Early in this season of cooler weather it’s easy to be tricked by the sun into believing it’s warm and pleasant outside. Just as it’s been for the past few months. It took a few hundred yards for me to realize I was cold and should have zipped the quilted liner into my Hi-Vis, lime green riding jacket. And long underwear would have brought personal comfort in line with the sun’s deception. Such is the challenge of cool weather riding.
Even though 52F isn’t really cold, dressing as if it’s summer creates a discomfort that whispers to subsequent rides. Like admonitions by doctors to treat pain early and not tough things out and allow the brain to build a pain cycle, the same holds true for riding in the cold. Stay war — early and often.
That’s my motto.
And I ignored it.
Places of Warmth
Fortunately, I wasn’t going far, to Saint’s Cafe to meet my friend Paul and talk about photography. The short walk from where I parked the Vespa to the sanctuary of the cafe provided ample time to sense the cold in fingers, feel the touch of chilled fabric on skin, and pray my feet didn’t switch from a numb cold to something evil. So goes the concerns of an aging rider.
And all because I failed to seriously evaluate the weather. On a sunny day in late September. A part of the ongoing cold weather riding experience of life and learning on the road. Often, I seem to raise the flag of the dimwitted rider.
In the picture, a man sitting with his dog , well prepared to sit outdoors on a cool morning. Adequate clothing for himself and a thick blanket for his dog to stretch out. And the fellow in shorts is dressed well enough to travel from car to cafe and back again.
The world at 45mph is different. Colder. Unforgiving. The wind chill pushes the apparent temperature down toward 40F. With the gifts of age and a growing cold intolerance, that’s cold.
Warm and Steamy
Saint’s is cozy and warm, a exquisite flood of marvelous feeling the moment I step through the door. It only increases in power as the temperatures outside drop. It’s like relaxing in the shade on a fine summer day.
Mr. Sun continues to work his spell, the sunlight streaming in the windows confirming that extra clothing an unnecessary nuisance. Add a hot drink to the experience and it’s a wonder I don’t travel naked.
Looking at Photographs
Paul arrived with inkjet prints from a recent photographic outing. I came empty-handed though plan to be in the darkroom soon processing film and making prints.
When the tea pot was empty and the plate decorated by stray crumbs and poppy seeds from a bagel, my thoughts turned toward riding. Sunshine blazed through the windows and I was warm and ready for a little ride before returning home to work.
Ready, willing and prepared.
Big Autumn Sky
Late September is the beginning of the riding season for me. Everything begins to come together in terms of light and motivation. The cold is merely an aspect of the ride to manage, much like traffic, route or time of day. On occasion I balk at really cold days, especially as I’ve gotten older and my body finds staying warm more challenging. And most importantly for me, if I’ve not adequately tempered mind and body before it gets really cold, I’ll have trouble venturing out when it’s colder. I ease into the best riding season like I would a cold pool of water when going for a swim.
By the time I left Saint’s the temperature had risen five degrees. I blame the bagel I had eaten and the digestive process as the reason I was shivering by the time I stopped to make this autumn sky photograph. Despite my desire to make a photograph, I was cold. And like a dog ignoring the active environment to get to a tasty treat, I kept pressing on to see more, shoot more, despite being cold. Suffer now for pain later.
Lessons Learned
Stands of drying corn signals the end of summer and cold weather on the way. It’s also a road side reminder to be more deliberate in preparation for a ride, regardless of the distance. For me, a big part of cold weather riding is developing mental toughness. And that’s only possible when I toughen my body slowly and gradually. It’s not a contest to put up with the cold. It’s about keeping it at arms length and remaining comfortable. If I’m cold too many times, I fear I’ll park the scooter and wait for warmer weather.
So far, this lapse in judgement regarding how I prepared for this recent little ride has shown no ill effects on my feelings about riding in the cold.
While I was just shivering at the end of a recent ride that started warm, once the sun got lower on the horizon, it cooled rapidly. The biggest concern for me was my hands. Time to find some warmer riding gloves.
My hi-vis jacket is a mesh but has a zip in full liner, plus a zip in vest. I can fit another layer under it. Legs will be long underwear.
I also plan to pack extra clothing in the top case to be prepared.
Sounds as if you’ll be prepared for the onset of cold. How cold will depend on gear and willingness. With the Tucano apron on the scooter I can avoid the heavy overpants until it gets below freezing. Unless I’m going for an all day ride. Then I just put everything on.
I don’t like shivering.
Our mantra is to layer up, layer down and as a last resort plug in. However, I/we do tend to start later in the day this time of year, giving the sun some time to rise and warm our little part of the planet up a bit. I can only put on so many layers though and when I start to resemble Bibendum and getting off and on the bike is physically difficult due to binding! It’s time to plug in. I have to be comfy on the bike and when that can no longer be managed my season is all but over. These parameters have indeed changed as I age and comfort, which in my younger days was way down the list, now sits right at the top. Enjoyed the post Steve and could even feel the suggestion of cold. The old naked bike and I enjoyed a fresh 150 mile loop on Saturday and I distinctly remember walking into the warm and cozy coffee shop … delicious.
