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Over the last few years I've gotten into cold weather long distance riding quite a bit. I'm doing an Iron Butt next Wednesday and it looks like temps will be in the high 20's starting out and heading home, then in the 40's during the day. It's all about having the right gear, which I've gone through a lot of trial and error with. Other experienced long-distance riders have helped me along the way, too.
I'm sure some people out on the road see me and think "this dude is an idiot" and that I'm trying to prove something. Little do they know I'm as happy and comfortable as if it were 70 degrees.
Like some have mentioned, once the salt hits, I park it. One year I didn't, and it ruined my exhaust.
When I was in my twenties, I'd ride my Triumph Bonneville to work all year round without even thinking about it. When I got home I'd give her a good wash to remove any road salt, I never seemed to feel the cold in those days. Now that I'm in my late sixties, I stop riding as soon as I see the first road gritter of the winter season, I do feel the cold these days. The winter weather can be harsh when you are at an altitude of 1200 feet above sea level, see below.
That doesnt look fun. Last winter was the first time in my life I didnt have to remove snow, nary a scoop. We get hit hard sometimes, in 2013 we had 31 then 28 a week later.
I dont miss it but this reminds me its time to get out the welding tip cleaners for the pesky pilot in the snow thrower. Were expecting highs in the 50s today and tomorrow, this might be the last weekend for 8-10 weeks, bummer.
Like Marvin said aint nothing like the real thing; it's going to be a long winter with the bike project just completed.
I rode a few days ago, it was -1c but once I got up to about 80mph on the motorway it felt more like -10c. I could not feel/move my fingers by the time I took my turning so for me, that was my last ride until it warms up.
One other factor that puts me off riding in the UK winter is the amount of salt they spread across the road.
At one time when I was young and living in Philadelphia all I had is a bike, and road in all weather and fell a few times on the train tracks . I still ride in the cold as lone there is no ice or snow covering the road. Every Saturday is a club ride we call the frosted nut ride and its about 125 miles and been out in 10* weather. Also ride with some retired guys on Tuesdays we take short 50 miles rides when its cold out. Heated jacket, gloves help.
Now talk about cold when we have our winter party at the club about 40 to 50 nuts take everything off to the underwear and ride about a 3 miles run and thats in late January and it gets cold here in PA.
I rode a few days ago, it was -1c but once I got up to about 80mph on the motorway it felt more like -10c. I could not feel/move my fingers by the time I took my turning so for me, that was my last ride until it warms up.
One other factor that puts me off riding in the UK winter is the amount of salt they spread across the road.
Yes, the road salt is very corrosive, years ago I know a guy from Sweden, he said that in his country they don't put salt on the roads in winter, they use ashes instead, they won't be corrosive to motorised vehicles. Maybe one of our Scandanavian friends will be able to confirm that ashes arfe used on their roads.
Her in the UK, 220 million years ago there was a sea under what is now the county of Cheshire, when the sea dried up it left huge rock salt deposits 150 metres under the land surface, the salt in Cheshire has been mined for around 2000 years. The Winsford rock salt is used for road gritting and cooking / table salt.
Inside the rock salt mine at Winsford in Cheshire.
Over the last few years I've gotten into cold weather long distance riding quite a bit. I'm doing an Iron Butt next Wednesday and it looks like temps will be in the high 20's starting out and heading home, then in the 40's during the day. It's all about having the right gear, which I've gone through a lot of trial and error with. Other experienced long-distance riders have helped me along the way, too.
I'm sure some people out on the road see me and think "this dude is an idiot" and that I'm trying to prove something. Little do they know I'm as happy and comfortable as if it were 70 degrees.
Like some have mentioned, once the salt hits, I park it. One year I didn't, and it ruined my exhaust.
The snowmobile owners ride in all kinds of cold weather. Like he said, if the roads are clean, and the spirit moves you, go for it. Plenty of warm clothing to choose from.
Last edited by hammer6315; Dec 9, 2023 at 07:14 PM.
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