Clothes for upcoming Ride to CA, still winter

[john grinsel]

About 15 Mar I will leave to ride to CA and other states....and it is still winter in some places I will go thru.

Been at this since 1955, been wet//uncomfortable/cold......do not use electric stuff after mid winter electric liner failure in Mexico and getting real cold.

So bad weather/rain I will use Aerostich Darien Jacket with feather vest, feather shirt and maybe take my feather jacket.   For nice days have leather jacket that is comfortable and non binding.

Pants--Darien Pants, with only long underwear under.  With jeans under I find too uncomfortable.   Try to wear them as much as possible as if it starts raining, no need to add rainpants, same with Darien Jacket....this stuff is weather and waterproof.

Gloves: Short Aerostich elkskin, Temps down to 40 degrees  Langlitz gloves work,  fresh ski gloves for temps below 40.  Rain use Aerostich over mitts...they can also add warmth in real cold.

Boots: I have choice of Aerostich Combat Lite, pr of Wolverine 8" lace on, pr of Wolverine 12" slip ons----Wolverine lace on most comfortable and easiest if walking necessary.    Of course I have rain boots in event of wet---this time from Cycle Gear.

Gets warm, ride in jeans.

Important to me to be comfortable need to stay warm----non flapping riding outer gear.  Helmet GMAX 3/4, Long visor, safety glasses.
Stock Windshield with Laminar Lip bolted on.   Seems to be not tiring air management at this point.

And lots of foam ear plugs!  And how do I carry stuff when I have to take off?....One of my Ortleib rubber bags  reserved to carry the stuff I do not need.

Hope this helpful.

[Viper254]

When I was couriering I swore by an old set of army longjohns that I have - not the prettiest but nothing keeps the lower half warm the same way

[Tromper]

I'd recommend wool on those long johns vs. cotton or poly.

More expensive, but stinks less, wear longer, keep ya warm even if they get wet, & breathe better so you can wear 'em if it warms up a bit on ya too.

If ya go smartwool you can get the really light ones but they're a bit prone to holes. Go for the medium ones.

[john grinsel]

With Darien Pants do not have to worry about getting wet.   Real cold,I just wear 2 pr of long underwear.   Remember I have over 1.5 million miles of riding in some pretty bad conditions.    And I do not expect any real severe temps---probably in the 30-80F range.