warm climate influences this.

I hate cold, and especially hate wind.

Nanci
Nanci! You keep changing your pic's! i am reading down and I was all "who is this Nanci?" Then I saw your bird! And realized there can't be two with a pigeon? You look so different in every photo!

[Denise223]

Living in New England, I love the fall & winter A LOT!! Summer has always been my least favorite season, given the heat & humidity.

But........since my husband and I didn't start cycling until earlier this month, I really am enjoying & adapting to our warm weather, (thus far), quite well! :) Of course, summer really starts TODAY!

We've been out in reasonably warm (97 & humid) weather already and I really don't mind it at all. I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer out here & enjoying riding, no matter the temperature.

Not looking to rush 2006 by any means, but.....next year, it will be great to start riding in March...when the snow has melted!

Have a great day all!

Denise

[Crankin]

I can do down to about 40-42 on the road. My speed gets slower, though. I have all of the gear. Bought toe warmers for X country skiing and was going to use them for cycling, but never did. I wear wool socks below 60-65 and booties sometimes at 50 or a little above. Definitely wear them in the forties. I can't stand cold feet. My full fingered gloves are OK in the 50s. I have a pair of of Amphib gloves that I wear mtb, that I'll wear on the road if it's in the 40s, but they sort of interfere with my shifting a little. I'll mtb down in the 30s, but only if there's no ice. I don't do rain, either,unless it starts while I'm out there. I guess that's wimpy. I did ride every month this past year, but only because of our unusually warm days we had at least one day each month.

[MomOnBike]

I call myself a weather wimp, too, I just go in the other direction. Rain? I can deal (up to a point). Wind? Strength training, baby. Cold? Freezing ain't bad, much below that is iffy, if only because of the ice. William tends to go down on ice, so I stay away from icy patches but the cold is kind of invigorating.

HOWEVER Heat & humidity will put me in the house snapping at everyone. I melt. I get mean. I really don't like the feeling of sweat on my skin. I itch. Yuck.

Yup, I'm a weather wimp. I want clear cold winter days - all year round.

Mom(inside because of humidity & heat)OnBike

[Geonz]

Me too, me too!
For the first time this year I turned the AC on yesterday... at 11:30 at night 'cause that's when I got home, and I didn't have an alarm clock in the basement. Tonight I move down there :-)

[mimitabby]

I call myself a weather wimp, too, I just go in the other direction. Rain? I can deal (up to a point). Wind? Strength training, baby. Cold? Freezing ain't bad, much below that is iffy, if only because of the ice. William tends to go down on ice, so I stay away from icy patches but the cold is kind of invigorating.
Yup, I'm a weather wimp. I want clear cold winter days - all year round.

Mom(inside because of humidity & heat)OnBike

Gee, you sound like a perfect match for our weather here in Seattle!