The Temperature Effect - Staying Warm and Riding Safely
You can also view the following topic on the 4Shore Rider Concepts video channel.
Ah, the fall. That time of the year when the weather starts to take a nose dive in temperature, but at the same time still has a number of days that entice us to ride, even though we know it is less then ideal. After all, we have just experienced that time of the year as riders we really want - the summer. You know, the long days of sunlight and warmth that allows us to ride early in the morning, or late into the evening while remaining comfortable ( unless it is hot and humid, then not so much.)
Therefore, this tidbit of tips concentrates on what we can expect and do during those times of the year outside of our blessed summer.
Clothing - and layering is a must!
If you are going to ride in the early spring and late fall ( even into winter in some locations), dress for the occasion. We have all heard this suggestion, but what are some of the best way of doing this.
1. A good wind proof motorcycle jacket, whether it be leather or synthetic, as long as it does not allow wind to penetrate it. A 3/4 length jacket, such as First Gear or Joe Rocket as examples, are even better than shorter jackets.
2. An inner jacket or sweater style is the next layer (fleece is very good) as it traps your own bodies heat and also allows some "breath ability". This layer should be long sleeved as your arms arm right out there in the "cooling off" area.
3. A long sleeved shirt is your third layer. This is the layer you usually peel off to when you enter your favourite "Timmies" or other establishment.
4. An undershirt, a T-shirt or better yet, a wicking under garment that allows your body to breath away any sweat instead of being on your skin. Wet skin caused by sweat becomes cold quickly, especially when the temperature drops or just a bit of wind blows across it. I wear wicking undershirts even in the summer.
5. Pants- as with the jacket, having a good wind proof riding pants, such as ballistic pants, in fabric or leather, goes a long way to keeping you warm. Underneath I usually go with a pair of jeans and find for most rides this works very well. However, depending on conditions, or time of day, I may wear a long underwear style undergarment to help inspire warmth. If I wear leather chaps, the undergarment is a must as my legs are warm but the cold windy air passing over the areas not covered by the chaps can make it uncomfortable, especially with the "pee threshold". As well, if your outer pants have a zipper that actually works like normal pants is a bonus!
6. Socks- depending on your boots, I like to layer them with thin pairs instead of one thick one. You may also find better styles and kinds by visiting an adventure store that specializes in materials to keep you warm while hiking / camping in extreme conditions. Note: because my feet may have a tendency to sweat, I carry an extra pair of socks with me if they start to get cold, allowing me to replace the inner wet layer.
7. Boots- those breathable boots you wore in the summer are not as suited to the colder weather, and a higher cut boot would be preferred. However, if all you have is a air flow style boot, you may have to place your sock layered feet inside of a plastic bag inside the boot to cut down on the air hitting your foot. Just be warned that sweating could and most likely will occur. Again, there are socks designed to act as a wind buffer, available from a number of suppliers.
8. Velcro straps- fasten these around the bottom of your pants cuff over your boots to stop air seepage up the leg, especially on cruiser style bikes. If air is able to blow up the inside of your pants, it doesn't matter how many layers you have on.
9. Neck scarf- a small scarf that you can tie around your neck and zip you coat up to will stop air seepage down the neck of your coat. As with the pants, air down the jacket makes one shiver.
10. Balaclava - these work wonders to keep you neck and face warm. There Re many different materials out there, but an important thing to keep in mind is that you have to put your helmet down over it, and if too thick, your helmet will not fit properly, and then all you think about when you ride is how uncomfortable you are while you ride.
11. Helmet- while I advocate a full face helmet, which again blocks a good majority of the wind , especially from the face, a neoprene face mask can work wonders with an open face helmet.
12. Gloves- those short summer gloves are not really conducive to keeping you warm as they allow the cuffs of your jacket to be exposed to air flow, and thus, driving that cold air up the sleeve. This not only makes the arms cold, but the hands as well and cools down the entire body. Gauntlet style gloves that are thicker and wind proof work best. As well, when sizing them, get a pair that is just a bit bigger than your normal fit. This allows the air on the inside to warm up from your hands, especially if you have heated grips or a chemical warm pack in the gloves. It also allows you to wear a thin neoprene style glove on the inside, which, like the rest of your gear, let's you layer up. (just make sure the gloves are not so big as to bunch up on the grips).
Options Along The Way
1. Heated handle grips -As already mentioned, while these work well and can do an admiral job to keep the hands warm ( on the palm side) the backs of the hands can still be cold, but not nearly as cold as they would have been!
2. Chemical Heat Packs or "hotties" - these small packs which measure about 3 inches by 3 inches are good for about 6-8 hours and when placed in your gloves or boots, will keep these appendages so much more supple, and they will thank you for it.
3. Heated Clothing- there are many styles and manufacturers of heated gloves, vests, jackets, boots, and socks just to mention the most common ones. If you go this route, make sure you check to see what kind of draw they will create on your bikes electrical system. Keep in mind a bikes charging system is much less than that of a car and you could get out there nice and toasty, only to have the bike quit because of a dead battery. An alternative are self-battery operated heated clothing that run on either regular flashlight batteries, or rechargeables. Either way, if you do not ride a lot in cold weather, is the cost worth it?
4. Remember I talked about "Timmies"? Whether it is Tim's coffee or Star's hot chocolate lattes, when you ride in the cold, you eventually start to cool off the bodies core temperature. The occasional hot beverage can help to warm you up, and even if it doesn't, you are probably drinking those in a heated area, and the psychological effect of the warm drink can make a difference!
The riding season does not have to end just because the summer has ended. Remember, while we are part of the "Great White North", the roads in this part of the country are for riding", at least until covered with snow, ice, and salt. Hopefully, not too soon and not too long :)
You can also view the following topic on the 4Shore Rider Concepts video channel.
