Thursday, December 16, 2010

What is Your Cut-Off Temperate?

A couple of days ago BDD and me got into a Twitter debate over when you should cancel the outdoor ride and move your rig to the trainer.  He said 33 degrees and my new cutoff temp is 38 degrees (after such a ride on Sunday).  This is sort of like the Boxers vs Briefs or Taste Great vs Less Filling debates - not really a right or wrong everyone has their own level of comfort with cold.  Well, this is what I used to think until I found this handy little chart that tells you what is the appropriate riding temps and it even goes a step further and takes into account wind!  Enjoy:

(CLICK IMAGE to Expand)

So what is your cut-off temperatures? (For the record, I was in Jens Factor 4 on Sunday - not pleasant).

Thanks for Reading,

Jeff

Ps - I have no idea what "Jens Factor" is supposed to mean - probably someone names Jen came up with this  ? IDK?

29 comments:

  1. 25 for riding, 20 for running, water temp 68

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  2. My cut-off for the pool is under 55 degrees! I know you didn't ask that, but I can relate. And I'm going indoors right now no matter what the weather for recovery rides (and until it gets light again at 0530). You folks who ride and run in sub-40 temps on the mainland ROCK!

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  3. Jens Voigt is a big European cyclist in the Pro ranks across the pond. He has been riding for years and is known for how tought he is. I don't think they get much tougher than him. It took a faceplant @ 60mph to finally knock him out of Le Tour.

    Not sure about my running cutoff as the coldest I have ever ran in is 15, but riding is around 38 (without wind).....wind makes the biking temperature VERY variable.

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  4. Serious hard core all you guys who have posted a sub 40 F cutoff. I think mine is 50 F.

    But I will run in sub 5 F temps with windchill below zero..now THAT I can handle!!

    D

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  5. I am a complete cold wuss when it comes to riding, so my temp. cutoff is pretty high...probably in the 50s..ha ha! Running though, that's another story. I'll run in the 30s, but not below...brrr!

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  6. I can only answer based on running however when its down to oh say 18 then I can't stop complaining in order to breathe when running! If there is wind then anything under 25 just hurts too much. I stay pretty covered yet that area on my face that is still exposed gives me a wicked headache.

    I have not perfected the outside running apparel thing though either.

    I wear shoes if its below 35 or so depending on if there is wind and or sun.
    I am trying to love winter, I really am......

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  7. 20 degrees for running outside and 40 for riding because I do no have the gear to keep warm!

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  8. The cut off for my feet seems to be about 60 degrees, 50 for everything else.

    Jens Voigt is a rider for Saxo Bank. Since he is a total pussy and drafts, plus never swims before a race stage, I'm not surprised you don't know him.

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  9. 10 degrees F. You just have to wear more layers. Fortunately I have a good selection of winter gear. It takes longer to get ready for running/biking outdoors, but I hate the treadmill so I'll go out in just about any temp.

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  10. I love the variety of comments- I will admit I am a fair weather rider, which is why I am probably not a triathlete! For riding anything under 45F is too cold for me. For running, so far I have not found my coldest. Of course I have done a fair share of ice climbing and winter hiking in the past, so it needs to be really, really cold.

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  11. The 33 degrees is because its above freezing and you dont have to worry about ice, if ice wasnt a factor, I could do colder, because of our climate, we all have cold gear. Just like we wouldnt last riding in Texas in August

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  12. My bike has been on the trainer since September, but I'll run outside the entire winter.

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  13. I am with Derek man. Anything under 50 degrees I AM OUT. If its not enjoyable I am not doing it. I bought a trainer for a flipping reason man haha.

    Running however, I have run in sub zero temps and not had issues. Slow, but was able to deal with it.

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  14. 65 or so... unless the wind is out of the north, then 70F.

    And if it is over 85F and 90% humidity.... I'm staying in.

    Same's true for race day. If it is below 65 in the morning, after the swim, I prefer to get a latte and sit at a cafe by the side of the road and wait until around 10am when it is a little warmer to hit the bike course.

    Could you scope out The Woodlands for me and see if there are any nice cafes I could chill and have a cup of joe at after the swim??

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  15. For riding about 40. For running. I went out thsi week when it was 18, but I cut it short because the wind was KICKING!!!

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  16. I am an idiot so it takes alot for me to call off a ride, particularly if I am training for something and have in my mind that I am going to ride outdoors. I should recognize that if cars are pulling me over asking if I want a ride then it is too cold to ride and yes that happened last year!

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  17. For cycling, I am a factor 4!! I would say 30-35 degrees and I am doing it because I said I would meet someone or something. I am hot on the run, always cold on the bike.

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  18. So I am the complete Florida guy (even more so that Bob). If the temps are in the 60's, there's no way I'm getting on my bike. Yes, I'm a wuss. Don't judge. I will run in colder temps than that - in fact I ran in Sioux Falls this week...9 degrees w/ snow on the ground. I felt like a rebel! Or a bumble (random Rudolph reference).

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  19. So I am the complete Florida guy (even more so that Bob). If the temps are in the 60's, there's no way I'm getting on my bike. Yes, I'm a wuss. Don't judge. I will run in colder temps than that - in fact I ran in Sioux Falls this week...9 degrees w/ snow on the ground. I felt like a rebel! Or a bumble (random Rudolph reference).

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  20. I was in JF3 yesterday and I was frozen b/c the winds were horrendous. Thought I was going to get blown off the bike.

    So for me riding is 40 with high winds or 30 with no wind.

    There is no temp for running. Just keep layering until you are not actually bending your legs then head indoors.

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  21. Too many variables. I've been out at zero degrees with sun and no wind and enjoyed every minute.

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  22. I went complete pansy yesterday. It was 54 (according to Weather.com, it felt like "49") was windy and I only had shorts and a lightweight l/s top... so I skipped my run. I knew I would be so grumpy from being cold. Technically, I am a California girl. :)

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  23. ummm like 50 but I don't bike a lot : )

    Mine has been on the trainer since October but I hate cold and most of my work outs are indoors due to my job and child.

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  24. Are you originally from Houston? I'm from the Midwest so I'm kinda in my element when it gets cold, but that's not to say it's easy to get motivated and start running.

    Thanks for letting me know that you'd be on a long run this Saturday; would've loved to have met you!

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  25. Hi Jeff,
    My cutoff temp for running is zero! Last year I ran a half marathon in -7 below temps....that sucked the big one! Never again!

    Take care and have a fantastic weekend!

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  26. Oh my... you guys are way more hard core than me... if it's not like 55 and sunny, I'm inside! Running, I'm fine... biking... not so much!

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  27. I really don't have a cold/wind cutoff. My cutoff is based on when the ground is covered in snow which makes riding a bit dangerous (at least on slicks). We've got snow, so I've moved into the trainer for now.

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  28. Hmm...I biked last weekend and it was feel like temp of 27˚ and I was still sweating (except for my butt!) so I guess I could go colder. Running? as long as it isn't the track (which is on the river...brrrrrrr.....windy!!), then I can go pretty low. I think last winter the only time I ran indoors was because a huge snowstorm.

    I have swum in 58˚ with a wetsuit, not bad.

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