The Saga of Winter Riding -- commuting Feb 14th

It was something like 22^o this morning when I left for work.
Brrrrrrrr.

I clearly should have worn my heated gloves and full face helmet. Even donning a balaclava (thin fabric face cover) my open face helmet provided little to shield my face and eyes from the cold. Initially, my eyes teared until I couldn't feel them. Tears froze as they rolled down my cheeks. It is interesting to experience freezing tears and numb eyes, especially when it's so important to scan for road hazards and errant cars. My biggest concern was patches of ice unnoticed until too late. Happily, none were encountered.

After my eyes became numb, I began to notice feeling leaving my fingers. The left hand fingers first, but in no time, fingers on both hands were painfully cold. At stoplights, I shifted to neutral and clapped, squeezed, and rubbed both hands together to get blood flowing. After about 30-minutes into the ride, nothing worked. I have no rational excuse for not wearing my heated gloves :(

When I finally arrived at work, I didn't have enough hand control to remove my gloves. I clapped until my fingers would bend a little so I could get them off. Once inside my office, my fingers slowly tingled back to life, but not subtly. Not witting of the physiology behind this, the ensuing pain was excruciating as my fingers warmed. For about 10 minutes, I had to grit my teeth until the pain subsided. Even now, about 3 hours later, my finger tips are sufficiently sensitive that I have difficulty typing.

If nothing else, riding in the winter affirms that I am alive!
Keep on riding!

Got my groove back

11 straight days of no riding prompted me to resolve getting on the bike. Luckily, despite Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of more winter, it has so far been temperate this week. And so, I've ridden every day...but at the price of riding in the rain.

Ah well...a bad day on a motorcycle is better than a good day under any circumstances.

This is killing me

Single digit wind chill this morning.
Didn't ride.
This is killing me.

Riding to work on January 8th

Another record breaking day for high temperature likely.
Just over 50^o this morning, and near 70s promised for later.
I didn't bother with my riding suit today--a leather jacket was enough.

Maybe global warming is real?

Riding to work on January 7th

Temperature at 7am: 50^o
Temperature forecast for later: mid 60s

Days like today is why I don't winterize.

Motorcycling in the winter

If you've ridden a motorcycle when the air temperature is below 40^o, then you know how cold it can be to ride. According to the National Weather Service, if the air temperature is 40^o and your traveling at 50-mph, then the temperature you feel is 25^o. When it's 25^o, at 50-mph it feels like 4^o.

Riding without the proper gear at these temperatures is not only uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous:

• Fingers get numb and it becomes hard to operate hand controls.
• Toes get numb and it's difficult to operate foot controls.
  
• Eyes will begin to tear when cold and visibility can be impaired.
• Mental focus is directed away from traffic conditions and concentrates on trying to keep the body warm.
  

So, what are some tips for riding safely when it's cold outside?

• Get a full length riding suit that will insulate the body from the cold wind. I wear a two piece Kevlar based textile suit with padding. While expensive, these suits will last years with minimal care. Mine is 7 years old.
• Wear full face helmet. Keeping the cold wind off of your face is important. If not a full face helmet, then protect your face with a balaclava. Even the light weight ones can be effective by keeping your warm breath close to your face.
• When the air temperatures get into the low 20s and teens, then, at least for me, heated gloves are in order. Keeping my fingers warm is most difficult for me and can make for a a very uncomfortable ride. When warm, even cold rides are tolerable for me.
• If especially cold &/or I plan to take a long ride, then I don my heated socks and heated vest.
  

This gear can get expensive, but when riding in the cold, you'll agree it's worth every penny.

Riding to work on December 20th

I didn't. I should have. Getting old?

Riding to work on Dec 14th

39^o
Heavy fog, visibility down to 100-yds in some places.
Sun promised in the afternoon.
Significant nor'easter with snow expected in 24-hrs.
Ride On!

Bike to bike communications--what doesn't work

This is more of a solicitation from readers to learn what works best for bike-to-bike communications than it is a blog post per se. A victim of trying to find the "cheap way out", I have yet to come across a viable bike-to-bike communications system for use with open face helmets.

From first hand experience, here's what I know does NOT work:

• FRS radios with available ear bud & VOX mic
• FRS radios with available ear bud & PTT mic
• GMRS radios with ear bud & VOX or PTT mic
• GMRS radios with throat mic & corresponding ear piece

I have not pursued finding a solution with any vigor. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Riding to Work on Nov 30th

37^o
Didn't wear heated gloves.
Cold.