Ah, the fall. That time of the year when the weather starts to take a nose dive in temperature, but at the same time still has a number of days that entice us to ride, even though we know it is less then ideal. After all, we have just experienced that time of the year as riders we really want - the summer. You know, the long days of sunlight and warmth that allows us to ride early in the morning, or late into the evening while remaining comfortable ( unless it is hot and humid, then not so much.)
Therefore, this tidbit of tips concentrates on what we can expect and do during those times of the year outside of our blessed summer.
Clothing - and layering is a must!
If you are going to ride in the early spring and late fall ( even into winter in some locations), dress for the occasion. We have all heard this suggestion, but what are some of the best way of doing this.
1. A good wind proof motorcycle jacket, whether it be leather or synthetic, as long as it does not allow wind to penetrate it. A 3/4 length jacket, such as First Gear or Joe Rocket as examples, are even better than shorter jackets.
2. An inner jacket or sweater style is the next layer (fleece is very good) as it traps your own bodies heat and also allows some "breath ability". This layer should be long sleeved as your arms arm right out there in the "cooling off" area.
3. A long sleeved shirt is your third layer. This is the layer you usually peel off to when you enter your favourite "Timmies" or other establishment.
4. An undershirt, a T-shirt or better yet, a wicking under garment that allows your body to breath away any sweat instead of being on your skin. Wet skin caused by sweat becomes cold quickly, especially when the temperature drops or just a bit of wind blows across it. I wear wicking undershirts even in the summer.
5. Pants- as with the jacket, having a good wind proof riding pants, such as ballistic pants, in fabric or leather, goes a long way to keeping you warm. Underneath I usually go with a pair of jeans and find for most rides this works very well. However, depending on conditions, or time of day, I may wear a long underwear style undergarment to help inspire warmth. If I wear leather chaps, the undergarment is a must as my legs are warm but the cold windy air passing over the areas not covered by the chaps can make it uncomfortable, especially with the "pee threshold". As well, if your outer pants have a zipper that actually works like normal pants is a bonus!
6. Socks- depending on your boots, I like to layer them with thin pairs instead of one thick one. You may also find better styles and kinds by visiting an adventure store that specializes in materials to keep you warm while hiking / camping in extreme conditions. Note: because my feet may have a tendency to sweat, I carry an extra pair of socks with me if they start to get cold, allowing me to replace the inner wet layer.
7. Boots- those breathable boots you wore in the summer are not as suited to the colder weather, and a higher cut boot would be preferred. However, if all you have is a air flow style boot, you may have to place your sock layered feet inside of a plastic bag inside the boot to cut down on the air hitting your foot. Just be warned that sweating could and most likely will occur. Again, there are socks designed to act as a wind buffer, available from a number of suppliers.
8. Velcro straps- fasten these around the bottom of your pants cuff over your boots to stop air seepage up the leg, especially on cruiser style bikes. If air is able to blow up the inside of your pants, it doesn't matter how many layers you have on.
9. Neck scarf- a small scarf that you can tie around your neck and zip you coat up to will stop air seepage down the neck of your coat. As with the pants, air down the jacket makes one shiver.
10. Balaclava - these work wonders to keep you neck and face warm. There Re many different materials out there, but an important thing to keep in mind is that you have to put your helmet down over it, and if too thick, your helmet will not fit properly, and then all you think about when you ride is how uncomfortable you are while you ride.
11. Helmet- while I advocate a full face helmet, which again blocks a good majority of the wind , especially from the face, a neoprene face mask can work wonders with an open face helmet.
12. Gloves- those short summer gloves are not really conducive to keeping you warm as they allow the cuffs of your jacket to be exposed to air flow, and thus, driving that cold air up the sleeve. This not only makes the arms cold, but the hands as well and cools down the entire body. Gauntlet style gloves that are thicker and wind proof work best. As well, when sizing them, get a pair that is just a bit bigger than your normal fit. This allows the air on the inside to warm up from your hands, especially if you have heated grips or a chemical warm pack in the gloves. It also allows you to wear a thin neoprene style glove on the inside, which, like the rest of your gear, let's you layer up. (just make sure the gloves are not so big as to bunch up on the grips).
Options Along The Way
1. Heated handle grips -As already mentioned, while these work well and can do an admiral job to keep the hands warm ( on the palm side) the backs of the hands can still be cold, but not nearly as cold as they would have been!
2. Chemical Heat Packs or "hotties" - these small packs which measure about 3 inches by 3 inches are good for about 6-8 hours and when placed in your gloves or boots, will keep these appendages so much more supple, and they will thank you for it.
3. Heated Clothing- there are many styles and manufacturers of heated gloves, vests, jackets, boots, and socks just to mention the most common ones. If you go this route, make sure you check to see what kind of draw they will create on your bikes electrical system. Keep in mind a bikes charging system is much less than that of a car and you could get out there nice and toasty, only to have the bike quit because of a dead battery. An alternative are self-battery operated heated clothing that run on either regular flashlight batteries, or rechargeables. Either way, if you do not ride a lot in cold weather, is the cost worth it?
4. Remember I talked about "Timmies"? Whether it is Tim's coffee or Star's hot chocolate lattes, when you ride in the cold, you eventually start to cool off the bodies core temperature. The occasional hot beverage can help to warm you up, and even if it doesn't, you are probably drinking those in a heated area, and the psychological effect of the warm drink can make a difference!
The riding season does not have to end just because the summer has ended. Remember, while we are part of the "Great White North", the roads in this part of the country are for riding", at least until covered with snow, ice, and salt. Hopefully, not too soon and not too long :)