Wind Chill

Rich158
Rich158 Posts: 2,348
edited January 2009 in Commuting chat
This may have been covered before, but does anyone know if windchill factors can be applied to the speed you are doing on a bike, or is there an additional factor to be applied?

This morning my cycle computer gave up the ghost and started giving me silly readings. I checked it's operating temp range and it's supposed to work down to -10c. As it was nowhere near that cold I can only put this down to the wind chill factor dropping the temp below -10, and checking online saw that if the air temp is 0c then a wind of 10mph will drop it to an apparent -16 :shock:

I averaged just over 15mph this morning which would give me an apparent temp of -19, now it was cold, but I'm sure it wasn't that cold.
pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

Revised FCN - 2

Comments

  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Wind chill affects people, not machines. At 200mph it's still 0 degrees for the machine (though the rate the machine is cooled to 0 degrees will accelerate). Though is it different when it's wet?
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    As I understand it, it doesn't matter to the machine if its wet or not; it will just reduce the time it takes to get down to the ambient temperature.

    Wind chill is, I think, descriptive of increased rate of heat loss, which is part of what we experience as "cold" - or "hot" hot for that matter (you can pick the loaf of bread right out of the oven, but its the same temperature as the rack it is sitting on which scars you for life).

    Some smart alec will probably try to make some argument related to the venturi effect. Ignore them.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Cheers guys, physics never was my strong point. So I can assume that whilst I may feel colder my computer will still be at the ambient air temperature.

    I'm trying to determine whether my computer is giving up the ghost, in which case Evans will get it back, or whether it was just too cold for it to operate :( I'll see what it tells me on the way home.

    Still it's bloody cold on the cheeks and nose at these sort of temperatures :shock:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Rich158 wrote:
    Cheers guys, physics never was my strong point. So I can assume that whilst I may feel colder my computer will still be at the ambient air temperature.

    I'm trying to determine whether my computer is giving up the ghost, in which case Evans will get it back, or whether it was just too cold for it to operate :( I'll see what it tells me on the way home.

    Still it's bloody cold on the cheeks and nose at these sort of temperatures :shock:
    The battery won't work as well at low temperatures. If its a little low on charge, it might be okay at room temperature, but not at brass knackers temperature. The same can be said for brass knackers.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Rich158 wrote:
    Cheers guys, physics never was my strong point. So I can assume that whilst I may feel colder my computer will still be at the ambient air temperature.

    I'm trying to determine whether my computer is giving up the ghost, in which case Evans will get it back, or whether it was just too cold for it to operate :( I'll see what it tells me on the way home.

    Still it's bloody cold on the cheeks and nose at these sort of temperatures :shock:
    The battery won't work as well at low temperatures. If its a little low on charge, it might be okay at room temperature, but not at brass knackers temperature. The same can be said for brass knackers.

    Ahhh, hadn't thought about the poor old battery, that's probably why it told me I was doing 30 up Shooters Hill this morning :shock: For one second I thought I was a cycling god, and then reality set in :roll:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    You could get it a hat...

    Or I could actually start knitting cycle computer covers. I have been doing a lot of knitting lately.

    AT is right, batteries really die quickly in the cold.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    You could get it a hat...

    Or I could actually start knitting cycle computer covers. I have been doing a lot of knitting lately.

    AT is right, batteries really die quickly in the cold.

    And there I was thinking I couldn't look any more stupid on the bike :lol::lol: How about a nice little bobble hat in red and white to match the bike :wink:

    TBH i quite like it lying to me, it's always best to avoid reality when it's -3 and your out on a bike
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • Mr Sworld
    Mr Sworld Posts: 703
    I have a CM4.1 that, when it gets too cold, tells me I'm doing 156mph! :shock:

    If only......... :D
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    lost_in_thought wrote:

    AT is right, batteries really die quickly in the cold.

    agreed....and...dud batteries can (not always) have a revival (for a short time) if they are warmed up a bit, classically on a radiator.
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cee wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:

    AT is right, batteries really die quickly in the cold.

    agreed....and...dud batteries can (not always) have a revival (for a short time) if they are warmed up a bit, classically on a radiator.

    When I was a student, and batteries were a luxury item, I'd take a pair of pliers to then to extract more life.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Can the same be said about Cateye lights i.e. that they pack up when it gets cold? :?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cjcp wrote:
    Can the same be said about Cateye lights i.e. that they pack up when it gets cold? :?
    In the sense that they aren't in the least bit waterproof and have crappy buttons that stop working right when you need them, yes. :x
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Always Tyred wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Can the same be said about Cateye lights i.e. that they pack up when it gets cold? :?
    In the sense that they aren't in the least bit waterproof and have crappy buttons that stop working right when you need them, yes. :x

    Yes. Exactly. Drives me wild. How can they not withstand rain? This is Britain!
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cjcp wrote:
    Always Tyred wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Can the same be said about Cateye lights i.e. that they pack up when it gets cold? :?
    In the sense that they aren't in the least bit waterproof and have crappy buttons that stop working right when you need them, yes. :x

    Yes. Exactly. Drives me wild. How can they not withstand rain? This is Britain!
    They have a cool logo, come in up to date looking shapes and fancy packaging, and appear to be expensive. Thus, they must be good.

    The Stella Actatwat of bike lights.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I've never had a problem with my cateye lights, I have to say...

    I've knitted them all hats though ;)
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    cjcp wrote:
    Always Tyred wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Can the same be said about Cateye lights i.e. that they pack up when it gets cold? :?
    In the sense that they aren't in the least bit waterproof and have crappy buttons that stop working right when you need them, yes. :x

    Yes. Exactly. Drives me wild. How can they not withstand rain? This is Britain!

    Erm this is Britain we excel and not being prepared, unless of course johnny foreigner tries to attack us them WE KICK ARSE. :twisted:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Mr Sworld
    Mr Sworld Posts: 703
    Try using These batteries ( http://www.needbatteries.co.uk/energizer-lithium-27-c.asp ).

    They last long and have a much lower working temperature than standard AA's or AAA's.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Mr Sworld wrote:
    Try using These batteries ( http://www.needbatteries.co.uk/energizer-lithium-27-c.asp ).

    They last long and have a much lower working temperature than standard AA's or AAA's.
    And they are only twice the price. Bargain. :?
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    But if your camera can take 20 photos with normal batteries, it'll take a squillion with those, allegedly! :lol:

    Talking of little knitted hats, anybody see the little hats on, I think, Innocent smoothies?

    Took me 20mins to decide which flavour to buy! :oops:

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