Long Cold Ride (any tips)

Originally Posted by Kate

If you don't already, you could try a neck tube or a balaclarva, they really help.

Definitely, since your neck can be exposed under your lid and gets the full force of the windblast.

Have hot food and drink before setting out.

Cardiovascular fitness and a good circulatory system helps too, though that's not so easy to achieve. I get far less cold on the bike in winter since I've been going to the gym.

I think that this is my 12th year of winter riding. I used to feel the cold a lot worse than I do now. I even used to resort to heating my hands on the pipes at traffic lights - singed gloves don't smell good though!

[ophic]

Originally Posted by wyrdness

I even used to resort to heating my hands on the pipes at traffic lights - singed gloves don't smell good though!

try the cylinder heads not the exhaust!

I was (ironically) bought some electric gloves for Christmas (which was nice as my bike has been stuck in the dealers since November )

I haven't tried 'em out yet though

[fizzwheel]

Have you thought about getting a "Windstopper" most bike shops sell them.

I've been riding around with one on for the last couple of months, Now Liz has her bike back on the road shes got it back. I can really notice the difference now I am riding without it, They are well worth it IMHO.

I'm going to get myself one now I've been paid and have some money again

Good luck with the trip.

Cloggsy wrote:

I was (ironically) bought some electric gloves for Christmas (which was nice as my bike has been stuck in the dealers since November

Forget your bike man! Plug your gloves in to a socket next to your favourite chair and put them on. Then slap Moto GP on the playstation and your sorted!

Diveboy..My best advice would be to get some other daft bugger to ride it back for you!

frostbite is serious injury, and at speed windchills can be seriously cold

I recommend not riding in cold unless you have the proper gear

that said, I wear First Gear HT pants & jacket, with a gerbings heated jacket liner, I have a Windstiopper balaclava and snowmobile helmet, and wear Sorel boots, I also have heated grips with handguards for wind protection.
you can use disposable hand warmers for supplimental heat too.

I start to use my cold weather gear as soon as temps drop below 55°F, and can comfortably ride to -15°F

newspaper on your chest is a good windblock in a pinch, priority is keeping your torso warm to keep warm blood flowing to the extremeties

Originally Posted by RandyO

I start to use my cold weather gear as soon as temps drop below 55°F, and can comfortably ride to -15°F

At 55F? - that's 12C. We'd never be out of cold weather stuff here!! But -15F? - that's about -23C. You ride in that???? I'd be on the bus...

newspaper on chest area and lower back, silk inner gloves, scarf on neck, feet in bags n waterproofs against wind chill. sod it, get a bus

Originally Posted by Sythree

At 55F? - that's 12C. We'd never be out of cold weather stuff here!! But -15F? - that's about -23C. You ride in that???? I'd be on the bus...

I don't commute in it, it takes too long to get dressed for a short ride, only weekends ..... cold air=free horsepower=roll on wheelies in 3rd gear on my nekid 99

Oi Diveboy!!!!!!

How'd it go???