Cold weather riding - I thought I was a man

[spooph]

And forgot to bring my balaclava this morning. "My pace is prozen".

It was only 38 degrees, and rode my AFX enduro helmet, so it was a lot more open than the typical full faced road helmet. I love this time of year. Fall rocks! Just enough crisp in the air to wake you up, but not enough to make it painful yet. On the other hand, I'm dreading winter and the polar bear challenge. How many of you will be competing in the Polar Bear Challenge this year?

[bob706]

Originally Posted by spooph

Polar Bear Challenge

esplane pleeze

[spooph]

Polar Bear Challenge, document in some form or fashion that you've ridden in below freezing - picture of you and the bike, with a thermometer, or a video, etc. LJ on youtube and SuburbanRider did a Polar Bear vlogger's challenge last winter. Any interest here in this? Maybe we can all put into buying a small stuffed animal - maybe like a little polar bear, and then the winner get's that stuffed animal in spring time?

[ChaosFromAbove]

...talk about the nut pucker factor. lol

Originally Posted by spooph

Polar Bear Challenge, document in some form or fashion that you've ridden in below freezing - picture of you and the bike, with a thermometer, or a video, etc. LJ on youtube and SuburbanRider did a Polar Bear vlogger's challenge last winter. Any interest here in this? Maybe we can all put into buying a small stuffed animal - maybe like a little polar bear, and then the winner get's that stuffed animal in spring time?

I actually like tht idea...but when someone says polar bear challenge the first thing that pops into my head is the thing they do every year at the shore. everyone strips down to their swimming attire and jumps into the freezing ocean for a quick swim in the dead of winter. lol

For some reason I'm not finding anything about them doing it at a south jersey shore, could have sworn they did it last year at wildwood or sea isle...watever...might as well make north jersey look dumber than they already do (thanks to jersey shore)

Link to original page on YouTube.

[backinthesaddleagain]

cold morning in RI today too. I took some great backroads to stay out of the wind. Payback time will be a nice ride home weatherwise.

[wvninja]

Yeah its a little crisp but so worth it when it hits 70f when its time to leave work

[bob706]

Originally Posted by spooph

Polar Bear Challenge, document in some form or fashion that you've ridden in below freezing

Not for me

[spooph]

Originally Posted by drsketch

I didn't realize freezing your ass off in the cold on a bike makes you a man..

well I guess now you know.

[onetruevibe]

34F this morning and I was completely unprepared for the commute. Leather jacket and lined overpants kept my core warm, but my gloves were not climate-correct. And my face....ah.

I almost turned back...but pressed on.

The worst/scariest part was my shield icing:

So....is there a "feels like" scale out there? I mean, if it's 34F and I'm travelling at 60mph, what's the relative temperature?

[spooph]

sketch, you aint lying... I was out in NY in the Hudson Valley a few years back around Christmas time. took my buddy's bike out for a spin. 5 times worse than here in CO.... Which is part of why I love this states. But anyhoos, concerning the "feel's like" thing Vibe:
I have found this so far:


Still looking for something that factors in humidity, as Sketch has mentioned, to get a more accurate measurement....

[kamikaze]

i rode to work this morning, it was (according to my iPhone) -1C (30F) which is friggin chilly. the only thing that got really cold was my hands, since I just only have summer gloves. I tried using my snowboard gloves yesterday, but they are too bulky to run the controls comfortably.

[Snake]

^^^ Get some riding gloves with 3M "thinsulate" in them. They are very comfortable and do a great job of keeping your hands warm.

[addy126]

Ahhhhhhh 65ish this morning into work.. sun shining, pleasant ride into work...

[Snake]

^^^ +1 here. Onother reason to love the south-west. Very mild winters.

[spooph]

kamikaze - I use these:
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/cata...e-p-109_9.html


And they work well down to about 10F with the rain/wind liner one, which zips into the back part of the gauntlet...

I've also installed heated grips on my bike - one of the first mods I did to it. For those interested:
http://www.newninja.com/modifications/hotter-hands/

[Rollin..]

Last Monday here in NJ/NY it was around 60 when I rode to work...sun was shining..ok great...


Then in the evening it started to rain and I think it went down to high 40s...I didn't care because the rain wasn't that hard for me to get really wet so I rode on..but then halfway I thought the drops became bigger and felt them more...but then I realized it was hail! there was a sudden hailstorm! so ok I was screwed anyway so I just kept riding...the faster I rode the more it hurt..like I was mary magdalene being stoned to death..

