View Full Version : Whimping out, or what??
usahellas
10-04-2004, 07:11
So guys here it is.
Am I the only person here who kind of has a kind of rule of thumb as far as temps go? It was COLD this morning, 46 degrees. Normally I will ride until temps are in the high 30s to low 40s but it was just COLD today. I know there are some Eskimo riders out there and I am not a fair weather rider but lately I have been getting cold to fast. Is that something that just happens after going over the 35 year mark? It did seem to hit me right after going over 35. :whatever:
heheh, I can recall having a couple of places I had to watch out for ice when going into work.. But I can tell you that at 50 years old, I just bought my first pair of chaps and at 49 put my very first ever windshield on.... I guess the years do catch up sooner or later. :shifty:
usahellas
10-04-2004, 08:35
No idea!!!!!!
So let me think. This is an even year so I am "pause" 36. Friends of ours are moving and found an old pair of chaps in the basement and gave them to me. So my first set of chaps at 36. No windshield coming onto my sportster. Guess I will have to freeze. I plan on having a Electra Glide by age of 45 so that should take care of some of the problems.
I have never in my life found a pair of gloves that will keep my hands warm. Last year was the most beautiful riding weather I have ever ridden in. I did not really start riding until I got to Germany anyway so I am use to riding in crap most of the time. Or at least riding back in crap. Anyway, shortly after getting back from the European bike week in Austria our temps bottomed out. I have been cold ever since then. I had gotten so use to the warmth last summer that I FROZE all winter long. I became a mole and would simply crawl up in my bed and sleep whenever possible.
We have had almost no true summer weather this year. I started to get use to the weather a bit but I am cold again. I was never like this and have been looking for some type of explaination. As if things were not bad enough my daughters are into figure skating so dad has to make at least one trip a week to the ice rink. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Sunday afternoons I feel like a 36 year old Popscicle.
:mecry:
usahellas..........
I don't think you're any different from anyone else. Although I did some stupid stuff in my twenties. In college, I rode 10 miles in sub-freezing weather on my Triumph just to get a six-pack of beer. When I got home, couldn't feel my fingers.
Now that I'm older and I think, smarter, I'll ride in lower 40s with LJs, jeans, chaps, sweatshirt, leather jacket, and full-face. It's rather toastie, actually. :flamejump I just get really warey of black ice.
03Springer
10-04-2004, 09:16
Rode home yesterday (almost 120 miles) in temps around 30 - 32F. This morning the first 15 miles were around 28F on the way into work. Thank goodness for heated vests. Now all I need is some heated gloves and I'll be good to go. I think I hear Gerbing in my future. :D
Nothing against 03Springer or any of the others, but I think anyone who rides when its that cold is NUTS. :nut:
Riding loses all enjoyment for me when its that cold. The wind chill calculation is something like -7 degrees for every 10 miles per hour of wind. If its 40 out and you're going 60 mph, the wind feels like -2 degrees. Too cold for me.
usahellas, I'm no whimp but I won't ride in the cold.
In my 20's and early 30's, I'd ride "any place, any time". Rain, fog, snow, whatever. I'd just throw on the layers and head out to meet my buddies. Most of us lived in the city, and the roads were almost always navigable.
That all changed when I moved to the far 'burbs. For some strange reason, the cold is different out here... and the winter roads just plain suck. So I don't get out at all like I used to.
Being wet/cold has lost its novelty, I guess.
On my first ride of the year it was 37 degrees, and it will probably be 37 degrees again when I ride my last. I can't honestly say that it's comfortable... but its riding... my favorite thing to do... :bounce1:
USA... we all get cold sometimes... no big deal! time for another layer!
