Riding in cold weather

[tipstall]

Guys,

Thanks for all the help. Looks like Chicago will still be rideable this week and I plan to keep going. If it snows and they put down salt, I'll put the bike away. My other week point is my ankles. I'm only wearing ankle high work boots and even with nice socks I can really feel it get a little cold on a long ride.

[arkline]

For cold weather, get some decent ropers that fit well. Slather them with Nikwax on a regular basis. Mine keep me warm from foot to above mid-calf and look good enough for work.

[AndyfromPoland]

ropers

Translation?

[tipstall]

For cold weather, get some decent ropers that fit well. Slather them with Nikwax on a regular basis. Mine keep me warm from foot to above mid-calf and look good enough for work.

I thought I was the only one that didn't understand.

[taosports]

Me thinks arkline is referring to these :

http://caboots.zoovy.com/category/1.408/

[wncbmw]

Andy the BMW gloves are the best I've ever had. They just kept my hands the warmest last year, And they have never leaked. Best buy as far as I'm conserned.

Hey andy and leno - are these the BMW gloves with the Phase Change material? Does it work? I am looking for some gloves with that for use with the heated hand grips and amazingly, the BMW gloves are the cheapest set I have found with that stuff!

And ropers can also refer to gloves! Cowboy stuff!

[leno]

I don't think they will quite work with the buisness suit. I keep a pair of shoes at the office and change out of my old Frank Thomas boots. They were £190 about 8 years ago but I got them half price in the New Year Sale. They have served me well ever since. Okay I've had to resole the gear change rubber. And one of the heals is looking a bit sad but they are strong waterproof (gore-tex) and high.

[Guest]

Polaris competition snowmobile racing pants and jacket off ebay. In forty years of riding it is the absolute warmest thing I have ever had on. Snowmobile gloves. The jacket has a fleece high collar lining, then a wind breaker lining over it. There is no cold on the neck. I put my joe rocket air jacket over the jacket for protection. Snowmobile pants and jacket $110.

[AndyfromPoland]

wncbmw: The ones I have are the Pro Winter. New last season, I think. Cordura back, leather palm, Goretex, Thinsulate, drawstring cuff, etc. Very good with heated grips because the palm is not too thick. I've used them down to -4C this week with grips on lower setting for a max 2 hours at a time with no problems, although the GS does have the hand protectors. Nicely shaped palm so very comfortable. Untested in a downpour. Cost GBP 65.

There is also the Comfort glove which I think is the one with the gel stuff and which has been around for some time. Also very nice, but much more bulky and GBP 95.

[wncbmw]

Thanks andy. I refuse to get any more bulky winter gloves; looking for something with a good feel and don't want the hassle of electric gloves.

Electric jacket liner, definitely though!

[AndyfromPoland]

Then I suspect the ProWinter may be the one for you

[arkline]

I don't think they will quite work with the buisness suit.

Well, that depends on the business you're in...

I've been buying Ariat, plain toed ropers. They're pretty unobtrusive, black, can be made to shine if necessary. Not at all like a pair of Wellingtons or engineers boots. Not much like a dress shoe, but... And they aren't a dead-giveaway that you're some sort of motorcyclish insane individual

[challey]

This doesn't really help with the question but the hardest core winter rider I ever saw was a bartender in Vail, CO. This guy rode an old boxer (this was in the early '70's) through the winter to his job as bartender right in the heart of the ski resort. As the roads were pretty much snow packed from Dec through Mar, he had chains on his wheels. And he rode to work pretty much every day, snow storm or not.
I don't mind the cold (well, maybe a little) but don't think I could ride over snow pack unless I was on something like my old Husky.

[tipstall]

It snowed in Chicago last night. I was out until dark and found my limit with the sun down at about 32F. I could go for 30 minutes like that at speed but not much longer. I ordered a neck guard and I will try it out this weekend if it does not snow anymore. I don't mind the cold, it's the numb thing that gets to me.

It was the first time out I did not see another bike. I was in heavy afternoon/early evening traffic. I'm hardly what I would consider hard core.

[xaque]

I don't think I saw anyone mention this yet so....

If you are planning (or even looking forward to) riding into/through the winter... I suggest:

http://www.yearroundriders.com

There, on the message forums, are plenty of wonderful and helpful people that can share stories, and help out with cold-weather riding!

---

I just got a balaklava for my neck and it helps 100%... other than that I just layer. I'm too cheap to purchase electric gear right now...

but there is write-up on the Rounder's website of someone who used a do-it-yourself kit. Cost them about $40 and now they have a heated liner for their jacket!

-Xaque-

[AndyfromPoland]

Hadn't come across that site. A whole mass of kindred spirits. I'll check it out properly when I have the time.

[tipstall]

OK, I didn't listen to anyone and bought the Aerostich Wind Triangle.

Actually no time to shop other than online and we are not talking about huge money.

Got it tonight, looks and feels great. I will try it out in the next couple of days and let you know how it works.

[Ebet]

For those who don't like bulky gloves but don't want to freeze either, I noticed that Lee Parks now makes their deerskin gloves with an Outlast phase-change lining. I don't think they are waterproof, but they look warm. I have an unlined pair and they are the most comfortable, non-bulky gloves I have ever worn - I wear them day in and day out.

http://www.leeparksdesign.com/eshopprod ... _Black.htm

[MikeCam]

Are you a hottie?

Not a come on, but I've realized that I am a hot natured person - core temp gets up and stays up. Kck the covers off in dead winter, keep the thermo stat at 60 F for a house wide temp of 62-65F.

So for my riding below 40F, I am careful of layers. Especially the ones that stay under all at the office. I try to use removable layers as much as possible such that I can adjust readily as the ride/day progresses.

Overall, I am satisfied with just heated grips and a heated vest for electrics. More than that is way too much for me (and challenges the bikes' electrical system as well.

Everyone else has offered great ideas and alternatives. Just determine if you are a hottie!

[tipstall]

Are you a hottie?

Not a come on, but I've realized that I am a hot natured person - core temp gets up and stays up. Kck the covers off in dead winter, keep the thermo stat at 60 F for a house wide temp of 62-65F.

So for my riding below 40F, I am careful of layers. Especially the ones that stay under all at the office. I try to use removable layers as much as possible such that I can adjust readily as the ride/day progresses.

Overall, I am satisfied with just heated grips and a heated vest for electrics. More than that is way too much for me (and challenges the bikes' electrical system as well.

Everyone else has offered great ideas and alternatives. Just determine if you are a hottie!

Mike,

I am a hottie. I know what you mean. I'm always hot so it's more of a issue of not geting numb.

The hand guards with the heated grips work wonders. I don't like bulky gloves so I have found that arounf 35-40F is my limit before right hand goes numb.

The neck guard simple and effective. It works great and solves the Joe Rocket Alto Ego Jackets weakness, no neck.

Thermal underwear is all I need under my jacket and pant. I do need boots, but that leaves something to look for.