Rbike wins 'em over

[Moose]

Just completed a 3K mile ride to Colorado and back to Texas. Took the Trail Ridge over the divide from north to south out of Rocky Mountain National Park in a blizzard at the top. Was geared up and all worked just great. Rode with my cousin who was on a ST1300 with his daughter. Riding too fast to take any pics, but I did win two Performance Awards. They were of the lowly Warning variety. One a Texas state trooper and the other a Colorado town LEO. The first question from both was, 'How do like your bike?" and next was "What kind of bike is that?" They really liked the naked look and had a few more questions. Anyway, the Rbike seemed to win them over, or maybe it was the bald head and their way of honoring Father's Day. The bike now has over 44k on it and I swear it runs better than ever. Best money I've ever spent, well there was that engagement ring. I've got some clothing recommendations if anyone wants a little info for hot to cold to hot transition.

[DarthRider]

Welcome home Moose-Man!
Congrats on the ticket dodges.
Glad you're back...it's your turn to buy Peckerhead Pizza again Friday night.

[jamming]

Welcome back Moose!
Congrats on beating the man.

Roger

[DJ Down Under]

Welcome back and glad you're safe and sound..but..you realize that your good luck is now used up..yes..nothing but bad luck now.. sorry about that..:icon_mrgreen:..(kidding).

DJ

[Bones]

Welcome back.

Would love to hear about your gear musings. I love that kind of stuff. All you would have to do is look in my closet.

Fire away.

Jeff

[Moose]

Thanks for the welcome back guys. I've been remiss in not replying sooner to the thread post, but only because my son got married last weekend (to one beautiful and lovely lady I might add) and we hosted a minor convention around here. Fantastic time with the family, now back to the subject at hand.
At the conclusion of the Colorado ride I wanted to post about riding gear and the Rbike. But first I reread Arkline's thread about his ride from the Northwest heading south only to run into weather issues. It was then I realized there was little I could offer that Ron had not addressed. Except in the domain of hot to cold to hot transition.
My navy survival instruction emphasised layering as opposed to bulk for warmth and comfort. Needless to say, it was ventilated gear at 100 degrees F. Entering Winter Park, Colorado, time to insert a liner and put on the First Gear Foul Wx two piece suit. That is great stuff Darth, keep that First Gear label alive and well. Switched to First Gear waterproof gloves as well. This is where the GS handgards really helped. Hands did not get cold in the blizzard at the top. Had on a Nolan open face helmet (for the hot ride) with a full face visor that pulled down. I failed to put on the balaclava I had packed away, the neck got cold.
Shortly before the ride my wife asked about Father's Day. I mentioned that I could use some boot socks so the Oxtar's would not rub against the leg calf. She got some ski socks that wick the moisture out of the boot. In the past, riding in hot temps really caused my feet to get hot & sweaty. Those socks worked great, feet stayed dry and warm. No discomfort at either temp extreme. The local mountain sport store ran out of socks during a sale, so I ordered two more pair from Darth's friends at www.motorcyclecloseouts.com.
As for the hot temps, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And with the wicking action of most of the comfort clothing we wear even in cold temps, hydrate again. Failure to hydrate can cause the loss of mental acuity in cold temps. And with my skill level, I need all the acuity I can muster up. Well, at least I got on the binders in time to miss a huge moose that ran out onto the road leading out of Rocky Mountain Park. That would have been great, after all the discussion we've had about deer around here, I almost ran into my namesake.

[DarthRider]

Good stuff Moose!
Give the sox part credit for dry feet, but don't forget the Oxtar Gore Matrix boots. They are the best "dry feet in hot weather" footgear I have ever seen!
That GoreTex is *the* most amazing material.
And I don't want to hear any more of that crap about "...And with my skill level, I need all the acuity I can muster up..." Anyone with 500+ trap landings has got some serious skills & acuity! The kind we mere mortals can only dream of.

Coming to Peckerheads tonight? I hear a cold one calling my name even now...and i think he may have several friends with him!

[BobFV1]

Give the sox part credit for dry feet, but don't forget the Oxtar Gore Matrix boots. They are the best "dry feet in hot weather" footgear I have ever seen!


+1 on the Oxtar Gore-Tex - I have been wearing them on my X-country trips and they have performed great - feet get a little sweaty sometimes but I don't have to worry about soggy feet when it rains. As a side note, I bought mine from a guy the day before he died - in a bike crash. He didn't like them after wearing them a couple of times.

Welcome back, Moose - sounds like you had a great trip.