How cold does it have to be to stop you?

[Nokomis]

I'm still working on getting the right gear for really cold riding.

Last winter I showed up for the ride, as bundled up as I could be. I don't remember the exact temperature when we rolled out. I made it to the first intersection, and proceeded to turn right, circle the block, and end my ride straight away. The cold on the bridge of my nose, between my eyes was so intense I was getting an instant headache - that was too cold for me.

Fortunately, a few of my friends in the club opted for breakfast instead of a ride, so we hung out at the coffee shop for a couple hours.

[redrhodie]

Thanks BSG! I just ordered a pair, toroiseshell for me, too! I bet these will help. Even today, when it was a balmy 48º, my eyes watered on that hill.

Yes they are VERY comfortable. So comfy that I'm not usually even noticing that I'm wearing two sets of glasses! Most people are amazed too, when I take off my sunglasses and have eyeglasses on underneath. Like that funny scene in the movie Airport where he's so 'cool' in his sunglasses, and then he whips them off to reveal another pair of sunglasses underneath...and another! (anyone remember that?)
They are all plastic so they don't get so cold on my face. they eliminate glare from the sun while riding, and many is the time when pebbles and bees have bounced off them at 35mph- I cringe to think what that might have done to my expensive graduated prescription lenses! They totally stop the wind because they even wrap to your face at the top. They look like typical 'movie stat' glasses.
I recently bought a second pair just in case I lose my first pair.
here is what I get, one size fits all, I like the tortoiseshell:
http://www.eagleeyes.com/products/staclips/fitons.lasso
Here is a photo of me wearing them:
http://harmonias.com/L_riding1DSC02460.jpg
(that's a little helmet mirror sticking out front by the way)

As to cold feet, my choice of using PowerGrip straps instead of being clipless really is an advantage in winter, since I get to wear my heavy warm insulated hiking boots and several yummy pairs of wool socks.

[denda]

Ok, go ahead, I'm ready for it. Call me a wimp!
I don't ride if it is below 70.
I prefer the 90's.

[Aggie_Ama]

Ok, go ahead, I'm ready for it. Call me a wimp!
I don't ride if it is below 70.
I prefer the 90's.

Wimp! Just kidding, I whine if it is below 60 and usually try to make up excuses why I don't want to go. I would much rather run if it gets below 60, warm up in a hurry and done with a hard workout quicker and straight to a hot shower. You get real cold in your part of our lovely state, how long to you garage the bike? At least I have plenty of trees to break up the wind.

[redrhodie]

Ok, go ahead, I'm ready for it. Call me a wimp!
I don't ride if it is below 70.
I prefer the 90's.

70 ??! C'mon! You're kidding, right?

Well, I know you're not. I guess we're even. I don't like 90. I've done it, but it doesn't make me happy.

[denda]

We rode the Hotter N Hell Hundred on Aug. 23rd. I have been on my bike once since then.
Unless we have a warm winter, we will not ride again until March or April, depending on the Spring winds.
I also prefer to jog when it is cold, not ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Arrrrgghhhh!!!! Geezer Googles!!! Nooooooooooo!!!!! Say it ain't so!

Funny, I don't feel much like a geezer when I'm riding my bike.

[redrhodie]

Funny, I don't feel much like a geezer when I'm riding my bike.

I think they're cool, and I'm no geezer. Jackie O would have loved them. I think they're the ultimate. I hope they look as good on me!

[Brandi]

I am a total california wimp!. If it is in the 40's I don't like to ride. I know that is terrible. I haven't ridden in over a month right now because of being out of town for work so at this moment I would take and temp to ride! Only two more days and I am back for a few months!

[wackyjacky1]

I rode to work this morning -- it was about 44 degrees. I, too, am a South Texas cold-weather wimp, so I was a little hesitant to venture out, but it turned out to be no problem at all. Based on my experience this morning, I think I'd be good down to about 35 degrees, but I don't know if I could handle it if it got much lower than that. Better cold-weather clothes would be a must for that 35-40 degree range. Fortunately it rarely gets much colder than that down here!

(Today I wore the shorts and t-shirt that I wear at work, plus a long-sleeved t-shirt, half-finger gloves, and my new-to-me, lightweight-but-stinky illumilite* jacket. I was very comfortable.)



*see my thread in the apparel forum

[pardes]

Here is a photo of me wearing them:
http://harmonias.com/L_riding1DSC02460.jpg
(that's a little helmet mirror sticking out front by the way)

Awwww. That's exactly what I thought you would look like....cute as a button!

Good gawd, I just turned into my grandmother saying, "cute as a button."

[7rider]

Funny, I don't feel much like a geezer when I'm riding my bike.

Nor do you look like one....
it's just.......well........

[Jenerator]

On my coldest commute, I left the house at -9F, not too bad so long as I didn't go much faster than 15mph, then the tops of my legs started to notice the added wind chill. Neoprene face mask & goggles kept my face happy. The ride home was brutal though. Winds came in, which warmed things up, but the headwind made for a much longer ride!

As a friend once said "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices" If I layer correctly, I can be pretty happy for a while down to about 0F, below that, I don't have good enough boots or gloves to be happy for long.

[PamNY]

What an interesting discussion. I enjoyed the replies and the detailed information about clothing and other gear will be helpful. I have the world's worst watery eyes in cold weather -- I live close to the World Trade Center and that's the only post-9/11 symptom I still have. I signed up for the health surveys but they haven't asked about watery eyes yet.

I don't think I will tackle ice or snow yet. I've come close to wiping out on a Xootr from black ice and don't want to do that on a bike. Although biking on a frozen pond would be fun. I wonder if they'd let me on the ice rinks with a bike?

The length of time it takes to warm up on a bike may be a factor for me. I already envy the runners who can get moving right away.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Those of you who bike in serious cold and ice are inspiring -- whether I will follow your example or simply admire you from indoors remains to be seen.

Pam

[TrekTheKaty]

After this morning, the question is how windy? It was 50 degrees and and we rolled out with 2 light layers for a short, hilly ride. However, the wind kicked up and then my nose starting running. SO next time, I'll remember the kleenex. (weather was reporting "gusting to 18" when we got back to the house--no wonder I was having trouble holding my line).