Too cold for me and my Spyder

[vito1943]

At one time in my life I would go riding when it was really cold. I wouldn't enjoy the ride but I would survive it. I'm not even sure why I did it, as if I were trying to prove to myself that I was a "real" rider. As I got older I was willing to admit to myself that if riding was not fun, then why bother doing it? And as I got older, the lowest temp at which I might consider going out for a ride started to rise, from at first anything above freezing, to then "at least 40" and now its become "at least 60", although if the sun is bright, the wind mild, I would go out at anything much over 50. The same changes happened for hot weather. I used to feel that the temp could never be too high to ride, but now about 92 degrees is my upper limit. Roasting while sitting at a red light, waiting for it to change, is just not what I think of as fun.

And in reference to the original post of this thread, personally I would never have thought 19 degrees was even remotely a day for riding. I think if I had gone somewhere for a ride and the temp dropped that low, I would hope to find a safe place to leave the bike and would call my wife to come pick me up with one of the cars.

 

[jnt]

Yup. Its that time of year. Raven does not go out once salt has been spread in Minneapolis.
We used to ride if the roads were clear - coldest was -6. Once was enuf.

 

[arkyleo]

It wasn't that cold--but salt really sucks. B/4 my Spyder but nevertheless an experience with SALT: https://www.nc700-forum.com/threads/short-salt-ride.18162/

 

[BajaRon]

Another member of the Older & Wiser Club.

There was a time when I rode in Duluth, MN when it was 20 below zero. And that was before there was such a thing as winter m/c specialized gear.

Now, I don't like it less than 40 above. And there are times when even that feels cold. :bowdown:

I'm 1/2 way there... I'm Older!

 

[SportsterDoc]

I will start a ride 40 something F, if the forecast is 50 within an hour, especially if sun is out (normal here). Photos from yesterday at over 8000 feet elevation.





75 years young next month and no heated gear

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

colder wea

I stopped trying to " prove myself " a long time ago…… Now if it doesn't make me SMILE Don't do it …… JMHO ….Mike :thumbup:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Went out today for about an hour. Temperature was sitting right around 7° C. Local area only. Only heated item was the handlebars. First time out this year, and it felt GOOOD! Hope to be able to do it again tomorrow.

 

[shakin_jake]

It’s cold here in north central Fla. How cold? Well, I remembered I left a 12 pack of Yuengling lager in my Spyder’s left pannier so I just walked to the barn to fetch a couple cans to drink before I retire for the evening (yeah I know it’s morning, that’s when I go to bed=. I had an idea the beer was -plenty cold to drink but stuck my Thermapen in the first can I opened to check the temperature. 43 degrees. Never thought my Spyder would do double duty as a refrigerator, but I’m not complaining


Best,


Slakin_Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Wahrsuul]

I rode in this morning - 34* by the weather app, 37* by the tryke. No heated gear. It's due to be mid-50s this afternoon.

My record is riding an ST1300 50 miles to work at 19*. Wasn't too bad, but not enjoyable.

 

[MudBug]

Just be careful. Riding in low temperatures without adequate protection against the cold, especially for the head, can result in markedly lower levels of cognitive abilities. I've personally experienced this, thinking I was warm because of my heated grips, whereas my core body temperature and especially that of my brain were dropping to levels lower than they should have been. I found myself riding way beyond what was sensible for the conditions and only realized what I had been doing when I got to my destination. As I warmed up and the brain fog lifted, I realized that hypothermia had begun to set in. The really disturbing part was that I had not been even slightly aware of this at the time, I just felt very cold. OK, I was on an bike without a fairing and travelling at freeway speeds, but the windchill was beyond what my, I thought was adequate, winter riding gear. It did not take that long a journey for this to happen either.

That's frightening. I question my cognitive abilities in general on any normal given day. The older I get, the more I've started to realize I hate riding in cold weather or at night. I REALLY hate riding in cold weather at night. Even though I'm in south Louisiana, it gets bone-chilling, and I'm no longer used to the Great Lakes cold where I grew up. I suppose a heated jacket might be a great idea, but spring comes fairly quickly here (except last year). I got LED headlights, but the low beams still point too low I guess. I still can't see anything unless I'm on high beam. I don't enjoy taking those Ryker plastic panels off, but I'd better adjust those headlights......

