Am I insane?

[KodiakRS]

The story for so far...

I have been riding for over half a year now and have about 3500 miles on my Ninja 650R.  Most of my rides have been around town or just a quick 100-200 mile run through the local twisties.  I have done some group rides with some people from http://www.southwestrides.com/, most of their rides are based out of Phoenix, about 120 miles or so  so away from where I live.  This means that the only rides I can really go on are the ones where they head up towards where I live and I have to settle for meeting them halfway....or do I?

A week from today there is going to be a group ride to a place called salt river canyon leaving from Phoenix that I have been interested in going to for a while.  To me this sounds like a great way to figure out if I am the "sport touring" type.  

The plan so far...

I will be leaving my house dark and early at 5:00AM and heading down towards the meetup spot in Phoenix.  Contrary to popular belief, it gets cold in AZ and I will most likely have to deal with sub freezing temps during the first 90 minutes of the ride.  The first 130 miles of my ride will start with some highway action over to I-17 followed by a night time descent into Phoenix on the super slab.  Following my Descent on the 17 I will break off onto the loop 101 to skirt around the giant cesspool of humanity known as Phoenix.  Hopefully this normally crowded piece of interstate will be mostly clear of traffic on a Saturday at 6:30am.  

In Eastern Phoenix I will say goodbye to the interstate and hello to the members of the group, as well as the sun.  The next 100 miles will be the actual run up to salt river canyon.  I don't know exactly what to expect as far as roads are concerned but they look pretty scenic twisty from the map, expect to see some pics.  The canyon itself looks like a blast and will probably be one of those roads that put the "sport" in sport-touring.  As the group returns from the canyon, lunch will be had in the town of globe.  

Saying goodbye to the group in globe, I will begin the 200 mile sojourn back home, heading north for 80 miles up the Tonto basin then climbing onto the mogollon rim (5,000') into the town of Payson.  Departing Payson will take me from the forested rim down into the Verde valley along some nice sweepers crossing over the 17 as I continue to head north for the town of Cottonwood, AZ.  Somewhere between Payson and Cottonwood I will probably grab a quick bite to eat.  

The last major hurdle of the ride will be crossing Minugs mountain on a somewhat famous section of highway 89.  Highlights on this road include stunning views, the ghost town of Jerome, tricky corners, rough road surface, mid corner gravel, inattentive cagers, and elevation peaking at over 7000'.  From the other side of the mountain it's a short 30 minute jaunt along 89 back home.      

Planed route summary:
Planned route: Google Earth Link
Distance: 500ish miles
Expected: temperature: 20f-70F
Elevation range: 1,000-7,000
Estimated completion time: 14 hours, 11 of actual travel time.  


Now for the questions:

I don't have what I would call "cold weather" gear so I am improvising.  I will be wearing some heavy snowboarding gloves over my summer riding gloves, the snowboarding gloves have a material that is good at blocking wind and give a bit of extra insulation.  Later today I will be doing a little parking lot test run to ensure that the added bulk won't mess with my clutch/brake/throttle ability.  Some thermal liners under my normal riding pants and thick wool socks will take care of the legs.  My jacket has a pretty good liner but my neck is completely exposed and even with all the vents closed, my helmet lets a fair amount of air in.  I'm planning a trip to go buy a sports hood type thing or neck gaiter, hopefully I will be able to find one locally that will block that nasty wind.  Any suggestions on "cheap" winter gear are welcome.  

As far as luggage is concerned, I'm stuck with a basic tank bag and whatever I can store under my seat in addition to the basic toolkit/manual. I am planning on storing my outer gloves and neck gaiter under the seat when they are not needed, and carrying a camera, water bottle, a few energy bars and some aspirin in the tank bag, leaving room for not much else.  Any suggestions on what else to squeeze in there?

Any other advice to give to a sport touring noob on his first 500 mile journey?  I am planning on frequent stops for gas and stretching, I have a few escape routes planned on the route that will allow me to significantly cut the mileage back home, and wost case I will spend the night in a hotel, I will be riding with a group for a bit of the ride and I will be filing a "flight plan" with a friend for the part of the journey where I am going solo on the highway back from Globe.  I'll also be giving the bike a through going over the day before the ride.  

So is this entire plan insane?

[kevin_stevens]

Summary: You're putting three tanks of gas through your bike over a couple of days.

What's the problem?  

KeS

[Mookie]

Just get some winter gloves. And maybe a heated vest, they are relatively cheap and really easy to install and they make a HUGE difference in overall rider joy levels when riding in the cold.

[Orson]

To me this sounds like a great way to figure out if I am the "sport touring" type.  

hmmm...

I'm thinkin' you should already know this.

For me it's a wanderlust, and it's been a fairly powerful thing. Even before I had bought my first motorcycle, I had a good idea that I wanted to chase the horizon, to see what lies beyond the ridgeline.

It's that magnetic draw that keeps you in the saddle, mile after mile. No amount of accessories or modifications will make up for it.

but that's just me  

[sfalexi]

I would just say make sure whatever gear you get is not bulky/stiff enough to prevent you from effectively handling the bike, and layer with clothes that you can maybe unzip or vent.  You don't have storage on the bike to take off and store sweatshirt after sweatshirt, but you can unzip a jacket a bit or loosen up certain types of jackets/cold-weather gear.

500 miles?  Nice.  Depending on the terrain, it could take a little, or a long while.  Just bring that extra cash in case you're tired and don't want to ride back, food and whatever else.  And enjoy!

Alexi

[ksann]

Do it!


To quote Risky Business:
"Every once in a while, you just have to say 'What the Fu..'"



ken

[KodiakRS]

Summary: You're putting three tanks of gas through your bike over a couple of days.

