MOTORCYCLE RIDING CONCEPTS Saddle Up! Grab Life by the Handlebars® Vol. 1, No. 4 www.saddleupva.com Fall 2013 MRC News Don’t’ be Left Out in the COLD (All) ture continues to rise. Then the sun sets, and the evening ambient temperature drops to 30o F. Traveling at 35 MPH, By Rich Yuras at 30o F, the wind chill is 14o F. So far, I haven’t painted a The sun has set on another fun filled summer riding sea- very pleasant picture of my earlier statement that fall and son, but that is no reason to start thinking of winterizing winter riding can be exciting and enjoyable, have I? your motorcycle. The fall and early winter months can be The cold temperatures create a problem, but there are solu- an exciting and enjoyable extension to your riding season. tions. Let’s go back to “Is Your Gear Ready?” Your per- As the fall foliage flutters to the ground, new scenery may sonal protective ensemble (PPE) is one part of the answer. be exposed on those back county roads. Waterfalls, mead- How you dress can help regulate your body’s temperature. ows, unique rustic homes, and spectacular roadside views Riding in fluctuating temperatures can be a challenge. become visible beyond the bare trees. Will I be too hot or too cold? Outdoor fashion designers Riding in the fall and winter months does require more suggest we use the “layered” system. thought as to “ are you ready” and “is you gear ready?” Dressing in layers affords you the ability to regulate your The temperature can fluctuate 10 to 30 degrees during a body temperature by adjusting your PPE to current con- ride and let’s not forget how that changing environment ditions. You can remove layers as it gets warmer and add can affect you. layers as the temperature decreases. The “three layer” look Let’s take a quick look at how the environment plays a part requires you to know what the correct clothing articles are in being “ready” to ride. for each layer. The three layers are often referred to as the Our body is designed to function effectively when the inner, middle, and outer layers. Each layer is designed to core temperature hovers around 98.6o Fahrenheit. As the perform a specific function in aiding in body temperature body temperature begins to fall from exposure to the cool regulation. ambient temperature (leading to hypothermia) the body’s The inner, or base layer, is the clothing that will be closest self preservation instinct kicks in. It begins to regulate the to your skin. body temperature. Blood flow is restricted to the upper Its purpose is to be comfortable while keeping the skin dry. and lower extremities and directed toward the central core The clothing used for the inner layer should have the prop- (brain, heart, kidneys etc) to maintain functional organ erties to draw moisture (sweat) away from the skin, thus temperature. Fingers, hands, feet, and toes begin to lose making you feel warmer. The clothing moves the moisture their dexterity as they start to get cold. The rider’s basic motorcycle operational ability decreases (i.e. braking, Continued on Page 2 shifting, and reaction time). In This Issue As you begin to ride, the wind begins to draw heat from Don’t’ be Left Out in the COLD (All) Pg. 1 your body, dropping your skin temperature and eventually High Side, Low Side, Right Side, your core temperature. When your core temperature drops Wrong Side? (All) Pg. 3 o 3 F, your judgment is impaired and you cannot effectively The Personal Touch Pg. 4 search, evaluate, and execute. Braking – the Art and the Science (Intermediate) Pg. 5 Let’s say you start your ride in the early afternoon at a balmy 400F. Traveling at 35 MPH, the wind chill makes it From the Maintenance Shop… (All) Pg. 7 o feel like 28 F. As the afternoon progresses, the tempera- Motorcycle Blogs I Love (All) Pg. 8 © Copyright 2013, Motorcycle Riding Concepts, All Rights Reserved. Page 1 Don’t be left out in the COLD - Continued from Page 1 moisture as your body temperature starts to acclimate to the new environment. away by capillary action (wicking). The action is similar to a paper towel drawing water up into the matter without There are other areas of your body that will feel the affects the use of auxiliary pressure. of windchill other than your torso and extremities. My mom used to say that if your feet are cold put on a hat. Synthetic materials like polyester and microfiber base Your head transfers out 70-80% of your body heat. Cover clothing are good choices as they transfer moisture well. it and the heat remains within your body. A full face/mod- Wool has relatively good wicking properties, but may not ular helmet provides the most