 

[jbim]

I am in Ontario, Canada. My F3L is parked in the garage for the winter. I wouldn't dare ride even if I could endure the cold due to the salt and sand they put on the roads over the winter months. Don't you have that in KS, MN, WY, NJ, MI, OH, etc. How do you address this issue. Wash the bike immediately upon return?

Thanks

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

That's frightening. I question my cognitive abilities in general on any normal given day. The older I get, the more I've started to realize I hate riding in cold weather or at night. I REALLY hate riding in cold weather at night. Even though I'm in south Louisiana, it gets bone-chilling, and I'm no longer used to the Great Lakes cold where I grew up. I suppose a heated jacket might be a great idea, but spring comes fairly quickly here (except last year). I got LED headlights, but the low beams still point too low I guess. I still can't see anything unless I'm on high beam. I don't enjoy taking those Ryker plastic panels off, but I'd better adjust those headlights......

I live in Vermont ....bone chilling is -10 to -20 F ......What is " bone chilling " in South Louisiana ????? ..... Thanks :thumbup:

 

[pegasus1300]

I ride every month of the year regardless of cold, I just don't ride very far. In our little town they don't salt on anything but the main road so I stay on the other roads. I hate salt. I am 75 and still ride all year.

 

[shakin_jake]

I live in Vermont ....bone chilling is -10 to -20 F ......What is " bone chilling " in South Louisiana ????? ..... Thanks :thumbup:

~~~I don’t know about what’s cold (bone chilling) in NOLA or other part of south loosy Ann but, it got down to 29 degrees Fehrenheit in Reddick Fla. yesterday morning and I’m here to tell you, that’s cold for these parts. We haven’t used the wood stoves until yesterday morning but I had to fire the wood stove in the living room when I got up yesterday morning because between those chilly temps and my arthritis, I was miserable


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Little Blue]

Bone Chill Cold

:chat: I saw on TV news, that some southern states were experiencing 'Bone Chill Cold'.
Florida was on the list.

Cost of 'O J' is going to Sky Rocket. .....:banghead:

 

[mecsw500]

~~~I don’t know about what’s cold (bone chilling) in NOLA or other part of south loosy Ann but, it got down to 29 degrees Fehrenheit in Reddick Fla. yesterday morning and I’m here to tell you, that’s cold �� for these parts. We haven’t used the wood stoves until yesterday morning but I had to fire �� the wood stove in the living room when I got up yesterday morning because between those chilly temps and my arthritis, I was miserable ��


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

That's why I bought the trike, it's the arthritis. I used to ride all year round, except when it was snow or ice on the road. Now, it has to be a bit warmer than the mid 20's to the mid 30's to get me out riding. Yes, the arthritis can make you pretty miserable when it's cold. Here's to spring.

 

[daz]

That's frightening. I question my cognitive abilities in general on any normal given day. The older I get, the more I've started to realize I hate riding in cold weather or at night. I REALLY hate riding in cold weather at night. Even though I'm in south Louisiana, it gets bone-chilling, and I'm no longer used to the Great Lakes cold where I grew up. I suppose a heated jacket might be a great idea, but spring comes fairly quickly here (except last year). I got LED headlights, but the low beams still point too low I guess. I still can't see anything unless I'm on high beam. I don't enjoy taking those Ryker plastic panels off, but I'd better adjust those headlights......

I think most people are unaware of the decrease in cognitive abilities in the cold. And that's too bad.

 

[Rednaxs60]

Brother and I were out for a ride on Monday here in Victoria BC. 7-8 deg C. He had never riden or been on a Spyder but has seen a lot in Ontario where he lives. I rode my Gold Wing, he on the Spyder. He had a blast, and considering he is snowmobiling now, it was a balmy day for a ride. Thinking he will be looking for one next year. He is on his way back to Ontario with his new-to-him car, only in town for three days to pick it up. Talked to him this morning as he was leaving Osoyoos BC and he mentioned it was -41 deg C in Larder Lake just south of Timmins Ontario last night. Attached a pic of our ride taken at Pat Bay with the Coast Gaurd station in the background.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

As time goes by I understand more and more why folks go south in the winter! :2thumbs: I very well might myself if I could afford it and the wife didn't get claustrophobic in an RV.

 

[Little Blue]

Cold Cold

Grab the coffee and slow down a bit. Only 52 days till Spring. Read a good book or perhaps plan a trip or two.