Keep warm, you riders

Got this good stuff from a Springer list, passing it along here:


1. Keep warm this winter riding season...

For some folks winter is the time you wash, wax and store your bike,
and hope for an early spring. But for many, winter weather doesn't
stop them from riding. If you're one of the latter here are some
reminders of things to watch out for while riding in cold weather.

Black ice -- really just an ominous name for hard-to-see frozen
water on the road -- can occur any time the temperature has been
near the freezing point, or where frost can form. "You really can't
see black ice "but you can anticipate where it's likely to be."

Bridges are very susceptible because they are disconnected from the
warmth of the Earth, which is why we see signs warning that bridges
may ice first. Be on the lookout for roads that are shaded from the
sun or follow a river or stream. Our experts also say that a road
that looks really smooth should be suspect.

With black ice, it's best to just avoid it. "Stay on well-traveled
roads and ride in the car tracks," "A road with lots of activity
tends to keep black ice from forming."

If you feel like you're on it, don't make any sudden moves, and
don't touch the brakes. Our experts say to pull in the clutch and
let the bike coast down until you're clear

Hypothermia:
That cold shiver up your spine isn't just uncomfortable, it could
also be the beginning of a very deadly condition called hypothermia.
It occurs when your core body temperature drops significantly, and
can be exacerbated by water, wind and exhaustion.

Temperatures don't need to be below freezing to induce hypothermia.
Wind chill gets worse as wind speeds increase, and the longer you're
out, the worse it gets.

One of the early signs of potential hypothermia occurs when you
start feeling cold and you can't decide if you should pull over or
not. The answer is always yes, but your judgment may be clouded.
Long before this point occurs, you should have pulled into that nice
warm cafe and had some hot chocolate or soup.

Uncontrolled shivering and chattering teeth are signs of real
danger. You may start to feel dizzy, or even drunk, as your muscles
begin to stiffen. Continued exposure may cause the shivering to slow
down or even stop, but by then you're in serious trouble.

Frostbite:
That cold scalpel of air is a sure warning sign to cover up. Exposed
skin is at risk of frostbite in temperatures as warm as 55 degrees.

Your nose, earlobes, fingers and toes are some of the more likely
targets of frostbite. The early symptoms include a pins-and-needles
sensation, with the skin turning very white and soft. At this point,
no permanent damage has occurred, and you can reverse the effects of
exposure by soaking the areas in lukewarm water or breathing on
them.

In the next stage, waxy patches may occur and the skin may feel
numb. After this, you may lose feeling in the affected area.
Permanent damage is on its way.

Again, it's the speed of the wind and the length of exposure that
drastically lowers wind chill temperatures. That means riding at
just 30 mph on a 45 degree day will put you in danger of both
hypothermia and frostbite in as little as a half hour.

Insulation and wind resistance:
How do you mitigate these dangers? Simple, cover up.

"Whether it's 40 degrees or 15 degrees," "if all your skin is
covered up, the wind chill is irrelevant."

There are plenty of products available to help you beat the cold,
and what's right for you depends greatly on where, when, and for how
long you intend to ride. In the end though, it all boils down to
insulating your body, much like the way you insulate your home. To
do that you'll need to layer your clothes.

Make that inner layer thermal or fleece underwear. The idea is to
let your body create a warm cushion of air between you and the
environment.

Next, you need to stop the environment from stealing your warm air.
As your outer layer, some form of windbreaker will do the trick. A
denim jacket, though comfortable standing still, just isn't going to
cut it. You need a material that blocks air. Leather has always been
a popular outer shell for its wind resistance, abrasion resistance
and the fact that it looks cool.

There are, of course, many other fabric choices from man-made
fibers. We recommend an overall suit that also repels water. But
whatever your choice, make sure it has some crash protection, just
in case señor black ice makes an appearance.

Hands can be particularly vulnerable. Gauntlet-style gloves will
help keep your fingers warmer longer. The extra length up your
sleeve helps to seal cold air out and warm air in.

For extreme cold, we recommend something like the old "Hippo Hands"
that mount on the handlebars and fit over the controls and hand
grips. You slide your hands into a rear-facing opening. These
usually have very thick insulation and will allow you to use smaller
gloves.

It may be obvious, but a full face helmet will keep you warmer than
no helmet, or a shorty. And you'll want to seal the area between
your neck and that. A bandanna will work, but leather or any wind
proof fabric will cut wind better. There are fleece and silk neck
warmers, and a balaclava which fits over your head like a ski mask.

Block the Wind:
As speeds increase, cold air has a way of sneaking in, and robbing
heat. Your front line in the defense against cold is to try and
block the winds.

A windshield or fairing is a good front line defense. A small
windshield that mounts to your handlebars can be low enough to look
over, but just big enough to divert wind from your chest.


Electrical Heat:
Electrical clothing, which uses your bike's electrical system to
power heating elements, make a huge difference by not just
insulating you, but adding heat to the whole equation.

Gloves start around $100. Vests, depending on the style, can go from
$100 to $200. Socks can range from simple D-cell powered items
that'll go for around $25, to $90 systems that hook into the rest of
your electric riding gear. For $400 to $500, there's even an
electrically heated saddle -- the ultimate in tush warmth.

"For around $700," , "you can pretty much outfit yourself neck to
toe."

The key is to make sure your charging system can handle the load
that electric heat draws from your bike. Check your owner's manual,
or stop by your local dealer to confirm you have enough electrical
reserves on your bike to handle the load.

Still, many riders find that just heating their hands, or their
torso with a vest, makes a huge difference.


Chemical Heat:
Another option is a lightweight, disposable heat pack, which offers
a different kind of protection.

Imagine you're out for a ride on a nice fall day. You're so consumed
with the changing leaves that you don't notice how far you've
ridden. It's getting dark and cold - fast. A bit of quick heat can
make all the difference.

"Many stores carry a chemical heat pack like hunters use," "They'll
provide six to eight hours worth of heat." Such chemical packs can
produce up to 150 degrees of heat.

Drink liquids to stay warm:
Our experts offer a final thought about cold weather riding -- drink
lots of liquids. Yes, you still lose water even though it's freezing
out. It's easy to get dehydrated, even in winter, because you don't
notice that you're perspiring. Stay away from caffeine drinks, and
of course alcohol, but sweet drinks can provide much needed carb's
to help boost your body's heat making ability.

Link: http://sbn.motorcyclecity.net

 

Good report, Wakkao. Bless you.
I, for one, enjoy, dressing out and see if I can be warm, and ride ON!
But, I think it's a little foolish, to ride, know'enly that there could
be ice out there. The exception would most likely be, that an individual
be caught in 35' or so coldness.
Personally, I'm not ever planning much of a ride.....in less than 40'
temp. I don't know the way to figure the % of ''Wind Chill"......but if
it was 25% to 35% of actual Temp.....that's pretty Air'ish.
<>I have worn ''long johns''many times back in the old days, before the
good apparell, was available....you too, I bet-!!

<>haveAgoodDay-Bjay<>

 

All good info...

Something else to keep in mind: Sprinkler systems that water the streets
instead of the yard. They can lay down a nice little sheet of ice during
weather where you wouldn't expect it. Ask me how I know. :-(