Polar Bear Ride 2018

**cheesy** · 01-01-2018, 02:05 PM

Let's just say it was cold.

Yes, that says -10F.

This thermometer didn't help my confidence either.

Dammit, it started. Gotta go now.

Normally, this is supposed to be a 35 to 50 mile ride but I cut it short for two reasons. One, it was just too cold for a longer ride. And two, a longer ride would have required a fuel stop and, well, see reason one.

As this was the coldest I've ever ridden a motorcycle, I was decked out in layers. Fleece lined base layer longies and long sleeved t-shirt along with polypro sock liners. Heavy wool blend socks over the liners. Jeans and a flannel shirt. Outer gear consisted of Wall insulated overalls, a Swedish Army winter motorcycle parka, old Sorels, a Bilt balaclava and a pair of mid range Bilt MC gloves. My winter MC gloves don't fit in the mitts.

I wasn't all that uncomfortable on the ride to the donut shop, except for my wrists. Even in the mitts, I was getting cold wind up my sleeve. I've had that parka for over 12 years and never noticed I could button the sleeves closed. No problems on the ride home after learning that tidbit.

The Ural wasn't all that happy, took a long time to warm up(duh). I was probably asking a lot of it with the extra cold temps. Anyway, I took the slow route to Crystal Lake to keep from getting too chilled. That was a six of one, half a dozen of the other, choice. By the time I got to the donut shop, the face shield on the helmet was pretty iced up.

Had coffee and donuts and BS'ed for a bit, then made for home. Hit reserve fairly close to home, so I wasn't too concerned about having to refuel. Even though it warmed up a whole five degrees, the ride home felt much colder. Except for the wrists. They were fine. And electric grips are the catsass.

At the donut shop. Just a bit of salt on the parking lot.

See, it warmed up.

ChondaChondaChonda · 01-01-2018, 02:08 PM

One would think the Ural would be happy in Siberian temperatures!

**cheesy** · 01-01-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChondaChondaChonda

One would think the Ural would be happy in Siberian temperatures!

Probably with the old timey Pekar 68 carbs that threw fuel everywhere.

The Keihan main jet is probably too lean, or the needle shimmed too low, for this kind of cold. Was fine in the upper end.

BlackBike · 01-01-2018, 10:37 PM

Wow, I will have to rethink my definition of cold down here. Surely I can manage 48 and higher for a couple hrs in a pinch.. Got this thing I committed to on the 20th dealing with the two wheeler. (No heated seats and coffee holders)

Making memories

01-01-2018, 02:05 PM	#1
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,763	Polar Bear Ride 2018 Let's just say it was cold. Yes, that says -10F. This thermometer didn't help my confidence either. Dammit, it started. Gotta go now. Normally, this is supposed to be a 35 to 50 mile ride but I cut it short for two reasons. One, it was just too cold for a longer ride. And two, a longer ride would have required a fuel stop and, well, see reason one. As this was the coldest I've ever ridden a motorcycle, I was decked out in layers. Fleece lined base layer longies and long sleeved t-shirt along with polypro sock liners. Heavy wool blend socks over the liners. Jeans and a flannel shirt. Outer gear consisted of Wall insulated overalls, a Swedish Army winter motorcycle parka, old Sorels, a Bilt balaclava and a pair of mid range Bilt MC gloves. My winter MC gloves don't fit in the mitts. I wasn't all that uncomfortable on the ride to the donut shop, except for my wrists. Even in the mitts, I was getting cold wind up my sleeve. I've had that parka for over 12 years and never noticed I could button the sleeves closed. No problems on the ride home after learning that tidbit. The Ural wasn't all that happy, took a long time to warm up(duh). I was probably asking a lot of it with the extra cold temps. Anyway, I took the slow route to Crystal Lake to keep from getting too chilled. That was a six of one, half a dozen of the other, choice. By the time I got to the donut shop, the face shield on the helmet was pretty iced up. Had coffee and donuts and BS'ed for a bit, then made for home. Hit reserve fairly close to home, so I wasn't too concerned about having to refuel. Even though it warmed up a whole five degrees, the ride home felt much colder. Except for the wrists. They were fine. And electric grips are the catsass. At the donut shop. Just a bit of salt on the parking lot. See, it warmed up. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
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01-01-2018, 10:37 PM	#4
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	Wow, I will have to rethink my definition of cold down here. Surely I can manage 48 and higher for a couple hrs in a pinch.. Got this thing I committed to on the 20th dealing with the two wheeler. (No heated seats and coffee holders) Making memories __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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01-01-2018, 02:08 PM	#2
ChondaChondaChonda Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 547	One would think the Ural would be happy in Siberian temperatures!
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