When do you call it quits for the winter?
10-17-2011 | 05:41 PM
#1
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From: Saint Paul, MN
When do you call it quits for the winter?
I expect some sarcastic comments from the So Cal and Florida guys 
, but what about us northerners?
I've got a commute that's about 11 miles each way. This morning it was about 40, and I figure I can go into the low 30's, but as soon as there's ice or the snow flies, I'm done.
, but what about us northerners?I've got a commute that's about 11 miles each way. This morning it was about 40, and I figure I can go into the low 30's, but as soon as there's ice or the snow flies, I'm done.
10-17-2011 | 06:39 PM
#8
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Superstock
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Santa Clara, CA
HEY! It rains here...........
Sometimes.......
<--- we need these year round
The only thing that keeps me from riding is ice and standing water, other than that, I'm a 365 rider (sorry, I really do feel bad for everyone who has more than 1 season a year)
Sometimes.......
<--- we need these year round The only thing that keeps me from riding is ice and standing water, other than that, I'm a 365 rider (sorry, I really do feel bad for everyone who has more than 1 season a year)
10-17-2011 | 07:08 PM
#10
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From: Saint Paul, MN
10-17-2011 | 07:33 PM
#11
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this spring on a trip to minneapolis in early april, and after 35 years of riding, it was 35 and raining. I finally bought an electric gerbing jacket once it hit minneapolis. It was amazing. I can easily ride to that temp now and actually be comfortable. I kicked myself for suffering all these years. amazing amazing amazing difference. get the gloves too.
It actually makes cold weather riding fun.
It actually makes cold weather riding fun.
10-17-2011 | 07:44 PM
#12
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
I've got a 40/40 rule: minimum of 40° in the morning and less than 40% chance of rain. That means I usually end up riding regularly in October but only maybe a handful of times in November. Throw in a couple of days in December (maybe) and it's usually all she wrote until at least March.
10-17-2011 | 07:45 PM
#13
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From: Gettysburg, Pa
I quit the commute when it's low/mid 40's. Like Bill said, it's just not enjoyable (26mi one way). I'll go for a pleasure cruise in the 30's but not very often or very far.
Last edited by Wolverine; 10-17-2011 at 08:02 PM.
10-17-2011 | 08:00 PM
#14
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From: Austin, Tx
It hit 91F here today. This summer it hit 110F on some of our jobsites but the bottom (low property on the west side of the nursery) regularly hit 116 to 125F daily for weeks. I ride in the Fall, Winter, and early Spring but it's parked during the summer.
10-17-2011 | 08:15 PM
#15
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10-17-2011 | 08:29 PM
#18
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Sold most my cold weather gear which used to take me into the 20's and 30's during winter. I had a teiz motorsports one piece lombard suit and that thing was awesome! Now I'll be staying only around 40's which is me with my perforated leathers stuffed with a fleece and cold weather liner.
It really depends on the gear. I have heated grips and they make a world of difference. I rode with the same pair of gloves year round last year just cause the grips kept my hands so warm.
It really depends on the gear. I have heated grips and they make a world of difference. I rode with the same pair of gloves year round last year just cause the grips kept my hands so warm.
10-17-2011 | 09:05 PM
#21
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Squid
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: El Segundo, CA
I can't complain now but my wife and I moved here from Salt Lake City 1.5 years ago. Up there we used to be able to ride til end of October to mid November. After that, break out the Sta-bil and wait for April.
10-17-2011 | 09:48 PM
#23
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30 degrees lowest i will comute to work (10 miles) 45 -50 degrees is lowest i am going out on an extended street ride. TN weather is sporadic, may be 20 today and 50 two days later. Plenty of days to ride in the winter here.
Beside winter is time to pull the woods dirt bike out and play in the cool weather. That i ride down to maybe 15 degrees all day long.
Beside winter is time to pull the woods dirt bike out and play in the cool weather. That i ride down to maybe 15 degrees all day long.
10-17-2011 | 10:00 PM
#24
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From: Saint Paul, MN
This is me and my buddies going out to the garage to get ready for a winter ride:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/draeg001/reg...ard%201909.jpg
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/draeg001/reg...ard%201909.jpg
10-17-2011 | 10:23 PM
#25
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Joined: May 2008
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From: San Clemente, CA
This is me and my buddies going out to the garage to get ready for a winter ride:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/draeg001/reg...ard%201909.jpg
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/draeg001/reg...ard%201909.jpg
Years ago I used to commute on my bike no matter what, even in the rain, and splitting lanes.
One morning in 1988, I left home (San Clemente, beach town) for work in a light rain. By the time I got to San Juan Capistrano, it was snowing. I got off the freeway at Ortega Highway to go back home and get my truck. When I got back on the freeway heading south, the only part of the road that wasn't pure white with snow was the tire tracks.
Needless to say, I was a little late to work that day... 35 mile commute.
10-17-2011 | 10:57 PM
#26
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Superstock
Joined: Oct 2009
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as a fellow MinneSNOTAN i try and ride till thanksgiving, i just bundle up realllll good... that is of course if there is no snow on the streets. since college my only mode of transport is my motorcycles and pedal bikes. so i ride a majority of the year.. we have really been blessed with this awesome late summer we have had 
10-17-2011 | 10:58 PM
#27
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From: Saint Paul, MN
HaHa!
Years ago I used to commute on my bike no matter what, even in the rain, and splitting lanes.
One morning in 1988, I left home (San Clemente, beach town) for work in a light rain. By the time I got to San Juan Capistrano, it was snowing. I got off the freeway at Ortega Highway to go back home and get my truck. When I got back on the freeway heading south, the only part of the road that wasn't pure white with snow was the tire tracks.
Needless to say, I was a little late to work that day... 35 mile commute.
Years ago I used to commute on my bike no matter what, even in the rain, and splitting lanes.
One morning in 1988, I left home (San Clemente, beach town) for work in a light rain. By the time I got to San Juan Capistrano, it was snowing. I got off the freeway at Ortega Highway to go back home and get my truck. When I got back on the freeway heading south, the only part of the road that wasn't pure white with snow was the tire tracks.
Needless to say, I was a little late to work that day... 35 mile commute.
10-17-2011 | 10:59 PM
#28
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From: Saint Paul, MN
as a fellow MinneSNOTAN i try and ride till thanksgiving, i just bundle up realllll good... that is of course if there is no snow on the streets. since college my only mode of transport is my motorcycles and pedal bikes. so i ride a majority of the year.. we have really been blessed with this awesome late summer we have had
10-17-2011 | 11:36 PM
#30
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From: San Clemente, CA
I used to occasionally get Marines from El Toro in my Vocational Automotive classes in Garden Grove, when I taught nights, back in the late '70s and through the early '90s. They were always great students.
