4th Annual Winter Bald Eagle Ride, January 18-21, 2013

[ajayhawkfan]

I can stay warm on most of my body but my head gets cold. Is there a liner or sock for your head? My helmet is a tight fit.

http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=m ... =HURE#x0y0

[stimmer6253472]

+1 on everything Troy and Eddie have already said. I have the Gerbings liner and gloves and the only thing that I would do different is to get one size smaller on the liner. You need to have the liner so that it is snug to your skin. My liner is a perfect size if it was a coat but because it is somewhat loose I lose a lot of the heat. I purchased my items new but as seconds directly from Gerbings at a big savings:

http://heatedclothingoutlet.com/index.shtml

My only other recommendation is that after you purchase the gear, don't walk into a public building, especially government offices, with all the wires and controls dangling out of your coat...I've been accused of having a bomb!

Not that I would know but this site seems to have some pretty good prices. Just nothing my size.
Jim

[Savage]

There is still time to sign up for this testosterone filled ride.

Oh NO! I just paid off my rain gear........... now I have to buy testosterone proof gear too? I'll never get out debt at this rate.

Rain gear should be free in this drought.

[troy]

I have Friday, Jan 18 scheduled as a vacation day at work to make sure I'm available for this ride. We already get Monday, Jan 21 off for the holiday.

Eddie, when you get a chance and as the details firm up, please update the first post to keep folks informed. Probably #1 right now is to make sure folks know approximately what time the ride starts on Friday so they make appropriate plans with work.

I want to stress the tentative nature of my commitment to this ride. I think most folks are in the same boat on this one, but I'm in unless the weather looks too risky. Here are the weather factors that will prevent me from riding on this one:

• Roads expected to be covered in ice.
• Significant snow expected to be on the roads.
• (Mostly cloudy with 1:00 PM temps expected sub 45) OR (Mostly sunny with 1:00 PM temps expected sub 40)

I don't mind starting the ride on sub 30 degree mornings, but if the days are not expected to reach beyond 40, I'm not sure the ride would produce the necessary joy for me.

You can pick up warm weather gear such as balaclavas and glove liners locally at both:

Motorcycle Closeouts in Smithville

Cycle Gear in Lenexa

I'm sure some of the motorcycle dealers have these items in stock, too.

Everyone makes their own decision of course, but my advice to those not familiar with riding for more than 30 minutes in sub 40 degree weather, you will need a heated jacket and heated gloves. For me at least, heated grips don't cut it when it gets really cold. Each to their own of course. On one of the prior rides, I had been riding my motorcycle to work for a few weeks with just my insulated riding suit and heavy winter gloves (no heated gear). I never got cold. I thought I could do this Eagle ride without my heated gear. I soon discovered the difference between a 15 minute commute in 30 degree weather and 3 hours at 30 degrees. Yikes! Cold toes are easy to solve with the drop in toe warmers.

[ajayhawkfan]

Troy, good idea, I updated it.

[reddof]

I'm in, but will need to buy a new tent. You are camping, right?

[ajayhawkfan]

I'm in, but will need to buy a new tent. You are camping, right?

Camping, you are joking right?

[reddof]

Camping, you are joking right?

Oh, I thought this was a hard core ride. Yes, I was joking about camping. I am going to attempt to make the ride though.

[troy]

New product? I've not seen this before anyway. It's a balaclava that solves the issue of discomfort related to having the mask covering your mouth and/or nose.

http://cozywinters.com/shop/coldavenger-balaclava.html

Protect yourself from the harsh and damaging effects of cold exposure with our ColdAvenger® Balaclava Pro which has unique functions that keep the face and airway warm while allowing you to breathe freely with no resistance while protecting your entire head from cold weather, sun and wind....Designed to fit with goggles and helmets.

I don't know about you, but there is no way that thick velcro tab closure is going to fit in my helmet--at least not in a way I could stand it for more than about 10 seconds!

