5 Safety Tips To Riding A Motorcycle In Winter

The cold is your number one enemy when riding a motorcycle in winter, but it is still possible to enjoy a winter stroll in your motorcycle. There are surely ways that you can do to protect yourself from cold and have a fun and safe ride whatever time of the day. Some of these tips are similar to the tips I wrote for running in winter.

There are few things you have to remember when riding a motorcycle in winter. Here are the top five tips:

#1 Wear Proper Motorcycle Clothing And Gear

This is the most obvious and most necessary on this list. A comfortable ride starts with wearing proper gear. It is important that you layer what you wear to make sure that you stay comfortable throughout the entire ride.

·       Winter clothing – Start with a baselayer, which is a long sleeve. You can check out your favorite motorcycle apparel stores and find the best one of your choice. A baselayer will allow your skin to breathe and helps draw away moisture. You can also have a mid-layer like a fleece, which would help in insulating.

Your outer gear has to be waterproof and breathable. Stay warm with a waterproof outer gear so even when it snows, you stay dry in the inside and avoid hypothermia. It has to be breathable for added comfort in the inside.

·       Neck Warmer – A neck warmer is a nice finishing touch to keep your whole upper body warm.

·       Footwear – For boots, choose a pair that is breathable and waterproof. 

·       Gloves – Gloves are important to keep your fingers and hands warm. There are different lengths of cuffs for gloves, so you have to choose which one is more comfortable for you to use. Remember, though you need coverage to keep your body warm, you are also looking for comfort.  

·       Helmet – You can save your life when you choose the right helmet. A full helmet will protect you from wind and road debris. Another gear that will keep your head and face warm is a balaclava. This will keep the cold from penetrating your jacket.

·       Reflector – Another thing, it’s not really usual for bikers to be out during winter, but if you really can’t resist the fun in driving, just make sure that you wear a reflector so you are still visible even if it’s foggy outside.

#2 Gear Up Your Motorcycle

It is vital to check the condition of your motorcycle before your drive to make sure that everything works perfectly fine and it’s in condition to run in a cold weather with all the road distractions. Check the brakes, light signals and tires. Go to your local motorcycle garage to get a full winter check.

·       Tires – The changes in temperature from autumn to winter can affect your tire to lose pressure. So have it checked by a mechanic, if you’re not an expert, to ensure safety. Let your tires warm up because the cold weather can get the rubber harder when it gets cold. There will be less traction provided when this happens so make sure that warm it up before the drive. 

·       Windshield – Have a windshield installed in your bike. With this, you’ll go a long way. This is simple but helps a lot in keeping your body warm as you drive as it diverts the wind rather than landing on your body. You can also use an anti-misting spray to make sure that you can see clearly in your mirrors.

·       Heated Motorcycle Parts – There are gears you can install in your motorcycle to give you more warmth. There are heated seats, jackets, grips and inserts. These are options which will help you keep warm while driving in a cold condition; you just have to choose what is comfortable for you.

·       Oil – Properly oil your motorcycle, this is a priority. Consult a mechanic if you’re not familiar about this.

#3 Check The Weather Forecast Before Leaving

The weather is ever changing even in winter, so you better tune in for weather forecast. Know when it is going to snow, and if it does, you know you have to better stay at home and postpone your road trip for some time.

#4 Be Aware Of The Road Hazards

You should be familiar with the road you are driving. Be aware of signage, wet roads and ice. You need to anticipate what hazards could be present in the road when driving. Remember to prioritize your safety when riding.

#5 Be Sensitive To Your Body

If your body is feeling really cold, you can stop in a nearby store and heat up to make sure that you survive the winter drive and actually enjoy it.

Winter doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying a motorcycle ride. There are a lot of ways to keep warm while driving. Remember, to wear proper clothing and gear up your motorcycle, be aware of the weather and road hazards and listen to your body when taking a ride in your motorcycle in winter. You can surely get to where you want if you keep these things in mind and of course enjoy the ride.

5 Tips for Running Safely During Winter Season

Running is one of the best, easiest, and cheapest forms of exercising. It's great for cardio training. The low speed and long period running has low impact on your knees but is great for your endurance. You only need a good pair of running shoes and a comfortable set of clothes and you are good to go. You can even take your kid and put him/her in a stroller for some bonding time at the park or your pet dog for a much-needed exercise. All these sound too easy for every day running.

However, all these simple and easy things become unusually hard and even dangerous during winter season. First, there is probably snow everywhere and the road is more slippery making it extra dangerous for runners. Second, you would have to brave the cold wind and make your legs and feet work despite what could be freezing temperature. Third and definitely not the last, the thought of running versus marshmallows and a hot cup of chocolate over bonfire do not make things any easier for a runner.

Despite what seemed to be the disadvantages of running during the winter season, this is not at all impossible. In fact, experts say it could be easy once you get the hang of it and that you might even find it more enjoyable given the fact that you can run for as long as you can without drenching in sweat.

If you are open to the possibility of running during the winter season, here are some tips from the experts on how to run safely yet effectively:

1.     Know your goal.

Go back to square one and ask yourself why you want to run in the first place. Are you prepping for a race or simply vowed to get better and fitter? If running is the closest exercise to your heart, it would not at all be hard to know your goal and follow it. Knowing what your goal is will get that motivation inside you going. Once your goal is achieved, do not forget to reward yourself before moving on to your next goal.

2.     Stay Motivated.

It is easy to be motivated but not as easy to stay motivated. Knowing what your goal is will easily get you motivated but how do you stay motivated especially during the winter months when it is way more appealing to stay at home and pig out with the whole family?

A great tip here from the experts is to have a running partner and figure out a schedule that works for you both. Through this way, you would find it harder to back out on your goal because someone is waiting for you. In fact, you can even encourage more people to join. Statistics has it that group runs are very popular during the winter season.

3.     Pick the Right Clothes.

In any other season, you can literally wear what you feel comfortable running with. But for winter season, this is not the case. You have to pick the right clothes. By right, it means to layer properly without overdressing as is the usual case for first time runners in winter season.

Experts say to dress 15 to 20 degrees warmer but not more than that or you might have a harder time running due to heavy clothes and possible risk of overheating. But dressing 15 to 20 degrees will keep you warm enough to let you finish your running goal for that day.

Another great tip here is to go outside and test the weather. If you feel chilled, then you probably are wearing the right clothes but if you feel warm despite the chilly weather, tone it down by removing a layer.

4.     Get the Right Accessories.

This is equally important as picking the right clothes. They go hand in hand. Remember that you will know you are wearing the proper clothing if you feel kind of chilly once you get out the door? The trick to keep you warmer is through accessorizing. Through this way, you can put it on when you feel it is extremely cold and remove it if it gets warmer.

The appropriate accessories every runner in winter must have are running jacket that totally blocks wind and moisture, hat, headband, gloves, and may be ear muffs depending on the person.

5.     Pick the Right Time of Day to Run.   

Experts say that it is best to run during daylight hours where one can also get his/her much-needed dose of the sunshine vitamin. However, this does not mean that running under a light snow fall and a gazillion stars is not enjoyable. This will actually depend on one’s preference.

What would be a great idea here is when there is sun, run and make the most out of it. For those gloomier days, get the group together and run under a blanket of stars and may be camp out for some snack with bon fire afterwards for a more pleasant experience.

Remember that the only difference in running during winter is the weather, you will likely have to change your running outfit and add on a bunch of other accessories to keep you warm but the rest like food, water, and supplies remain a staple. Experiment on running in the winter and you just might love it. Just watch for those slippery trails though.