Think warm thoughts for scootermom...

[twoscoots]

...because she's taking her MSF class this weekend, and with the wind chill, it's 19 degrees out. Tomorrow's supposed to be about the same. We'll have to call her Orange Dreamsicle.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Wow. She's taking it in that cold? Holy cow. They should give her and extra special endorsement for that.

[Cheshire]

Guess she'll know exactly just how well her gear insulates!
What's the temp without wind chill, and I'm assuming her riding gear is at least mostly windproof?

Go for it, scootermom!!

[twoscoots]

It's 31 w/out the windchill - sustained 20+mph winds. Evidently she survived her first day, so I'm sure once her fingers thaw we'll hear from her.

[scootermom]

Pardon my language, but HOLY SHIT it is FREEZING outside.

Ahem.

My cold-weather gear today consisted of the following:
heavy jeans
short sleeve t shirt
long sleeve thermal shirt
one pair of socks (!)
my husband's wicked warm parka (which is GINORMOUS)
a fleece neck warmer
my full-face helmet
a pair of winter riding gloves
my mother's combat boots

I was actually doing pretty good, right up until about 3:00, when I couldn't feel my toes and started to shiver. Will remedy that with extra shirts under the parka, tights under my jeans, and better socks.

The course is going well so far; I had a bit of a time while learning to shift that I was pretty damn sure I was NOT going to be able to do it, because I was SO not getting the shifting thing AT ALL, but somehow, it all clicked. HA!

I just hope I do as well tomorrow, and actually go on to pass the course. At least I haven't dropped the bike (a Kawasaki Eliminator, which I think is 125cc),nor have I ridden off into the grass, nor run into or over anybody. WIN!

[ericalm]

Wow. I took in 100 degree weather. I thought that was bad until I read this!

Actually, I saw a group taking the class in 110+ weather in Palm Springs. The difference between 100 and 110 is much more than the difference between 90 and 100. Well, not quantitatively, but in terms of how hot it feels.

[bluebuddygirl]

Mine was in the 60's but raining the whole weekend. Go scootermom go!!!

[scootermom]

I'd take 60's and raining!

I wouldn't take 100+ degrees, though. I hate the heat.

I think the worst is knowing that I have to get up tomorrow and do it all again, and it's going to be as cold and windy, if not more so, tomorrow.

BUT! After tomorrow, I may be able to ride my scooter out on (gasp!) REAL ROADS! Like, to WORK! And the store! And just for fun! Woohoo!

[Cheshire]

One riding day down, only one to go!!
on tights. I have a pair of cold-weather bicycling tights from my bicycling life. Those give just enough of an edge as a base layer to make quite a bit of difference, and I wear wool socks almost exclusively as soon as the mercury hits mid-40's and down.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[jrsjr]

...because she's taking her MSF class this weekend, and with the wind chill, it's 19 degrees out.

This morning in Richmond it was 18... WITHOUT the wind chill. The temp with the windchill? 6 deg F.

[ericalm]

You know how people like to talk a lot of smack about SoCal?

77 and sunny yesterday. Same today.

Why oh why did I agree to clean closets this weekend? The mountains are beckoning! I want to ride!

[Lostmycage]

You know how people like to talk a lot of smack about SoCal?

77 and sunny yesterday. Same today.

Why oh why did I agree to clean closets this weekend? The mountains are beckoning! I want to ride!

I think you've just touched on why people talk smack about SoCal. It's plain and simple jealousy.

So, to quote Charlie55,

Best of luck... and I hate your guts.

[Jackie F]

My cold-weather gear today consisted of the following:
heavy jeans
short sleeve t shirt
long sleeve thermal shirt
one pair of socks (!)
my husband's wicked warm parka (which is GINORMOUS)
a fleece neck warmer
my full-face helmet
a pair of winter riding gloves
my mother's combat boots

Even though it isn't raining, its best to wear rainpants.

10 Ways to Stay Warm On Your Motorcycle This Winter
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/ ... rcycle.htm

[purple]

You know how people like to talk a lot of smack about SoCal?

77 and sunny yesterday. Same today.

Why oh why did I agree to clean closets this weekend? The mountains are beckoning! I want to ride!

Eric, where do you ride in the mountains? Any fairly tame ones? If there is such a thing?

[ericalm]

You know how people like to talk a lot of smack about SoCal?

77 and sunny yesterday. Same today.

Why oh why did I agree to clean closets this weekend? The mountains are beckoning! I want to ride!

Eric, where do you ride in the mountains? Any fairly tame ones? If there is such a thing?

Not so tame. The best way from here is up into the Angeles National Forest. The problem this time of year is that they do get snow and ice up there when it's cold, so even when warm there can be a lot of dirt and debris on the road. There are also some fairly twisty parts but it's not too challenging a route in the summer.

We also do a lot of riding around Mulholland Hwy and the canyons east of Malibu. Those are probably more technically challenging.

[scootermom]

Even though it isn't raining, its best to wear rainpants.

10 Ways to Stay Warm On Your Motorcycle This Winter
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/ ... rcycle.htm

Thanks for the link! I wish my budget allowed for better gear right now. At the moment, I have to wear what I can.

The good news is, I don't HAVE to ride in the cold or adverse weather, and it doesn't really stay that cold here for very long. I should be ok. As soon as I have the cash, though, I am getting a good riding jacket.

Thanks for all the support (again!). You guys are awesome!