Numb Butt And Freezing

[simongandolfi]

Hi, I've posted this elsewhere. However I leave shortly from UK to Ushuaia to collect my Honda 125 Cargo and ride north to Duchess County, NY. Riding south from Mexico I faced two pains: the seat and keeping warm. I tried a sheepskin on the seat, better, but still a pain after a few hours. The warmth is a bigger problem as I will be riding into winter. I need to keep weight down and I don't have much luggage space. I must carry smartish clothes for interviewing people in the city. For the road, I need warm clothes that fold into a thimble. I wore layers on the way south over the alteplano and Andes - everything I carried. However I am 74: when old men need to go, they need to go in a hurry. All those layers lead to embarassment. Plus, in my blue Peruvian rain suit, I resembled a large blue balloon which is bad for the ego(see photo on blog of Mexico to Ushuaia at home) Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[maria41]

Hi Simon,

I got myself an electric liner jacket and gloves from Warmnsafe and they are amazing! I wish I had them a long time ago! I definitely recommend them for the cold. The jacket liner packs fairly small (I suppose it depend of the size!)

In term of comfort, I got my original BMW seat scooped out of the foam and a gel seat inserted instead, mainly to lower my bike (I'm not particularly tall!) but it seems to be very comfortable. Also I would not go anywhere without my LDComfort riding tights. They are advertised somwehere here and they are really good. I use other riding tights but the LDC are my definite favs!

Cheers,

[Stagbeetle]

I sometimes stuff a newspaper in the front of my shirt if it gets cold unexpectedly. Keeps the wind off your chest and is easily disposed of.

Good Luck

You are an inspiration to all us youngsters of 60+ Simon

[Bill Ryder]

If it is possible at this time check out the Widder electric vest. Packs very small and only draws about 40 watts in it's simplest form. If the 125 honda is 12volt I would hook up a switch to turn off the headlight and run the vest. Maybe a small running light bulb if you need to have a daytime headlight. The vest keeps the core warm and therefore the extremeties warmer.

[simongandolfi]

Maria, thanks for the advice. You are an Hispanic/Franglais. I am a French speaking Hispanic/Italian/Anglo. That we discuss undergarments in public is proof of our Euro sophistication!
Stagbeetle, the quantity of newspapers I stuff up my jumper, people mistake me for a Public Library reading table.
The Honda Cargo is seriously basic. It doesn't have a battery.
The real problem is space.
Where do I pack the clothes that keep me warm when I am down on the equatorian coast?

[Redboots]

Originally Posted by simongandolfi

Where do I pack the clothes that keep me warm when I am down on the equatorian coast?

Simon, get the Warmnsafe as suggested by Maria... just the dogs! Widder's not nearly so good. Their idea of a heat controller is a bi-metal jobbie that just wastes the power. Warmnsafe is a proper electronic controller.

The liners pack down really small in their own zipper'ed bag.
This will be a lot lighter than carrying warmer clothing layers.

Or... just buy clothing as you need it on the way north

John

[simongandolfi]

Thanks, Redboots. Will do.

[mmaarten]

When I was freezing my ass of in Alaska during a un-expected cold-front (as if
you expect a heat-wave there) I used a plastic garbage-bag under my (summer) jacket.
It actually worked very well and it is small.

Don't forget to punch a hole for your head or it might get stuffy

Biggest problem were my fingers and private-parts.

Maarten

[mollydog]

For pants I wear Good insulated Surgical rubber gloves

[simongandolfi]

Thanks, Mollydog. Electrical heating is too great a drain on the bike. This bike is a no-battery model, lights dim when you slow up...
Advantages? Not much to go wrong and spare parts available everywhere - though I haven't needed spares so far (touching wood).
Disadvantages? Having to kick start when you stall in heavy traffic.
Main problems I had were lack of experience - I hadn't ridden a bike in forty years - and lack of funds! For instance an Airhawk seat would have been out of the question. Luggage racks I had made by a backstreet metal worker in Veracruz for $8. This is a 125 and keeping weight down is essential at altitude. I did a lot of climbs of over 3,000 metres and one of over 4,000 in Bolivia. The tube sounds a great idea!

[trophymick]

Airhawk's are expensive for what they are, why not try a lightweight inflatable camping mat, the small ones designed for sitting on


Trophymick

[Bill Ryder]

For a inflatable seat try a scooter inner tube. They come in 8' 10' and 12'. Inflate to the pressure you like and it is much more comfortable than a stock seat. The widder vests I have been selling have a electronic controller that pulses the voltage so it draws less current on low. I personally have used just a on and off switch.....when it is cold turn it on. The widder will work with AC voltage such as your bike has but It won't work if you have a 6 volt system. You sound like someone who hasn't ridden with electric garment heat...try it you will not want to be without. For cheap warmth I like to dumpster dive for the bubble pack material they pack fragile items in. Lots of trapped air and water proof. With a little duct tape you can fashion overboots and hand protectors.

[The Big J]

Simon have you considered buying a local woolen poncho and throwing it away/donating to rather confused streetkid when it warms up?
Just that extra layer should keep things at bay a little more.
Maybe you could trial a hot water bottle around your neck, although you might sleep on the bike!


I assume you've already worked out first layer insulation but a NZ company called Icebreaker produces merino wool thermal underwear that is warm, VERY breathable and doesn't smell till about 2 weeks.

Good luck - see you in Argentina


Josh

[simongandolfi]

Thanks again to all those who have advised me. I leave next week (18th July) for Ushuaia. I have Alpinstars boots and thermal underwear. Also T-shirts and a cap. I have to mount guard against my jealous thieving sons!!

[Walkabout]

You've got lots of good advice here already Simon, most of it related to improving your insulation in one way and another.

The only thing I can think to add is if you are not replacing the body heat in some manner then, sooner or later, you will need to stop and do just that - combine it with a pee break (if you can control yourself from doing that, you will retain more body heat!!) or fuel stop for example but when body heat loss exceeds heat gain then eventually you will need some "stimulation" to increase the core body temperature - hot drinks, food etc etc. Otherwise one option is hypothermia......

Good luck with your next journey,

Dave