What is "too cold" to ride?
#31
12-08-2016, 07:31 AM
Ice on the roads is something we don't have to deal with often because it don't get that cold down here. But we do get some freezing rain and even snow on occasion. When that happens, down here on the Texas gulf coast, we just shut everything down, hunker down, and wait 48 hours until it thaws. 
When it starts getting cold...like in the 50s...I put the windshield on and break out the thermals, fleece, and leather and start layering up. I ride pretty comfortable but I feel like the Michelin Man sometimes. I purposefully got gauntlet gloves a size larger and wear Nomex gloves under...keeps the fingers toasty and I can pull the gauntlet gloves off without exposing my fingers...once they get cold it is difficult to get them warm again. I think the coldest I have ridden in was around freezing but dry.
When it starts getting cold...like in the 50s...I put the windshield on and break out the thermals, fleece, and leather and start layering up. I ride pretty comfortable but I feel like the Michelin Man sometimes. I purposefully got gauntlet gloves a size larger and wear Nomex gloves under...keeps the fingers toasty and I can pull the gauntlet gloves off without exposing my fingers...once they get cold it is difficult to get them warm again. I think the coldest I have ridden in was around freezing but dry.
#32
12-08-2016, 08:19 AM
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Jim Dawson (01-09-2017)
#33
12-08-2016, 08:29 AM
Extreme HDF Member
That's me as well. Most of my rides include a commute to/from work, which has about 30 miles of interstate @ 70-ish mph. The wind chill becomes a problem during that leg of the ride in the morning. I usually tough it out at ~40F, but dressed for the ride home at 50F+. Lower than about 40 and my hands, knees, and neck (FF helmet) are burning badly by the 20 minute mark. No fun. If I had a touring bike, or even a windshield, where wind chill becomes less of the equation I could easily ride colder.
#35
12-08-2016, 05:16 PM
Join Date: Jul 2011
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My point & read thermometer said the bike was 20 degrees after today's ride, outside thermometer said 21. Don't even need heated clothes for that. Did wear my insulated boots, though, don't like cold feet. Wanted a Harley ride, but snowing and building up on the roads, decided I'd have to make do with the Russian sidecar rig. The salt trucks are pouring it on the main roads, probably in a day or two there'll be enough salt on my dead end road to shovel. That, I don't ride in, ruins windshields & paint, like getting blasted with fine gravel.
#36
12-08-2016, 06:52 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
#37
12-08-2016, 08:43 PM
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A few years ago I left on a 180 mile ride when it was 34 deg. at home but I had to climb a 6000 ft pass. It was down into the low 20's for about 40 mile and I was not dressed for it. I became hypothermic and was shaking so bad I had to stop twice. I tried jogging along the road but was so stiff I could hardly move. Couldn't feel my fingers and warmed them on the engine. Once over the pass and down to about 4500 ft elevation, I found a café and got some breakfast and lot's of coffee!
Usually, if it's above 40 deg and the roads are dry I'll sit my 61 yr old butt in the saddle and take the bike out for 30-40 miles.
Usually, if it's above 40 deg and the roads are dry I'll sit my 61 yr old butt in the saddle and take the bike out for 30-40 miles.
#38
12-08-2016, 09:56 PM
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#39
12-09-2016, 08:13 PM
