Cccccold

[Hitcher]

Mrs H and I went to New Plymouth for the weekend and returned yesterday via Eight Mile Junction, Taumarunui, Ohakune, Waiouru, Bulls. A great day -- typified by an almost total lack of wind, until (surprise, surprise) Waikanae. Until we got snarled up in ski traffic returning to Wellington we had the roads largely to ourselves.

However my motorcycling "first" from yesterday was getting really amazingly cold. I was nursing a head cold anyway (still got it, bugger) but got colder and colder as the day worn on, noticeably so from Otaki south.

Despite a long hot shower, it took several hours in bed with my thermals on (no prizes for disturbing mental pictures, it wasn't pretty) before I warmed up to something approaching "normal" levels.

One part of my anatomy that I have never been able to keep properly warm while riding in the cold is, dear readers, my nether regions. I was wondering if other riders have similar problems and, if so, whether they have found a satisfactory way of keeping said nethers temperate? Freeze-drying is best left to the experts -- Ah, McCain, you've done it again!

[jrandom]

Even the best of thermal gear won't provide *perfect* insulation. Isn't physics a bummer? Hence, on a long ride in the cold, one would expect your body temperature to eventually drop below the comfort zone no matter how long and woolly your undies.

Sounds like it's time for a 12V plug-in heated vest and trou, Mr Hitcher.

[moko]

As a Brit winter rider and therefore an expert on what "cold" really is rather than the Kiwi version here`s some tips for you.
Wear lots of layers rather than a single bulky layer of clothing.Make sure your feet and hands are kept as warm as possible,that`s where you`ll lose loads of body-heat,heated grips are worth their weight in gold.Wear something windproof over anything with a zip or buttons,riding in low temperatures you`ll find the cold will find all kinds of ways to get in.I`ve got a very light Canterbury showerproof top that I wear on top of everything else,bloody useless on it`s own but it`s windproof and you`d be amazed the difference it makes on a cold day.Unless you`ve got a sports bike off-road control protectors will keep the wind off of your hands,a major cause of cold for the above reasons,might look odd on a road bike but they do the job very well.If you feel cold find a place to stop and have a break,something to eat,coffee e.t.c.,make sure you take all your gear off else you`ll really suffer when you go outside again.If you`re cold your reactions will be slower,a recent Brit mag test showed their guinea pig rider affected almost as much by cold as by drink or tiredness,take it easy and relax,better to arrive 10 minutes late than not at all.As for your nether regions a lot of builders in Britain wear ladies tights in winter,whether male pride gets in the way of this little tip is up to the individual,you could even wear them under your thermals as another layer.

[pete376403]

I need a DC to DC converter, 12 v input, and about 24v / 5amp output so I can use an Air Force surplus flying suit I bought years ago. it has heating wires right through, including boot and glove liners, and hood. Its really old (there was a note in the box saying it was "repacked in 1950" or thereabouts) but it a good touring suit, lots of zipped pockets. Probably hopeless crash protection, though. With a few cans of waterproofing spray it only leaks a little bit.

[Mongoose]

Wear lots of layers rather than a single bulky layer of clothing.Make sure your feet and hands are kept as warm as possible,that`s where you`ll lose loads of body-heat,heated grips are worth their weight in gold.Wear something windproof over anything with a zip or buttons,riding in low temperatures you`ll find the cold will find all kinds of ways to get in.

Yep, coming from the deep south i agree with you Moko, layers rather than one piece of warm(ish) clothing and keep that damned wind ut. It is very sneakly stuff that wind, it gets in ANYWHERE there is the slightest gap.You may not feel it coming in either but at the same time it just saps warmth away from you.
Stopping and re-warming your gear up is good too. Find a place with a fire or exposed heater and turn the inside of your gear to the heat source, it does last quite a while before cooling off.

