Who all is able to ride during the winter?

Hi,

I'm just wondering who all is able to ride during the winter? I ride almost daily out here in California since it doesn't get cold. If it is raining I don't really ride as much but I always carry a rain suit. Do others who live in cold weather wear insulated riding suits or just park your SWing during the winter? I'm able to put about 200 miles a week on my bike. When I lived in Illinois I used to ride in the winter, but then again, I worked outside so I was already dressed for the cold.

Hi Jeff,

I guess on a scale from 1 to 100 percent of the time (of one year), here in NE Oklahoma we get a solid 90 percent of the time to ride. It does ice up and snow here but it clears up and melts in about a week on average.

DennisB

Heated gloves and 2 motorcycle jackets keep me warm

When I lived in Tacoma, WA and now in Medford, OR you can ride pretty much all year 'round. There are spells of a few days now and then when the weather isn't conducive to two wheel transportation but they are pretty short stretches.

The Older and more arthritic I become, I don't ride like I used to.
Short trips down to about 35-40 degrees. Longer trips it needs to be 50's at least. No electrics here. did ride about 50 miles today and it was 48 deg F.

At least I DO get out every day or so.

MaxB (getting more picky about temps for riding)

I can ride year 'round and do not winterize the bikes. If we get a nice day we'll ride. We ride at least once a month in the "winter" months. It gets to freezing here in North Alabama and sometimes into the teens so the roads can get tricky. we get rain instead of snow and given the potential for it to ice we take the cages more in the winter.

Few problems here.
We're quite close to the coast and except for the unusually harsh spell last winter, don't suffer much from bad road conditions.

The killer is the wind, though. Here it's so flat and roads are very exposed.
In fact, I look at the Met Office Shipping Forecast to see if there are gales in the Channel and North Sea before setting out as they affect us directly!

Here in the north east it is always a crap shoot this time of year. It has taken many seasons to put together the correct "kit" to ride comfortable. Mid day temps can reach high 50's but shortly after 3pm the temp dives quickly. Two years ago I purchased my Gerbing jacket liner and gloves which gives me an edge over stinging temperatures. Technically I can ride most of the year as long as the ice and snow and sand remain at the edges of the road. My probem is getting my bike to the driveway as it is located in the shed some 40 feet across my lawn which is sometimes covered with ice and snow. I do not commute (on 2 wheels) during the winter months, I just ride for fun on the weekend.

Here in northern New Mexico we get winter for sure, and cold. I'll ride if:
1) I can navigate my rough, poorly maintained 1 1/2 mile dirt road to the highway, dealing with mud or wet conditions (I won't try to do it if there's snow on the ground); and 2) if the highways are clear.

For cold temps I use the winter, lined riding jacket, of course, with layers underneath, including thermal underwear top and bottom, layers of shirts, down vest, etc, usually still use the mesh pants just because they're so easy to get off and on; lined gloves or a pair of thin glove liners under the gloves, and this year I'll use the Ducks Unlimited handle bar/hand covers; a neck gaitor; and a balaclava under the helmet. All of this is usually enough. I guess I won't ride if the temps are in the mid teens, but I've done ok into the twenties.

I will be riding through the winter period.

Here on the south coast of the UK the weather hardly ever gets so bad as stop you riding. Inland is different. Years ago we did experience snow but lately snow has been very rare and normally on higher ground.

When the temperatures drop I simply add another layer. And now with the Wing I will switch on the heated grips.

Here in central Az the temps are in between the heat of Phoenix & the cold of Northern Az at 7000 '.
Altho it does get down in the 20'sF or low teens early in the A.M., it generally warm up quite a bit later. I have a lot of cold weather gear including Fox Creek leather jeans and leather jacket, Cycle Port jacket w/two inserts, heated vest, Thinsulite gauntlet gloves and long johns, I usually confine my riding to necessary destinations rather that just recreational rides since it is just too much bother to get all that stuff on & feel like the Michelin Tire Man.

I will ride everyday ... unless there is

- extreme flooding
(new addition this year)
- ice or snow the road
(I will not even drive a car even though I can ... cause everyone else does not know how to drive.)

Not much cold riding for me in here in NE Kansas. The weather's been down into the mid 30's on some nights and early mornings but otherwise reasonable during the days(with lots of rain being the exception). Did however have a PGR mission that myself and a fellow rider took on Oct 16th. 6:00am temps around 34F and a dark two hour ride to Kansas City (and subsequent escort to Ft. Leavenworth, KS, as temperatures warmed back up into the upper 40's).