Hellas,
Everyone, including Mary, thinks I am nuts. The only reason I don't ride in if it's raining is that I have to look presentable at work. Afternoon rain is fine. Last winter I rode in and couldn't get the dern door open cause I couldn't feel the keys to unhook them. :sick: I normally don't ride that cold, but didn't realize it was until I had already took off. :mad3:
BTW, I finally gave up last year and put a windshield on, not for the cold, but for the ^%$^%%^&(!!!!! bugs. Unbelievable down here for the last 2 years... some of those varmints look like Condors swooping in on ya!
Anyway, even wet, cold and downright dern miserable,... I'd rather be on my scoot than in a stocked Limo. hehehe...but that's me. :)
usahellas
10-04-2004, 01:49
You get to hear some of my best stories from my sis. Now anyone can say what they want but the best stories are always the drives you make in bad or inclement weather.
1. Time I ever prayed all the way home. I got to work on a really nice crisp freezing morning. Sometime in the afternoon I looked out the window and it had just started to snow. I told everyone I have to leave I am on two wheels today and I was off. I decided to take the interstate since the interstate is the last to freeze over and the first to get salt so I took it. I made it home just minutes before the snow started to stick to the streets. So now to my gloves. They were covered with a nice small sheet of ice which actually cracked as I removed my hands from the handle bars.
2. I was driving home from work one summer month. I was only about 1/2 mile from work as it started to rain. I was soaking wet within 2 minutes. I drove home in a DOWNPOUR. I got undressed in at the front door while my wife was laughing and taking my clothes. I wrang water out of my jacket, shirt, pants, and underwear. I poured about a gallon of water from each boot and yes it was as if I had a religous expierence.
Both rides were EXCELLENT!!!! Both rides I laughed all the way home.
That is why I started this thread. I have ridden in rain, I have ridden in snow, I have ridden in temps where 32 was warm and now I am freezing at 45.
Ingrid and I keep riding until the first snow.
Last New Year's Day, we rode in our Chapter's Frozen Tundra Ride. 21 degrees, and cloudy. It was great! 125 bikes, and 175 people showed up, and when we got to our destination, we had a great time.
We'll do it, again, in 2005.
The cold was very uncomfortable, but not riding would have been worse.
RIDE SAFE
RIDE FREE,
BUT RIDE
:usaflag:
Exactly my point. Those kind of rides are the ones you remember most vividly. This past August was my best ride yet. Caught in a sudden cold snap :mad3: ,120 miles of rain :mad3:, not some wimpy drizzle either, smacked on the cheek by a rock :nut: at 70+ miles an hour, 80 more miles of rain, but 2000 miles of the best riding I've ever enjoyed. :)
Coldtoe, I guess it's like the t-shirt says.
"If I have to explain...you wouldn't understand"
It's in our blood, and we can't fight it, nor do we want to.
When I'm too old to hold up a two wheeler, I'll get a trike, and keep on riding, until I die.
RIDE SAFE
RIDE FREE
:usaflag:
That pretty much sums it up Rick. I've had the fever since I was 5 years old and never got over it. I hope I never do too.
I had the seed planted when I was five, too.
I had just been adopted, with my brother(he drowned when he was 15), and my parents took us to see our new Grandma(dad's side).
My dad's cousin came over with his new 1953 Harley, and took me for a ride.
He scared the crap out of me, and thrilled me, at the same time. From that moment on, I was hooked on Harleys.
Started riding when I was 18, and haven't looked back, since.
I have had a lot of heartache in my life, but getting in the wind has always helped me keep everything in perspective. It also has always helped me to keep a positive outlook.
I used to have a sticker on one of my old helmets, that said....
"motorcycles saved my life"
It is true.
RIDE SAFE
RIDE FREE
:usaflag:
You get to hear some of my best stories from my sis. Now anyone can say what they want but the best stories are always the drives you make in bad or inclement weather.
1. Time I ever prayed all the way home. I got to work on a really nice crisp freezing morning. Sometime in the afternoon I looked out the window and it had just started to snow. I told everyone I have to leave I am on two wheels today and I was off. I decided to take the interstate since the interstate is the last to freeze over and the first to get salt so I took it. I made it home just minutes before the snow started to stick to the streets. So now to my gloves. They were covered with a nice small sheet of ice which actually cracked as I removed my hands from the handle bars.
