Getting colder

[Sharribee]

I have noticed over the past week that the weather has definately got a bit more hostile. Yesterday riding home in driving rain and high winds reminded me why I ride all year round.

I do need to do some work on twinkletoes to prepare for the winter. Have just changed my tyres for a new set. Have a new chain and sprockets and the scottoiler is filled to keep my chain in good condition.

Mr M has fixed my oxford hothands as only one was working

All I have to do now is change the oil and filter ( and maybe wash it) then will be ready for the winter.

I have put my leathers away and got my big warm Shoei jacket out and put the lining back into my fabric trousers.

What are you lot going to do?

Ride through the winter if so what changes will you make

or pack up your pride and joy until the weather improves

[Mutley]

I have to admit that I haven't bothered taking the larger winter screen or my heated grips off this year. Weather was never really good enough to be worth changing to summer stuff as I ride at night a lot.

Looks like I'll have to have a look at one of these scott oilers, enough people have mentioned them lately.

As for thermal linings, I've lost a bit of weight lately, perhaps they'll fit this year - Hooray! Really can't beat waterproofs for warmth though . Gotta dig them out and try them over to Squires tomorrow.

[peterv]

Yep, winter is here, Thursday was chuffing minging... still 'hot hands' went on this weekend , new visor and pinlock put on the lid and plenty hunting around to find the neck warmers.. what more can anyone need for winter apart from a cup of coffee at the other end...

As for scotoilers they are a bloomin great invention.. My current chain is at about 22k now and still looking good... well worth coughing up for.

[alpslapper]

The weather has been so unpredictable this year Ive tended to ride out - and to work everyday - with all me bits and bobs, waterproofs, gortex jacket etc etc .... so no change there then.

Ive given the bike a clean and splashed on a bit of aftershave in the form of acf50 and fs365. Have a scottoiler in place which Ive topped up.

Only additional bit of kit Ive now started to wear is a high viz jacket coz it's rank riding home in the dark.

[severs]

1. Turn up the drip rate on the oiler.
2. Start wearing a scarf (or a snood in my case)
3. Put on a thicker jumper
4. Wear winter gloves
5. Dig out mountaineering clobber from cupboard - lovely warm but thin thermals. Better than bike-specific stuff for less money (climbers are a right tight lot, especially here in Yorkshire).
6. (For severe weather) wear wetsuit socks instead of layers and layers of thick woolly ones. These stay warm regardless of how wet it gets.

[alpslapper]

5. Dig out mountaineering clobber from cupboard - lovely warm but thin thermals. Better than bike-specific stuff for less money (climbers are a right tight lot, especially here in Yorkshire).

Now there's a top tip right there. My gortex overtrousers were bought more than 10 years ago, from greatoutdoors I think, have been used and abused on every hill and mountain in the country, have been patched with gaffa tape, and can currently be seen being abused now off road riding and on a rainy commute.

[Rubberchicken]

What are you lot going to do?

Keep riding ofcourse. Well okay if it starts snowing more than a little bit I'll have to reconsider, but it's not like I'm going to take the bus.

[Chad]

yup its getting colder and wetter been feeling it out on site this week..

several thin layers are better than thick jumpers etc much easier to move around ..and that applys if im slopping around on site or riding

mentally adjust speed to conditions even on a dry bright day ..i also make sure ive got some dark glasses with me for the low sun thats a bit spitefull this time of year even with the dark visor down in my caberg..

keep the batterys topped up etc as a cold snap can kill an older battery in a snap

time to have another drink and stop rambling on

[sean]

yep, definately getting colder. came back from cardiff on thursday in pissing cold rain on thursday.

I've started using heated grips every journey now. got a chilli heated waistcoat wired up onto the bike now which is an absolute godsend. scotoiler turned up to 3/4, coated in scotoiler f365(?) anti corrosion spray and I've even dug out my handlebar muffs ready for the really cold weather if it comes. just had new front tyre and 18,000 service so i should be sorted till 24,000 service at xmas. back to sunny Cardiff monday! .....joy.....

[Raven]

What are you lot going to do?

Ride through the winter if so what changes will you make

or pack up your pride and joy until the weather improves

Riding through the winter, but doing no where near as much milage as I do at other times of the year. Gonna be fitting some "wee" crashbars on monday so I'm gonna take that as an opportunity to take some bits off the bike and coat everything in Anti corrosion stuff. Speaking of which, how do I protect the spoked wheels