I won't ride my bike if it's going to be colder than......

[carlotta]

Current commute (11 mi one way), I'll ride down to about 15 F, that's the point when my feet get too cold despite my best efforts, and it's not cold enough long enough here to buy dedicated winter boots/shoes. It takes some mental fortitude to get out the door when it's 35/raining, but it's worth it to see the co-workers faces when they realize I rode to work I'll take the train if it's too icy, since it won't stay cold long enough to bother with the studs the past couple years...

Old commute (2 mi one way), I rode down to about 5 F, it was short enough that the extremities stayed warm....and we didn't get that many days that cold, so I'd challenge myself to do it

Non-commute riding, probably 35 F if it's going to be sunny and not super windy.

Of course, it's 55 F and foggy this morning, so I was way too hot halfway to work despite losing several items of clothing from the recent commute wardrobe....

[withm]

My rule starts with 50o, sunny, and no wind. Once the temps fall below 50, I need two of the 3 conditions to ride. So over the years I've accumulated a lot of warm bike clothes and will pretty much ride down to about 33o as long as it's sunny. However at those temps, I may not stay out much more than an hour to an hour and a half.

I break out my toasty warm Sidi winter shoes at around 42o, and wear Smartwool socks, Terry heavy cold weather winter tights, and 2 layers on top, topped with Goretex shell style jacket, and sometimes a down vest. Smart wool ear warmer or balaclava. PI lobster claw mitts. All this technical clothing is a real game changer for me.

[maillotpois]

Like Eden, I don't really have a limit unless it is both raining and cold (below 35). We did a 200k this December where the average temp was 41 and it rained for the latter half of the ride (we really thought/hoped it wouldn't rain). That was more miserable than the ride I did a couple weeks later where it was below freezing (but dry) for 3 hours - warming to the late 40s later on.

[IBrakeforPastry]

It depends on the type of ride, and other weather factors (wind, precipitation). Unfortunately, I have a very limited range of comfortable temps. Below 60 and my sinuses really start to act up and I end up with a headache which cancels out any ride enjoyment. A few days ago it went up to 50 (almost a record) and I rode my old bike home from the LBS where it was getting a tune-up and some new life breathed into it. I might ride to the store in colder temps, but only if there isn't much wind. We also get a lot of snow here which obviously makes riding different, but the mounds of snow reduce visibility and passing space. And at the other end, I don't tolerate heat well, either.

[Catrin]

I prefer to ride in temps 40 and up - I've cold-air induced asthma and it doesn't have to be THAT cold for me to have problems on the bike. I have ridden in colder temps if there wasn't any wind and lots of sunshine, but I am getting wimpier where this is concerned. I prefer to go hiking or just walking when it is colder.

[Swan]

Not if it's below 15F. We live in Florida for my da (who's a hot weather kind of person), but I love the cold best. I like to go outside and do my outdoorsy stuff in the winter, especially in the 25F-45F range. It doesn't get like that often... mostly at night... but I have gotten in a couple rides in this past year that were in the 30s.

[lph]

I should add that I find riding in rain and just above freezing a LOT colder than riding well below freezing... cold rain har a way of seeping in everywhere.

[Bike Writer]

Under 40F becomes really iffy but more dependent on conditions than a number on the thermometer. The roads or trails must be snow and ice free, I'm not equipped to ride in slippery conditions. I've taken a couple of rides in 30'ish temps and slightly below but it needs to be sunny with no wind and those are short rides just for the sake of getting out. I don't have cold weather cycling clothes and my skiing and ice fishing clothes are too bulky. I don't do either of those sports anymore and confine myself to the indoor trainer when it's 40's F and below. I ride for fun and for me it's just not much fun sub 50's.