2. I was driving home from work one summer month. I was only about 1/2 mile from work as it started to rain. I was soaking wet within 2 minutes. I drove home in a DOWNPOUR. I got undressed in at the front door while my wife was laughing and taking my clothes. I wrang water out of my jacket, shirt, pants, and underwear. I poured about a gallon of water from each boot and yes it was as if I had a religous expierence.
Both rides were EXCELLENT!!!! Both rides I laughed all the way home.
That is why I started this thread. I have ridden in rain, I have ridden in snow, I have ridden in temps where 32 was warm and now I am freezing at 45.
Dam! and I bitcch cause it's colder than 50 degrees outside. Oh! Well
DaBaTT :theyareon
I don't know what you guys are smoking but it would be nice if you shared. I'm a puss because once the temp falls to 50F I'm done. I will not even look at the bike cover let alone take it off. If I'm cold after putting on my leathers, gloves, and full face, then I'm not going to ride. I absolutely HATE THE COLD & BEING COLD !!! Nine years in Ft Myers Florida and the last twelve here in Houston TX has spoiled me. I like it warm, 70-75 is my magic numbers. I did the same thing in NYC, 50F was the limit.
Mike, you would never like Michigan.
I would rather be cold, than not ride. When it gets really cold, I add the chaps, and a face mask, plus my beard keeps my face warm, too.
In 1966, just a few months after I started riding, I was working midnights in a shop that was about 30 minutes from home.
One night, I rode to work with just boots, and a denim jacket. It was warm.
When I came out in the morning, there was 4" of snow on the ground!!!
I had to get home, so off I went. I stopped at every gas station, and every restaurant I could find, just to get warm, and suck down a hot coffee.
Four hours later, I made it home, only slightly frozen.
After that one, cold really doesn't bother me that much.
I gotta' ride.
RIDE SAFE
RIDE FREE
:usaflag:
usahellas
10-05-2004, 02:09
You guys make me laugh. :tongue2:
What a day today. I got up this morning and to my suprise we are at 57 and will be up to 75 today. Oh joy, oh joy!!! Then reality hit me. My wife is working the early shift today, so daddy's day for bringing the kids to school and kindergarten. :whip: So as everybody was packed in the car off we went. I got to my daughters kindergarten and was having a coffee while talking to her teacher. Her teacher got onto the subject of WEATHER. Talking about how beautiful it is going to be today and how the weather is supposed to crap out again tomorrow.
BAM it hit me. Yep, going to be late to work today since I have to fist drive home and get the bike. :boldlgree
I have had some really good winter rides as well. Back in my Army days I was stationed in Aschaffenburg which is roughly 40 miles south of Frankfurt, Germany. I use to visit my girlfriend (now wife) every weekend. Even in the winter. I only took the train if the streets were full of snow. There is a gas station / restaurant roughly half way between. I use to always stop there and get two cups of coffee. The first cup would get the feeling back into my hands and the second would help get the feeling back into my body.
Quit at 50F? hehe...the day I bought my 03 FXD it was 42F. I had a jacket,low top shoes, jeans and a t shirt on. I rode home 16 miles freezing every inch of the way... I loved every second of it too. Got a good deal on the sccot too. Next time, I'll buy in January again, but to be honest,...my gear will be in the truck...... Chilly, wet, sunny, clear.... don't matter....ride on friends, ride on
If the roads are dry I'm goin. Might make more stops for a warm beverage with a little octane booster, and will change to the the secondary roads so I'm not flying at 80 MPH when the temps are below 30 but yea the older you get the circulation isn't as good. Still looking for the best winter gauntlet other that electric.
usahellas
10-06-2004, 06:37
That reminds me. Soooo. I always here from everybody take it easy the first few miles and so on and so forth. I also hear ride slow. My question has to be what is slow for most people. :bigeyes:
In Germany on the interstate if I am driving 75 / 80 I am slow. I tend to cruise between 60 and 70 pushing her up to 75 / 80 for passing. I catch myself time and time again cruising at 75 or so. I guess my general question what is the general public opinion of slow. Oh god what a question, I can hear you all saying, but hey speed is relative. I can do 80 in my little piece of crap I call a winter car and it feels like 100mph. I can do 100mph in a BMW 320 and it feels like I am driving 50mph. On my old Kawi I could do 90mph still sitting upright.
