Jinks, Windup08,nine11c2 - Thanks a lot for the warning. The actual impact of the cold is a real eye opener and the first thing on my mind.

Windup08 - Thanks for the tip about the decaf! How'd you know I'd be downing coffee?!

I think by the time it over, I'll look like Ralphy's bother from "A Christmas Story."

 

This is from an old timer.
Learned how to dress BEFORE all the fancy Electrics came out.
First is your tolerance to cold, second no fairing to block wind(?), third is humidity.
moderate cold with humidity will feel colder.
1. Panty hose (don't laugh they work)
2. thermal long Johns.
3. heavy wool sockets and good insulated boots.
4 heavy blue jeans (lined preferred)
5. chaps
6. Thin breathable long sleeve t-shirt
7. Thermal top
8 heavy long sleeve shirt.
9. good quality parka type coat.
10. glove liners and Mittens and gloves (mittens will keep fingers warmer)
11. snoopy red baron type hat (fur lined with ear flaps), with aknit
neck warmeror good stocking cap(face cutout)
12 goggles (keeps cold air off eyes)
Then if you feel you need it, carhart bibs over everything.

Make frequent stops to thoroughly warm up.
Hot cocoa is preferred over coffee. Milk and sugar and chocolate will give body calories to burn.
also have a sugar snack (donuts, pie, cake), gives short bursts of energy.
Meals - some foods will make you drowsy so avoid them. Good soups or stews are good with breads.
Layer, Layer Layer and NO Alcohol. That robs body of ability to stay warm.

 

Get some Under Armour Cold Gear "leggings" and their Mock Turtle Neck shirt (much better stuff than just long johns) some kind of head/ski mask to cover as much of face, ears & neck, scarf to keep cold from getting to your neck & shoulders, wear at least 2 pairs of socks, chaps, good gloves (you can even wear a paper of dish washing gloves under regular gloves). As many shirts as you can layer on, put on your leather jacket and put the rain suit over everything. Go with at least 3/4 helmet with a face shield. You want to cover as much exposed area as possible. Go inside a minute at gas stops and eat/drink warm things. Good luck and ride safe.

 

Do you hunt ? Cold weather hunting gear might be way to stay warm.

In MN, I've found the layer method with polar fleece inside and a good wind blocker on the outside works well. Seal leg and arm cuffs to prevent the wind from blowing into your clothes. Larger boots with room for heavy socks and room to move your toes - too tight is not good. If you can borrow a full face helmet, I'd suggest one. Also keep your neck well covered, leaving nothing exposed.

Good Luck.

 

Think about picking up your bike come spring or better yet summer, ya, summer is the way to go! Or get yourself some electic gear, good stuff.

 

Well I just scored a FF helmet so that part is over. It does have a windshield. I guess your typical police windshield. Not sure if that matters much. I wouldn't have done it if I had to ride open.

choochoo - Played college FB so I know about the hose. Good call. And absolutely NO alcohol. I want to enjoy the ride and live through it. I don't drink and ride anyway. Nothing against it, it's my preference.

 

And a good set of leathers or textile gear over top of the electrics, and I'd probably add a fleece top between the electric vest and outer jacket. I hate cold.

 

A little story here 'cause I can't stress the importance of hypothermia enough!

Couple of years back a friend & I were comin' south along Skyline Dr. & the Blue Ridge Parkway. He was wearin' about $1100 worth of "riding suit". Waterproof, Warm, vented for cooling if needed, etc. etc. All things for all riding in one very expensive suit.

Our second day started in the rain. By lunch his "waterproof" was history & he had to put on a new dry shirt under his soaked "riding suit". He led when we left from lunch in the rain. An hour or so later I needed to pull off for a minute so at the next pull out I signaled him to pull off. Nothing happened. He kept going. He missed all my signals, flashing lights, horn blasts, etc. for the next 10 or 12 miles! By now I knew what was wrong. He was riding better than I'd ever seen him ride. Perfectly in the groove, carvin' turns like he'd never done before!

I finally pulled up beside him, hit the horn, & leaned almost against his helmet & *screamed* at him! You could see him shake when I got through to him. We pulled off at the next turn out, & he could hardly stand. I got him to walk around the bike for 10 to 15 minutes just to get the blood movin' again. When he could hold the bike up again we headed for the first exit off the BRP for rooms & hot showers. He was ridin' so good because he was seein' *nothin* but the center line & his line through the curves! No traffic, no turn outs, no road signs, no scenery, nothing! He wasn't warm until well after dinner even with a long hot shower. All that happened to him in wet 61 degree weather. I was comfortable in levi's, tee shirt, longsleeved shirt, leather jacket (without a liner), a good rain suit & water proof gloves. The right gear will save your life! It don't have to be expensive, it just has to work.

 

MAN YOU GOT BIG ***** BUT MAYBE NOT WHEN YOU GET HOME!!!!!... Personally I love my carhart overalls with heavy sweat pants under those but make sure it is easy to get your

dickey out easily when you stop to go or you will be VERY sorry( Dont ask me how i know!!)...DRESS in LAYERS you dont want to sweat or you will for sure get cold!!!! And STOP AND

REST...hopefully this isnt a RACE!!!!!.....Full face helmet a must!!!!! Good Luck Be Safe!!!! ALSO Give that new bike a TEST RIDE before your long TEST RIDE...ALOT OF EMPTY SPACE

ON THOSE ROADS.....JAKESTER TIM......OOOOOO YYYYYYYAAAAAAA......[sm=welcomesign.gif]

 

Good tell Jinks. I guess the biggest thing other than the obvious cold is to stay dry. I've got the Frog Tog uppers and lowers and according to the weather channel, I'm looking at sunny skies the whole ride. Luckly, the cold is all I have to contend with. The majority of my ride will be on Saturday when its suppose to be 68 in Dallas, 63 in Little Rock and 59 in Memphis. However, Memphis's low is going to be 35 and the high the following is 45 with Nashville's high of 40. The majority of my stopping as you guys have suggested will be during the colder weather on Sunday. I have quite the tolerance for cold but taking your advice, I'll listen to my body's signs versus toughing it out. On that note, how often should I stop? I know this is subjective, but my thinking up frontis once an hour or two.