Considering the Weather
Weather is a constant consideration when riding though the precise nature of the weather affects how much attention I give it. Even during the warm months the local weather can change dramatically during the day. More than once I’ve been caught without adequate protection when a hot day turned remarkably cool after the sun went down. Or tree lined roads winding along cold water creeks were far cooler than the open road under full sun. Move into the cooler months and on into winter and at times I feel like a meteorologist.
To think about all this I divide riding weather into seven categories to help physically and mentally prepare for a ride. It’s almost instinctual now but the mental checklists help avoid being caught in circumstances that are uncomfortable or dangerous.
Heat
Made this photograph on my way home from a BMW rally in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. A bright summer day with brutal temperatures at and above 100F. I soaked myself thoroughly from heat to foot with water before leaving the rally for the 90 mile ride home. Less than 10 miles out I was bone dry, parched and sweating profusely. The wind blast at 55 mph was hot and miserable and had me stopping every ten miles to down another bottle of water.
When I see the forecast indicating temperatures above 80F I make sure I have lots of water and wear fully vented riding gear including gloves. I also make sure to stop often regardless of my desire to tough it out. Dehydration comes on fast in high heat.
And remember, all of these weather accounts are unique to me. Every rider will have a different level of physical and mental tolerance. What’s important, I think, is for you to find yours.
Rain
Riding weather that calls for rain has me thinking of gear, temperature and the estimate of rainfall (intensity). Staying dry is more critical in the rain at 35F than it is at 80F but both can fell an unprepared rider when fingers and joints get cold and cease to function as expected. And if my core gets cold that spells danger because I’ll be focused on trying to fight the cold rather than pay attention to the road.
Riding in the rain can be pleasant if there’s not a lot of traffic to content with. Estimating what will be encountered on the road is an important consideration for me. And like most bad weather or situations that impair visibility — I have to slow down. Easy for me but seemingly difficult for other riders and most drivers. That mismatch in speed on the road is something to think about.
Fog
I love riding in fog because of the visual mystery and magic in presents. I also realize the risk is greater that other drivers won’t see me. Or me them. As with rain, I consider where I’ll be riding, the amount and speed of traffic, and the density of the fog. There have been a few rides where I should have stayed home because I couldn’t see 50 feet in front of me. That’s not a common fog here in central Pennsylvania.
Cold
I consider cold weather to be anything below 40F down to -15F. That’s the cold weather riding range for central Pennsylvania. Physically it’s easily managed with the right gear. Mentally it’s more difficult and fraught with myth, fear and demands on expertise and behavior.
Cold affects a body. If you can’t keep the cold air out and your body warm best stay at home. It also affects traction. Tires that are nice and sticky in warm weather can be surprisingly slippery on cold bare pavement. It requires an adjustment in riding approach, even with a scooter.
All of this holds down below zero. The only thing I’ll add is that I worry about the battery in real cold weather, especially if the scooter is sitting while I stop to eat. To be sure I always have enough starting power I always carry an AntiGravity battery in the topcase.
Snow
Snow is generally, for me at least, the unfortunate occurrence when you ride in the cold. I don’t often venture out when it’s snowing unless I’m absolutely convinced the nature of the snow and the amount is manageable. Wet snow around the freezing mark is more treacherous than dry snow at 20F. Having snow tires on the scooter makes a big difference as well.
My advice on riding in the snow?
Don’t.
Ice
This is just plain unpleasant but like snow something that can occur when riding in the cold. Personally, I prefer snow over ice but that’s just me. This scene appeared the morning after a warm thaw on the previous day with lots of water running across the road in lots of places. During the night that water froze solid creating awful challenges to navigate walking over let alone riding.
I had to flat foot a step at a time with the engine off to get the Vespa across these hazards. Can’t imagine doing it with a tall or heavy motorcycle.
If you’re riding, especially on a long trip in the winter, you’ll likely encounter things like this. If you whip around a curve and encounter this, well, you’ll probably meet the pavement.
Pleasant Riding Weather
This is my physical sweet spot for riding – 40F through 80F. I can deal with any typical weather presented short of a tornado or lightning storm with two sets of gear — warm weather and cold. The expertise has been honed from slow and deliberate experimentation and with it the requisite mindset to keep myself safe.
If you’re a Memorial to Labor Day rider you’ll likely only have to deal with heat and rain. Push far before or after those dates and you’ll need to think about a lot more potential situations.
I have my own taxonomy and definition of riding weather conditions.
Do you do something like this too?
Mentally, yes, but I’ve never categorized it quite as well as you just did. My F650GS is relatively light — around 500 lbs — but still hard for me to right after a fall even on a flat surface. The fear of falling over and being stranded with the bike laying on its side somewhere is what keeps me from venturing out in the snow.
I’d really enjoy a ride through that snowy field pictured above your “cold” category.
A 500 pound motorcycle is too heavy for snow in my book. I like the F650 GS but wouldn’t want to deal with snow and ice. The scooter has been a perfect year round ride for me.
I find when riding in weather over 90F that wearing mesh gear makes it worse. I call it the blow dryer effect. I find it better to wear a textile jacket with the vents open.
I’ll have to try that. My Triumph jacket is mesh but when it’s really hot the moisture is sucked right out of your body.
I agree – mesh made me even hotter. I always choose open vents on my Olympia jacket now.