When I got home our neighbour was looking at me from his window and people in the house were laughing at me because I was so drenched..down to the underwear...

[JeffM]

I've been looking for some cold weather gloves. Spooph, how are they for flexibility/feel when riding?

40F when I left the house this am for work, 30F-ish when I arrived. A bit chilly. Only things that were cold were my hands and face from the helmet vents. Also, I have to wear contacts vs. glasses. My spectacles immediately fog up inside my helmet and nothing clears them except opening my visor...Brrrrrrrr.

[spooph]

Jeff, those gloves are great, if you consider you're carrying enough insulation to you warm in the very cold. They are no-where near the maneuverability of a summer glove, but then again, do you really need to be doing things as quickly in the cold as you do in the warm? They tend to be cut for people with shorter fingers. Having longer fingers, I just deal. The colder it gets, the slower things should happen.... Planning and fore-sight is what keeps us safe, so don't blame an accident on not being able to reach the brake in-time, type of thing, you know?

[JeffM]

Thanks, I'll have to look for them at the local moto dealers.

[kamikaze]

Originally Posted by spooph

kamikaze - I use these:
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/cata...e-p-109_9.html


And they work well down to about 10F with the rain/wind liner one, which zips into the back part of the gauntlet...

I've also installed heated grips on my bike - one of the first mods I did to it. For those interested:
http://www.newninja.com/modifications/hotter-hands/

i saw those grip warmers, they are really inexpensive and I'll prbably be asking santa for a set for the springtime. one question tho, on the throttle side did you put them over the throttle tube, or inside it?

I need new gloves as well, but so far I haven't really liked any that I've tried on. local selection sucks, and I'm afraid to order something like that online that I haven't had a chance to try on.

[Sailariel]

I like Tourmaster gear. I have the Tourmaster Winter Elite Gloves and love them. No cold hands at 34F. I also have the Tourmaster Raven Jacket. This is not an expensive jacket--but should be. I wore it all summer without the lining and all the vents open. We had a very hot summer. No problem when in motion--a touch uncomfortable when you stop. With the liner in, this jacket is warm. It is also waterproof. I also have Tourmaster boots and pants. I'll ride until they start putting salt on the roads.

[mrlmd]

Don't forget, besides the cold and wind-chill effects on you, the cold weather really
bothers your tires' grip on the road, especially in corners and turns. The rubber is harder, the road is slick, and if you don't pay attention to this and watch your a$$, you may be on the ground before you realize what happened. Go slow for 5-10 min and let your tires warm up a little, and watch out for slick spots (black ice etc.) on the road. Take the corners easy, slow down.

[spooph]

kamikaze, I made a little hole in the grips and passed the wires through it, so that they wouldn't rub on anything, and where they attach to the heating element, under the grip, they would bent either which would have eventually snapped the wire.

mrlmd, good point and healthy reminder. Yes, them tires aren't what they are in the summer time, that's for sure!

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by spooph

mrlmd, good point and healthy reminder. Yes, them tires aren't what they are in the summer time, that's for sure!

I think they wear out faster in the cold too. Or at least that's what Dr. Internet told me.

[Ytse Frobozz]

I used that chart, as well as some wind chill calculator I found a while back when I cruised home on a slightly chilly night. I love how the gist of it is if you can take the wind at 55mph, you might as well do 75 because it really doesn't get any colder.

[Domagoj]

Originally Posted by spooph

Polar Bear Challenge, document in some form or fashion that you've ridden in below freezing - picture of you and the bike, with a thermometer, or a video, etc. LJ on youtube and SuburbanRider did a Polar Bear vlogger's challenge last winter. Any interest here in this? Maybe we can all put into buying a small stuffed animal - maybe like a little polar bear, and then the winner get's that stuffed animal in spring time?

This is great. Im in

[Bleak21]

Originally Posted by Rollin..

Last Monday here in NJ/NY it was around 60 when I rode to work...sun was shining..ok great...


Then in the evening it started to rain and I think it went down to high 40s...I didn't care because the rain wasn't that hard for me to get really wet so I rode on..but then halfway I thought the drops became bigger and felt them more...but then I realized it was hail! there was a sudden hailstorm! so ok I was screwed anyway so I just kept riding...the faster I rode the more it hurt..like I was mary magdalene being stoned to death..

When I got home our neighbour was looking at me from his window and people in the house were laughing at me because I was so drenched..down to the underwear...

oh man, you were in that? How are you supposed to protect yourself from hail; really thick pants and jacket???

