What's the coldest you will ride in?

20 degrees today. If you can't ride, you go hunting. And Guinness was just fine with that decision.






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I rode today to get my last 60 miles of the first 600 done. Hands went completely numb at one point. I need to invest in heated gear.

I thought I would share some gear recommendations for ~cold riding.

I don't own a car and rely on my two bikes for transport. Over the years I've experimented with several products and combinations of products. One thing I found is that purpose-built gear tends to fit narrow bands of purpose.  Products for extreme cold work fairly well, but become cumbersome to carry when the temperatures change for the better.  I prefer a layered approach, with layers that can be shed if necessary and stuffed in a backpack. 

My current home is Savannah Georgia.  This is not Canada-cold, but temps get into the teens a few nights each winter, and the 20's several other nights, typically 30's and 40's.  Temps tend to warm up to the 50's and 60's during the day.  

My job has me leaving the house at 0500-0630 every day, so I feel the worst of the cold (relative to Savannah cold.)

Today, I decided to take the day off sans a couple call-in meetings.
Between 0830 and 1500, I put about 250 miles on the back roads of Georgia and South Carolina. The interstate saw my bike for 11 miles, but I did a lot of 90mph stretches through the forested parts of the Deep South.
It was 47 when I left the house at 0830, and the highest temperature I saw was 59.  Mostly cloudy throughout the day. 

I was extremely comfortable and not at all cold during the riding part of the day.

Here's how.

Waterproof Fargo gloves from FirstGear.  Despite the name, these are not great for extreme-cold.  They are waterproof, which helps contain heat by eliminating air intrusion, but they are relatively thin for winter gloves. They do have Thinsulate insulation, but they're only effective down to the mid-fifties on their own.
Enter the secret ingredient.  Silk glove liners.  These make all the difference.  The combination is effective to the low forties.

A balaclava.  These can be tricky.  Too thick a balaclava will be very uncomfortable in a helmet.  It cam make the helmet too tight, and it can get too hot.  Today I used a stretch nylon item with a flip-up lid.  It kept my neck covered and added just enough insulation to block the cold air coming through the vents and underside of my Arai Signet-Q helmet.
Note. For extreme cold, I use a Harley-Davidson branded neoprene balaclava.  It's intolerable above 45 degrees though.  

For my lower body, I wore my trusty HT over pants from FirstGear. Not the vented type.  Heavy ballistic waterproof nylon outer shell plus the removable quilted liner.  I've had these for 13 years and they still hold up like the day I bought them.  Excellent investment. I wore these over jeans.

My boot of choice today was a pair of Irish Setter waterproof and 400-grain Gortex work boots.  

For the upper body, layers and neoprene.  Another secret weapon.

Closest to the skin I wore a rash guard t-shirt.  1mm neoprene on the torso with Spandex sleeves. Yes, you will sweat under the neoprene, but it doesn't stick or otherwise get uncomfortable so long as you don't go inside for too long.
Next I had an old t-shirt that says Norton on the front with a British flag background.  I can't help myself.
Then I layered a light, packable down vest from Eddie Bauer.  It can be wadded or folded to fit in a pocket if the day gets too warm.
Finally, the ultimate secret weapon.  A fleece lined 2mm neoprene hoodie meant for longshoremen and barge workers (and surfers.)

The result was a very comfortable day at speed in temperatures that otherwise befuddle many purpose-built motorcycle products.  

I rode in 36 degrees f yesterday a few hours before it started to snow (dropped down to 29).  It reminded me that I definitely need to get new cold weather gloves (for christmas perhaps- eyeing a 270 dollar Held) as my cheapie 75 dollar winter gloves + liners only lasts me 30 minutes tops and even then my hands are in pain.

The coldest I will ride is no lower than 32 degrees.  BUT if I do get new cold weather gloves maybe I can go lower than 32.

Rode in 32 today. Just got my Icon Patrol gloves back tonight. With liners, I'll roll the dice into the 20's to see what they can do.

You all are nucking futz!!! LOL

I may not ride in lower than 50 and rain. But I'll fill the freezer all day long. 

 

I really miss venison. We see deer tracks all over our place in the morning, but never see them in daylight. There's a 2300 acre wildlife area (public hunting) across the road from our driveway. I see several hunters a day park and go in for long periods only to exit with nothing. All wooded marsh, so lots of cover. Next year I'm going to start baiting on my land which just became legal. I'm planning salt and mineral licks, specially formulated deer feed from the local mill and doe scent during the rut. I have a huge burr oak tree on a dry creek bed with my permanent stand. Good place to bait. I'll post results this time next year. Love venison, and pheasant of course.