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My coldest was a 20 mile ride in 25 degrees. I'll ride all winter in 30-40 degree temperatures, for short rides, at least, as long as the roads aren't covered in slop and salt.
^ You must have a windshield or fairing on your cycle. My cycle is bare-bones, and there's no way I'd ride it when it's that cold.
Of course, I used to love snowmobiling too - but have kind of gotten to the point where I just don't care to be that cold. Yes, it's because I'm old and I'm a wuss.
About 25 degrees for a New Years bike run...Was called "Cold Fingers Run" Right after that I got electric gloves and my G/f wants a Gold Wing with a heated seat as my next bike...About a 50-60 mile run...I have a Venture with a full fairing or I would not have been able to do it...
I've ridden in 24-degree weather before...but only because I didn't have a car at the time. It's an adventure when one is young. But I've been there and done that.
^ You must have a windshield or fairing on your cycle. My cycle is bare-bones, and there's no way I'd ride it when it's that cold.
I ride a sport bike, so the windscreen and fairing provide just minimal protection. I have since gotten heated handgrips, though, and what a difference they make!
I rode year round in MD for a few years, and the coldest temp I rode for more than 30 minutes or so was 7 degrees. Bike was 98 fat boy with no 'shield. I stopped to warm my hands about 20 minutes into it. Normally it was in the 20s in the winter and I had a beater car to drive if snow was a problem.
Oddly enough, the coldest I've ever been was on a long distance ride (in the South) when it dropped into the low 40s and I hit a rain storm without stopping to gear up. I had to get help at a fire station becuase I could see my lips were blue. They stuck me in the shower, I geared up and rode off. It was stupid to get that cold in the first damn place, and I learned from it.
I've done about 40/high 30s two or three times. It wasn't a pleasant experience any of the times and I don't plan to do it again. I think it's too much of a hassle to deal with the proper gear for those temperatures, so I'm happy to use my car when it goes below 45 which I think is about my personal threshold.
I have a group of riding friends from the Sacramento, CA area that go to Death Valley every January. Coming back home on a Sunday once on 395 it was 17 degrees for a couple hours. We were all riding BMW's with heated grips and seats and adjustable windscreens. Along with Gerbing heated jacket liners. Wearing all the right gear like with snowmobiling is the key. And filling in all the cracks especially in the neck area is necessary.
Used to be under 50 and I wasn't interested...LOL But now I have better gear. I have four layer pants which have been great, a good jacket, a thick hood that covers my neck, good winter leather gloves and just put on heated grips. I'm pretty good between 35 and 40 now. Not my favorite to be cold but there are days I just want to get out. I can hardly stand to think about winter coming. I'm already planning next year's trips...
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