My long johns, armored mesh riding suit outfit with rain and quilted liners(for the jacket), shirt and jeans, boots and new Wally World ski gloves handled the trip quite well. Oh yes, I did put on my "Broncos" stocking cap under the helmet plus I had a muffler to go around my neck area which meant all the difference in the world.

I was wishing at one point that I had at least put on my bottoms to my rain suit to allay some of the cool air I felt from not having more cover around my legs. But as has already been mentioned, I already felt like the Michelin man. Would like to have a ski outfit like some have mentioned but wonder if that would only compound the same feeling plus maybe be "too" bulky and compromise range of motion.

One other aspect I found was that I wished I had worn my warmer "Totes" boots rather than my regular riding boots; as least as far as keeping my toes warm. I used them once before and they worked great. Don't know how 'safe' they are but at least they're above the ankle.

With the prospects of future PGR/ALR missions looming on the horizon, I believe I'll be looking to make sure I've got my winter riding outfit perfected.

DickO wrote:

Not much cold riding for me in here in NE Kansas. The weather's been down into the mid 30's on some nights and early mornings but otherwise reasonable during the days(with lots of rain being the exception). Did however have a PGR mission that myself and a fellow rider took on Oct 16th. 6:00am temps around 34F and a dark two hour ride to Kansas City (and subsequent escort to Ft. Leavenworth, KS, as temperatures warmed back up into the upper 40's).

My long johns, armored mesh riding suit outfit with rain and quilted liners(for the jacket), shirt and jeans, boots and new Wally World ski gloves handled the trip quite well. Oh yes, I did put on my "Broncos" stocking cap under the helmet plus I had a muffler to go around my neck area which meant all the difference in the world.

I was wishing at one point that I had at least put on my bottoms to my rain suit to allay some of the cool air I felt from not having more cover around my legs. But as has already been mentioned, I already felt like the Michelin man. Would like to have a ski outfit like some have mentioned but wonder if that would only compound the same feeling plus maybe be "too" bulky and compromise range of motion.

One other aspect I found was that I wished I had worn my warmer "Totes" boots rather than my regular riding boots; as least as far as keeping my toes warm. I used them once before and they worked great. Don't know how 'safe' they are but at least they're above the ankle.

With the prospects of future PGR/ALR missions looming on the horizon, I believe I'll be looking to make sure I've got my winter riding outfit perfected.

What is a muffler for the neck? Is that like a scarf because i have to raise my shoulders to keep the cold air off my neck.

Hi Tankyoung,

And yes, a 'muffler' is a long scarf; usually long enough to make two wraps around the neck, made of wool or any other warm cloth and more than wide enough to cover the entire neck area. "Mathew" uses a thing called a 'neck gaitor' which I suppose serves the same purpose; and a balaclava? ( a woolen, close fitting garment that covers the whole head except for the face [dict. def] ) under his helmet.

I believe you can buy a garment like that that combines both the balaclava and neck gaitor but don't know what it's called. I'm sure I'll find out soon though. Anyway, it doesn't matter what you call them... when it's cold, you, or at least, I, want those areas covered... no matter what. That'll keep you from having to "hunch" your shoulders up to keep that cold air off!!

'I believe you can buy a garment like that that combines both the balaclava and neck gaitor'

Here:

http://www.buffwear.co.uk/

I've got an 'Original' and it's very, very good.

I'm in the DC area and I ride all winter long, wearing a turtle neck fleece, my Olympia wintergear with liners (jacket and pants), winter gloves, heated grips on the scoot, heavy socks (I just bought some toe warmers) and my boots. I have the balaclava/neck gator combo, but I find that I don't really need it. The fleece, which zips up the front, does the trick. Also, the heated grips are great.

I do drive the cage when it snows and ices, though.

As long as the roads aren't snowy or icy I can ride all year, but if the temperatures drop below about 18 to 20 degrees F it gets a bit brisk. Unfortunately, we have already had several snowy days this fall - including today, and we are expecting more snow later this week.

I have a PolarTec gaiter that I bought from Cabellas several years ago and it really does keep the wind from blowing down inside the jacket or other clothing. After all, if wind gets between the jacket and your chest area, any jackets benefit is pretty much nullified. I also have a baclava but have never worn it. After trying it on I found that my mild claustrobia made it uncomfortable.
I also use an electric battery operated vest with three heat settings which does a good job keeping the core temps warm. The battery is rechargable and lasts for several hours depending on the heat setting.