Average highway cruising speed = ??? What is taking it easy?? What is fast??
The term "going slow" or "taking it slow" are relative to all.
I guess depending on road conditions will determine how slow you go. The speed limit on the highways is 65 but most will do 75-80. Going slow might mean not exceeding the speed limit.
Cold is as cold as the one feeling it to the extant that they call it cold.
Same with speed: fast is as fast as the one ...
It's all about YOUR relative comfortability. I've always ridden at the speed I want, when I want, wearing what I want without worrying about what someone else feels or thinks. (Law-breaking aside.)
usahellas
10-07-2004, 02:33
I do ride the speeds I feel comfortable with. After warming her up a bit. Problem is I someteims feel comfortable up to about 90MPH. :flamejump
I was driving down the interstate the other day. Absolutely beautiful weather, no side winds, not too hot and not too cold just wonderful. I am doing about (I have to convert from kmh to mph that is why I say about) 70mph and I come up on a car doing about 60. Well I gave a little gas not much mind you just a bit and started to pass. Well after I got around the car and back in the slow lane I looked at the speedometer, and was shocked to see I was at about 90mph. My sporty seems to just love it a bit faster.
usahellas
10-13-2004, 05:07
Well I did it. I finally stepped over my shadow again and decided I had to ride. Was very nice, however I now remember how much I hate a full face helmet as well as the winter pants. I felt like a horse with blinds on. You can almost forget looking over your shoulder as well. :death:
One thing is for sure on a cold morning the sky is even more beautiful than on a warm one. Yep, left the house with 37 degrees and the sun was only starting to show. We are going to have a high of about 50 today so I am sure that the ride home will be EXCELLENT!!! The sun is out right now and I am looking forward to getting on the bike again in a few hours.
Okay. I admit to being a whimp. Today the temp dropped suddenly to 45. Has been 60's at night and 80 or so during the day. Got up. Put on jacket and chaps (new aquisition this year). Growling all the while about getting old & whimpy. Rode into work and was cold. Every bone I've ever broken was aching along with most of my dern abused joints. (17 breaks, 5 dislocations).
Weird part was that other than my hands, I felt fine on the ride. Post ride is when it catches up to me. I guess I'm going to have to make another concession to age and buy some gloves? Next thing you know, I'll totally wuss out and go to long handles...... :mad3:
03Springer
10-16-2004, 08:16
I would take that temperature right now. We're expecting 4 - 6 inches of snow today with daytime highs for the next week hovering around 35F. Time to think aboiut those engine upgrades (ported heads, 95" bore, Wiseco pistons, Andrews 37G cams, adjustable pushrods, and around 9.8:1 compression). :D
03! Ah oh! Sounds like HOG Fever is hitting you all early up North... and to think the only cure is money... we are all screwed... but what a way to go!!! :tongue2:
Coldtoe,
What the hell happened to you? "17 breaks, 5 dislocations"
usahellas
10-18-2004, 07:30
hehehe, Coldtoe I am so happy to hear that you got cold with 45 degrees. Yep I think you need to put on the long handles and get a decent pair of gloves. If you ever do find a decent pair of gloves let me know. I have NEVER found a pair of gloves that keep my hands warm all the way to work when the temps get down below 45 / 50.
03springer you just made me shiver. SNOW. Brrrrrrrr man that is cold.
