Am I insane?

[county]

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

KeS

Was that with or without a snorkel?

[kevin_stevens]

Was that with or without a snorkel?

I had a snorkel, but it was packed somewhere.  BTW - I don't recommend doing this.  The suit does keep the rain and cold off - but it doesn't keep you dry.  There's so little ventilation that you get drenched in sweat, and the motorcycle riding position causes the suit to cut off your circulation at the knees and elbows.  Wasn't fun.  But it got me and the suit to the same place at the same time, which was the requirement.

KeS

[jfurf]

Advice from a fellow noob (only been riding 14 months!)

Personally I've found that the absolute best way to spend $$$ on gear was on two sets of moto-specific gloves: a non-insulated pair for summer and insulated ones for winter. I bought a pair of inexpensive winter gloves at Cycle Gear and I don't even use my heated grips any more.

Also, get some decent textile overpants that zip up the side of the leg (to make 'em easier to get on and on off). It's AWESOME not having to pull over and put on rain gear.  

Newenough.com is a great place to find good, inexpensive gear.

[bomber]

bundle up as much as you can, add gear as you can afford it, and GO . .  


btw, cheap fleece gear can be rendered damn near windproof with a couple of light applications of scotchguard. . . . . this trip alone will save you plenty big dough compared to "wind stopper" fleece, enabling more long rides.

[Wanderer]

I don't think its crazy at all.  Sounds like a fun ride.  

As mentioned before, you could always get a cheap motel in PHX the night before.  The Salt River run and home is a good distance though.  Worst case scenario, if you ran short of time and it gets late and cold you have an 'out' to ditch at Camp Verde and take 169 home.  Jerome hill is stellar, but if its dark and cold it kills the fun of empty 20mph switchbacks.  There's also deer to consider.  They are plentiful around the pass at Allen Springs Rd.

I grew up in Prescott and my parents live out in Pronghorn Ranch.

[KodiakRS]

An update, Riding with snowbarding gloves over your normal gloves is hard, really really hard.  I stalled it 3 times in a 10 minute period trying to get used to them in a parking lot.  I ended up going out and getting a non motorcycle specific neck guard thing, it has a windproof section that kept me toasty warm at 60 MPH in 40 MPH conditions.  I also bought some thin thermal liners for the gloves which work VERY well.  

[dorklord]

I was actually going to suggest the thermal liners. If you have a pair of wind-proof gloves, a set of glove liners can be incredible. I wear a pair of leather gloves that have a thing liner in them, and then a pair of thermal liners, they're like silk but some modern synthetic material, and I've worn those on rides down to 25 F, although at that point I *should* switch to my 'polartech' or whatever winter snowmobiley type gloves.

A stretchy neck warmer is awesome, and last week I picked up a combo fuzzy neckwarmer/thin silk-like balaclava. Then I *thought* I packed it for deer hunting, couldn't find it when I got to my parents house, and then couldn't find it when I got home either...I hope it turns up soon!

Chris

[nater]

An update, Riding with snowbarding gloves over your normal gloves is hard, really really hard.  I stalled it 3 times in a 10 minute period trying to get used to them in a parking lot.  I ended up going out and getting a non motorcycle specific neck guard thing, it has a windproof section that kept me toasty warm at 60 MPH in 40 MPH conditions.  I also bought some thin thermal liners for the gloves which work VERY well.  

You might want to pack those snowboard gloves along with you just in case your riding gloves with the liners aren't enough.  That way you can switch gloves if you have to.

[UHOH]

An update, ...
 getting a non motorcycle specific neck guard thing, it has a windproof section that kept me toasty warm
 I also bought some thin thermal liners for the gloves which work VERY well.  

You're on a roll ...  have fun expanding your envelope

[KodiakRS]

Well, I broke down and bought a teknic two-piece suit for track days, it doesn't have much perforation so it should be good for cold weather riding if I can get a decent thermal liner.  Also got a pair of summer gloves that are of a MUCH higher quality than the $40 joe rocket ones I used to have which are falling apart.  

Looking forward to Saturday.  

[bogfro]

Well, I broke down and bought a teknic two-piece suit for track days, it doesn't have much perforation so it should be good for cold weather riding if I can get a decent thermal liner.

Leather doesn't really insulate; it only blocks wind.  You'll need to layer up a good bit underneath, if that's what you want to wear in 20 degree weather.

[Wanderer]

Leather doesn't really insulate; it only blocks wind.  You'll need to layer up a good bit underneath, if that's what you want to wear in 20 degree weather.

That it does.  Now just bite the bullet, get a warm-n-safe liner and a heat-troller and you're ready to rock all year round.

[KodiakRS]

Trip cancelled due to sickness.  Vomiting in your helmet is probably a nasty experience.  

[birdrunner]

bummer,

FWIW

By the time you buy all the liners, and thermal layers and stuff,  you could easily pay for an electric vest,   be more comfortable, warmer, and have more control over your temperature  (it sucks having to stop to peel cloths off, or add cloths.)   I paid $120.00 for mine, and it's the best money I've spent on riding in years.     Right after my Dantesdame bobble head.

[2RR2NV]

Trip cancelled due to sickness.  Vomiting in your helmet is probably a nasty experience.  

as was reading the thread, i was thinking.."lucky bugger!!!!!!", until i read that!

sorry to hear ya couldn't go. but just think, now you'll have more time to try out different combinations of layers and whatnot, to see what will work for next time.

[doug kirkpatrick]

I would like to re-affirm what the others said about a heated vest.  I did the bulk up on insulation thing for 30 yeara, and just bought a Tourmaster Synergy vest for about $125 before my last big ride (hooks up to the bike in under 10 minutes).  I really kick myself for not going this way sooner.  40 degrees now feels like a warm summer day, and I don't need any bulk (the grip heaters are nice too!)

[mugwump58]

Plastics... I mean "WarmBib". Small helps out even when not plugged in. Not bulky, not a lot of draw. Very happy with mine.

[st2sam]

I'm riding 40+years, I've got two words for you, ELEC  TRICITY !!!! But what do I know?  Except it's the best farkle riding accessory I ever purchased...

[Wanderer]

Sorry to hear you got sick.  I was really looking forward to the ride report.  Seriously though, this gives you more time to get a good deal on a heated jacket liner and grip elements.  You won't be sorry.

 I'm making time this spring to ride down from CO so me and my old man can ride alot of those roads east/Northeast of PHX.

[AutoXer]

Gonna put in a plug for my Olympia model 4350 All-Season gloves.  Instead of packing thick insulation in to try to keep the warmth in they use some sort of a "Windstopper" material to first block the wind, then some thin Thinsulate.  Since they aren't all that thick the controls are easy to work.  They are amazing.  I was out plowing my (loooong) driveway on the ATV this morning, wind chill was zero, and my fingers were frozen and in pain after just a few passes wearing the usual Winter gloves.  I finally came in and got my Olympia gloves and my hands were fine after that for an hour and a half of plowing.  

Cold Riding Rule #1 - block the wind FIRST, then insulate.

jZ