Loved the stormy weather - heaven!

[mozzee]

Of course the one time I have a night free the weather turns to shit!!

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind and rain warnings on Thursday & Friday....BUT it was aweome!! It's a whole new side to riding I didn't know existed. I've previously done about 10-20mins in the rain getting to or from the city for work. But this was a whole new experience...

You have to concentrate to stay up on two wheels and to stay in your lane with the wind pummelling you all over the place. Trucks splash water every where, you can hardly see what the road texture is, you can't see a thing, your basically having to ride by feel. It was so much fun!! Especially after Thames through to Coromandel township. The windy coast road was brilliant.

However, I'm please it happened to me while the weather was still warm though. Because I've sadly discovered that all the "waterproof" gear I have (which I paid extra for) is definitely not waterproof afterall. After about an hour I was soaked to the bone. Actually not every - just most places. My right boot was dripping wet (funny the brand is "bone dry") my gloves were dripping (very hard to get back on when wet - actually I discovered its easier to get them back on when they are dripping wet, rather then when you have tried to wring the water out of them - then they get a bit clingy on the inside), the seat of my pants and the front of my jacket were soaked right through. All my undergarments were stained black from the dye running...argh!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once! Needless to say I enjoyed a hot shower when I got home and all my gear is still drying in the hot water cupboard - thank god it wasn't winter or I would've been freezing and pretty pissed!!

Anyway, just writing this to see if I'm the only one who loves to ride in the stormy conditions.....Don't get me wrong - hot sunny days where you can let out the throttle and are free to pass whenever you want or also awesome. But the wind and rain is like a whole different experience. The adrenalin is just constantly pumping. Normally when your riding you feel like your in your own little world, but when its raining you feel it even more. Its hard to explain... Dont know how I lived without a bike until now.

[PirateJafa]

Tip for staying dry - wear a rain jacket/pants (decent ones) over the top of your riding gear. Plastic shopping bags over your hands/feet before you put them into your gloves/boots respectively take care of that too, and then you can stay bone dry for hours.

And with that taken care of you can enjoy the ride no matter what the weather.

[Supermac Jr]

Yip - own little world. Quite a few posts about riding in the weather earlier this week. My commute on thurday and friday was the first in weather like we had and looking back it was quite a steep learning curve and getting to actually feel the difference that all the 'tips' makes...

Glad you enjoyed the trip!

[Slyer]

I can't say I share your enthusiasm, I ride because it is relaxing and fun. Crap weather provides for neither.
I guess if you get your jollies from being scared shitless you might enjoy it.

[LBD]

!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once!

What make and model helmet?

Love all and any weather riding myself....well no not ice and snow. Staying warm and dry is crucial. I have pretty good wet weather gear, but have learnt another little trick to stay firstly warmer and also drier, although that is not much of a problem.

At outdoors shops, you can buy light water proof breathables under many different brand names. When cool or wet, I use a very light anorak under my jacket and over polar fleece. It has an elastic waist....works wonders to keep the draughts out. The added bonus was in wet weather when I would get the odd damp patch, now I stay dry.

Same below, fleece pants and light breathable water proofs, warm and toasty. Fingers still get cool but goretex gloves keep them dry.

Wet weather riding is one of the best "escapes" and the hot shower, warm feed and beer at the end of the ride is one of lifes little pleasures.

[Pixie]

The only thing I don't like about wet riding is having to clean the filth of the bike afterwards.

[mozzee]

What make and model helmet?

I've got the new Shark RSX total vision carbon fibre helmet - its very light and comfortable. Also the visors are easily switched. So I use a mirror tinted polycarbonate visor during the day and switch to the clear polycarbonate visor at night. The visors have had a whole bunch of extra antifog treatment done to them - have a 5 year guarantee. The helmet also has 2 vents. I got a really good deal from the guys at cycletreads.

I thought all my gear was waterproof - well thats what the saleman said - lol - maybe I'm just a gullible female. Nevermind, have learnt my lesson. Will be heading out to purchase some more rain gear to wear under my kit before winter gets here. Bit gutted about the gloves though - was struggling to find any small enough for me. Only found the one pair that fit correctly and they were way over my budget - but I thought bugger it they're gonna last me a while so I'll bite the buck. Turns out they weren't quite what they were advertised to be...nevermind!

