hot riding...

[Guest]

Usually I like to write about my rides in the cold season when the temps are around 25 F and at 60 mph , about a -4 F wind chill factor. But this week on my daily 70+ commuter miles (maybe more like 90 miles with back road riding detours) in the 90+ temps and humidity, I feel like I'm melting away.
You guys in FL and TX may be used to this riding, but up in NH it is certainly not the norm. Forget you guys out in So Cal, because you're 105 degree days are bone dry and feel like a 85 degree, humid day up here.
I've even stripped off my riding gear and helmet at times, tooling home in a t-shirt and glasses. I also choose the non fairing 850G over the Venture and pick nice shady back roads home when I can. Before you lecture me about ATGATT, I'd rather take my chances vs getting lightheaded sitting at stoplights in traffic.
And before you call me wimpish names, just remember, you're invited up to join me in NH for some frigid weather riding, so I can listen to you complain about lack of feeling in your fingers!
I do stop at roadside shady spots for a little breather and hydration, but know that if this was long term I'd consider moving further north. I guess I'll forget all about the sweating in 90+ temps when the cold season returns, eh?...and it's only been a few days, too....but it's still great getting out on the bike!

[chiphead]

I know what you mean. I was out last Saturday and took my leather off after 10 miles and stuffed it in my tank bag. Over 90 and high humidity.

[Dogma]

Zip the vents open and go faster.

[TheCafeKid]

Zip the vents open and go faster.

AMen! You wusses.. Its actually been to the point here where its just too HUMID to ride for me. I will go out after dusk for a ride maybe, but ive ridden only to work, and only ridden maybe 3 or 4 times since we got back from WV Rally. Granted, ive also been very busy in the shop too, but im gonna have to get out and put some miles on soon.. Essie is feeling unloved..

Dale! Give me a call bro, i might have some this or thats for that new pick up of yours.. and did you take those fork seals with you the last time you were over?

[lurch12_2000]

Zip the vents open and go faster.

I already unzipped the jacket's 2 front vents and the back vent along with flipping my full face shield up for more air, but at 85mph+ (old 850G speedo doesn't go higher) my head gets ripped backwards and the jacket turns into a mainsail and I start to lift off the seat!

I'll stay later tonight at work to avoid getting stuck in traffic on my commute home...either that or strip down to my skivvies and entertain the locals on the ride. But I vividly remember spring skiing in my youth with just boxer shorts, and even though I was a strong skier, I did wipe out on a black diamond trail and paid for it with road roash from the corn snow....ouch!

[Dogma]

AMen! You wusses.. Its actually been to the point here where its just too HUMID to ride for me. I will go out after dusk for a ride maybe, but ive ridden only to work, and only ridden maybe 3 or 4 times since we got back from WV Rally. Granted, ive also been very busy in the shop too, but im gonna have to get out and put some miles on soon.. Essie is feeling unloved..

Dale! Give me a call bro, i might have some this or thats for that new pick up of yours.. and did you take those fork seals with you the last time you were over?

Uh, yeah. They were still in my trunk when I got home. The oily boot made me forget 'em for a while. I was gonna try to pay you for those at WV... I need to look up whether they fit the G's forks. I'd expect they should. Let's see if I remember to give you a ring.

[chiphead]

[QUOTE=lurch12_2000;1070425]...either that or strip down to my skivvies and entertain the locals on the ride....QUOTE]

I'll be looking for you on WMUR tomorrow morning at 5 while I'm getting dressed for work.

[Dogma]

I already unzipped the jacket's 2 front vents and the back vent along with flipping my full face shield up for more air, but at 85mph+ (old 850G speedo doesn't go higher) my head gets ripped backwards and the jacket turns into a mainsail and I start to lift off the seat!

I'll stay later tonight at work to avoid getting stuck in traffic on my commute home...either that or strip down to my skivvies and entertain the locals on the ride. But I vividly remember spring skiing in my youth with just boxer shorts, and even though I was a strong skier, I did wipe out on a black diamond trail and paid for it with road roash from the corn snow....ouch!

Mesh jackets should be cooler, but humidity in traffic... nothing you can do but take the long around. I'd take the car before risking my hide though.

[jmanz6]

I went for a ride last Sunday and it was HOT. The sun was out and it was 91 with a heat index around 100. It was brutal. I was in my mesh jacket and I still sweat out about 4 lbs. I was glad the bike didn't have a fairing at that point for sure. Getting stuck in the festival traffic was not fun right at about 12:30. Good news was there were TONS of bikini clad girls out going to the beach and every road side park we went past had lots of them hanging out. Too bad I'm married, old and fat now so I can't really enjoy it, but it was nice to look at.

[Dogma]

Ya know... They make heated jackets. It seems like a cooled jacket should be possible. I know they make those evaporative vests and shirts, but I'm thinking of active cooling. Surely someone out there has done it.

Here's the first thing I found. Not cheap, and you need a freezer. Most of the rest were for dogs. Go figure.

[tkent02]

A wet shirt under the mesh works great, unless you live in a humid place.
In that case, ride to a dry place and put a wet shirt under the mesh.

[marvinsc]

I can testify from first hand experience, when wearing a mesh jacket with a tee shirt underneath, once the mesh and the tee get soaked, you are effectively wearing a swamp cooler. Mike Riddle can verify the shape I was in when I arrived at Slade KY on leg one of my trip to West Virginia this year after 3 hours of riding in those conditions . I couldn't have gone another 50 miles.

[earlfor]

A wet shirt under the mesh works great, unless you live in a humid place.
In that case, ride to a dry place and put a wet shirt under the mesh.

On the cold days, temps plunge to around 80F, and then summer comes and it gets warm. LOL Cry me a river guys. hehehe Know why Florida riders wear gloves? Their helmets are too hot to pick up with bare hands.

Earl

[tkent02]

On the cold days, temps plunge to around 80F, and then summer comes and it gets warm. LOL Cry me a river guys. hehehe Know why Florida riders wear gloves? Their helmets are too hot to pick up with bare hands.

Earl

Tell me again why anyone lives there?

[lucabond]

Put 200 miles on the bike yesterday in my tee shirt and jeans. Passed a bank that said 94 deg and with the humity it felt like 110. Did mostly back roads out in Western Ma and Vermont and it was nice on the tree covered roads but brutal on the roads with no shade. We did stop at a nice cemetary for a little rest in the shade.
My buddy and I both almost lost it on a road that had the cracks filled with a tar like substance which had turned to mush from the heat. First time I had run into that type of road hazzard so someting new to look out for.