From the
GWRRA Texas Chapter M-2 Education Corner
Polar Bear (Cold Weather) Riding
This is written the
day after our chapter’s Polar Bear Ride on 01/01/2008. I had about 75 miles worth of contemplation
on the topic of riding in the cold, since the temperatures were in the forties
yesterday. With that in mind, here is an
article about dressing for the cold written by Art Friedman and excerpted from
Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine’s December 1998 issue. --
Winter is officially here. It's officially
cold when my fingers get chilled even though I am wearing heavy winter gloves.
When it's that cold, most people don't even think about riding. You can ride in temperatures below freezing
safely and even comfortably, but you have to dress properly. An extended ride
in cold weather can get you into trouble if you are not prepared.
To plan for a ride in frigid conditions, it's
important to understand how your body deals with cold. The prime directive of
your body's warmth-management system is to protect the brain and other vital
organs. It will therefore direct warmth to those areas at the expense of other less
critical parts, notably the extremities. If your hands and feet start to get
cold, it may be because your body is using its resources to heat the more
important components. On the other hand, if you make sure your head and torso
are protected from wind and well-warmed, your hands are likely to stay warm
with fewer layers. A wind-chill chart available here http://www.eol.ucar.edu/homes/rilling/harley_windchill.html
from the National Weather Service demonstrates
what you are up against. You can see how dramatically the air moving over your
skin sucks away your body's warmth. Therefore you should make busting the
breeze a prime consideration.
Warming your head is relatively easy,
providing you wear a full-coverage helmet. A helmet provides a windproof shell
and a thick layer of insulation, from the impact-absorbing EPS and comfort
foams inside. After that, it's just a matter of filling in the gaps. You can
lessen the wind that leaks in with a ski mask, a scarf, or bandana. In any
event, your neck area should be thoroughly covered, since blood circulates
through it between your brain and your vital organs. If you wear an open-face helmet you will be
colder, but a full face shield and windproof, insulated covering over your
lower face and neck will help. Snowmobile shops have a selection of face masks
and fog-resistant face shields.
For your torso, the best line of defense is a
wide windshield which also extends below the headlight, to minimize air coming
up from underneath. The windproof quality of leather makes a leather jacket the
ideal outer layer for cold rides. On cold rides, inserting a thermal liner and
an additional layer or two underneath keeps you comfortable in below-freezing
temperatures. A belted waist and extended length will prevent wind from
sneaking up your back.
Leather overpants also make an effective cold
fender for your legs. Your legs might require more insulation than your torso
if you have a windshield. Nonleather snowmobile suits can also provide
good protection from the cold for a very affordable price. They won't provide
the security of leather if you need abrasion protection, however, so you’ll
have to balance the needs of safety with comfort.
Something even better comes in the form of
electric clothing. Available from several companies -- including Aerostich,
Gerbing's, and the original, Widder -- electric apparel attaches to the bike's
electrical system and adds heat where you need it. Although it's tempting to buy electric gloves
only (because hands get cold the most) start your electric clothing collection
with a vest, for the reasons mentioned above. Most riders say an electric vest
extends the riding pleasure zone about 20 degrees downward on the thermometer,
without adding layers of clothing. Thus, if you get cold enough that you are no
longer having fun at 50 degrees, an electric vest could keep you happy down to
30 degrees. If you want added warmth in other regions, you can find pants and
gloves, too.
There are a number of gloves that meet my
waterproof, cold-stopping criteria, two-finger gloves and electric gloves
topping the warmth meter -- if they allow for a good feel on the controls. (This
is an important consideration: I stalled my bike at an intersection yesterday
because my bulky gloves and cold hands resulted in poor control of the clutch
lever. –NK) Again, I like leather for its crash
protection, and a firm retention system is also high on my list of desirable
glove attributes. Gauntlets that fit snugly over the sleeves of your jacket are
essential. Since those sleeves may be fairly bulky, they may require gauntlets
that seem awfully large on their own. Lightweight liners worn under the gloves
can improve warmth by controlling perspiration and keep your hands comfy at gas
stops, etc.
All of the above are great ways to prepare
for the cold when you know it's coming, but what if you get caught in the cold unexpectedly?
One of the readers’ tips we receive most frequently is the old trick of putting
newspaper under your jacket for insulation. Many major grocery stores and most
sporting goods stores sell cheap rain suits that will reduce the amount of air
that reaches you. If you can't find any, large trash bags will work too.
Remember to cover the vital areas -- head and torso.
If you start to get cold, get inside and
drink something warm. Stay there until you are warm again. Once you become
thoroughly chilled, your ability to control the bike will deteriorate. As cold
permeates your body and hypothermia sets in, you will get clumsy and then
stupid -- not a great combination for a motorcyclist. If you can't get inside,
try calisthenics at the side of the road or seek other shelter. Do not drink
alcohol, even though it will briefly make you feel warm. After the initial
warmth, you will feel colder than before.
If you have the proper gear and avoid the
slick spots, riding in cold weather can be as comfortable and fun as riding on
warm days. And the investment you make in cold-weather gear simply enhances
your investment in your bike.
Nancy
Kwiecien
GWRRA Spring, Texas Chapter M-2 Chapter Educator