[vifferman]

I was wondering if other riders have similar problems and, if so, whether they have found a satisfactory way of keeping said nethers temperate? It's not a factor of the airflow around your fairing, is it? I've now had 3 bikes with variously shaped fairings, and they all resulted in different parts of my anatomy getting cold. Both the VF500 (half-faired) and VFR tended to funnel air up my legs, and under the bottom of my jacket, and also this tended to make my crutch a little cool. I never went on long enough journeys to worry about it, but I think the secret would be not having anything too tight in the crutch. Maybe a woolly "peter-heater"?:)
Despite also being basically not much more than half-faired, the VTR offers pretty good wind protection, but directs most of the airflow directly at my chest, so I had to add an extra flap to the thermal liner of my jacket, as the liner has a gap about 75mm wide down the centre where the zips and flaps are, and no thermal layer. Now it's good. However, yesterday I neglected to do the top of the zip up properly after we had coffee in Warkworth, and had to undo the flaps and buttons on the move, then refasten them, and it took about 20 minutes to warm up again.

On vacation a couple of weeks ago, we went snowmobiling, and the snowmobiles had heated handgrips with 2 levels of heat. I used to think these were for wussies only (unless you lived/rode in very cold climes), but they were magic! However, the faster the Skidoo was going, the hotter they got, and as tail-end Charlie I spent a lot of time going flat out to catch up after photo ops, and had to switch them off because they got so warm!

[Hitcher]

There has to be a market for a thermal codpiece -- (Peter heater, as eloquently expressed above) should some inspired soul not have already created one!

[Mongoose]

There has to be a market for a thermal codpiece -- (Peter heater, as eloquently expressed above) should some inspired soul not have already created one!

Or if your leathers are not too tight, a piece of sheep skin(well dead and cured) glued to the inside of the crotch area helps, as with on the knees.(dont ask how I know :whistle: )

[wkid_one]

Electric Nob Togs?? Fucked it I am going to ride in the wet with a 12v power supply connected to my twig and berries - you must be berko! Does anyone else see the recipe for disaster here?

[Hitcher]

Electric Nob Togs?? Fucked it I am going to ride in the wet with a 12v power supply connected to my twig and berries - you must be berko! Does anyone else see the recipe for disaster here?
I was hoping for something that was not only warm but which also tingled...

[Mongoose]

Electric Nob Togs?? Fucked it I am going to ride in the wet with a 12v power supply connected to my twig and berries - you must be berko! Does anyone else see the recipe for disaster here?

Hmmm, well, i dunno, there are probabley folk out there that would pay a lot of money for the *disaster* that you are so worried about. :bleh: :Punk: :killingme

[scumdog]

The "old" guys use to use newspaper down the front of their jacket to keep out the cold, I have used a torso shaped piece of 'bubble-wrap" for the same purpose - works well and doesn't get soggy if the rain seeps in. :laugh:

[wkid_one]

The "old" guys use to use newspaper down the front of their jacket to keep out the cold, I have used a torso shaped piece of 'bubble-wrap" for the same purpose - works well and doesn't get soggy if the rain seeps in. :laugh:
Plus the some added bonuses:

When you crash, you have some 'extra' protection
It also helps you lose weight by making you sweat like crazy.
After you crash you have something to do waiting for the trailer to arrive - burst the little bubble pockets.
If you ever need to mail a CD when you are on the bike - you don't need to buy one of those expensive bubble envelopes - a standard one will do as you have the bubble wrap covered.

[scumdog]

Plus the some added bonuses:

When you crash, you have some 'extra' protection
It also helps you lose weight by making you sweat like crazy.
After you crash you have something to do waiting for the trailer to arrive - burst the little bubble pockets.
If you ever need to mail a CD when you are on the bike - you don't need to buy one of those expensive bubble envelopes - a standard one will do as you have the bubble wrap covered.


HEEYYY!! You've been spying on me!

