Today’s QoW is one that several readers have suggested recently, as the weather has turned colder. Instead of offering a straight range of temperatures as choices, it seemed more appropriate to base the choices on how cold it gets where you live, PLUS a set number of degrees. (The fact is, if you’re used to living in a certain climate – especially a cold one – it’s more likely that your tolerance (and winter riding apparel) is synced up to that particular climate.)
(We really need to replenish our stock of Questions! Please submit you own QoW ideas using the Question of the Week Ideas link.)
As it gets to -20F here I had to put other as 30F is too cold for me. I do know people who ride all winter however. One of them uses studded tires.
Here on the Wet Coast November is the month the weather often turns for the worse. It’s not necessarily the temperature that dissuades me from biking, average Fall and Winter temperatures here are in the range of 0 – 10 degrees Celsius, (about 32 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit), but the converging factors of shorter days, lots more rain, and gusty winds can really affect my desire to get out there and ride
Still, that being said, there are not shortages of remedies for bad weather. Extra front and rear lighting, excellent waterproof clothing and additional protection for my face and hands usually means that there is not a single day in November where I cannot ride if I am determined to do so.
Last year, I made a conscious decision to park my bike for November through January. This year, with gasoline costing more (1.45 per liter, and my daily, 32 (20 mile) commute costing about $4.00 – $5.00 in gas each day, I have an added incentive to keep riding. An extra $5.00/day sure comes in handy, and means that I get to leave my pickup truck in my driveway with a full tank of gas.
So, I’ve decided to keep riding through November this year. I’ll see how it goes.