How Cold can I go

Crazyfrog

Southern Ohio here, and I don't like to go out into anything below 36-40 deg.
Too much of a danger of Ice on the roads. I almost learned the hard way last year, left at 35 deg. at home, dropped down over the hill into the shade, and the entire road down by the stop sign was frosted over. I had to run the stop sign!

Zamadan

Here in Clagary I have been able to ride the bike every month this year, only need to be able to go out in Nov and December and then can say I rode all year around. Had some nice chinooks last year that cleared the roads. Have road 200 km + in each trip plus around town during last winter in temps as low as -10 Celsius or 14 F.

Had a full face fleece mask which I have replaced with a full face helmet (seems so far to be very warm). I layer up under the leather jacket and use a fleece liner under the leather pants. My hands stay pretty warm cause I bought a pair of cross country ski gloves that are both water and wind proof and provide me with good flexability. Dude said they were rated for 60 below. I work up north so I use a pair of really heavy wool socks in the boots and the feet stay pretty warm.

As long as the roads are clear these rides are really refreshing.

Hardest part was getting the bike out and up the alley, it was iced up pretty bad, kinda scary slipping and slidding until I got to the pavement. Hurray for kitty litter. If only they had tire chains for bikes.

Fourdogs

I am in East Central Missouri...40 miles out of St. Louis ...we ride year round here and I'm north of ya....one of our best get togethers is on Jan 1st..lol Coldest we've rode was 17 f...but we cheat...got heated clothing...lol I love riding too much to give it up just coz it a bit cold but heated gear help. We will ride regardless the weather when its a PGR ride.

smitty901

In Wisconsin there are many that ride all year, even in snow storms.
Temp as low as -20 do not stop them so you gao go a slow as you are willing to deal with
Last winter was the first one sence 2000 that I did not ride some in every month.
Road conditition more than temp are were I draw the line

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The Infantry leads the way

olddude

Get a cold weather riding suit, I have one from First Gear. It gets pretty chilly here in the So. Cal. Desert.

forever harley

From what I hear in middle South Carolina, the good ole boys start riding in their underwear and socks about this time of year(after mid-night) to get ready for the winter riding, or was that Miami. Ok...ok just kidding. Myself, 35 is the magic number, 30 if no rain or moisture on the roadways. Hightop boots,insulated socks, good pair of chaps,shirt,sweater,good down jacket and a face mask,ski gloves. Then I only have to go 4 miles to work each way. If you want to ride that bad, push the limit, just get prepared.

Rod Stewart

I live in Alberta Canada; and my cut off is about 5 C (40F); though I have ridden in colder.
Last fall a group of us were coming down the Icefields parkway from Jasper to Banff, and at the summit I had to wipe the snow off the front of my windshield about every 5 minutes or so with my left glove. It was not accumulating on the ground thank God, or things could have gotten much worse.

I agree with what the others have said. Layers, chaps, thinsulate gloves, faceshield, vest, couple of shirts, heavy leather jacket with liner, heavy socks, lowers, etc.
The other life saver is a heated vest. I wear this just about anytime when it is under 50 F; and it makes all the difference in the world.

Rod

blvd_cruiser

I normally stop at 40 degrees. Went out once when it was 45 and before i got home that night was riding in three inches of snow....hated that ....lol.......
Blvd

scrinch

Maine USA. Loose fitting Layers are the key to staying warm in the cold. Long johns, dungarees, chaps. knee pads (hold chaps off your knees and insulate) and wind pants below. Wicking Long Johns, wool shirt, fleece, leather jacket and wind breaker on top.
Balaclava, and scarf under snowmobile double shield helmet. (a must) Regular helmets fog up wicked. Snowmobile gloves, wool socks and boots complete the outfit. Some sissies use those heated grips and electric vests. We snowmobile in -20 degree weather so anything above freezing is warm.

Just watch out for black ice or white ice or frozen leaves or wet leaves. I went down in November a couple of years ago and the pavement doesn't get any softer in winter.

toad451

I thought I was going to ride into the colder months. I need to invest in some better cold weather gear before I do. I rode home the other night in the cold. I'm not sure what the temp was but the wind sure didn't help matters. Except for the snow or rain, I would consider riding as long as it's safe and not too hard on the bike to sit out in the cold at work.

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