Bike riding in Aussie

[cuppa]

I have just come back from my holiday on the Gold Coast,lovely weather good bike shops.One thing that you notice there is how tough the Aussie bike riders are.This is the basic riding atire for 95% of the riders.
1)Sand shoes/jandles
2)Shorts/3/4 pants
3)Tee shirt
4)And last but not least a hemlet
These guys are not riding around on scooters these are all the big toys.
And the last 5% ride around with all the gear,maybe these are the Kiwis that live there.

[Grub]

In a way I can understand it, but its still bloody stupid! Of course they *are* aussies so...

When I was in Melbourne, borrowed my mates 2001 Suz 650 sports bike to ride to Bendigo (couple of hours). He had all the cordura gear which I wore. It was the worst ride ever. The bike was a pig (sore back sore arms sore wrists) and I lost about 2kg in sweat. Even with the top zip open a bit, I just couldn't get cool.

Then I slipped on the gravel in the carpark of Calder Park ... but that's another ($125) story

[M1CRO:Me]

There are quite a few riders wearing sweet F.A. around QLD/NSW.. Personally, I couldnt bring myself to do this. Rode from Sydney to Brisbane a few times wearing a leather jacket (full armour) and draggin jeans in Feb.. Sheesh, talk about roast Kiwi

I remember one day riding up over the blue mountains when they had major fires up there. The air was in excess of 40 degrees with said gear.. Had to close the visor as it was way too hot on my face.. I wonder if you can get fireproof helmets lol

Maybe the ones wearing gear were ones that just can't bear to part with their skin in any weather

[mstriumph]

it's not easy over here - we've just had 3 days on the trot of over 40 degrees --- it is STINKING hot and there's a bushfire raging about 10k down the road ............. [SPman is outside taking pics as we speak - don't be suprised if they end up posted here - the sky is magnificent - albeit bloody scarey with bits of burnt trees keep drifting down .......]

when thinking of riding gear you have to balance the possibility of being shredded against the certainty of being roasted

some gear is reasonably ok - i have a full mesh armoured jacket that works well up to about 35 degrees ........... but after that i'm afraid it's either skin or leave the bike in the barn

[Hillbilly]

I have 2 jackets, one leather and one textile. Both are "Actionwear" and have full armour including back protectors. Got a pair of Draggin jeans as well. The leather jacket is good up to 30 degrees, then it's too hot. In NZ you can only imagine riding with a hot blow dryer turned on full all over you, and that's *with* the wind chill.

Still, I've gotten used to being hot, and I'd rather be hot and in one piece than cool and shredded. Road surfaces are different here as well - lotsa concrete - and those bloody pedestrian islands. I hate them!

[Edbear]

and I lost about 2kg in sweat.

Mmmm! Sun's comin' up,maybe I should suit up and go riding....

Agree with Aus comments. Way too hot for us over there and I cringe when I see them riding in light gear. Aweful dilemma!

[LilSel]

I just got back from melb a few days ago... soon as we got there... rain... for 3 days... they were so happy cuz of the drought n water restrictions... but yeah the bikes I saw out... (it wasnt THAT hot...) were wearing minimal clothing... *shrug*... I wouldnt do it... but hey... hope I never see anyone bail with that attire on either.

[SixPackBack]

Guess you need to live there for a while to truly appreciate the heat.
Jeans/Dragging jeans are just about standard attire for most of the year, leather is just to hot. I found the best jacket was a loose fitting leather with open neck [biker styles], as at least plenty of air circulated.

[SPman]

Wearing a back protector under the leathers is cooler than not. If you hold your back right, it opens up a nice channel down the spine and the air can evaporate off some of the lake that builds up.

Most riders try and get off the road by midday at the moment out our way - leave at sunrise when its still cool and take your chances with the wildlife!