Cold Weather Travel

I thought I was accustomed to cold weather biking. Normally I endure high 30 - low 40 degree riding with no problem.

In my preparation for this particular trip a few people suggested that i get heated gloves. Luckily I listened. Picked up a set of Tourmaster gloves, wired them into my battery and was good to go.

Layered clothing, thick pants and warm socks are always a must, because any non-insulated area will become cold, thus allowing the rest of your body to get cold.

The wind on your hands, feet and body make you colder than you would be standing still, therefore you need to dress much warmer. Just as the converse is true in the summer, where you keep moving to keep cool.

One day I tested this thory and got on the highway on a warm day (50s) with less clothing and my regular gloves. After two exits, I got off so that I could add layers and switch gloves.

Sunday

1. I slept all day resting from an intense 12 hours on the road Saturday
2. Woke up too tired to blog, eat or do anything else . . .
3. I DID muster up enough energy to watch part of the season premier of 24. How come Jack Bauer doesn't ride a motorcycle???
4. Planning the last leg of my trip to Myrtle

Will likely rest up on Monday as well, then head out early Tuesday for Myrtle. Being off is fun when you dont have the pressure of being anyplace at any particular time. The rest has been good for me since I am always on the go.

Saturday

1. Pulled out of MD at 10am
2. Gassed up in DC at 13117 miles
3. 830 pm in NC at 13746 miles
4. Stopped in heavy rain in S. Carolina at 11 p.m.

I stop here to rest a day or so since my arms and legs are sore from the long ride. Have been on the road at least 12 hours straight. Stopping long enough to stretch my legs and arms, sometimes to eat.

Its amazing, while my hands havent been cold in my gloves, I never felt heat from them till I reached 50 + degree weather in VA. While the weather has been warmer, the winds have been rough at times but manageable.

I was warned not to speed in S. Carolina. I wont indicate whether I heeded that warning, but I will say I was careful.

Funny, I always talk bad about CT drivers because I have found in that State that people drive slow while hogging the left lane . . . Well NC drivers are very similar (except tehy drive faster). Many times I found myself stuck behind someone doing 75 that refused to move over when I wanted to pass.

Friday

I havent been rested enough or been close enough to a computer to give an account of my trip South thus far. I will sum up the last few days as briefly as possible.

I left New York approximately 3 pm on Friday January 9th. There were minor snow flurries, but nothing of volume now was it wet enough to affect traction on the ground. I was bundled up in Patagonia thermals, a windproof shirt, my armored pants and a pair of riding jeans.

Also in my ensemble was a balaclava type mask, my heavy leather Icon Skull jacket and a pair of heated gloves, bought specifically for this trip.

1. I did not eat before I left and I wore regular tube socks so I found that my feet got cold every so often. First rest stop was the Thomas Edison rest stop off the NJ Turnpike. I felt sufficiently outside the incoming snow, was hungry and needed to warm up my feet. Met some fellow bikers and chatted before moving on.
2. Rode on to NE MD and stopped for the night. Logged approx 113 miles thus far. FIgured out that I can do at least 130+ miles on one tank of gas.
3. Rested for the night at a Quality Inn.

Biker Fraternity

One remarkable thing that I have learned about motorcycling is that no matter what you ride, or where you ride, there is an unspoken bond between bikers.

There is the left hand wave, head nod or beep of the horn that you get from bikers you pass on the road. Beyond that, if you ride or travel, other bikers will surely stop and chat with you or stop to help you if you need assistance.

I learned this the hard way earlier this year after being plowed into by a cab while sitting at a light in Manhattan. The cab was going the wrong way and claimed he never saw me (although I stand 6'2, wore visible clothing and it was broad daylight! Every motorcyclist that passed and saw me standing over the carnage of my bike in the street stopped to make sure that I was OK, see if I needed to use a phone, etc.

I am currently making a trip from NY to Myrtle Beach SC. It is freezing cold outside and so far I am the only motorcycle I have seen on the road in New York. In my first two hours of travel I have already met two fellow bikers at the Thomas Edison service station in NJ.

Cisco is on his way to FL and exchanged numbers with me, letting me know if I get in trouble or need anything to reach out to him. He rides a ZX-10 and has done some long distance riding.

Danny is an old-timer who used to have a bike shop. He owns a Goldwing and a Hayabusa like mine. Danny hipped me to some weekend drag racing and biker hangouts in NJ for the spring, so I cant wait for the new season to start. He told me I am a better man than him because his hands always get cold, even with heated gloves.

Shout out to Cisco and Danny for making me feel comfortable and to Cisco for staying in touch while I'm headed south.

Lookout for pictures and more commentary as I continue my journey. Its nearly 9 am in Maryland and I need to get back on the road to outrun the upcoming rain in NC . . .

Birth of a Nation

When I was in high school, a couple of my classmates had motorcycles. Of course it did not help that some of the older guys in the neighborhood rode too. During those days, the Honda CBs, Yamaha VMaxes were some of the hottest bikes around.

Like most action oriented teens, I wanted a motorcycle too. BUT as many young men at my age likely encountered, a supreme force saw to it that I stayed far away from bikes. Yes, thats right, my mother. Her exact words are still imprinted in the permanent hard drive of my memory "not in my house you won't".

While mom put the "Kaibosh" on my youthful riding, I never lost the desire to ride and engaged in active discussion over the years with people who rode motorcycles. As an adult I went through various phases that kept me from riding. Most of them monetary.

Prior to my 40th birthday I spoke to a good friend (coincidentally one of the ones from HS who actually had a bike) and mentioned I was still thinking about getting a bike. While I can't repeat his words exactly here, a paraphrase would be 'well stop thinking about it and just do it. you wont be sorry!"

2WheelNation is not just my story it is the two wheel experience of our nation. You will find stories, pictures and feedback from all kinds of riders (except scooters LOL) from all over the nation. Places and roads to ride, opinions and reviews on equipment, shops and basic do's and don'ts.

One recurring theme here will be safety. Regardless of your experience or level of skill, safety should always be a primary concern.

The Nation is born. Ride Safe!