What do you consider bad weather for riding?

[lph]

I almost only commute, 8 miles each way, and today I rode in in -10, -11 deg C, that's 12-14 deg F. And I wasn't cold at all - a single layer of good quality thermal underwear, shorts and AmFib tights, Gore softshell jacket, wool socks, regular shoes and neoprene booties. Most important was a windproof helmet liner, a Buff over my nose and big PI lobster gloves.

But the snow was H*ll! It was liberally mixed with salt, so I had this awful slushy mixture all over my bike, packing up my chainring and re-freezing... I could only use the 3 or 4 largest rings in back, all the smallest ones were clogged. Snow is worse than cold.

But I know Geonz is way ahead of me in the cold statistics - come on, Sue, pipe up

[Mr. Bloom]

For the first time today, I saw an amish buggy while commuting from Home#1 to Home #2. It was 13 degrees F and the wind was about 20mph and snowing. I wonder what they do without technology like:

thermal underwear, shorts and AmFib tights, Gore softshell jacket, wool socks, regular shoes and neoprene booties.

I will admit that they were so wrapped up, they looked more "American Ninja" than "Amish".

You've got to admire someone who wants so hard to get from point A to point B...they must have some common personality traits as cyclists.

[tattiefritter]

Won't ride on the road if there is ice about (fallen off and hurt myself doing that), offroad is still fair game though. I'll quite happily ride in temperatures down to about -5C but as it very rarely gets stupidly cold in the UK I've not really had to test myself further. My nose does run and fingers toes take a while to warm up but usually do.

If its over 30mph gusts then I definitely won't ride on road but I'll still generally be up for offroad unless its raining/snowing horizontally to go along with it. Rain (without strong winds) is generally not a problem, if you don't ride in the rain in the UK then you won't ride much!

I'm rubbish in heat though - I think about 25C is about my limit, doesn't often get hotter than that here. Ideal is about 15 - 20C sunny day with a little breeze.

[uk elephant]

Cold I can handle. I commuted by bike to school most days through the winter when I was living in Illinois and it got VERY cold at times (windchills well below 0F). Heat on the other hand, I cannot cope with. I tend to overheat and collapse when it gets above 25C (whatever that is in F). That will be my biggest challenge when I get to CA in June to do the aids ride....hmm....helmet with ice packs?

[Crankin]

Well, I would say I am in the middle. I used to have the same "tolerance" as Emily, but somehow, this year, I've done more in the cold. I will start rides or go out if it's in the high 30's. Lower than that, it's not fun to me, especially if there's wind! I use chemical warmers for temps in the 30's. I don't purposely ride in the rain. That would be a gym day, or a hiking day for me. No snow riding, either. I have ridden in downpours, which sucks, and light rain, which I can tolerate, but don't like because of road conditions. I can do trail riding down in the 20's, as long as there's no ice.
I have ridden in 98 F, but I don't love that! If it's very hot and humid, I tend to go out early or late, or stay inside in the AC! Well, with all of these likes and dislikes, I still managed to ride 3,000 miles this year.