How cold will you ride

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snobuilder

Well-known member
Between the first 3 trips last year and now a trip planned starting Monday, we have been riding in some very cold temps.
Just wondering if any of you have cancelled trips due to the cold and what your limits are as far as enjoying your ride.
 
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Deleted member 10829

Guest
Never cancelled due to cold. I will ride well below 0 but last year invested in gauntlets for the first time, what a difference they make! Some of the best riding can be had in very cold conditions as the trails hold up better and most importantly, traffic will be way down. Go have a good time, just keep the hand warmers on high and all of your skin covered.
 
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buddah2

Member
In general I won't start out below zero if I can avoid it......call me a wuss, but since I can ride anytime I want I don't need to make myself suffer.........now, if I'm out someplace and temp drops, I pretty much don't care......I'll keep after it until everybody is ready to quit........
 
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russholio

Well-known member
^^What Mark said. Rode up in Canada back in '03 in temps of -25F. Extra layers, gauntlets, keeping exposed skin covered, and lower speeds were the ticket for us. Might also consider shorter trips and/or more frequent stops, too. Though I can't say it would never happen, so far I've not been in a situation where I'd consider scrubbing a ride.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
the older I get the less likely it is u are getting me out of the house when it is o **** who am I kidding 10ish if around the house.
if on a trip I am all in but bitching to my self the whole time in my helmet why the f am I not in FL right now. going over in my head how I could be sitting in a privet pool just waiting for the wife to get up and head out on to the gulf.
but then we get in to the woods start working and warming up and forget all about the ride in and all the thoughts of heading down to the nursing home state until the next cold ride in or out
 
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Go Fast or Go Home

Active member
Our group will head out at -10 degrees no problem. We've been caught far from the cabin and the temps dropped to -30 degrees. We put our gauntlets on and made sure all bare skin was covered. That was pretty cold.

I guess to answer your original question--We will ride at -10 to -15 degrees.
 
bearrassler

bearrassler

Well-known member
I have never cancelled a trip do to cold weather and have ridden in the minus 40's a few times, as I get older I will not ride if it is minus 25 or colder on a local ride but if I am on a trip I will still ride. With the clothing today it is not bad, use gauntlets and get the highest windshield available and it will be ok.
 
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rodehard

New member
You have to consider who you have in the group and how open the trails are. If you are on a rail grade where you are open and elevated it can get pretty cold for a family ride.
 
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tomx

Member
I've done -20F. A couple of things to keep in mind are the importance of hydration and the fact that riding in COLD wears you out faster.
 
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old abe

Well-known member
Trip to Hearst, Ont. in 2003 -35/40 cut the rides short. But dress right and enjoy to the best. 10 day trip averaged 0 to -20. We did have the wives with also. I guess once you there, your there. We were town to town traveling. Only stayed in same town once. Just be prepared right for possible conditions wherever you go!
 
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G

Guest
Have had geezer windshields for years. If you can keep the wind off you can ride in extreme cold. We have never had better gear than we have now. Not a big deal. Have ridden in ambient -40. Sleds really sing then also.
 
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1fujifilm

Well-known member
snobuilder said:
Between the first 3 trips last year and now a trip planned starting Monday, we have been riding in some very cold temps.
Just wondering if any of you have cancelled trips due to the cold and what your limits are as far as enjoying your ride.
Click to expand...

Hello,
I have ridden by accident in about -23 degrees. I left Green Bay, WI in the truck at 5 AM at -5 degrees, arrived in Eagle River, WI at about 8:45 AM where it was about -23 degrees. I didn't think anything of it (dumb) and we suited up to backpack to Baraga Casino. Arrived in Baraga and had wind burn/frostbite on my neck and was chilled to the bone with the shivers. Once you get past Watersmeet heading to Baraga you just kind of keep going as there are few options.

Bear
 
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polarisrider1

New member
old abe said:
Trip to Hearst, Ont. in 2003 -35/40 cut the rides short. But dress right and enjoy to the best. 10 day trip averaged 0 to -20. We did have the wives with also. I guess once you there, your there. We were town to town traveling. Only stayed in same town once. Just be prepared right for possible conditions wherever you go!
Click to expand...

That's the year. Was at Elliot lake/Aubry falls Ontario. Just south of you. Day 3 of a 7 day loop.
 
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G

Guest
Gauntlets are sleeve like things that go over the handlebars to protect your hands from the cold. They are about 3 feet long. They have a little strap that secures them to the handlebars. The good ones have enough room to operate the throttle and brake with no problems. Cheaper ones are tight around the throttle and brake and are actually quite dangerous. They then extend over your gloves and up your sleeves on your suit. They work really well. Have used them for years. They are especially helpful in side winds. Cold hands are never any fun.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
I won't ride in -30 again did that last year & had frostbite. On subzreo days you do have to pick your protected trails -12 has limtations need to be aware of cold body parts but doable. Most snomo biz will say severe cold days are like low snow days not many peeps riding.
 
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skeeter2010

Member
I never worry about the cold, I have ridding in the -30's I always use gautlets with mechanics gloves. when its that cold you will get cold in places that you never have like the insides of your elbows but nothing you cant handle the key is the electric shield without it you just cant ride the creaping frost on the inside of faceshield, just moves in and once it starts it just wont stop. peeing in the woods is also a trick thoughs parts are also cold
 
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