WINTER RIDING
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:52 pm
My wife and I both ride well into the winter. Our rule is "No Snow - We Go".
Top to bottom here's the set up:
Helmet - Full Face - Get yourself a FogCity anti fog device, or keep your visor open 1/4". There are more "anti-fog coatings" than you can shake a stick at.
Neck - We carry a very nice neckwarmer at the shop called a Shampa at $10 it's a must have - If you're cheap and resourceful just chop the thigh out of an old pair of sweatpants. You can use that as a neckwarmer and as an impromptu hat when you take your helmet off.
Jacket - The cheap way to go is to wear a Hoodie under your normal jacket - this is good for down to about 40° if you're going to be out for less than an hour or so. If you're going to be out longer I recommend
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... d=45&cat=3
This is a great womens jacket that we carry at the shop. Not only is it completely waterproof, but it has a really warm removable liner and armor in all the right places. There are very few jackets that protect this well that you can get for only $129. For men I recommend the Tourmaster Transition jacket, we stock it for $149 and I've never owned a better 3 season (everything but summer) jacket. Waterproof as hell and a liner that can't be beat.
Gloves - This is an important one, I don't care how warm your torso is, it's tough to keep your hands warm, especially if it's wet. My secret weapon is
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/naviga ... tem=347999
These pocket hand warmers should be opened up and allowed to ventilate for about 5 minutes before you put them in the tops of your gloves (not on the palm side). These will keep your hands TOASTY. Also good for your boots. We also stock
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... at=0&page=
These are called Tourmaster Cold Front Gloves $59 for extreme cold weather riders we also stock the Winter Elite Gloves $99 which are also excellent for endurance sub-zero activities like snowboarding etc.
Pants - If you are planning on riding to work daily and just want a pair of over-pants you can't go wrong with any of the lightweight snowboarding / ski pants.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=34636
For a does-it-all pant I recommend the Fleece or Flannel Lined jeans from the Sportsmans Guide:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=366830
You may want to opt for the mens flannel lined pants / fleece lined pants as they have double knees and a cell-phone pocket that is very handy.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=302603
The double knees will keep the cold wind out and actually do protect you quite nicely in a spill.
Boots - Same rules as summer, over the ankle if possible, good construction, thicker socks, use a pocket hand warmer pack if you've got really cold tootsies.
Windshields - This is the time of year when it's nice to have a big 'ol windshield. I am still STRONGLY cautioning people about getting more windshield than you can handle. The Buddy has a VERY light front end and too big of a windshield can be like trying to ride your bicycle with a sheet of plywood on the handlbars.
Salt and corrosion - It's a very good idea to give your bike a good spray-down every once and a while to blast the road salt off the undercarriage. If you have a do-it-yourself car wash near your home it may be worth occasionally going in and giving it a good blast underneath. Make sure you let the bike cool down for about 5 minutes before spraying cold water on it. Finish with the wax setting to provide a protective barrier against salt etc.
CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURES WAY MORE OFTEN - You may want to run a slightly lower pressure in the winter for a 180 lb. rider you can safely drop to 26 psi in the back and 18-20 psi in the front. This lower pressure will allow a little more flexibility in your tire which will in turn keep it a bit warmer. But, running the lower pressures, you won't have as far to go before a dangerous situation can present itself so you must check your pressures more frequently.
Ride a little slower and more cautiously. Dark spots can be icy. If you come accross a snow patch you are better off to just maintain speed and coast straight through it. No sudden actions on snow, and even crawling accross sheet ice with your feet down can be a challenge. Practice in a parking lot before going out on the street. Even on the nicest days after the plow trucks have done their job, you will still run into snow in certain parking lots etc. Be careful.
Phil Waters
Pride Of Cleveland Scooters
18636 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, Ohio
216-227-1964
www.clevelandscooters.com
Top to bottom here's the set up:
Helmet - Full Face - Get yourself a FogCity anti fog device, or keep your visor open 1/4". There are more "anti-fog coatings" than you can shake a stick at.
Neck - We carry a very nice neckwarmer at the shop called a Shampa at $10 it's a must have - If you're cheap and resourceful just chop the thigh out of an old pair of sweatpants. You can use that as a neckwarmer and as an impromptu hat when you take your helmet off.
Jacket - The cheap way to go is to wear a Hoodie under your normal jacket - this is good for down to about 40° if you're going to be out for less than an hour or so. If you're going to be out longer I recommend
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... d=45&cat=3
This is a great womens jacket that we carry at the shop. Not only is it completely waterproof, but it has a really warm removable liner and armor in all the right places. There are very few jackets that protect this well that you can get for only $129. For men I recommend the Tourmaster Transition jacket, we stock it for $149 and I've never owned a better 3 season (everything but summer) jacket. Waterproof as hell and a liner that can't be beat.
Gloves - This is an important one, I don't care how warm your torso is, it's tough to keep your hands warm, especially if it's wet. My secret weapon is
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/naviga ... tem=347999
These pocket hand warmers should be opened up and allowed to ventilate for about 5 minutes before you put them in the tops of your gloves (not on the palm side). These will keep your hands TOASTY. Also good for your boots. We also stock
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product ... at=0&page=
These are called Tourmaster Cold Front Gloves $59 for extreme cold weather riders we also stock the Winter Elite Gloves $99 which are also excellent for endurance sub-zero activities like snowboarding etc.
Pants - If you are planning on riding to work daily and just want a pair of over-pants you can't go wrong with any of the lightweight snowboarding / ski pants.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=34636
For a does-it-all pant I recommend the Fleece or Flannel Lined jeans from the Sportsmans Guide:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=366830
You may want to opt for the mens flannel lined pants / fleece lined pants as they have double knees and a cell-phone pocket that is very handy.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=302603
The double knees will keep the cold wind out and actually do protect you quite nicely in a spill.
Boots - Same rules as summer, over the ankle if possible, good construction, thicker socks, use a pocket hand warmer pack if you've got really cold tootsies.
Windshields - This is the time of year when it's nice to have a big 'ol windshield. I am still STRONGLY cautioning people about getting more windshield than you can handle. The Buddy has a VERY light front end and too big of a windshield can be like trying to ride your bicycle with a sheet of plywood on the handlbars.
Salt and corrosion - It's a very good idea to give your bike a good spray-down every once and a while to blast the road salt off the undercarriage. If you have a do-it-yourself car wash near your home it may be worth occasionally going in and giving it a good blast underneath. Make sure you let the bike cool down for about 5 minutes before spraying cold water on it. Finish with the wax setting to provide a protective barrier against salt etc.
CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURES WAY MORE OFTEN - You may want to run a slightly lower pressure in the winter for a 180 lb. rider you can safely drop to 26 psi in the back and 18-20 psi in the front. This lower pressure will allow a little more flexibility in your tire which will in turn keep it a bit warmer. But, running the lower pressures, you won't have as far to go before a dangerous situation can present itself so you must check your pressures more frequently.
Ride a little slower and more cautiously. Dark spots can be icy. If you come accross a snow patch you are better off to just maintain speed and coast straight through it. No sudden actions on snow, and even crawling accross sheet ice with your feet down can be a challenge. Practice in a parking lot before going out on the street. Even on the nicest days after the plow trucks have done their job, you will still run into snow in certain parking lots etc. Be careful.
Phil Waters
Pride Of Cleveland Scooters
18636 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, Ohio
216-227-1964
www.clevelandscooters.com
