Predicting the weather

[Lemonhead]

Tells me I might get screwed this weekend. Wanted to ride to Michigan for my dads brothers 50th wedding anniversary shindig. Big family jam etc. Looked like Saturday was going to be cold and sunday cold and kinda rainy. Now it's lookin' kinda iffy for the whole weekend GRRRRR!

Any tips on riding in the psuedo snow?

[jscott]

Originally Posted by Lemonhead

Any tips on riding in the psuedo snow?

It may be spring, but lovely Rochester, NY is still doing it's Winter-mode. I've been riding quite a bit and most mornings (since "spring" started) it's been right around, or below, freezing. That's scrape-the-frost-off-the-seat-before-you-sit cold.

I bundle up just using a few layers: thermal long sleeve, long sleeve tee, sweat shirt, water/wind-resistant riding jacket. Same for legs: thermals, warm jeans, water/wind-resistant riding pants. Couple pairs of socks, a balaclava, or kerchief+scarf. I wear my snowboard gloves which have a decent water-resistant outer shell. My "summer" gloves fit right inside the shell and zero wind gets through.

Block enough wind, you won't feel cold. Leave enough room in your bag in case you need to shed a layer or two. No matter what the gear says, it's not water-proof, unless it's a scuba dry suit. Water will find a way in. Being cold and wet sucks exponentially more than just being cold.

Keep and eye out for "puddles" which may be ice patches in disguise. It doesn't matter how much your street tires cost, they won't grip for on ice. It can be down right scary just riding straight ahead on ice (without ice screws) let alone what would happen if you dragging a knee when you hit it. I seem to encounter this often in the "valleys" of hilly areas and where there are large piles of snow -- e.g. plowed piles in parking lots. Be careful out there.

[FlyCatcher]

LH, hate to spoil your weekend, but I just wouldn't. If there is the possibility of slush or snow, wouldn't be worth it to me. Aren't you down in the SE? You going to slower Michigan around the south? or Yupper Michigan? Still a pretty long trip either way.

If you just have to ride, keep in mind your tires aren't going to grip nearly as well at 40 as they do at 80. Cold ruins everything. You have to be windproof from top to bottom and that includes a balaclava to keep the wind off your neck. If you have or can get heated gloves, use them. If not, get some of the packet thingies that heat up when you open them. Put them right in your gloves. Your hands will take the brunt of the cold. Sorry, don't have much advice for riding in the cold. I try to avoid it.

[Lemonhead]

Annnnd....we're back to a cold but cloudy saturday. wtf?

I've got an Olympia Phantom one piece in HI-VIS coming from revzilla. I should be test fitting it tomorrow. But it doesn't have an attached hood. I have a backup plan if it doesn't get here.

Balaclava, check
cold gloves, check
alt gloves, check
nitrile gloves, check

the last few flurries we've had here, in Kenosha, haven't gotten the streets wet.
so i'm hoping that's as bad as it gets.

Jscott, You're more north than I am, so I'm guessing you have it a bit worse. And my trip will be all interstate so.....we'll see. insert prayer smiley here.

[deez919]

If you watch the news on Monday and the weather man tells you the weather for the whole week WTF is he back on Tuesday, wed, ect.. LOL most accurate weather my A$$..
Pay the guy to come in on Monday and show and tell us all 50% chance of rain for the week and call it a day..lol

[deez919]

todays weather 0% chance of rain and guess what?? Its raining!!!

[FlyCatcher]

Well, did you do it? I was down at Ft McCoy this weekend and as predicted, cold and rainy. Saturday was nice but Sunday dumped all over us.