To Ride or Not To Ride?

[kfergos]

The question:
Would you advise me to ride Thursday or Friday?

The data:
The weather here in MA is looking chilly, and by "chilly" I mean frigid (for MA). I'm a pretty experienced winter rider; this is my 3rd winter in Massachusetts that I've ridden all the way through, and I have pretty decent warm clothes. Usually my problem is being too HOT even on cold days, except for my stupid face covering, which ices over almost immediately. And my toes and eyes, but how do you insulate those when you wear glasses? I have ridden every day but one so far this winter. Even so, in previous winters I cut off my riding at 10°F, ignoring windchill. This winter my goal was to ride no matter what the temperature, but dang, it sounds awful for the next couple days.

Tomorrow it's supposed to be 7°F in the morning and 13°F in the evening, with a 70% chance of snow during my riding times. North winds (I head mostly east and a bit north-ish on the way home) all day, up to about 10 mph in the evening.

Then Friday is supposed to be -3°F in the morning and 7°F in the evening. Both days are supposed to have some wind. West wind at 5 to 7 mph during my riding times (this translates to approximately a headwind in the morning and approximately a tailwind in the evening).

[li10up]

You sound like you might be a little crazy so I say go ahead and ride!

You wouldn't get me out in those kinds of temps though!!!!

[Biciclista]

if you can ride at 20 degrees, you can ride at 10. what's the diff? you stay warm. be safe.

don't they make goggles that fit over glasses?

[SheFly]

I'm in MA too, and will be up in ME on Friday where the temps are supposed to be slightly lower. As Mimi says, if you can ride in 20 degrees, you can ride colder.

I do suggest a face covering for sure, toe warmers in your shoes, and as suggested, possibly ski goggles over your glasses.

Stay safe, and stay warm!

SheFly (who will likely be out, snowmobiling or skiing or riding in said temps)

[Pax]

Riding at 10F, going 10mph (without factoring in any additional wind) puts you at a windchill for any exposed skin of -4F. Pretty good chance of frostbite if you leave anything at all exposed...just food for thought.

National Weather Service

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Personally I find a noticeable difference between 10F and 20F when fitness walking or snowshoeing- especially if there's a wind. I don't usually attempt to bike below 25F --unless it's sunny, no wind, and dry roads, in which case I might try a short ride.

My main worry for you is not so much the cold-- but if your tires slip on snow or ice and you then skid into the path of a car. I assume the road shoulders there in MA are piled with snow drifts and crap right now, like they are here in my area of NY- that makes for more dangerous riding when you have to ride right in the lane on the edge, near the unpredictable dirty ice patches. Do you at least have studded tires?

My personal limit is to not ride when it becomes really unpleasant or dangerous, regardless of whether I'm trying to achieve a personal riding goal or not.
Be safe out there now!

[OakLeaf]

+1 on being careful of frostbite. There's a LOT of difference between 20°F and 10. Frostbite is no fun, and even a "little" frostbite on the fingers and toes can leave you with permanently impaired circulation and cold tolerance.

I just got back from 46 miles starting at 43°F and warming to 57, wool socks, full light shoe covers, and my toes were blue even after I finished my nice warm shower. The rest of my body was perfectly warm, so it wasn't my core robbing heat from my extremities. Back when I used to have to attend continuing ed programs in places that would keep their AC at 68 or 70, my fingers would be in excruciating pain by the end of the day. That's from frostbite 35 years ago. So trust me, you don't want that.

But if you want to do it and you have the gear, go for it! You might snag some of those chemical toe warmers, if as you say your toes don't stay warm in the temps you've been riding in.

[Biciclista]

My personal limit is to not ride when it becomes really unpleasant or dangerous, regardless of whether I'm trying to achieve a personal riding goal or not.
Be safe out there now!

yes, me too. exactly. and in Seattle, if temps are close to freezing, that means there's ice on the road (and perhaps snow!) and so there's less road to ride on, making it MORE dangerous because i have to get closer to cars, so i am NOT riding.
lucky for us our days with below freezing temps are scarce, so it's easy to elect not to ride when this occurs.

[lph]

I'd say go for it if you have a personal goal, but have a back-up plan. Any buses you can take if it gets too bad? Anyone to call? If not maybe carry a thermos with a hot drink. Eat well in advance. Put on some water-free skin cream on exposed skin, be ready to jump off your bike and run a little if your feet start getting too cold. Ice is less slippery at 10 F than at 20 F, and I'm guessing you have studded tires already. I'd be more concerned about snow in the air obscuring your (and drivers') vision, and anything that might slow you down, like a strong headwind or snow on the ground.

you know all this stuff

[rocknrollgirl]

I would go for it. You can always abort the mission. I am going out today and it is cold and windy here as well. The only thing that would stop me is if your roads are not clear. We have not had any snow, so the roads are clear and dry.

[kfergos]

My main worry for you is not so much the cold-- but if your tires slip on snow or ice and you then skid into the path of a car. I assume the road shoulders there in MA are piled with snow drifts and crap right now, like they are here in my area of NY- that makes for more dangerous riding when you have to ride right in the lane on the edge, near the unpredictable dirty ice patches. Do you at least have studded tires?

I do have studded tires, really great ones that I've ridden through snow and ice with little trouble -- but I slow way down in those conditions. I've taken an hour and 25 minutes to ride 13 miles in snow. That's a long time to be out in 7°F temperatures. I do take the risk of riding in the right-hand tire path most of the time, which has gotten me almost-hit from behind at least once this season. But that's a risk I'm already accepting and dealing with as much as I can.

OakLeaf, thanks for the personal experience details about frostbite. That certainly gives me a better sense of what I could be getting myself into.

I would go for it. You can always abort the mission. I am going out today and it is cold and windy here as well. The only thing that would stop me is if your roads are not clear. We have not had any snow, so the roads are clear and dry.

"Clear and dry"? What is this "clear and dry" of which you speak? We've had snow definitely once a week and often a couple times a week since the beginning of the year.

Thank you all for responding so far!

[Crankin]

If anyone can do it, you can. But, I don't ride below 25 and rarely below 30. The wind chill factor you get from riding, even with no real wind around is not pleasant for me. Plus, there's the constant freezing and refreezing of the water/ice/snow by the side of the road, which, for a recreational rider, it's just not worth it to deal with. On the other hand, I do go out and do winter sports or hike when it's -10. I use this time to take a break from cycling, do other sports, or ride inside. I do usually get in at least one ride each winter month, when I ride my Jamis outside, instead of my road bike.

[smilingcat]

I'm irresponsible so I voted yes.

but do becareful about exposed skin and wear a ski goggle to protect your eyes.

smilingcat

[RoadRaven]

I be irresponsible too... sidles alongside Cat...
(Hi Cat )

If the road is safe (not icey), and its not driving sleet, and if you have plenty of warm stuff on, then yes... I would ride too...

But of course, I have never ridden anytime/where THAT cold.

My coldest ride was prob about 2'C with snow falling but not settling! And I raced without a jacket cause the weather closed in and I only had my shortsleeved jersey and shorts! I did put a plastic back down my front to cut down the windchill (and plastic backs over my socks. My knees were very cold at the end of it!

[Aggie_Ama]

I live in Texas and have all my life, I determined you are crazy. I believe this is a case where those instant warmers are necessary. Also don't forget your charged cell phone and maybe a flare or something. I am interested to see your ride report if you go for it.