"Cold" weather riding
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 867
Likes: 15
From: South Central Pennylvania
The coldest recorded temperature in Crescent City California, way up by the Oregon boarder, is 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Not even close to our low temperatures here in Pennsylvania.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 11
From: Belchertown, MA
I am still riding.
I find only 2 reasonable options... Heated gear or wind deflection, especially for the hands. I have soft lowers, quilted chaps, balaclava, heavy insulated gloves and the windshield. It is usually the hands that become an issue... So I am getting National Cycle wind deflectors for that.
I find only 2 reasonable options... Heated gear or wind deflection, especially for the hands. I have soft lowers, quilted chaps, balaclava, heavy insulated gloves and the windshield. It is usually the hands that become an issue... So I am getting National Cycle wind deflectors for that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
We are getting into the teens this week. Everybody thinks Cali never gets below 45*.
Here is our weeks forecast! http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...+CA+93451:4:US
Here is our weeks forecast! http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...+CA+93451:4:US
But come on, I'd take your 10 day forecast ANY day! It's 'sposed to be between 50 & 62 and no precipitation. Most people use the high temps when they talk about riding weather - not the lows... in the middle of the night. If you're planning on riding in the middle of the night with temps in the 20's, you'll need heated gear. 25 degrees at 45 mph = 5 degree effective temperature and IMO, no amount of layering will keep you warm at 5 degrees.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I'm well aware of the lows you can get and the difference in upper elevations. I was born in San Jose and I remember running around in tee shirts on Christmas day.
But come on, I'd take your forecast ANY day! It's 'sposed to be between 50 & 62 and no precipitation. Most people use the high temps when they talk about riding weather - not the lows... in the middle of the night. If you're planning on riding in the middle of the night with temps in the 20's, you'll need heated gear. 25 degrees at 45 mph = 5 degree effective temperature and IMO, no amount of layering will keep you warm at 5 degrees.
But come on, I'd take your forecast ANY day! It's 'sposed to be between 50 & 62 and no precipitation. Most people use the high temps when they talk about riding weather - not the lows... in the middle of the night. If you're planning on riding in the middle of the night with temps in the 20's, you'll need heated gear. 25 degrees at 45 mph = 5 degree effective temperature and IMO, no amount of layering will keep you warm at 5 degrees.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 70
From: Sierra Foothills, California
Yup. It was nice here last weekend, in the mid 60's. Now, we are supposed to get snow this weekend. I have used those heat packs in my gloves before, they worked alright. Layer with silk base layer (us ladies just wear our nylons
); thermals, t-shirt, sweatshirt, leather vest and leather jacket and chaps; lined gloves and fleece face mask. With all that on, I am comfortable down to the 40's.
); thermals, t-shirt, sweatshirt, leather vest and leather jacket and chaps; lined gloves and fleece face mask. With all that on, I am comfortable down to the 40's.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Lows here last week were in mid-20s; today's low was mid-60s, high forecast 80. I generally don't ride in the 20s (don't have to do it, nothing to prove to anyone), but over that I've always gotten by with layering. My daughter's boyfriend has all the heated gear, heated seat, heated grips -- seems a bit overdone to me, but he likes it I just bought a leather shirt as a lighter-weight option for cool days.
