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A Winter Night’s Uraling
Filed Under (Bikeography) by Anthony StClair on 22-01-2009
Out for the evening for, at last, a wee ride around town. It’s in the 30s in Eugene this evening, and while that’s nothing compared to temperatures in much of the country, it’s still a bit chilly. Nonetheless, when you’re geared up right, plus doing the body weight shifting required to ride a sidecar rig well, you do stay pretty warm.
Except for my neck.
I’ve got thick gloves, thick socks, overpants, a fleece, a fleece-lined leather jacket, and a full-face helmet. When it comes to cold, my only vulnerable area is under my chin — my throat down to the top of my jacket collar, and the back of my neck right at the bottom of my helmet.
It’d be one thing if these areas were just a little chilly, but in the chill and fast rush of wind, the cold makes them just bloody well hurt. Throb, even, as if under this pressure.
I just relayed my tale of woe to my knitter fiancee, and the word from her needles is she can knit up something to cover that area. Nice.
Beyond that though, a great night’s ride. Sveta started right up — she liked the cold, I’ve decided — and the ride, on a clear pretty night in Eugene, was wonderful.
It’s good to have a sidecar motorcycle.
the aerostich boys sell a great silk scarf that works really, really well. maybe your stitcher can make you a silk one? silk is the warmest natural stuff. but for very cold, i use a balaclava. my favorite is made from ’synchilla’… old plastic milk bottles and such. get a well made one and your head and neck will be warm. even with the good open faced lid i wear. i also find ‘leg warmers’, the kind used by dancers. will keep legs warm as they will not let cold air up your pant legs. under levis, thats all you should need. for many years i used a traditional russian rabbit fur hat my dad brought me from russia. even on the highway it was like being in a heated room. but helmet laws came and put an end to that.
I have a blue and white knited, hugh scarf. The colors are BMW (I have had 3, and one currently with the Ural) and yes it was knitted by mom. So maybe that is why I ‘am so lucky at times? It is also funny to throw a hugh scarf around your neck like the WW1 fighter pilots and then put a jacket over it. Anyway it does work, doesn’t look dumb, and as I said may be good luck from the giver/maker. Happy riding, GF
Good idea. I have a green scarf, appropriately enough - I ought to try that. Thanks for the tip!