Commuting Temperatures

topcat33
topcat33 Posts: 57
edited November 2008 in Commuting chat
Hi All,

I've commuted in the UK for years, we've just moved to Calgary, Canada and It's got a bit nippy recently!, we've had snow three times this week which is great fun to ride in. Less fun is the ice from the -9 temperatures at night, i've slid off three times this week!

It's only going to get colder here over the next few months and I've been asked at what temperature I say no to the bike ride.

I intend to give it a go all the way through the winter but it got me thinking, is there a temperature where it's unsafe to ride in? What's the coldest anyone here has rode in?

Comments

  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    They race in sub zero temperatures in alaska, or used to in the race called Iditabike.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    The problem you are going to have is cycling with any speed in the very cold temperatures, since it will displace the warm air around your face etc.

    I have friends from Calgary and, althought they might be playing it down (and perhaps I've been lucky) they do suffer from astonishingly cold snaps, but for the most part, the temperatures linger in the +5 to -5 range during the day. I wasa there in Jan/Feb two years ago and there wasn't even snow on the ground.

    I don't think your entire winter will be a write-off, but your UK gear is not going to be enough.
  • Tailend Charlie
    Tailend Charlie Posts: 35
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
  • Belv
    Belv Posts: 866
    Sounds like some ice-spike tyres are needed to keep you upright. I agree you need to speak to the locals and have a look at www.icebike.org

    I've yet to experience the temperature that stops me commuting, but even 'cold' is pretty mild really here in the SE.
  • Nick6891
    Nick6891 Posts: 274
    i have come off on ice many times, but in the UK i dont bother using studded tires as its so rare we need them, if i was in Canada on the other hand i would seriously consider them
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
    Whistler is about 15 hours drive from Calgary, and is not in the Rockies.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I take my hat of to you Topcat. I was too much of a wimp this morning, an extra half an hour in bed was a better prospect than the cold wind!!!!
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • Tailend Charlie
    Tailend Charlie Posts: 35
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
    Whistler is about 15 hours drive from Calgary, and is not in the Rockies.
    who said Whistler was in the rockies? And it's a sight easier to drive there from Calgary than it is from here.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    When we had a bad cold spell a few years back I had to resort to balaclava and Oakley goggles to keep my face warm the only problem with this was when I needed to drink.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
    Whistler is about 15 hours drive from Calgary, and is not in the Rockies.
    who said Whistler was in the rockies? And it's a sight easier to drive there from Calgary than it is from here.
    And its Banff.
  • nwallace
    nwallace Posts: 1,465
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
    Whistler is about 15 hours drive from Calgary, and is not in the Rockies.
    who said Whistler was in the rockies? And it's a sight easier to drive there from Calgary than it is from here.

    It's like telling someone from Edinburgh they are near all the west end shows in London. It's still going to bit of a holiday to go there.
    Do Nellyphants count?

    Commuter: FCN 9
    Cheapo Roadie: FCN 5
    Off Road: FCN 11

    +1 when I don't get round to shaving for x days
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    nwallace wrote:
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Tailend Charlie wrote:
    Calgary you lucky.... with Whistler and Banf and the whole of the Rockies to hand. Just fantastic biking country.

    It can get very cold out there, -20 or worse. The tricky part is balancing the heat you generate with the heat you lose, especially once you are up to speed as AT describes. Talk to the locals, Canadian biking gear will be designed with Canadian winters in mind, and will almost certainly be better (and probably cheaper!) than uk gear for the circumstances.
    Whistler is about 15 hours drive from Calgary, and is not in the Rockies.
    who said Whistler was in the rockies? And it's a sight easier to drive there from Calgary than it is from here.

    It's like telling someone from Edinburgh they are near all the west end shows in London. It's still going to bit of a holiday to go there.
    Yeah, but if you live in the Faroe Islands.... oh wait, you are agreeing with me.

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