That's too bad that you got sick and weren't able to go, there will be plenty of other opportunities, no worries! Look at this as being a positive thing, now you have a chance to be more prepared for a cold weather ride. It doesn't sound like you were. To ride in 20*F you will need heated gear, things get really cold fast at highway speeds. I have rode in 2*C weather in rather damp conditions and would have been freezing for sure had it not been for my heated gear. I have "Warm and Safe" gear, a full jacket liner and gloves also. You wear a long sleeve t-shirt under the liner, over top of the liner use a windshirt (because all that heat is useless if the cold air is getting in) and then put on your motorcycle jacket, with the liner removed. Underneath my textile motorcycle pants I wear jeans, with lightweight long underwear. Ski socks and use some of those toe warmers you get for skiing in your boots, they last for 6 hours and work great! (put them on your socks, not in your socks) You talked about starting out in the dark- throw your rainsuit on over this for visibily (I don't have to ask if your suit is a highly visible colour, do I) Plus you will be toasty warm. Snug as a bug in an electric rug. Do you have a breath guard for your helmet so your visor won't fog up?
Being cold is bad news on a bike-you are not as alert, and if your hands are cold you are not in control. With frozen fingers, how can you be? Comfort=alertness=reaching your destination. There are lots of factors that can affect the safety of your ride (road conditions, weather, crazy people in traffic, etc. Why would you add to this if you can help it?
That being said, it is a greatly satisfying feeling to be out on the roads when the majority of riders are not, yeah people do look at you like you are insane! And maybe you are... but if you are prepared you are in control, and that's what counts.
Happy trails, eh!