I’m going to try it if it ever gets hot again.
I seem to break it down more simply and just use the first and last. Pleasant riding weather and miserable heat. Anything not in the latter (above 95°F) is in the former. I guess maybe cold could be another as I had decided not to ride if it’s below -20°F or so this year. But it depends how far. Since nothing in Fairbanks is very far from home, temperatures don’t matter much. Bloomsburg was really in the miserably hot category. Even the rental car w/ AC was too hot and humid for me.
It’s like you’re on another planet in Alaska. You would need to add another level or two of cold, and throw in Grizzly bears and wolves for good measure.
Were you at the Bloomsburg rally?
Yes, I met you after Jack’s session.
It’s weird. My first recollection of meeting you is at the Denver airport though I went back to the blog post about the rally and there you were. Holy cow — I could I have forgotten that super heated conversation in that tent. The heat must have fried my brain because until I saw the picture it was just gone…
Good breakdown of weather categories….I don’t like ice either, haven’t spun out or lost control yet but figure it’ll happen some day.
Snow is great, deep snow is better but deep snow in the woods down some mystery trail….better have another Ural rig along to help.
+1 on carrying a small battery jumpstarter. Before those came along, was thinking along the lines of quick-disconnects and carrying the battery inside with me when on a long ride.
Heat: that girl was riding that motorcycle with flip-flops?!!
But to address your main point, yes, if you ride enough and often, weather becomes a very interesting subject….
Not only was she riding with flip flops but short pants, no protection. She had a helmet though. Wisdom isn’t wasted on youth.
Sigh…I don’t get the cut-offs and flip-flops on-bike (pretty as she is in ’em), but to each their own.
I don’t either. Scares me to watch.
One issue that you do not mention is wind, especially the sort of high winds that can suddenly buffet the bike hard enough to make it wobble. Do you have any tricks to manage riding in that sort of weather? Or is it best just to sit it out and wait for calmer weather?
Wind — absolutely. I’ve ridden in wind where I needed to sort of lean into it. No real tricks for wind riding. In really heavy winds you just have to wait for calmer weather as you suggest. I’ve read about riders in the plains states and out west that had to wait for a couple days before proceeding.
Maybe someone will weigh in.
In my short experience on the Vespa, dealing with crosswinds has been much easier than my experience on road bicycles at relatively high speeds – unless I’m dealing with near-gale-force winds, the “leaning-in” method you mention seems to work fine. But, of course, I’m just getting started.
I find the steady wind easy. But when it’s gusting and unpredictable it can feel pretty unsettling.
I’m such a wimp when it comes to cold temp riding… Anything under 60 and I’m not having much fun. Although to be fair, when being born and raised in the desert, anything over 100 degrees is alright. Hot is hot, just remember to stay hydrated. I keep water bottles in my saddles and a camelback on my person for longer rides. And yes, this is in head to toe gear- I’d like to keep my skin thanks very much… Mesh over-pants do make things more bearable and well, if you think about it 99 degrees in your helmet is technically cooler than 110 outside of it! …er something like that.
Cold weather riding is an acquired taste. When I think of skiers and snowboarders and other winter athletes they’re traveling at high speeds in the cold and seem content so I should be able to as well. Though I’m not using my body in the same way. As long as I keep the cold air out I’m good.
A reader shared a link with me for some hot weather gear — LD Comfort Garments. I’m going to look into those. Might be worth a look for a desert rider…
Yes! If i could fly down beautiful mountains at breakneck speeds, I’d be pretty content too! I know a lot of it is just reconditioning your body to do it’s built in regulation thing. That gets turned off in an environment of comfort… We did use to live under the stars once upon a time. Anyhoo, thanks for the link- I’m always on the search for something, anything, to keep cool during the summer. No use being miserable if there’s a fix for it, and a more enjoyable journey is always appreciated.
Staying cool on a hot day is like magic. Still looking for that!
The last few months have been educational for me. I’ve been lucky enough to quickly figure out what riding-wear is just good enough for the “necessary” riding I might need to do in cold weather – the main requirement is that my extremities keep warm for at least fifteen minutes at a stretch. A FF helmet and decent boots handle head and feet without a problem. A Pair of decent pair of riding-specific insulated gauntlet gloves manage for a about a bit under a half-hour before the digits start to tingle. (This all assumes temps down to about 35º F, and a maximum speed of about 40-45mph.) Almost all my errand-riding happens in a ten-minute ride. I wouldn’t normally take a “just for the hell of it” ride at anything below 40-45º for same reason I shy away from the bicycles at those temps: it’s a bit less fun than seems worth the effort. But, to quote a Traffic song, there are always exceptions.
I bought my first scooter about a month ago. Have just a shade over 200 miles on it so far. When I bought it I told myself I wouldn’t ride under 50 degrees. Well, in normal winters in Lexington KY that wouldn’t give me much opportunity. Luckily we have had a pretty mild winter. But as much fun as I’ve had riding I told myself, “Ok, I’ll ride if it’s above 45 degrees.” Then it was 40. Now it’s down to above freezing. We are expecting the next 10 days to be in the mid 20s to low 30s, so I’m sure I will lower my accepted range. I just love riding too much to keep the scoot in the garage for 10 days.
I’m going to have to buy some better gear. Unfortunately we don’t have much available here locally. Your detailed reviews have been helpful. I’ll begin my search online.