[Sailariel]

If confronted with hail--I would try to find something to get under fast, an underpass, gas station, even a good sized tree.

[ChaosFromAbove]

Originally Posted by Bleak21

oh man, you were in that? How are you supposed to protect yourself from hail; really thick pants and jacket???

deck yourself out with kevlar...lots and lots of kevlar.

[backinthesaddleagain]

39 this morning then hit a warm patch of air, felt great, then shield and mirrors fogged over. well worth it for the 60+ degree ride home

[mrlmd]

Riding in hail will bang up, scratch you bike, maybe crack the plastics and windshield, or your visor, and maybe make you slide off the road. Smarter to stop and get off the road by yourself, preferably underneath some protection as Sailariel advised.

[Apex]

I've done a Polar Bear....both actually. Back when I lived in Illinois, I swam in the Great Lakes when it was really cold.

I also had my GS500 as my commuter. I know I've been out in colder weather, but I vividly remember a bank showing the temp when I was out one night at like 8-9pm or so, it read 22*F. Didn't bug me one bit.

[spooph]

+1 on hiding from the Hail. that stuff is nasty!

OK, so if there's interest in a Polar Bear Challenge this winter season. Let's lay down some rules, eh? How complicated do you guys want to make this?

Do you want to involve wind chill and humidity calculations? Keep in mind, every new variable that gets considered will have to be proven with a photo or video.... I"m thinking we use cell phones for time - that way you can take a picture of the weather forecast on a computer with your cell phone in the pic, showing date/time, ambient air temp corrected for wind chill and humidity, then we can calculate on top of that wind chill from the bike and how the humidity affects that rating....

Cast your suggestions/votes...

[FrugalNinja250]

I do "Polar Bear" rides as a matter of routine. Last year I rode down to 22°F. I didn't go colder because it didn't get colder at the times I happened to be riding. It's normal for me.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by spooph

OK, so if there's interest in a Polar Bear Challenge this winter season. Let's lay down some rules, eh? How complicated do you guys want to make this?

Do you want to involve wind chill and humidity calculations? Keep in mind, every new variable that gets considered will have to be proven with a photo or video.... I"m thinking we use cell phones for time - that way you can take a picture of the weather forecast on a computer with your cell phone in the pic, showing date/time, ambient air temp corrected for wind chill and humidity, then we can calculate on top of that wind chill from the bike and how the humidity affects that rating....

Cast your suggestions/votes...

Hard for me to do Spooph since I live in southern Texas. Rarely gets cold enough to hold a candle to everyone up north.

[JeffM]

Originally Posted by spooph

+1 on hiding from the Hail. that stuff is nasty!

OK, so if there's interest in a Polar Bear Challenge this winter season. Let's lay down some rules, eh? How complicated do you guys want to make this?

Do you want to involve wind chill and humidity calculations? Keep in mind, every new variable that gets considered will have to be proven with a photo or video.... I"m thinking we use cell phones for time - that way you can take a picture of the weather forecast on a computer with your cell phone in the pic, showing date/time, ambient air temp corrected for wind chill and humidity, then we can calculate on top of that wind chill from the bike and how the humidity affects that rating....

Cast your suggestions/votes...

National Weather Service Meso stations work pretty well for daily temp readings. Example: Salt Lake Valley Meso http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/current/meso.slv.php

[Flashmonkey]

Oh man....why do I get the feeling this thread is gonna make me go riding out in the middle of winter? Damn you guys!!

[spooph]

Originally Posted by Apex

Hard for me to do Spooph since I live in southern Texas. Rarely gets cold enough to hold a candle to everyone up north.

so you can't play the game.... YOU GET GREAT RIDING WEATHER! I guess you're just rubbing it in, huh?

right oh, so for those who want to play, let's lay down some rules, and we can create a thread keeping score. I would like to incorporate road conditions and such as well, cause we should get points for balls (or stupidity - not sure what the difference is), for riding in snow, etc, etc.

Before this goes any further, please let me lay rule 1:

YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED OR FORCED IN ANY WAY TO PLAY. IF YOU DO, AS IN ALL SITUATIONS, YOU ARE TAKING YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. YOU ARE NOT ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED. THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO ENJOY MOTORCYCLING, AND IT MAKES YOU A GOOD RIDER, IF YOU DON'T GET HURT. OTHERWISE IT SETS YOUR PROGRESS BACK. SO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED. THE REWARD DO NOT OUT-WEIGHT THE CONSEQUENCES. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE POSSIBLY LIFE-LONG INJURY OR DEATH. THE REWARDS ARE A LITTLE STUFFED ANIMAL AND THE TITLE OF "BAD-ASS OF THE SEASON", OR "DUMB-ASS OF THE SEASON", PICK YOUR CHOICE.

