[kj7687]

I think this might just be the coldest day on which I've ever ridden. I ride no matter what the weather is like and I'm not normally one to bitch about a little cold. Maybe I'm just a big California sissy (year-round riding weather)haha but 25 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 mph wind chill for 20 minutes makes me question my manhood a little lol. A few years ago when I first started riding I used to ride my Honda Ruckus an hour and a half one way to work on cold days, and back then all I had was a pair of those cheap little "banana-peel-leather gloves...". But I don't think I ever did that in colder than about 33 degrees. Oh and there was the 27 degree day through the mountain pass going south up out of Death Valley, CA circa 2008. That was wet and there was snow and ice. My gloves I have now don't seem to do a lot of good in anything below about 45 degrees. But I suppose I should be happy I had them tonight. Even though they seem a bit shit to be honest (for COLD weather protection, I mean), I suppose my fingers would have hurt a lot worse without them

By the way can anyone knowledgable on the subject tell me when you should start to worry about damaging your body/extremities due to cold weather exposure while riding a bike? I'm guessing it's probably gotta be really cold and/or wet for quite a while before that becomes a serious concern, no? Really never gets colder than it is tonight here in CA, but still I wonder about this for when I go to other states or even if 25 degrees with wet hands or whatever should be a cause for concern. Thanks for any input and sorry for my rambling - if you actually read it all!

 

[Dubster]

You probably wouldn,t use them much where you live but a heated vest and handrips are worth their weight in gold when the temperature drops.

A good set of handguards help to block the wind also.I installed a set of Power Madd guards.There is an optional larger cove that snaps on over the regular guards that I use in the winter.A small removable wind-shield will help deflect the wind even more.



The weatherman says it will be a sunny plus 4 degrees Celsius here today and I plan on going for a putt later.

I really envy your year round riding.

 

[RockyTFS]

By the way can anyone knowledgable on the subject tell me when you should start to worry about damaging your body/extremities due to cold weather exposure while riding a bike?

When you can't feel them or move them it's too late!

Seriously, frostbite is a real possibility in the conditions you describe because of the wind chill factor. Once you freeze your fingers or toes they will never be the same for the rest of your life (provided that they don't have to be amputated

), so stop and get them warmer anyway you can about every 20-30 minutes. (Hint: the engine makes a real good handwarmer, just don't burn yourself!

)



Or get some warmer clothing!

 

[jckosnow]

I ride all year in Maine, and I think that's almost crazy. good work!

 

[srs713]

While at work one day the weather changed dramatically for the worse. I didn't have my winter gloves with me, so I got a pair of cotton gloves, a larger pair of leather gloves, and the largest size rubber gloves we had in the tool crib. With those three layers between my hands and the freezing mist I made it home with warm hands.



The lower legs of my jeans however had a layer of ice encrusted on the front. Built up like icing on an aircraft.



A nice warm soak in the tub made everything better. I was just glad I was headed home instead of to work.

 

[cptrout]

I hear you kj. This cold weather here in So. Cal. is getting old and yes we are sissy's, at least I am. I rode to work a couple days this week, 38 & 39 degrees at 5AM and it was butt-ass cold. At the end of my 15 minute commute I was wondering if I was going to lose my grip. My leather Cortech gloves with silk inserts usually do the job but not with a wind chill of 5 degrees. Suppose to warm up in a few days. Can't wait.



Just so you know, 25 degree air temp while riding at 60 mph is a wind chill of -14 degrees. That's downright dangerous even with proper gear.

 

[kj7687]

You probably wouldn,t use them much where you live but a heated vest and handrips are worth their weight in gold when the temperature drops.

A good set of handguards help to block the wind also.I installed a set of Power Madd guards.There is an optional larger cove that snaps on over the regular guards that I use in the winter.A small removable wind-shield will help deflect the wind even more.



The weatherman says it will be a sunny plus 4 degrees Celsius here today and I plan on going for a putt later.

I really envy your year round riding.

One of the top bikes in the commuter category of my wish list is the Suzuki V-strom 650 ABS Adventure. I'd really like one of those with the wind screen set in the high position and heated grips.

 

[kj7687]

When you can't feel them or move them it's too late!

Seriously, frostbite is a real possibility in the conditions you describe because of the wind chill factor. Once you freeze your fingers or toes they will never be the same for the rest of your life (provided that they don't have to be amputated

), so stop and get them warmer anyway you can about every 20-30 minutes. (Hint: the engine makes a real good handwarmer, just don't burn yourself!

)



Or get some warmer clothing!