What's the problem?  

KeS

It's going to be done in one day, I'll be more than doubling my previous one day mileage total, and the ride will be done with large sections in sub freezing temps at night.    

[Ves]

A bandanna, worn like Cowboys do, over the chin, and tucked into your jacket is the cheapest form of neck protection.  Second cheapest is take a knit hat, cut the top off, and vuala, you have a stretchy, soft, warm thingy to put around your neck...

Anything at 55 degrees or blow (approximately), for extended periods of time, even with thermals, you need a thin windproof outer layer.  I've never had a jacket that was completely windproof, they all seem to allow some cold air in, like at the zipper, so I keep a rain suit with me and throw it on if needed.  Makes a world of difference.

[bogfro]

Make sure you have a WINDPROOF layer over pretty much your entire body.  Make sure your neck is covered by something windproof -- you can lose tons of heat through your neck.  Then have insulating layers underneath the windproof stuff (also including your neck).

Watch for signs of hypothermia, because it can sneak up on you without realizing it (especially on a motorcycle where you're sitting there with a low heart rate).  If you get the signs, stop and do jumping jacks or something until you warm back up.  It's best to catch it early, because if you go hypothermic for too long, it really sucks your energy away for the entire day.

If you have the money, buy an electric vest before going.  They help immensely to reduce the likelihood of hypothermia, and make the ride much more enjoyable.

Have fun and ride safe!

[nater]

Heated grips will do wonders for keeping you warm.  When I ride in the cold (30-40F), it is my hands that freeze the quickest.  If you are riding at 20F for an hour than I don't think those snowboarding gloves are enough.  

[UHOH]

Welcome.   Sounds like fun plan.   thoughts:

1) plan on spending an extra $80 for dinner and small town hotel.  And actually spend it.  
Chop off the mileage.  See it as a mini-vacation trip.
 If you meet someone who offers / you're comfy spending on their couch, that's fine too.   Sometimes happens.  

2) on warmth: wear rain gear as the outer layer (Goretex is very fine, but whatever).  
It becomes a wind break layer which will make you much warmer.
Yeah, your insulated gloves will be stiff; so what.

3) On your neck; actually buy a Klim brand Balaclava WindStopper.
got one last yr for $24 local retail and so much better than
a porous (cold) typical one, for riding.   If can't find one PM me (Sunday).

... I would say it's too short notice to go the heated gear buy / install route.  You'll have fun anyway.

[Black Ice]

I did the SRC with the SWRides folks a while back.  It's well worth it, to be sure.  

I recommend layers.  Lots of thin layers under one windproof layer will keep you much warmer and let you control your comfort level a lot easier.

[VIVID1]

I'm not going to suggest heated grips or a heated vest/liner... I think those are things people get when they do a lot of riding in cold or unpredictable weather. I use them and highly recommend them.  

This is some stuff you should be able to get fairly easily.

A balaclava... a thin one so it fits under the helmet. It will not only keep your neck warm but your head.

I love my silk glove liners, I wear them under my riding gloves for extra warmth.
 
Silk is very warm and thin, silk undershrit and long silk under pants are prefect, or smart wool. Those you can get at ski shops.

I actually wear a very thin windbreaker jacket under my gear, its so thin but helps keep the wind out. Add a thin fleece shirt underneath and you're set.

Rain gear on top of riding gear will also keep you warm.

I've ridden some of those roads you posted, so I know it will be cold  Have fun!  

[county]

WTF, you can go back any time you decide you are too big of a pussy for the ride.

[stromgal]

You'll be fine. Desire is the enabler, and you have that. I rode from Milwaukee to Denver on (what would today be considered) a tiny bike many years ago, with nothing but newspapers tucked inside my leather jacket to keep me warm, because of desire.

Don't think too much, do. And enjoy!! You're not gonna die from getting cold... you can always stop somewhere and warm up.  

[evilted]

I rode from Milwaukee to Denver on (what would today be considered) a tiny bike many years ago, with nothing but newspapers tucked inside my leather jacket to keep me warm

Ok, that is hardcore.  

[Pelagic]

Okay, I will say what nobody else here seems willing to;  YES YOU ARE TOTALLY INSANE!!!

But the rest of that same thought is; If you do it you're even more insane.  Do it! Push your own envelope, it's fun, it's scary,  but ultimately VERY SATIFYING. And you WILL have the accomplishment when you finish.

I rode Coast to Coast in 50 hours because of the same series of thoughts;
1) Why does that sound like fun?
2) Can I actually do that?
3) Am I totally insane to even consider this?
You're not alone, this is a very good thing and the same urge that caused the Vikings to cross the Atlantic, Perry to the pole and America to the moon. Okay, the scale is different but the inclination is the same.

ENJOY IT!!!!


PS; The trick to staying warm is to keep the breeze off you. Get some waterproof gloves or glove covers and a polyurathane rain suit and you will be fine. No need to spend the extra for goretex this time. The PU suit will be cheap and let whatever fleece you have underneath do the trick. You're not going to have to worry about condensation this time of year.

Post back here and let us know whow it went okay?

Cheers!

[kevin_stevens]

Ok, that is hardcore.  

Psssht.  I rode from Santa Fe to Houston in a winter rain wearing a scuba wetsuit to keep warm.

KeS

[veefer800canuck]

Psssht.  I rode from Santa Fe to Houston in a winter rain wearing a scuba wetsuit to keep warm.

KeS

PICS

[hig4s]

Are you insane, YES, but don't let that stop you..

Start with a pair of these babys.

www.adventuremotogear.com/rukka-thermolite-airx-underwear-long-johns-p-149.html?osCsid=451946868fa927533638f50149722b9d


Also surgical rubber gloves under any pair of gloves will help.