I make it a point to ride my SW every calender month. That includes Dec, Jan, & Feb. in Chicago. I try to avoid the road salt, and their have been some very cold rides. When you dress for it, it's not that bad. Heck I used to snowmobile in northern Wisconsin in temps below 0 degrees farenheit.

I try to get out and ride every day. Now that winter is almost her I will miss a day or two from Ice and Snow on the streets and Highways. O'well, taking a small break to take a walk in the winter is good to.

DennisB

honda_silver wrote:

I will ride everyday ... unless there is

- extreme flooding
(new addition this year)
- ice or snow the road
(I will not even drive a car even though I can ... cause everyone else does not know how to drive.)

That's so truth. One time during the very rare icing condition in Houston. My friend went over to the road side. One nice person stopped at the road side tried to help. The helper's car was rear ended, then 5 more cars piled on it.
My friend was watching them all got together. Too bad, no video to back that up.

On the issue of ice -

I grew up in Minnesota where there is plenty of snow, but not so much ice on the roads. A;though the snow does get compacted and that is as slippery as ice. I lived for about 9 years in the german state of Bayern and am familiar with snow and ice on cobblestones. I now live in Alabama and we get mostly ice on the roads and occasionaly get snow that melts initially, and if enough falls it cools the roadway and turns to ice.

Suffice it to say I I've learned how and have done quite a bit of winter driving. But, ice is ice and a tire that slides is a tire that is not controllable. I stay home when there is ice on the roads.

CampMor sells the mufflers. My husband just bought me one.

I live in Western Nebraska U.S.A. It gets very cold here but if I put on my
riding pants with the liner, my helmet with the pull down face shield,
insulated lined cuffed gloves and boots with good wool socks I can handle
most of it. I will NOT ride with ice or snow on because generally speaking
they use chemicals on the streets and roads. I do not want any corrosion
on my 05 Swing. I find I can ride most days. I should keep a calendar
of the days I do not ride because of weather. Might be interesting.
Fog is another no no because of stopping distances.
By the way, I did post some pictures on the "Album" part of this Forum.
I love the Swing pictures of all the ones on the "Album" and it is a much
liked part of this Forum. They were easy to post....Thank You!
"Old Dave"

I should be able to ride everyday, as we don't get snow or ice except once in a blue moon, have to ride in the rain as we get our share of that but you have to take the good with the bad.

Hi,

I ride all year around except in the hard rains. I ride to work daily but I'm very lucky since it is usally only in the low 40's while going to work and in the 50's-60's coming home.

DaveR,

Thanks for posting pics in the Album. I know it was a hassle when the site deleted all of the pics but it is nice others are posting there again. I still need to get more of mine in there.

This is the CampMor info for the Neck Warmer:

Seirus Polar Scarf
Item #: 66171
Our Price: $8.99
Regular Price: $11.00
Savings: $2.01
Sizes Available: S-M, L-XL
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___66171

By January, we should run into weather which could make it just too hot to ride. Last Jan Feb we hit record C 40+ 's for a week. Does someone make bikewear with water cooling?

Here in N. Texas you can pretty much ride all year, except when we get an occasional ice storm in the winter. January & February can have some cold (in the 20's) days, but the cold weather seldom stays for long. In this part of the country you get the northern cold fronts and the warm fronts coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. The temperature is driven by which one wins. So, it can be in the 20's one day, and the 50-60's the next. No one that I know ever winterizes their bikes here.

Last week my mate and I rode 2020 km through eastern and central New South Wales. Thursday (19th) and Friday (20th) were both over 45 degree Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit). And that was in the begining of Winter for some of you

By the way, my new SWing coped fantastically, all luggage was carried under the seat and I had no aches or pains - great ride. I'll write up a report and post it soon.

Regards,
Peter

Kurt:
I know they make vests that have pockets for ice packs, and I have a neck wrap that contains a water absorbent gel filing the cools by evaporation. Plus, I would think there would be a way to wet down a tee shirt and allow it to evaporate as you ride.

I guess I'm still waiting for winter here in New Mexico. Oh yes, we've had a cold day here and there, but it seems to me we're still pretty solidly into Fall, with Winter still out there on the horizon somewhere. Today for example is forecast to be sunny with a high of about 52 degrees. Still good riding weather as long as you have the right gear, and don't mind a touch of the coldness.
I'm not complaining mind you.