[Slyer]

What gear did you buy?

[Grizzo]

Of course the one time I have a night free the weather turns to shit!!

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind and rain warnings on Thursday & Friday....BUT it was aweome!! It's a whole new side to riding I didn't know existed. I've previously done about 10-20mins in the rain getting to or from the city for work. But this was a whole new experience...

You have to concentrate to stay up on two wheels and to stay in your lane with the wind pummelling you all over the place. Trucks splash water every where, you can hardly see what the road texture is, you can't see a thing, your basically having to ride by feel. It was so much fun!! Especially after Thames through to Coromandel township. The windy coast road was brilliant.

However, I'm please it happened to me while the weather was still warm though. Because I've sadly discovered that all the "waterproof" gear I have (which I paid extra for) is definitely not waterproof afterall. After about an hour I was soaked to the bone. Actually not every - just most places. My right boot was dripping wet (funny the brand is "bone dry") my gloves were dripping (very hard to get back on when wet - actually I discovered its easier to get them back on when they are dripping wet, rather then when you have tried to wring the water out of them - then they get a bit clingy on the inside), the seat of my pants and the front of my jacket were soaked right through. All my undergarments were stained black from the dye running...argh!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once! Needless to say I enjoyed a hot shower when I got home and all my gear is still drying in the hot water cupboard - thank god it wasn't winter or I would've been freezing and pretty pissed!!

Anyway, just writing this to see if I'm the only one who loves to ride in the stormy conditions.....Don't get me wrong - hot sunny days where you can let out the throttle and are free to pass whenever you want or also awesome. But the wind and rain is like a whole different experience. The adrenalin is just constantly pumping. Normally when your riding you feel like your in your own little world, but when its raining you feel it even more. Its hard to explain... Dont know how I lived without a bike until now.

You are a sick, sick man.....and welcome to KB

[yungatart]

You are a sick, sick man.....and welcome to KB

Could it be because she is a woman?????

[Tubbsy]

I bought my bike off another member on here, 'Radar', and rode it up from Masterton to Auckland in weather that ranged from sunny, to belting wind and rain. Given that it was my first time on a bike in 15 years, can't say I enjoyed the Taraweras outside of Taupo at 10pm in the driving wind and rain. Oh....and there was a freakish blast of cold air that weekend.

Also had to ride home along Aucklands waterfront last Thursday was it, when we had that howling NE that actually damaged house and trees. Did not enjoy that either, especially the battling not to get blown into moving cars bit......

[vifferman]

Riding at least occasionally in REALLY bad weather is really invigorating, as long as you don't get hypothermia (that's no fun at all ).
I've ridden in a tropical downpour twice, and although I got soaking wet on one occasion, I still enjoyed it. Riding in bad weather and staying cosy and dry is even better though!

Mozzee - your gloves may still be OK. Make sure you wear them with the sleeves over the top (even 100% waterproof gloves will get wet inside if you tuck your sleeves in the, as I learned on my first outing with my new Teknic jacket, in a very heavy downpour). Also, some waterproof overmitts (oilskin or PVC) will work with even cheap, non-waterproof summer gloves.

[Tubbsy]

Sorta on the same note....any AKL bikers, I need to go visiting a mate who is off to the States soon and I have to cross the Akl harbour bridge tonight. Forecast is for up to 35knot gusts tonight, which is about 60km/h winds......as a noob riding in conditions like that...what's the comfort level, in your opinion, for me to be riding over the bridge in, wind speed wise?

[want-a-harley]

Sorta on the same note....any AKL bikers, I need to go visiting a mate who is off to the States soon and I have to cross the Akl harbour bridge tonight. Forecast is for up to 35knot gusts tonight, which is about 60km/h winds......as a noob riding in conditions like that...what's the comfort level, in your opinion, for me to be riding over the bridge in, wind speed wise?

Went back and forth accross bridge at 1430 on the GN 250, not sure on wind speed but was pretty gusty, coming from the shore, definately felt the wind but was fine, didn't move around in lane or anything but not especially comfortable, coming back (with the wind) sweet as, nice and cruisy. (I'm a noob too).

[Tubbsy]

Thanks mate, appreciate the response. Had a bit of a spook with being shoved about the waterfront in the wind the other day....wouldn't want the same on the top of the harbour bridge.