Lol well good thing my commute is only 20 minutes then

Actually my Fieldsheer adventure jacket with the removable liner is pretty damn awesome. Even though my fingers can hurt pretty bad sometimes in weather like that (even with my Tourmaster Cortech Scarab Winter gloves...), my core is actually fairly comfortable, courtesy of my fantastic riding jacket. What I need is a warmer pair of gloves, even though that will sacrifice some finger-dexterity, a winter face mask, and a pair of proper winter riding pants to go over my jeans. Oh and it doesn't help that some low-life scumbag stole my $220 waterproof riding boots, so I've been wearing damn tennis shoes lately due to the unfortunate fact that I simply can't come up with the money to buy another pair of boots right now!

 

[kj7687]

Wet hands and gloves probably about doubles the chill factor. At least wear waterproof gloves. 25f(-3.9c)degrees at 60mph has a wcf of 3f(-16c), and frostbite is imminent in 30 minutes.

Well my gloves are actually waterproof but they aren't all that warm and sometimes water tends to seep inside them (not by permeation, but by getting inside the cuff of the glove).

 

[kj7687]

While at work one day the weather changed dramatically for the worse. I didn't have my winter gloves with me, so I got a pair of cotton gloves, a larger pair of leather gloves, and the largest size rubber gloves we had in the tool crib. With those three layers between my hands and the freezing mist I made it home with warm hands.



The lower legs of my jeans however had a layer of ice encrusted on the front. Built up like icing on an aircraft.



A nice warm soak in the tub made everything better. I was just glad I was headed home instead of to work.

Big toilet-cleaning rubber gloves over the outside of other gloves huh? Not a bad idea

 

[kj7687]

Thanks for all the imformative responses, guys. Much appreciated.

 

[MrDNA]

California cold weather wuss here too! I have always hated riding in the cold, which is why I keep a car handy

Funny thing about this cold snap... the original battery on my 2005 finally died. 6/7 years old... I'm not complaining! The minute it warms up, I'm putting a new battery in and going to play in the mud!

 

[TdubOhio]

I've found that anything with PrimaLoft is ideal for winder riding.

I ride all year and there is nothing better.

High end outdoor manufacturers use PrimaLoft, as does the military.

Look into it... the stuff is as warm as down, even when wet.

 

[Dubster]

One of the top bikes in the commuter category of my wish list is the Suzuki V-strom 650 ABS Adventure. I'd really like one of those with the wind screen set in the high position and heated grips.

The V-Strom properly equipped makes a great long distance tourer as well as a commuter and considering what you get for your money it is one of the best deals out there and if you get one you wont be sorry..

However it is a tall top-heavy machine and I much prefer commuting on the TW.The TW is just so much more effortless to ride,especially in stop and go traffic,compared to the V-Strom.My commute is only about 30klm and there is only one short stretch where the speed limit is 100kph.

I definitely put more miles on the V-Strom last season but spent more hours overall on the mighty TW and got way more smiles per miles.

Stromtroopers.com and VSRI are a great resource on all things V-Strom.

 

[admiral]

I think this might just be the coldest day on which I've ever ridden.

You could use ATV Mitts like I do once fall sets in. I've been extremely happy with how warm they keep my hands. Not to expensive either. Takes a bit getting use to finding the switches (starter-turn signal buttons) under the mitts, but no big deal.

 

[turborob]

What sort of screen is that, Admiral?

 

[admiral]

What sort of screen is that, Admiral?

It is a Slip Streamer Spitfire windscreen. Also in this photo, I've added an extra shield piece to the top that I take on and off which I also added small bungee cords on the side to help hold the bottom. This is only needed with the added piece. Did not require my bungee modification with just the normal windscreen. I sit a little tall in the saddle and added it to help wind buffet.

The whole windscreen takes just a minute or two to put on or remove.

 

[Xracer]

K.J. I feel your pain. Last night it got so cold I had to put a windbreaker over my t-shirt! Also bread bags over your gloves are a cheap and free way to make them wind and waterproof.

 

[rmcglad55]

K.J. I feel your pain. Last night it got so cold I had to put a windbreaker over my t-shirt! Also bread bags over your gloves are a cheap and free way to make them wind and waterproof.

I feel the same. It got down to 76 degrees yesterday when I rode to Palatka to eat at Angels Cafe. I like to have froze to death!

 

[evan]

Nor cal cold weather wimp here. Was just PM'ing Mr.gizmo and he was saying how he hadn't had an interest to ride lately. I said cuz its too damn cold!! LOL. My hands are cold walking 15 minutes to work. The handguards I put on my bike last year really helped alot and been meaning to get some of those big mickey mouse ear looking foam mitts that just velcro on. Its been in low 30's here each morning but looks like weather calls for high of 60 degrees this saturday so gonna take the tw out for a spin.