Cold test
Since tonight is time change so it will be light out when I leave for work, I decided to test how safe and comfortable I felt riding my motorcycle on a highway at highway speeds. I was not ready to hop on the beltway, so instead I took Rt. 50 to Annapolis, which involved 15 miles on that road. Most of the way I was averaging 65-70mph, and felt pretty comfortable at that speed, with wind gusts that probably were in the 10-20mph range. My hands were a bit cold though, probably since it was only 45 degrees and my leather riding gloves are not meant for warmth.
On the way back, I stopped at Sports Authority and found glove liners. I also bought a pull-over head cover, which offered dual benefits of keeping me warmer and keeping my ears pinned to my head so taking my helmet off is pain free. It did have one downside in that the helmet can slide around more, a trait I'm not sure is very safe. Plus it made it near impossible to slide my sunglasses on since the pullover was soo tight against the side of my head (trapped by the helmet).
Now suitably prepared for cold (at least in the 40 degree range), I have to decide if I really want to ride to work or not. I still need a backpack to carry more appropriate shoes to work besides my motorcycle shoes/boots (one thing I forgot to shop for at Sports Authority until I was already outside suiting up at my bike - doh!). It does scare me that I read numerous reports that drivers in cars don't notice motorcyclists (already have had that experience once), and having that happen on the beltway at 60+mph is far riskier than on other roads. My motorcycle is not my only means of transportation, so I am wondering why I would even take the risk. Then again, the whole reason I bought the motorcycle is that riding it is much more exciting than driving a car. I just want to limit that excitement to the *good* kind, not the holy-crap-I'm-going-to-die kind :).
On the way back, I stopped at Sports Authority and found glove liners. I also bought a pull-over head cover, which offered dual benefits of keeping me warmer and keeping my ears pinned to my head so taking my helmet off is pain free. It did have one downside in that the helmet can slide around more, a trait I'm not sure is very safe. Plus it made it near impossible to slide my sunglasses on since the pullover was soo tight against the side of my head (trapped by the helmet).
Now suitably prepared for cold (at least in the 40 degree range), I have to decide if I really want to ride to work or not. I still need a backpack to carry more appropriate shoes to work besides my motorcycle shoes/boots (one thing I forgot to shop for at Sports Authority until I was already outside suiting up at my bike - doh!). It does scare me that I read numerous reports that drivers in cars don't notice motorcyclists (already have had that experience once), and having that happen on the beltway at 60+mph is far riskier than on other roads. My motorcycle is not my only means of transportation, so I am wondering why I would even take the risk. Then again, the whole reason I bought the motorcycle is that riding it is much more exciting than driving a car. I just want to limit that excitement to the *good* kind, not the holy-crap-I'm-going-to-die kind :).