protection and it also is the be very comfortable against the skin. Silk feels great but best in reducing heat loss and protecting your face from has less wicking properties and can be difficult to maintain. wind chill. Other styles of helmets will reduce heat loss but Cotton is inexpensive and feels comfortable against the remember to protect your face and neck from the wind. skin. It absorbs moisture easily, but is slow to dry in a cold environment. Judging by all of this, the synthetic materials Leather chaps and the addition of an inner and middle rate highest on the list for that all-important base layer. layer will protect your legs. Take along a couple pairs of gloves, both heavy and medium weight to keep yours The middle layer’s job is to provide additional insulation. fingers warm and comfortable as the temperature changes. Using multiple thin layers will help you adjust the amount Wool or synthetic wool-like socks and a good pair of insu- of warmth you desire. The layers should be loose fitting lated boots will keep your toes toasty and dry. Don’t for- - not as tight as the inner layer. The air between clothing get the unexpected. Traveling in the mountains, weather acts as an insulating barrier. The barrier also helps circulate conditions can change quickly. Don’t forget the rain gear. air that can assist with moisture removal. Rain and snow can come on suddenly. Also, rain gear can Wool is the oldest clothing material used for the middle serve as another outer shell and maintain body heat. layer. It has good insulating properties even when it is The other important factor that I mentioned before is “ Are wet. When it is wet, it doesn’t really feel wet. Polar Fleece You Ready?” made from PETE (polyethylene terephalete) or other synthetic material contains many of the same properties as There are certain medical conditions, chronic and acute, wool and is lighter than the old standard. Fleece absorbs that can affect your body’s ability to regulate body tem- little moisture and dries quickly. Synthetic fiberfill such as perature. Prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) Thinsulate, Primaloft and Thermolite is inexpensive and medications will treat a specific medical condition, but does provide good insulation when wet, dries quickly and could have side effects that can cause problems with the absorbs little moisture. Cotton is a cheap alternative to hypothalamus, the body’s temperature thermostat. Check the other materials, but is a reasonable choice only when with your health care provider to ensure that your medical limited insulation is required. Most outdoor experts agree condition and/or current prescriptions will not cause you that cotton is not a good choice since weather conditions problems when riding in cold temperatures. can change and you may need more insulation. When riding take frequent breaks; drink liquids for hydra- The outer layer is often referred to as the shell. The shell tion and warming; stay away from caffeine drinks. Do not is designed to block wind and water, have good me- forget to take time for lunch and dinner if you are out rid- chanical strength, and let moisture escape to the outside ing. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the (breathable). Today’s breathable material, even the most day. A high protein based meal is great. Food and liquids expensive product, has a trade-off between water and wind are a must to keep you generating body heat. resistance and moisture exchange to the outside. Your body can only compensate for cold up to a point. If Leather jackets are the most common outer shell used by your body is not capable of producing its own heat, ex- motorcyclists. Leather provides the wind protection, and ternal heating is required. Find yourself a warm rest stop many new leathers are treated to repel water and have to let your body recover or just spend the night in a ho- excellent mechanical strength. Man-made synthetic jack- tel. Another option you may consider if you plan to ride ets used for motorcycle riding possess many of the same year-round is to invest in a set of heated riding gear. It can qualities as leather. be expensive but you just “plug-in” and set the amount of heat you desire. The external heating source keeps you Dressing in all the layers can take some time so when nice and warm. Heated seats and hard grips are also nice you finally get ready to ride, you will likely be sweating. accessories to have on a chilly day. The inner layer should be able to absorb and transfer that Continued on Page 3 © Copyright 2013, Motorcycle Riding Concepts, All Rights Reserved.