Long rides at lower temperatures

[SteelerSE]

I have a week of riding to, around and back from Scotland coming up and the likely temperatures are 10-15 degrees. I'll be on the road for 250+ miles most days and 6-8 hours most days. I've done that in sunny, warm places but not at these lower temperatures.

Is normal kit enough for that? Just a base layer, a jumper and lined textiles..? Or will that slowly get to a point where you're chilled to the bone and need heated kit?

Obviously I can stop somewhere and have a coffee etc to warm up and that will be the plan - just looking for someone that has experience of this sort of trip and typical gear.

[LosingGrip]

I wore the following on my bike course in September last year.

Boxers
Textile trousers (no thermal lining)
T-shirt
Air vest
Texticle top
High vis jacket

I was sweating most days. Admittedly the air vest makes things hotter and I don't ride my own bike with one.

Also speed makes a huge difference, when I'm down country roads doing 90+ (police and allowed to FYI) it was nice. 30mph in the sun was horrible.

[the cueball]

15 is summer up here! Taps Aff!!!!

I normally ride about with my under-roos, jeans and mesh jacket... summer gloves too.

Early in the morning, I may have my wind breaker liner in the jacket.

I guess it's just what you're used to and why I overheat in anything north of 25 degrees!

[Drawweight]

Those temperatures don’t seem too bad to me but if you need one thing to be warm it’s probably your hands.

A decent pair of gloves honestly should be plenty but if you’re concerned buy a heated pair and get them wired in.

[SteelerSE]

Yeah, I'n probably overthinking it. I just don't want to get to the end of the day cold and miserable because I haven't got the right gear.

[black-k1]

I'd suggest that there are 2 key things to look at:

1. Drafts. Ensure that clothing "joints" such as the waist, neck, wrists and ankles are all draft free.
2. Layers. Use multiple thin layers under your outside kit.

If you address those two then you're likely to be fine unless you are normally someone who feels the cold.

[Bob_Defly]

Definitely long johns. On the top I would go with 4-5 layers.

Helly Hansen type long sleeve underlayer
Same material t-shirt
Hoodie/Jumper
Windbreaker
Moto jacket

Then if you get too warm you can chuck the windbreaker in a backpack.

Wind chill can be -5 to -10 degrees depending on speed, as others have said, just make sure your hands and feet are warm. And stop every couple of hours to let your blood flow get to your extremities.

[P675]

You'll probably be fine, I did a trip around Lake District, Moffat and Pennines last September. There was some sun but mostly around 10C. I will have base layers, hoodie, trackies, neck sock and textile suit on which was fine. Gloves are RST textile all rounders, heated grips on in the mornings and evenings. Formo touring boots. Warm enough on the bike but camping was absolutely freezing, 2C one night.

[the cueball]

SteelerSE said:

I just don't want to get to the end of the day cold and miserable.

You''ll be in Scotland, so that's pretty much a guarantee, doesn't matter if you're on a bike or not......



Oh and just in case... stay well away from Edinburgh, the bike theft situation is worse than ever...

[Mark_S1000RR_2010]

Castelli Gabba. Best bit of kit I’ve owned.

[Erast Fandorin]

If you've got the funds buy heated kit with a control unit. It's a game changer; a base layer and a light heated jacket over your bike kit means less bulk and you'll always be comfortable. Nothing worse than being tired and cold on a bike with an hour to go before you get to your destination.

As a wise old man once said to me "Any idiot can be cold".

[SteelerSE]

Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:

Castelli Gabba. Best bit of kit I’ve owned.

Bloody hell! It ought to be at £160 for a stretchy top.

[SteelerSE]

P675 said:

You'll probably be fine, I did a trip around Lake District, Moffat and Pennines last September. There was some sun but mostly around 10C. I will have base layers, hoodie, trackies, neck sock and textile suit on which was fine. Gloves are RST textile all rounders, heated grips on in the mornings and evenings. Formo touring boots. Warm enough on the bike but camping was absolutely freezing, 2C one night.

This sounds about right - and definitely no camping on this trip!

Thanks all - will just get my base layers sorted out and will keep an eye on the forecast. Hopefully it's trending warmer - we'll see.

[boyse7en]

Buy yourself a down jacket. I've got one to replace the liner that came with my Dane jacket and its great.
If your cold, you can put it on under your jacket. Remove it if your hot, and it bundles down incredibly small into a compression bag you can strap to the bike to just put it in the luggage. It weighs very little.

[Gas1883]

I remember doing a Thurs night shift , I then left Bristol for the East Midlands in freezing fog ( kh250 ) , leather jacket , can’t remember but I’d guess jeans , I got as far as moreton on marsh & couldn’t feel a thing , pulled in garage & girl undid fuel cap , filled tank , unzipped jacket , took out money from pocket & replaced wallet in pocket , off I went .
I got warmer as journey progressed ( 150 miles ) , headed back down on Monday afternoon for the mon night shift , did it for about a year , all weathers , used sisters z200 as well
Now I’d not go out if it was spitting rain , I guess it’s the difference between a motorbike as your only transport , and one as a toy , must be nigh on 40 yrs ago
Op , best of luck with journey , though I doubt you’d get a petrol station cashier being as friendly and helpful as that girl was .
One journey I stopped for some fish & chips , can’t remember if it was m on the marsh , maybe stow on wold , I walked into resteraunt , caked it muck , it was the poshest place you’d seen , I was about to leave , lady said come on love you look frozen , grab a seat , lovely grub & people
The days I really was a motorcyclist .

[Wacky Racer]

My bike never comes out unless it's a minimum of 20c and absolutely zero chance of rain.

Used to go out in all weathers many years ago.......No thanks.

[alfasud1]

Kies heated gear, I resisted for years, but it is epic, spendy but worth every penny, even just the gloves and a gilet from them makes a huge difference. Cant recommend it enough.

[John D.]

LosingGrip said:

I wore the following on my bike course in September last year.

Boxers
Textile trousers (no thermal lining)
T-shirt
Air vest
Texticle top
High vis jacket

I was sweating most days. Admittedly the air vest makes things hotter and I don't ride my own bike with one.

Also speed makes a huge difference, when I'm down country roads doing 90+ (police and allowed to FYI) it was nice. 30mph in the sun was horrible.

I prefer riding without boxers.

[archie456]

alfasud1 said:

Kies heated gear, I resisted for years, but it is epic, spendy but worth every penny, even just the gloves and a gilet from them makes a huge difference. Cant recommend it enough.

This all day - I used to mock users of heated gear until I bought a Keis jacket.
It's an absolute game changer.
I now have the gloves and trousers to go with it, and means I can ride all day in near zero temps.

[OutInTheShed]

Depends on your metabolism as well.

I think I'd struggle with repeated 250 mile days, as well as finding it 'not enjoyable'.

Staying warm is also about breaks and exercise and diet.