Also gets you funny looks at a rally when you walk past people "a-rustling and a-crackling' :lol: '

[AMPS]

It sounds like you wear leathers, try Oxford ChillOut under clothes. We've had rave reports from users. They have a waterproof/ breathable laminate similar to textile riding gear and have a windproof liner on the chest, arms and thighs. $104.00 each for tops and pants.
We can do mail order.
Lou

[bungbung]

Hi all from Manila. Its 30deg and super humid, even if you still went out riding you'd be dead 20m down the road due to the creative driving styles of the locals.

So quite nice in Welli then?

[Milky]

There has to be a market for a thermal codpiece -- (Peter heater, as eloquently expressed above) should some inspired soul not have already created one!
I know they have created nipple warmers for the ladies from possum fur, so i should imagine that something similar shouldnt be too far off for the guys ;)
Actually... maybe you could modify the straps on one of them possum fur contraptions, then you would be warm front and back :niceone:

[Hoon]

Being in the Army I spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold/rain/snow and over the years I have found out what works best, what doesn't and how best to make use of what you have to get the best results.

Firstly you need a wind proof layer on the outside to stop the rushing air from penetrating those small gaps and also from stripping away the heat from your inner layers. A raincoat or even a plastic rubbish bag will do if you're desperate.

Next you want an insulation layer. This doesn't need to keep you warm, all it does is stop the transfer of heat (i.e. inside stays warm, outside stays cold). This is where I normally wear crap stuff like denim, cotton (tshirts/sweaters) or leather.

Next to skin you want the warm stuff like polar/micro fleece, wool, thermals etc - basically that gucci stuff you see in camping shops. T-shirts/singlets/sweaters are crap so if you are cold, move these out to the insulation layer. Micro fleece is the best here and beats thermals/wool hands down.

[LB]

Icebreaker make shorts, you could try a pair of those as well as your long johns.

Bubble wrap is probably a bloody good idea, as the air in the bubbles would act like insulation.

Handlebar warmers are great. Have had them on many of my bikes, and will be getting the thou fitted out very soon.

Latest Two Wheels has a writeup in the Oxford Chill Out stuff - I've not seen it but I've got some Oxford stuff (handlebar warmers for the 800, tank bag) and it's very good quality stuff. Will be buying the Oxford h/bar warmers for the thou.

A heated vest is not a silly idea.

It's dangerous when you get cold.

[SPman]

I know they have created nipple warmers for the ladies from possum fur, so i should imagine that something similar shouldnt be too far off for the guys ;)
Actually... maybe you could modify the straps on one of them possum fur contraptions, then you would be warm front and back :niceone:
They do a womens G string in possum fur - that could work!

[greenhorn]

Hi all from Manila. Its 30deg and super humid, even if you still went out riding you'd be dead 20m down the road due to the creative driving styles of the locals.

So quite nice in Welli then?

Heya bungbung
Been to Manila a few times, just curious what your up to over there, what part of Manila are you in?
None of my business i know so of course feel free to tell me to naff off if you like.
Sigi

Sorry :Offtopic:

[Mongoose]

Reply to Hoons idea
A warning, if thinking of using plastic bag as wind proofing DO NOT wear it on the outside! A local identity did that down here, was a rather large lad and had to use one of those big bags that ovens/fridges leave the factory in.
o worries, three holes later(head and arm holes) away he set on atrip to Q'town.
Not long into the trip there was a noise like a chopper buzzing us real close.But no, this was the bag slowly beating itself to death and shredding. By the time we got to Q'town all that was left was a smallish(well for the size it started out as) ring of plastic around ths dudes shoulders and neck, the rest was tassle material flapping merrily in the breeze. :)

[bungbung]

Heya bungbung
Been to Manila a few times, just curious what your up to over there, what part of Manila are you in?
None of my business i know so of course feel free to tell me to naff off if you like.
Sigi

Sorry :Offtopic:


Hi GH, I'm in Manila metro, Malate. At a conference/course run by work.

