Tips for Motorcycle Travel in November

The best part about traveling by motorcycle is that it puts you in the middle of nature. When you're trapped inside of a car, or a cage as bikers call it, you are on the sidelines watching it all go by. Riding lets you experience the fresh air and smells of nature that you would normally not notice. Riding on a on a two-lane highway instead of a busy interstate is better especially when it's cold. You won't have to deal with the faster speeds, which are even colder, or the gusts of wind and smelly fumes thrust in your face when a big diesel truck passes you. Not only that, but you'll have a more scenic view. Traveling the back roads will let you see sights that you normally would not see traveling on the interstates.

A heavy, leather motorcycle jacket, chaps, gloves and boots are the basic necessities for cold weather travel on a motorcycle. The best gloves to wear are those that extend over the sleeves of your jacket. They keep the cold air from being able to go up your sleeves. Black leather not only keeps you warm by preventing the cold air from penetrating through it, but it also attracts the sun to provide additional warmth. Neoprene face masks or a full face helmet will protect your face from the cold, but they will also restrict your peripheral vision. An alternative would be a bandanna folded in half to form a triangle, wrapped around your face and tied in a knot behind your head. A good pair of goggles with foam padding around the lenses will provide additional protection from the cold air. If you wear a knit hat to keep your head warm, tying a rolled up bandanna around the bottom of it like a brim will help keep it from flying off.

If you're planning a long trip, saddlebags on your motorcycle will not only provide a place to carry your necessities for an overnight stay, they also provide a place to stash the extra gear you might be wearing that can be removed when the temperature warms up. You might start off your ride wearing long johns and a sweatshirt underneath your clothes and your leathers. As the sun gets brighter, the black leather warms up and you may be more comfortable removing some layers underneath your leathers.

The warmest time of day for traveling is definitely when the sun is up. When planning your trip you should keep in mind the earlier you leave and the later you stop, the colder it will be. Your schedule should be adjusted according to what temperatures can be tolerated. If you must get to a certain destination after dark, more frequent stops can be added to your route to warm up.

During your stops you should snack on something high in protein and fat. According to hello eco living, eating foods such as protein and fat can help to raise the blood pH back into the normal range, therefore this winter try eating plenty of meat, fish, eggs, nuts and high fat dairy and you should feel warmer. Beef jerky and cheese combinations are commonly found in a convenience store and would be a good choice for a snack. Combine that with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and you should be warmed up in no time.

Pre-planning your route with frequent stops and wearing the right gear will make for a more pleasant trip. If you're not sure how well you can tolerate the cold, take short rides in different temperatures so you'll experience it without being too far away from home should you change your mind and decide to drive.