Okay, with that out of the way.... Let's see, ideas for quantifying the game....

- you can make a video showing your attempts.
- you can take photos showing your attempts.

material that will be required in the documentation:

- air temp and wind chill
- average traveling speed and traveling distance or traveling time
- road conditions

Scoring:
- For every 5 degrees below 32F (0C), AND every 10 minutes of riding you get 1 point. (sub-total)
- For precipitation (snow, rain, sleet), multiply the sub-total by 2.

Thus, 32F for 10 min in dry conditions = 1 point
32F(1) for 20 min (x2) in snow(x2) = 4 points.
28F(2) for 10 min (1) in dry conditions = 2 points.
28F(2) for 20 min (x2) in snow (x2) = 8 points.

Thus, during my daily commute: 32F (1) for 30 min (x3) in dry = 3 points.

Or do we want to set up temp ranges, because somebody's gonna come up with a half-way point (29F), and does that round up or down? Because I really don't want to calculate fractional points, it's already too complicated...

What say fellow crazies?

[Domagoj]

Originally Posted by spooph

so you can't play the game.... YOU GET GREAT RIDING WEATHER! I guess you're just rubbing it in, huh?

right oh, so for those who want to play, let's lay down some rules, and we can create a thread keeping score. I would like to incorporate road conditions and such as well, cause we should get points for balls (or stupidity - not sure what the difference is), for riding in snow, etc, etc.

Before this goes any further, please let me lay rule 1:

YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED OR FORCED IN ANY WAY TO PLAY. IF YOU DO, AS IN ALL SITUATIONS, YOU ARE TAKING YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. YOU ARE NOT ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED. THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO ENJOY MOTORCYCLING, AND IT MAKES YOU A GOOD RIDER, IF YOU DON'T GET HURT. OTHERWISE IT SETS YOUR PROGRESS BACK. SO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED. THE REWARD DO NOT OUT-WEIGHT THE CONSEQUENCES. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE POSSIBLY LIFE-LONG INJURY OR DEATH. THE REWARDS ARE A LITTLE STUFFED ANIMAL AND THE TITLE OF "BAD-ASS OF THE SEASON", OR "DUMB-ASS OF THE SEASON", PICK YOUR CHOICE.

Okay, with that out of the way.... Let's see, ideas for quantifying the game....

- you can make a video showing your attempts.
- you can take photos showing your attempts.

material that will be required in the documentation:

- air temp and wind chill
- average traveling speed and traveling distance or traveling time
- road conditions

Scoring:
- For every 5 degrees below 32F (0C), AND every 10 minutes of riding you get 1 point. (sub-total)
- For precipitation (snow, rain, sleet), multiply the sub-total by 2.

Thus, 32F for 10 min in dry conditions = 1 point
32F(1) for 20 min (x2) in snow(x2) = 4 points.
28F(2) for 10 min (1) in dry conditions = 2 points.
28F(2) for 20 min (x2) in snow (x2) = 8 points.

Thus, during my daily commute: 32F (1) for 30 min (x3) in dry = 3 points.

Or do we want to set up temp ranges, because somebody's gonna come up with a half-way point (29F), and does that round up or down? Because I really don't want to calculate fractional points, it's already too complicated...

What say fellow crazies?

I have made an excel calculator based on your proposal. It has slightly modified scoring system, because the original scoring tends to benefit very slow and long rides, because it evaluates only actual temperature and time spent riding.

I have included wind chill temperature formula, and taken "chilled" temperature as relevant one. Wind speed is the average ride speed.

The calculator can work with imperial and SI units. Only values you must type in are length of the ride, time of the ride, and temperature.

If you chose to work with kilometers, calculator will assume that the temperature will be given in C. In that case leave mile and F at 0.

If using miles, it will assume that temperature will be given in F, so leave km and C at 0.

If precipitation is on 0, that means no rain/snow whatever. Anything else = raining.

Try to play with different values and note the scores, if you think it gives reasonable scores, thats good. If not, try to mod yourselves or give some comments on what should play bigger/smaller role in end score - temperature, rain, speed, or time or distance traveled, or any combination.

At the moment calc is a bit screwed as it rewards many shorter rides more then one of equivalent length/speed.

[Domagoj]

forgot to upload