Anyone like bad weather?

Have to say that, while I really enjoy cycling when it is beautiful outside, I relish the occasional partially crummy day, kind of like the one you described...

75 F, partly cloudy, slight wind - that's as bad as I want it.

Bro Deal said:

Yesterday I clicked off ninety miles. It was 45 - 55 degrees, mostly overcast with gorgeous looking clouds, occassional light rain, a little stint of heavier rain, and breezy. It got me thinking about how everyone seems to say that warm temperatures and bright clear skies are perfect cycling conditions, but my favorite conditions have always been variable, slightly bad weather conditons like what I rode through yesterday. Anyone else like not so great weather?

The weather conditions you describe are the prevalent weather conditions where I live.
With exception of perhaps one month per year, we're subject to average temperatures between 6 - 15 degrees Celsius, with variable cloud cover, moderate/strong breeze, and intermittent rain.
Typical mild Irish weather.

If the temperatures went in to the 20's (Centigrade) and I was out pedalling, I would suffer.

But as PP and lwedge are not prepared to put me so that I can accustomed to riding in warmer weather, I'll stick with the same current weather conditions!

as good as it feels to pedal in 70+ sunny weather, you have to do the cold rides/rain rides from time to time to appreciate the 70+.

that said, i'll ride comfortably when it's mid-40's, or when it's absolutely pi$$ing down rain. i'll still commute down to zero deg., as long as it's not icy slick.

Its all about the mood. After a stretch of humid days in the 80s i'd welcome a rainy day in the 50s.

I find after warming up with the right amount of clothing at 35-55, i dont even feel it, unless i dont have wind proofing on my crotch.

Started riding every day when my car died last December. Made it all thru a Northeastern, USA winter commuting/shopping/etc on 2 wheels.

Can't say I liked it but bigpedaler is right on....all the misery of winter has made the current 70+ temps 100 times sweeter.

Now.....would I ride in minus 10 wind chills if I had a car ?? Not in this lifetime.

I like riding in the rain tho.

limerickman said:

If the temperatures went in to the 20's (Centigrade) and I was out pedalling, I would suffer.

But as PP and lwedge are not prepared to put me so that I can accustomed to riding in warmer weather, I'll stick with the same current weather conditions!

LOL Lim, 20's is a horrific spring here in Rome. today, when I left the house for my pre-work ride @ 6 AM it was about 14 C and I was wearing my tights and winter cycling jacket.

I admit it, I am just a soft Southern European boy... 🙂

I almost posted this after commuting home in a balmy SE Florida downpour. I've never ridden so fast on that route (it seemed effortless) or enjoyed it more.

I enjoy riding in just about any kind of weather... Unless there's lightning... Lightning don't play...

Would you consider 40 deg C under a blazing sun as good or bad weather?

PS. No wind. 😎

Powerful Pete said:

LOL Lim, 20's is a horrific spring here in Rome. today, when I left the house for my pre-work ride @ 6 AM it was about 14 C and I was wearing my tights and winter cycling jacket.

I admit it, I am just a soft Southern European boy... 🙂

You Italians have it far too easy!!
Rub it why don't you!
20's is an horrific day.
We'd be delighted to see 20c during what we call summer!

You guys have it far too easy .......................................Nice weather, warm temperatures........pasta.......vino.

But seriously, we had a good spring weather this year (by Irish standards.......not Itialian standards).
Temp has been 13 - 17 Celsius - and it's been dry.

limerickman said:

You Italians have it far too easy!!

You guys have it far too easy .......................................Nice weather, warm temperatures........pasta.......vino.

😄 Viva l'Italia. 😄

sogood said:

Would you consider 40 deg C under a blazing sun as good or bad weather?

PS. No wind. 😎

Hhhm. Up to mid-30s is fine with me.

As a general rule no, but a couple of my best experiences on a bike have been in the pouring rain. Cycling over Dartmoor in torrential rain, that was great fun. Especially going down the other side, couldn't see because it stung my eyes so much. Other one was Rannoch moor in scotland, also torrential rain.

sogood said:

Would you consider 40 deg C under a blazing sun as good or bad weather?

PS. No wind. 😎

I would consider that the worst kind of weather. With cold you can add more clothing. With heat there is nothing you can do; and once the heat approaches body temperature, it feels like you are in an oven.

I dont dislike the bad weather. As Eldrack said, some of my favorite rides have been in pouring down rain. It once rained so hard while I was riding in NC that I could barely see and there were rivers of water running down the hills. I passed another rider and we both laughed, surprised to see another fool out riding in it. Another time I was riding back from the mountains in upstate NY and got cayght in a building storm that let loose with wind and intermittent rain. It was really exhilarating. I have about a dozen or so memorable rides like that and many that encountered bits of rain along the way.

As a general rule, I prefer to leave the house when its not raining. If I get caught on the bike in rain, so be it. I'd just rather not start in it. I certainly dont pass up on rides simply because it might rain.

All that said, my favorite weather is in the 80's with a light breeze. All of the above of course adds a bit of time to the schedule to clean the bike each time, but no biggie. It'd be rather boring always riding without wind or rain imho. The elements add a bit to the experience.

"Anyone else like not so great weather?"

Got to admit, i do like the "not so great" weather.. as long as its not "cold". To go outside and not really feel a difference (so not hot but not cold) is my preferred weather.

Hot weather is nice but if you wear yourself out, then stop.... you will feel the burning! (mind you guess thats my fault for stopping eh... what do i wanna stop for?)

Variable weather is good. A little cloudy makes it easier to keep the sun out of the eyes. It's comfortable temperature too. I like it too. I love the rain. A little bit is ok. If it is raining like a down pour of course that is good for when you aren't riding. You certainly don't need that.

I vastly prefer riding in cold, overcast weather.
Rain is okay to a point as long as it's not too windy and it doesn't get too rainy or slippery on the trails. I had one scary experience where it started raining hard halfway up through a loop on a new mountain and we ended up having to negotiate slippery, mossy rocks and mud washouts the whole time. Not fun, plus the trail was already a little past my skill level. One of the few times where I felt like I could really hurt myself.
I get over-heated really easily when I ride so I try to avoid hot days with too much sun when I can.