What to wear - split from "Lots of rain in Spokane"

[refinger]

This is to solicit wisdom from those with recent experience riding in the area I will traverse from Milwaukee to Spokane. Although I have done the eastern part of this trip on a BMW (to the Black Hills) it was 35 years ago and memories are a lil' hazy. Those were also the days when I rode a BMW to Mexico City from Michigan wearing tennis shoes....judgment is a liltle better now (but not much). What weather conditions, specifically temps are likely? Will cold weather gear be a waste of space? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

[BradfordBenn]

I am using the approach of temperatures will range from 40 to 90. So I am going for the layered approach.

When are you leaving?

[kbasa]

I split this out because I think it deserves its own thread. It'll probably get more responses too.

Anyway, I've always done the same as what Brad's doing. Lots of layers that I can use to regulate my warmth with.

I usually use a polypropolene Tshirt, then layer something over that. I also like those nylon pants that zip the legs off and turn long pants into short pants. They roll up a lot smaller than jeans and won't keep you cold if they get wet like jeans will.

Also, if you have an electric vest, they're small to pack and just what you might need when you're leaving early and temps are still down in the 40s. I'll probably pack that and a 100 weight fleece I have. That should keep me comfortable on the road down into the 40s. Around camp, you can always wear your riding jacket over a couple other layers, which will keep you comfy.

But mostly, I'm concerned with heat during the riding day. It's hard to beat the poly pro stuff as a base layer. It wicks sweat away faster than cotton and doesn't absorb smells as quickly so you don't have to do laundry as often. When it gets chilly, the polypro will keep you warmer too, just like that thick polypro you wear in the winter.

[Jackie Hughes]

Layering is the only way to go out here. And electrics are an absolute neccesity! Once you get into mountain country especially. No matter how warm the day may get, early mornings and 6000-9000 foot mountain passes are usually a little "brisk". The 40-90 degree range is a reality from Montana to Washington, all in the same day.

Sorry, I don't know much about the weather patterns east of that.

[prowler]

:eek
Wow ... you trigger some bad memories of poor riding judgment for me back in the '70's ! We had a company training facility in Denver and on one of my trips I rode a Harley Low Rider from Indiana, dressed only in sunglasses, T-shirt, shorts, and sandals. The trip got boring on the Interstate slab, so I nestled up directly behind an 18 wheeler traveling at a relatively high speed and "drafted" for miles and miles.

The good Lord had the perfect opportunity to thin-the-herd on that occasion, but decided to wait. My knuckles are turning white just typing in this story.

See you in Spokane.

[refinger]

This is all very good advice. It is especially easy for us flatlanders to overlook the temperature variations that can come with elevation increases. I will indeed pack for layering.

As far as early riding apparel, habits, etc....I have always regarded my survival of those trips as evidence that it is better to be lucky than good.

See you in Spokane,

Rick Finger
Manchester, MI
Black 2003 R1150R

[JetDoc]

Originally posted by Jackie Hughes
The 40-90 degree range is a reality from Montana to Washington, all in the same day.

I rode from Missoula, MT to Spokane in early July a few years back... At 8AM it was snowing on Lookout pass, but 75 degrees and bright sunshine when we got to Spokane.

When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest, I remember the locals telling me "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it'll change."

Most of the time, you don't have to wait that long! ;)

[pmdave]

Most weather over the Pacific Northwest comes from the ocean, sometimes curling down from the Gulf of Alaska. The jet streams seem to like carrying ocean air south over Western WA, then north into British Columbia, then south again near the Great Lakes. So, whatever is brewing in W WA is very likely to be in BC a few days later, then in Chicago a few days after that.

So, keep your attention on the weather channel and see what's brewing for W WA. If you're headed west, you'll be in it yourself the next 4-7 days.

The weather in W WA was real flakey during May and the first part of June, but seems to have settled down to a more typical summer--meaning warm sunny weather most of the time.