:pengy:
Wind.. a very active and mostly misspent youth ( 4 broken bones,1 dislocation and stabbed in butt w/ broken bottle..No I won't tell that story), shot at and missed. Qn equally active but well spent miliary career; 11 assorted breaks most regular stuff, one was multiple leading to a couple of surgeries with assorted rods and screws, cut, shot at & missed, ***T at and hit, 4 more dislocations and 1 blown disc in lower back.
Second career 1 break (r. knee) Scuba diving..1 break..to embarassing...won't tell that one either ( a stroke of pure stupid) blew disc out completely leading to rods etc. in back...
My mother always said I was going to pay for all that fun I was having.... :spank:
What the heck though... it's been a fun ride and I wouldn't trade any of it :thumbup:
Me either Hellas..but it has to be better than bare fingers...it makes my dern fingernails ache.
03.... I feel for you.. ever think of moving south?
03Springer
10-18-2004, 01:37
Me either Hellas..but it has to be better than bare fingers...it makes my dern fingernails ache.
03.... I feel for you.. ever think of moving south?
Yes, I've thought frequently about moving south. LOL Especially watching the snow fall through the window right now. Woke up to -9C (16F not including wind chill) this morning.
Anyone know where a software developer can earn a good living and still ride year round?
Not sure on that one but here's another toughie: does anyone know a place in the US where it doesn't get too cold OR too hot?? :sick:
03Springer,
"Anyone know where a software developer can earn a good living and still ride year round?"
16 degrees and snow? And its only the middle of October. There has got to be someplace.
usahellas
10-19-2004, 06:40
Coldtoe riding finger free in 40 degrees will make you be a fingerless coldtoe soon. Guess we will have to give you a new name like "Palmy". :spank: See you should have listened to your mom. Mama knows everything. No worries I am sure that no one is going to ask you about getting stabbed in the bootocks. Hey you mentioned it not me.
My god 03springer anywhere is warmer that that. Dog gone man -9 and snow in October, heck you would even get a kick out of Germany. Somewhere in the US where it is never too cold or too hot. NO WAY. There is no such thing. But as far as I am concerned give me too hot over too cold any day of the week.
:nut:
There is some place in North or South Carolina that is becoming a very popular retirement area because the year round temperature will vary between 50 and 80. Usually. Sometimes 40's in winter. Maybe not quite year round riding but you avoid the 100 degrees of the south.
North Carolina has Boston beat, that's for sure - 38 degrees this morning, almost time for glove liners- in the snomobile gloves. :theyareon Bike runs great in the cold but this won't last long :mad3:
usahellas
11-15-2004, 07:01
Well it was a wonderful 28 degrees this morning and a think frost outside as well. I decided that taking the car would be the appropriate thing to do. It is supposed to warm up to around 40 today and then Rain. Now isn't that special?
I do not want to do this BUT I am thinking about removing the battery.
:mecry:
03Springer
11-15-2004, 08:42
It was about 7C (45F) this morning so I jumped on the scoot and headed into work. Daytime high is expected to be around 15C (60F). Should make for a wonderful ride home. ****, you just gotta love those Chinook winds. :D
usahellas
11-17-2004, 06:06
hey to you all. it warmed up again so we could get some well needed rain. Yeah right as if it has not rained enough this spring and summer and fall. Hey 03springer got up this morning with rain, fog and 5 degrees celcuis should have a hight today of about 7 degrees (45F) with lots of fog and rain. This is supposed to continue until the weekend. Then we are going to have lows around -1c (30F) and highs of about 5 (40F). I sure do hope that the small mountain range not too far from my house gets some more snow so I can go play in it with my kids. I am going to pull out the sleds tonight just in case.
NO, I still have not pulled the battery yet. i am just hoping for a nice sunny "CRISP" day to do a bit of riding. I might have to pull the battery before then. :cry1:
just pulling the battery is so ..... season end.
Rain is just rain, it happens.