Your approach pretty much mirrors my own. Especially in regard to where on the list comfort comes in. I’ve pretty much gotten to “comfort first” in all things. The price I pay for physically enduring things now is too great to ignore. Not just in riding but all aspects of life. Putting up with an uncomfortable chair can now trigger a sore back for days.
Geez. What happened…
I’m still going to blame the BP med I’m on for my decreased ability to withstand cold while riding. Or was it because I spent most of the Winter season last year in AZ?
It has been that “ackward” time in Colorado where one has to remember to pack layers with him while preparing to ride, because the weather can turn cold swiftly and just as swiftly change again. The sun being out does make a huge difference here. 🙂
The windshield has been mounted on Scarlett, my cold weather riding rig….and that only because it’s got the heated grips.
Same here. Blood pressure medication AND blood thinners have an effect on me. Time in Arizona will thin the blood naturally!
I’m always amazed at the difference the sun can make — in temperature and attitude. When I’m really cold, it’s a joy to suddenly feel the sun on my face. That little bit of warmth makes a big difference.
Good luck with Scarlett and the coming decline in temperature.
Thanks for the column on riding in the cold, Steve. As a ‘mature rider’ contending with some serious arthritis, I agree that cold temperatures can become a painful and dangerous deterrent to riding at this time of year. Heated grips, and/or a pair of Gerbing electric gloves are a big help. I’ve taken to wearing my Frogg Togg ‘Hornytoad’ rain suit (honest, that’s what it’s called…) when the weather cools down. This waterproof and windproof suit makes an excellent all-round riding suit and is nearly indestructible. Layer up lots of warm clothing beneath the suit and you’re bound to be as cozy as you want.
I feel sorry for the rest of the riding public who haven’t yet discovered scooters when the weather cools down like this. I don’t know about Vespas, but the weather protection offered by my Suzuki Burgman 400 is superb. It provides just as much protection as my previous 650, yet is so much lighter and more maneuverable. Add a larger, Givi windshield with hand coverage and the only part of me that feels the cold to any degree is that portion of my face that the helmet doesn’t cover.
Being a mature rider has its challenges. Willingness to adapt is a big part of being able to continue on with riding or anything I suppose. Like you, I’ve found ways to manage the cold and keep my body in a good place. I’ve heard more than a few riders sing the praise of Frogg Togg rain suits. I’ll have to look into them. I have a Rev’It rainsuit that is similar in being rainproof and waterproof but I would not characterize it as indestructible. Each time I put it on I’m kind of amazed I didn’t tear it in the process.
Same goes for the Burgman 400. Every rider I’ve met who has one says it’s the best. If it only looked like a Vespa…
On the recent Charity Ride with three hundred bikes I noticed people doing the chill dance at the finish. The temperature was in the low sixties and heavily cloudy. I didn’t get it until I realised my leather jacket doesn’t have a zip out liner and I was in cold weather mode. Most of the dancing riders were in light leather. I would imagine they also wore light gloves too. I would rather be lucky than good.
Did the shivering masses start to hug and cuddle to keep warm like they were at Woodstock?
I never like to do the chill dance.
Just think that in a few months you will be looking back longing for the moderate Fall temperatures. Or just bring out the heated liner. If it’s adjustable you can adapt to just about anything between 0°F and 60°F.
Come March, 20F will be a balmy day ride.
The extreme heat of certain days this Summer were simply days to manage my riding wardrobe: having added a mesh jacket (with zip-in breathable rain/wind liner) has added the much-needed versatility I craved, and now I ride in just about any weather with adequate protection. I’d are lady sussed out my Winter gear (including, finally, adequate “unplugged” gloves), so all’s good in this regard. Fall has been interesting: some cool evenings, yes, but I haven’t yet been whipsawed by any sudden drops – lowest I’ve dealt with at night here has been in the low 60s, but with highs near 80 on the same day, it can be a tough startling; I have zipped the liner into the mesh jacket as of two weeks ago. 😉
The power of a good pot of tea maintains me year-round, but does hold a bit more sway right now; for better or worse, I make the best pot of Earl Grey for myself, while a few places in town are more or less runners-up. Thus I start off the day with a good mug or two, rather than cap off a ride with same.
An update: looks like my riding buds aren’t heading off to New Hope this time around, deciding to keep things closer and making Sandy Hook the terminus of out next ride on the 14th. Still hoping to make a foray into PA before things get too chilly, likely on my own.
And, those cornfield photos…! Gorgeous, and speaking volumes.
The days with wide swings in temperature require some flexibility in the gear I have so I can manage things and stay comfortable. There are many days when I depart at 50F and my noon it’s in the upper 70s. Usually an extra layer or two that can be stashed in the topcase later does the trick. And I always have multiple pairs of gloves with me to deal with changes.
I’ve never been able to do the tea first. Always last. Not sure what that’s about. For awhile I would take a thermos of tea or cocoa with me but would never drink it. It remains a capstone event.
Good luck with your riding adventures. Sandy Hook will give a fine maritime ride. I don’t get to be near large bodies of water here.
Traffic sucks where I live but year round temperatures between 75 and 95 with rare dips and highs beyond that make me happy.