Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Life on Two Wheels is Much Cooler than in a Car


Life on two wheels is much cooler than in a car.  Literally.  When it is 65-70 degrees outside, you may find yourself packing on leathers to stay warm (Or heated vest, if you're my cold-blooded wife).  I'm always impressed by how much it changes.   The following wind chart provides some estimates of riding temperature depending on speed.  Amazing, right?   All the more reason to be prepared when packing for a trip or long ride.  There have been days of riding where I start out in full gear and end up shirtless, all within a few hours. But, it's all part of the fun.  




 The chart was complied by the National Center for Atmospheric Research.  They determined the classic windchill by measuring the change in temperature of water in a plastic container.   Note, they do specifically  state, "no claim is made for the real-world applicability."  However, speaking from experience this seems to be a pretty descent guide to determining what the temperature will feel like when riding at any given speed.  If you ride a motorcycle, tell me what you think.  Have you donned your winter gear on the same day as a tank top?  Ever used a heated vest in the summer on one of those cool mornings?

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