Great day ride

[ILBulldog]

I originally posted this on the Rounders site, but Red suggested we rub it in to all the far northerners who can't get past the ice in their driveway.

Temps in the 50s in January: Great

Going for a ride on a sunny day: Excellent

Getting to do it with two wonderful women: Priceless

Nancy and I met up with RedHot in LeRoy, Illinois, on Sunday just after noon. The temperatures were in the 50s, there was a gusty south wind at about 20 mph, the sky was clear and we all just had to ride.

For those of you not familiar with East-Central Illinois, we call it the great corn desert. Long, flat, straight roads for as far as the eye can see.

Still we were enthusiastic and traveled two-lane roads for the afternoon. We stopped for a late lunch/brunch and were all so hungry, we forgot to take the required Rounder food shot. Luckily, the bus boy had just cleared our plates and, since Nancy and I had all but licked ours clean, we got Red's back for the mandated shot.

The bus boy wasn't really sure what we were doing, so they gave Red a fresh fork too!

It felt good to get out and exceed the speed limit a little, throttle up through the rare curve, have some laughs with one of our new best friends, and just enjoy being on the bike for the sake of riding.

Bulldog

[redhot]

ILBulldog "I originally posted this on the Rounders site, but Red suggested we rub it in to all the far northerners who can't get past the ice in their driveway."


:nyah heeheehee - :stick


It was a fun day!!! By the time it was over I ended up with 193 miles for the day!!! :clap It was great to get out!! Plus I did 130 on Saturday so the weekend went pretty well!!! :dance

Hope everyone else can get out at least once during this crazy winter!! :brad Is it Spring yet???? :bikes

[knary]

Nice. :thumb

[timperry]

I got the K75 on the road today. The sun was out when I started and the roads were dry. Thought I was going to exercise it with a short spin. But since I put on the turtle neck, warm gloves, and insulated pants, I drained the tank. 140 miles later I was filling up at the gas station to take the bike home. I really don't know what the temp was here near Detroit, MI, but it had to be 30 degrees or colder. This was my first winter temperature ride over 20 miles, and I was fine except for the cold wind on the face. I could not go over 55mph or my face would just simply freeze. I never wanted a full face helmet before, but I am wondering now whether that will help the cold weather riding. Any insight from another cold weather rider will be appreciated.

I would also like any suggestions for a 200 mile ride from Palm Springs, CA. I will be there 23-28 Jan and will be riding for a couple of days while there. Again, any ideas will be appreciated. (Being from flat Detroit, mountain rides tend to be preferred, but I have had few chances to ride in deserts.)

[redhot]

riding. Any insight from another cold weather rider will be appreciated.

I would also like any suggestions for a 200 mile ride from Palm Springs, CA. I will be there 23-28 Jan and will be riding for a couple of days while there. Again, any ideas will be appreciated. (Being from flat Detroit, mountain rides tend to be preferred, but I have had few chances to ride in deserts.)


That sounds like such an awesome ride!!! Have you ever checked out the Rounders (http://www.yearroundriders.com)?? These guys are awesome and there is a lot of help and advice for year round riding - "hence the name". Good luck!!! Enjoy CA - that will be a beautiful ride!!!

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

[QUOTE=timperry]I got the K75 on the road today. The sun was out when I started and the roads were dry. Thought I was going to exercise it with a short spin. But since I put on the turtle neck, warm gloves, and insulated pants, I drained the tank. 140 miles later I was filling up at the gas station to take the bike home. I really don't know what the temp was here near Detroit, MI, but it had to be 30 degrees or colder. This was my first winter temperature ride over 20 miles, and I was fine except for the cold wind on the face. I could not go over 55mph or my face would just simply freeze. I never wanted a full face helmet before, but I am wondering now whether that will help the cold weather riding. Any insight from another cold weather rider will be appreciated.

QUOTE]

Timperry, I ride in the Detroit area too and you are right a full face is the way to go unless you have a thermal windproof face wrap like from a mountain store...maybe REI or so? I wear a full face, with a head sock and a turtle neck with a heat vest, and three layers under my ride pants. At speed as you know, any exposed skin is susceptible to frost bite danger and so cover everything tht you don't want to live without...lol.

If you don't have heat on the bike, you could also consider those heat patches and place them on a thin layer of clothing on each of the main artery area, close to below the armpits, behind the knees, one on the stomach etc...this is taught in survival but has m/c applications too...lol.

Our winter right now you are almost as likely to have heat stroke than frostbite...lol