Should have posted this earlier in the cold season but I forgot about it. I have a page on my web site for calculating wind chill. It's been there since last year and tends to get a good bit of traffic this time of year. I even use it quite a bit myself since it's kind of handy to know how cold it's going to feel running down the slab or something. Anyway, here's a link to it: http://www.craigcentral.com/bikes/windchill/windchill.htm Maybe a few of the guys around here can get some use from it as well.
You are certainly welcome, but I don't know how much you can use it in your area. I have a friend in Phoenix, and I know for a fact that you guys don't have cold weather :biggrin: She calls me all winter long to let me know how warm it is there and where they are riding to. I got even with her last winter though. She bought a new FJR in Cullman, AL and it spent a few days in my basement getting some "Stuff" installed. When she left Nashville on it headed for Phoenix it was 25 degrees! She said she finally thawed out somewhere around southern Alabama. I would pay her back all summer but all she does is travel on a bike so she's never there
Since I do not have heated grips or gear, my threshold is about 30 degrees. January and February it gets really cold at night and then warms up during the day quite a bit. The true challenge is my commute, I ride to work in all my cold stuff and ride home with it all packed away in the tank bag. Those are the only two months that I drive mostly every day to work and go on rides during the day on weekends - so no contending with snow. Check this out though. This is my street one morning. They canceled school because the streets were iced!
Damn, that is NUTS! I never would have thought that part of Arizona would see that much snow. It's kind of the same way around here. We don't get a lot of snow, but January and February are sometimes bitter cold. I only live about 10 miles from my office so I ride to work most days, but about 30 degrees is my cut-off point as well. When it does snow around here people go crazy and cannot deal with it. The highway departments generally run out of salt before it snows since they salt the roads if there is the slightest chance of snow in the forecast. I'm supposed to go visit my friends in Phoenix in January so I guess I'll get a taste of your weather. I was planning to just take my "50-degree-and-above" jacket but I might have to rethink that now.
I knew it was f'n cold at 55mph when it's 37 outside. I keep everything covered except the half inch between my collar and the chin cover on my helmet. That is one freezing half inch!!!
You probably already knew this, but look at what happens when the temperature is ABOVE 98.6. As you go faster, it gets HOTTER.
I use a balaclava now and have used those neoprene lower-face and neck covers made for skiiing too. You can also take an old beanie and cut a hole out of the top for a neck gator. No more cold 1/2 inch!
Yeah, it's not meant to calculate the affect of high temperatures. I got the formula from the National Weather Service web site at this page: http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/windchillglossary.shtml and it says that the formula is not intended for temperatures above 50F. I should probably put that on the page somewhere
you must have edited it cause it said something like that at the bottom when I looked at it... I knew it was friggin cold when I went out this am at 32 going 75...
Some questions on wind chill... Does the wind chill matter if I have no exposed skin? Does wind chill effect stuff that doesn't sweat? ie... my Harley buddy was dead serious concerned about how cold his bike was going to get on it's ride home in the back of his pick-up due to windchill. I said the bike didn't sweat so it didn't need a blankie (I chose to simplify the problem by ignoring the oil leak(s)) I have an answer, but no idea if it's the *right* answer.
I did edit it. Since some of the guys here had pointed it out I figured it would be best to add something about it. It isnt' very obvious since the frame has to be scrolled to see it but at least it's there. Sometimes it's better not to know how cold it is I've been out a few times when I really wished I hadn't known how cold it really was.
:wave: Hello, that Tuscon picture looked like my house this morning when I left. Was 28 degrees & wasn't that bad going to work on the bike this morning :biggrin: I was on my street legal KTM Supermoto bike, & was fun on some corners sliding I think I'll go for a ride this afternoon, because it should warm up to a nice 34
These are about as close as I can come to answeres to your questions, and they are from the NWS: 5. Tips on How to Dress during cold weather back A. The best way to avoid hypothermia and frostbite is to stay warm and dry indoors. When you must go outside, dress appropriately. Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Remove layers to avoid sweating and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat, because half of your body heat can be lost from your head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry and out of the wind. 2. Can windchill impact my car's radiator or exposed water pipe? back A. The only effect windchill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to shorten the amount of time for the object to cool. The inanimate object will not cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5 degrees Fahrenheit and the windchill temperature is -31 degrees Fahrenheit, then your car's radiator will not drop lower than -5 degrees Fahrenheit. 12. Does windchill only apply to people and animals? Yes. The only effect windchill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to more quickly cool the object to cool to the current air temperature. Object will NOT cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5 degrees Fahrenheit and the windchill temperature is -31 degrees Fahrenheit, then your car's radiator will not drop lower than -5 degrees F.
What the heck is he worried about anyway? Something getting so brittle that it snaps off? Some people - geez. You need to get one of those " I see dumb people" shirts.
I happen to know for a fact that it does get damn cold in Phoenix in the winter at night, especially around rainy times. Hell, I had some ice on the road in San Diego last year and I live 3 miles from the beach. During the colder periods (usually around rain, or clear skies, no cloud cover for insulation) inland San Diego county sees low to high thirties. We had places in the low 20's last year in January, and it got down to 36 at my place near the coast. The cold is especially noticeable in certain canyons, where it can be 5+ degrees colder than other areas. It does get nice during the day, and warms up nicely, but anyone that tells you that it never gets cold where they live and it is in the lower 48 (besides Southern Florida), they are full of shizzle............my nizzle! When it gets SO COLD, the ride just is not enjoyable to me.