The cold just plain ole sucks, always.
Windshields, have never liked them,
and have ridden without one since '63,
but, yep, age has something to do with it.
Got first windshield (dresser) at 55 years old this year.
Such is life.
Pancho
I normally ride (and still am...) when 1c or so... (31F)... as long as the pavement is dry...
da bibber
NCFatBoy
11-27-2004, 05:55
I normally ride (and still am...) when 1c or so... (31F)... as long as the pavement is dry...
da bibber
How'd you get 31F out of 1c? :) Isn't 0c 32F?
LOL, who's counting one way or the other when it's below 35? That's when I quit :mad: My morning commute can hit 70 mph and I won't ride in an astronaut suit. For me the cold is too much of a distraction - when I'm cold and cringing I'm less likely to make those important head checks. I am probably done until spring :theyareon
usahellas
11-28-2004, 01:56
had about 45 degrees and went for a short midday ride today. After about 30 minutes or so, I realised that jeans, sport shoes, small sweater, flight jacket and open face was a bit cool but hey it was so nice.
I think that bibber might have forgotten the (-) sign. :bounce1: hey who cares 1 or -1 both are FREEGING COLD.
Ride on guys whenever you can.
I know I am going to catch all kinds of heck for this comment but this is about the only way to explain my feeling. Today I felt like a cathlic after going to repentence. I am cleansed. Riding is truly a religious experience.
Forgive me if I insulted anyone but it is just the doggone truth.
:nut:
jvanhare
12-05-2004, 08:39
I put the fairing back on the FLHT and took the ol' sow out for a rolll, it was a little cold, even with long underwear, thinsulate gloves, flannel shirt and leather coat all buttoned up to the top & a full face helmet, but it was nice just to actually ride at all, the weather has been crap since the big snow storm the day before Thanksgiving, and 47 degrees seemed pretty warm, but it was so gusty windy that I had to keep slowing down to 50 mph, and the las leg of the ride home was into the wind, so I'm doing like 50-55 mph and the wind noise sounds like 80! The sun actually shone on me for the entire ride except the aforementioned last leg home. Also I noticed people aren't really looking out for bikes any more, so be careful if you decide to freeze your arse off like I did.
I rode through that wind yesterday too - I was taking big facefulls of leaves, with an open faced. Ouch! :flamejump I ripped across the B.U. Bridge and through cambridge, where a friend was waiting with his trailer to take my dyna into storage. Yes I have wimped out! :mad3: Snow on the ground today.
usahellas
12-07-2004, 07:09
Well I am back, at least for the moment. I have been BUSY at work lately. OH well the needed Christmas vacation is coming soon.
Took the bike TODAY!!!! Got up with roughly 40 degrees, a bit foggy, and overcast so a damp 40 to say the least. Radio said that it was / is not supposed to rain today so I decided to take the bike. REALLY COOL ride today. :cool:
Otherwise I hope that all of you are in good health and that your Christmas shopping is going well.
:elk:
usahellas
02-09-2005, 05:40
It is still cold here. We had 2 inches of snow yesterday and 23 degrees today. We are suppose to have a high in the mid 30s. "Well isn't that special?" Weather people are calling for snow and freezing rain tonight. Oh joy!!! I am really looking forward to driving to work tomorrow.
Otherwise it is suppose to warm up into the high 30s over the weekend and rain. God do I hate GERMAN WEATHER!!!!!!
:ignore:
i think we may be on to something here. i try to ride as much as i can due to the short rideing season in OHIO. so i started out the season at 36 years old strong as usual. 8 am on the way in to work, 40 degrees out, factor in wind chill of going 65-70 on freeway, and here is what i was left with. My second sinus infection of the year, second trip to the doctors, and more antibiotics. plus loss of time at work. so i would say as the song goes,"time waits for no-one!" we are all getting old! BUT i am slow to learn, and will probably be seeing more of my doctor, due to my imature rideing habits.
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