Modern Vespa

Hi, does anybody in California use a Termoscud?

I'm in LA and SF but not sure if the investment would be useful.

During the deep winter the days can range from 50 degrees to 60 degrees during the day and drop to about 40 during the night.



No point?

I just layer. It's what we do in SF
On colder days I wear a pajama bottom underneath my jeans. also, wool knit socks, leather gloves, and a sweater under my leather jacket keeps me warm.

I guess apron would be overkill. I remember on Dec 5th (10 days ago) I was absolutely FREEZING, even with a down jacket and thermals underneath. The temp was 32 in SF but i think it was only one day, and it was the coldest day of the year.

When I lived in and would primarily just ride around the city I would - kept me warmer.

After I moved to the north bay I ended up always wearing leathers. So an apron would be overkill.

It's been below freezing every morning this last week as I've ventured out - I've worn over-trousers but haven't felt the need to install the thermal linings yet. A thermoscud would be OTT just for the cold - now if it rained a lot more it'd make great sense.

I recently met Bagel in Santa Cruz CA (75 miles south of SF) and he had one. He loves it. I haven't seen him post in a while but you might PM him.

Me? I have a tall windscreen which keeps the wind off me so I'm rarely cold unless its near 32F (0C) and I'm out for more than an hour.

Best
Miguel

I don't have one, but then again, I haven't ridden below anything in the 50's- but even then, I wished there was a way I could channel all that good hot air that comes out of the vents in the leg shield of my gtv. Sometimes I just reach down and warm my hands on them... even with a good jacket and gloves, it surprises me how the wind really gives me a chill.

Today, however, I was in a t shirt and shorts

I live in L.A. It can get pretty chilly here at times, but I just wear overpants and layer under my jacket. I have a good tall windscreen and the MP3 has good faring in front.

I personally wouldn't bother with something like a Termoscud for the cold in LA.

I do make it a point to at least have a simple universal lap apron for rain. Most of the time I don't care, but occasionally I need to ride and arrive somewhat presentable at my destination.

Depends on you and how well you deal with "cold." I cannot. In 1Q2010 my hands were going numb riding in sub-60 degree weather, not to mention being winded all of the time, talk to the doctor, I get a triple by-pass. Was to be four, but the heart was partially dead. I have currently an Ejection Factor of 25% -- which is a hell of lot better than zero, eh? Whatever. Even with insulated gloves my hand go numb, as do my feet.

But, with the apron and muffs? A week or so I had to make a grocery run for a item forgotten for dinner, at 44 degrees. Bare handed under the muff and I was not freezing. For me, the Termoscud means I can still ride. And I hate being in a cage.

I rode around Berkeley today wearing sandals, I guess that answers that.

but the problem is the SF -> LA, LA -> SF trips that I do.

The part going through the grapevine and the central valley is absolutely BLISTERING COLD.

I'd still go with leathers (or armor) and thermals (ahem, long johns) instead.

I wear shorts on 40 degree days... that's a heatwave bro

As effective as they may be, I just cannot bring myself to sport a "scooter kilt". They just look TOO dorky.

A pair of $35 ski overpants off Amazon have served me well. Worth the hassle of taking off the shoes at work to get them off and on since my commute is about 45 minutes one way. They do serve to keep me quite toasty at around 40 degrees!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CG24IO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When I was in Italy most people had them, if it's good enough for them, good enough for me.

Looking like these guys feels more dorky to me than the apron + muffs.



If the ppl in that photo is a member of this board and happens to see this post, i'm super sorry and didnt mean to offend your style.

I haven't been tempted by thermoscuds, but I haven't attempted the Grapevine in December either. If you need the highway for your commute try the 101. There's elevation but it has to be warmer than the Grapevine. I read your other thread about the gloves and if you really commute a lot to SF in the winter I would first be sure to have a windscreen that covers your hands, heated grips perhaps and muffs for the extreme cold besides heavy duty gloves.

I rode in the high desert with some friends just a few weeks ago and even with temperatures in the fifties it was cool, but not cold. I was layered up but just some long underwear under jeans and liner in my jacket, but I was kind of worried about the gloves I had.

And on the crazy weeks where the temperature threatens to drop like it did during your last ride, remember that many airlines fly into SFO and Oakland from the LA area and there ain't no shame in saying it's too damn cold to ride.

My hats off to you for that commute, it will only be 3 months where all hell can break loose with the cold... just stay away from the Grapevine for about 4 to 5 months though because I've driven through there in April and it snowed once.

Good luck in whatever you decide. The northern California folks probably have more useful advice for you about what to wear than I do. But for Christmas I got a pair of over pants of which I'm very happy about. They're mesh but have a nice liner and I don't go to SF as much as you do.