Note that Eastern WA (everything east of the Cascade mts.) tends to be hot and dry, so having a few rain showers can be a blessing. Also, note that there are mountains out west, and for those of you who think the Blue Ridge hills are mountains, we're talking gen-you-wine MOUNTAINS out here, the highest being in Colorado, but some respectable lumps of rock in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, too. If you head west after the rally, even our modest I-90 pass reaches 3,500 ft or so between Ellensburg and Seattle.

Remember, it gets colder with elevation, so it's not uncommon to have perpetual ice and snow above 10,000 ft. or so, and hailstorms or fresh snow on high mountain passes even in July. The flip side is that down in the valleys the daytime temps can be oven-like. The good news is that the hot air in the NW is typically dry (low humidity) so evaporative cooling works well. Just keep saturating your shirt with water, or try an Aerostich "Evapo-danna".

Also, be aware that you can't give off heat to air that's hotter than you are. So, that mesh jacket or perforated leather jacket that feels so good at 80 - 90F, won't feel so cool at 100 - 110F. A riding suit with minimal ventilation will keep you cooler when the thermo-meter climbs over 100.

One other item is that the distances between places are longer out west than in the more populated states. Crossing South Dakota or Montana, it might be 170 miles to the next town. So, buy some bottled water when you gas up, and keep swilling water more frequently than you might otherwise. Most every gas station/mini mart out west has a supply of cold water. Better than soda pop with all the chemicals. The other part of that is to control your urge to zip through a small town without stopping for gas. On more than one occasion I've found myself nervously glancing at the low fuel light while observing the sign that says the next town is still 40 miles away.

But the really good news is that there are lots and lots of great motorcycling roads out west, and often the backroads are almost devoid of traffic.

pmdave

[ian408]

I have been riding with just my stich and a windproof jacket
made of Windstopper fabric. This provides a nice alternative to
the heavier fleece and it seems (at least to me) warmer than the
fleece. As far as weight goes, it is lighter too.

One thing that I have learned is that a pair of kahki pants under
the stich are much more comfortable than jeans.


Ian

[swaanimal]

I try to keep up with the forecast so I can dress accordingly, it doesn't always work, but the web sit I go to for my info is www.nws.noaa.gov :thumb

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by ian408
One thing that I have learned is that a pair of kahki pants under
the stich are much more comfortable than jeans.

Have you tried a pair of cotton lounge/light sweat pants? I found they work even better than the khakis. However you look kind of silly walking around it you get ones that are a little tooooooo comfortable.

[ian408]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
Have you tried a pair of cotton lounge/light sweat pants? I found they work even better than the khakis. However you look kind of silly walking around it you get ones that are a little tooooooo comfortable.

You mean like PJ's? Yes. I have tried wearing hockey underwear.
Comfy for sure. But like you say, you look kinda stooopid walking
around in underwear. Even if it is blue :)

Ian

[BradfordBenn]

Kind of like PJs but cut like sweat pants. I'll probably have a pair with me at Spokane. However my typical source for them does not seem to have them on the website, or else I would send pictures.

[Unregistered]

Heated jackets for night time and cooling vests and beanies for when it goes over 100 in the valleys from Seattle to Spokane.

Aerostitch makes the Unobtanium which folds up flat...nice.

www.ridergadgets.com makes a nice cooling vest for hot weather.

I have both and will be toasty warm at night and 62 degrees even in the sunshine (is there sun in Washington???)

[JetDoc]

Originally posted by Unregistered
is there sun in Washington???

Bring some industrial strength sunscreen for riding in the mountains... The UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes, and you can get sunburned rather quickly, even through the plastic shield of your helmet.

I also recommend wearing a light colored long sleeve T-shirt under your summer weight jacket. When it gets too hot for the jacket, you can take it off and still have some protection from the sun.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I can't believe I'm seeing recomendations to bring the electric jacket in July. I thought it was the one thing I could leave behind (and the balaclava), now I need to rethink...what am I going to unplug?

If it wasn't for the last minute I wouldn't get anything done!

Gail

[lorazepam]

Good thing this is a family forum. Doors that get opened like that are hard to resist. ( did I say that or think it?)

Gale