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I have the gear to keep myself warm down to around 32*, and as long as there is no salt, snow,ice on the roads. Most rides during the winter are just getting out and turning gasoline into noise with no real destination in mind. I kind of enjoy the looks I get from people riding in those temps.
Years ago I rode at Interstate speeds for 20 miles in 19* temps riding to work, damn near killed myself pulling that stupid stunt. I watched a video on YouTube of some guys that were out on their Goldwings in -14*, THAT is crazy...
Here's the little Rebel I used to own on a sunny Janurary afternoon.
On the ride in this morning I remembered that my sister bought me a set of chaps for my birthday back in August. My legs were the part that got cold. That, and my hands. But my core stayed warm with that hoodie under my leather jacket...which kept me from shivering.
Nate,
I was always of the (mistaken) opinion that chaps looked silly and too "Village People".
Boy, was I wrong ! ! I just got a pair, on sale (40% off I think it was, so I rolled the dice I'd use'm)
Have worn them the past 3 weeks since it got cold.
Put them on. Your legs won't freeze in the 40's anymore.
I get to break out my leather jacket a couple times a year if I'm lucky. We don't get much cold weather here. Just a few days where it's somewhere in the mid 60's and 70's with a day or two in the low 50°'s. Anything under 80° f is A-ok by me.
If I had my "druthers" I'd ride in temps between 50F to 90F.
I have taken trips where I had to leave in the early AM with the temp being near freezing and I've got caught during a trip where the temps go into the "triple-digits".
I rode in some pretty cools temps and some fairly wet weather back when I did not have leathers, rain gear, heated gear or good sense, but hopefully those days are behind me.
I've debated keeping my bikes in one of my storage bays in town (which is connected to a spray car wash) and is plowed frequently and is paved so I could take an occasional ride on those nice, rare, dry, sunny winter days but I prefer to keep them here next to me where I can at least look at them.
Ideal temp is between 70 and 75. I find the warmer it gets the happier I am but the less happy the heritage is. It's just the opposite for getting cooler. We try to ride every holiday, but last winter the snow was too much. The previous winter we rode Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines day and St. Patties.
Albeit short around town runs.
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