egfcreative

Although winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21, cold weather riding is here. We all have to make the choice whether we are going to park our steeds or carry on through the cold. For the last seven winters, I’ve chosen to keep riding. I’ll preface this by saying I live in Charlotte, NC, where the coldest we can usually expect to see is in the teens and that last only through the morning. Even with a somewhat mild winter, there is still quite a bit of preparation involved to ride safely through the low temperatures. I’ve gathered and compiled all the tricks of the trade I’ve learned into this one post.

For starters, you have to want to do this. Otherwise this will be a long and miserable season of riding for you. Secondly, this requires quite a bit of gear which, I have accumulated over the years. Some is inexpensive, but can also be quite pricey. The Holidays are almost upon us, so maybe someone special can pick up something for you.

FOR THE BIKE

1. The Shield: Huge windshields like these from Vespa and Givi are lifesavers for preventing the cold wind away from all the bits you are trying to keep warm.
2. Muffs: Handlebar muffs (like these from Held USA) are amazing at knocking the chill off. They allow fingers and hands to operate smoothly while the temperature drops with a nice furry lining. These were very inexpensive (around $35) and are waterproof.
3. Heated Grips: When paired with the above two items, there’s almost nothing you can’t ride through. I put these on every motorcycle/scooter I have. I get mine from Aerostich.  $32 is a crazy bargain.
4. Scooter Skirt/Lap Apron: I’ve only been using this for a couple of winters now, but I wish had one sooner. It keeps legs warm and dry and stays attached to the scooter, so you need less gear to be comfortable. Plus it has inflatable sides (seriously) to prevent flapping in the wind. Tucano Urbano FTW!

FOR THE RIDER

1. Helmet with Shield: Open faced helmets are just plain cold, at the very least get one with a flip-down visor. I ride with an AGV Dragon.
2. Scarf: Merino wool is the only choice. Very warm and doesn’t itch your neck. Ask any cyclist, magical stuff!
3. Coat: I’ve used a Frank Thomas Gore-Tex model (similar to this one) for the better part of a decade. It was quite pricey up front, but the quality and durability have been well worth it.
4. Gloves: I’ve been using a pair of gloves very similar to Held Freezer gloves for years. Essentially, you are looking for a thick leather glove with a large gauntlet to seal off the chill and thinsulate insulation. Pair this up with bar muffs and you’re all set.
5. Heated Vest: This may or may not be the route you want to go. I ride with an Aerostich Kanetsu Airvantage. It is much different to have something actively heating your body than trying to stay warm. This is a bit pricey but well wort it if you are committed to riding out the winter. Check your bikes specs before purchasing, they draw quite a bit of juice.
6. Other/Misc. Items: Depending on how low the mercury drops, you might need to add in a merino wool base layer and socks. Layering is always the key to sealing out the cold.

Choosing to brave the cold has to be done with a Boy Scout mentality, you must always be prepared. Otherwise, it can be quite dangerous to ride with numb hands and extremities. Keep tabs on the weather report before you  leave for the day. I’ve once got caught in a snow storm and had to ride home 30 miles because I didn’t check the forecast. Stay safe out there and keep on riding!