Bung

[wkid_one]

Hi GH, I'm in Manila metro, Malate. At a conference/course run by work.

Bung
So you work for the US Government and go to Manila for a conference? Nice for some

[jrandom]

So you work for the US Government ... Nice for some

Oh well, at least Bung will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes...

[greenhorn]

Metro Manila would not be my first choice of a good place to go for a conference...
Tried any of the local food yet Bung?
There's some right tasty stuff then theres well... :puke:

[bungbung]

yep, went to a local seafood place today. locals seem a bit obsessed with american style fast food though :(

[LB]

Thanks for the info re the temperature in Manila bungbung. That's just what I wanted to know at 5.45am in the freezing bloody cold lounge with a frost outside. Thanks.

[riffer]

Thanks for the info re the temperature in Manila bungbung. That's just what I wanted to know at 5.45am in the freezing bloody cold lounge with a frost outside. Thanks.
I left for work this morning at 6:55. Official temperature in Upper Hutt was -3°C.

Add to that the wind chill and you can imagine it was not a pleasant experience.

But at least you could see the ice on the road this morning going over Haywards.

[Hitcher]

But at least you could see the ice on the road this morning going over Haywards.

Based on the height and powderyness of the frost on the car at home, I reckon this morning's frigid effort is the best of the winter, so far...

[wkid_one]

Yup - one of Upper Hutts better ones this morning.

I remember when I was going to college @ UHC, we had a -6deg frost and the school heaters weren't working. It was actually warmer sitting outside than in the class rooms! - what's that all about.

I think the measure the frosts at ground temp don't they? I can't recall if this is so. I will check the paper tonight to see. Upper Hutt temp is measured from a stupid place anyway and is never accurate.

I remember many a trip in to Wellington on the bike from the Hutt. It wasn't until Petone that you actually get out the shadow of the hill and actually start to get some heat from the sun. Tried every trick in the book to keep my hands warm (other than elecics)

[pete376403]

Upper Hutt temps are measured at Wallaceville Research Station in Ward St.
(Edit - no they're not. Temps are taken at what used to be the MAF site at Silverstream, near the tip entrance) Probably out in the middle of a large open paddock, so the temps can't be influenced by any nearby buildings. So whatever they measure there is going to be about right for most of the city. Not like Wellington where the temps are measures at the top of the hill where the met station is

[LB]

We had ice on our deck, which is most unusual. The top of our wheelie bin had a thick layer of ice too. There was ice at the bottom of our hill, but by the time we went down the early risers had broken it up in the wheel tracks.

I think I heard rain just before, so this morning will be warmer.

Bungbung, please pack up some of that warmth and bring it back for us huh?

[jrandom]

Not very cold in Auckland this morning. Almost warm-ish, didn't need my balaclava or underglubs. Wet, though. It's one of those Cold Wet Crotch days, since I forgot to pack spare trous.

*Who* was it that sold the yellow PVC overalls? I gonna buy me some and the fashion police be damned.

[Milky]

the wharehouse of course... where else? Try bicycling in the rain at about 7am and see how you go ;) it is a relief to get into uni when that happens...

[FROSTY]

Not very cold in Auckland this morning. Almost warm-ish, didn't need my balaclava or underglubs. Wet, though. It's one of those Cold Wet Crotch days, since I forgot to pack spare trous.

*Who* was it that sold the yellow PVC overalls? I gonna buy me some and the fashion police be damned.

Try thos $10 warehouse specials--they keep ya legs dry.

[MikeL]

Wouldn't be without me $10 Warehouse yellow plastic pants... Though today they stayed in my bag. After heavy rain early in the morning, I rode to work at 7:30 completely dry, and after pretty steady rain most of the day, rode home at 5 again in the dry. That's what I like about Auckland - the unpredictability is so predictable.

Learnt the following sentence today from my Chinese students:
Zai Aokelan mei tian xia yu.
In Auckland it rains every day.

But at least my fingers weren't frozen this morning.