Maybe this one would work:
http://cozywinters.com/shop/coldavenger ... emask.html

[ajayhawkfan]

The problem I have had in the past is fogging with my Arai helmet. (My old cheap helmet never a problem.) So I purchased this fine looking product.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14 ... vader.aspx

I hope I don't have to use it.

[rycomm]

I recently aquired a heated jacket with this ride in mind. Now I just have to figure if I can afford to take 4 days off from work.

Ryan

[jasoomian]

As long as the roads are good between here (Tulsa and KC area), I'll be in as well. I may have to tuck out early to get home Sunday afternoon, but, yeah, no snow or ice and count me in.

[allkidd]

In preparation for this ride, I rode to work yesyerday in the extreme cold...15 minutes in 13 degrees. I know it was a short ride but I wanted to see if I could manage even 15 minutes in the cold. Several observations; 1.) much colder standing rather than sitting...my core body wasn't really cold at all when sitting, 2.)the only part that got cold was the tips of my thumbs...I wore Gerbing heated gloves but they don't seem to warm up as much as I think they should,3.) at noon, when I rode home, it was up to 19 degrees and I didn't get cold at all including my thumbs, 4.) my colleagues at work were amazed that I rode my motorcycle into work....now they think I'm really tough...I didn't mention the heated gear!

Based on yesterdays ride I think that I would be willing to leave with the temp in the 20's, warming up to at least the 30's during the day. My biggest concern would be riding on the highway at 55 MPh +. Do you guys ever consider trailering beyond the high speed riding until reaching the slower riding back roads?

[troy]

A few winters ago I rode to work a lot. My commute is about 15 minutes. I wore my insulated Fieldsheer suit and heavy winter gloves, but not any heated gear. I was always quite comfortable. So when I signed up to do the Eagle Ride, I thought, "no problem".

Turns out there is a big difference between 15 minutes 25 degrees and 2 hours. I got REALLY cold without heated gear.

With my insulated suit, balaclava, heated jacket, heated gloves, and those simple toe warmers stuck in my boots, I'm good most of the day. HOWEVER, when it's sub 30 or so, my right thumb still gets numb and cold--even with my nice heated gloves. Not sure what's going on there, but I just deal with it because I'm very manly.

[bird man]

My heated Gerbing gloves will kep my hands (and thumbs) warm for several hours riding in sub frezzing weather with the aid of heated grips ...but with out heated grips after a while my hands start to feel cool. My ride without heated grips was only approx. half an hour @ 34 degrees on a cloudy damp day so I am sure with more time hands will slowly get colder.

[ajayhawkfan]

............ Do you guys ever consider trailering beyond the high speed riding until reaching the slower riding back roads?

NO

[troy]

Do you guys ever consider trailering beyond the high speed riding until reaching the slower riding back roads?

Careful, Randy--that is strike 1. If you are not a real motorcycle rider, maybe you need to find another forum.

[ajayhawkfan]

Do you guys ever consider trailering beyond the high speed riding until reaching the slower riding back roads?

Careful, Randy--that is strike 1. If you are not a real motorcycle rider, maybe you need to find another forum.

Next thing you know he will want to share my motel room.

[ajayhawkfan]

I'm hearing a lot of "in" from potential riders just like I have for the last few years. Soon the excuses will be flying: "The cold weather chaps my skin.", "I did not realize it was over MLK Day, I always celebrate that day with the family.", "I really wanted to go but my wife said 'No!'", "Sorry but my Dr. could not get me in to get my balls attached." or "I don't want my skirt to get caught in the chain", finally, "I would go if we trailered the bikes to the slower riding back roads".

[troy]

Crap! I just realized I can't go because the ride conflicts with another event I'm already committed to that weekend. I've had this on my calendar for almost a year, and am really looking forward to it! Should be a blast!
http://www.meetup.com/scrapbookers-of-p ... /73858532/