Does this snowsuit make my butt look fat?

[gma]

Homewrecker Racing is currently outfitting its rider for the 2005 ice racing season and we are deferring to the veterans of the sport ...

What the heck do we wear?

I welcome your suggestions, but I also ask you what you think of the following:

1. scuba / neoprene / wetsuit under race leathers (assume the person fits in the suit and the suit fits in the leathers and that there is reasonable movement)
2. knee pucks removed from leathers
3. motocross boots
4. scuba / neoprene / balaclava under motocross helmet (again - assume everything fits)
5. motocross goggles
6. rubber gloves under road racing gloves

Thx for your advice.

Griff

[spyderchick]

You get pretty warm ice racing, so leathers are usually good enough, unless you get sub-zero temps.

[grasshopper]

This is going to be my first year ice racing but I would ditch the motocross helmet and goggles. A snowmobile helmet will work better it doesn't fog up as bad.

I've tried those wet suit gloves riding in the cold and my hands sweat really bad, they didn't let any air in.

For hand warmth, they sell these bags, we made our own that go over your hand grips. They wrap around the whole handle grip and lever, allow for alot of air to be inside and keep the cold off your hands so you can wear regular gloves to feel the bars like you should.

[G-reg]

This is going to be my first year ice racing but I would ditch the motocross helmet and goggles. A snowmobile helmet will work better it doesn't fog up as bad.

Go for the best of both worlds and get a snocross helmet!  I bought one for my sled last year because my normal snowmobile helmet would still fog up especially when its really cold out.. the snowcross helmet seals up tight around the goggles on all 4 sides and you don't get any wind in at all, and with the goggles being separate I've never had them fog up once.  Motocross helmets are really open especially around the lower mouth I would think your chin would freeze in a few minutes.  The only bad thing about the helmet is it catches a lot of wind so if you're going 60 or higher for a long time (like crossing a large lake) you'll really notice your head gets blown around..  

[KBOlsen]

For hand warmth, they sell these bags, we made our own that go over your hand grips. They wrap around the whole handle grip and lever, allow for alot of air to be inside and keep the cold off your hands so you can wear regular gloves to feel the bars like you should.

IIRC, those were sold as "Hippo Hands" - work great on street bikes, too!

I've got a modular Bombardier with built-in sun visor and anti-fog mask that has been sitting around collecting dust...

[TommyG]

Most ice racers wear cold weather (baggy) motocross or snow cross suits with some type of undersuit. The neo gloves with bar bags (mine are name brand bagman). Boots seem to vary from moto to work boots,but I`d recommend something with some ankle protection or you`ll be sorry. Alexa is correct and you sweat your butt off and for that reason I wear a moto helmet. The goggle fogging issue is solved by a cold weather lense. It`s a dual pane type deal like houses have. Most guys wear a cold weather hood/mask under the helmet that gets removed from 20-25 degrees on up depending on wind and helmet brand.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

You guys are nuts....

[EX#996]

Coveralls
Sorrels
long underwear
jeans (and the typical cold weather clothes)
helmet
road racing gloves

Run until your hands or ears are too cold and then head into the trailer or shelter around the Mr. Heater, eat, drink and shoot the sh1t.

 ;D

[Team-G]

I wear a moto helmet.

And if you hit Tommy, he makes you wear a 'dunce helmet' with time to think it over and warm up.  But here's the secret formula for staying warm:

20-30 degrees:  2 JD & cokes
10-20 degrees:  3 JD & cokes
0-10 degrees:  4 JD & cokes
Below 0 degrees:  6 JD's and you don't give a rats a$$ what your butt looks like.

[Protein Filled]

I wear thermals with Motocross boots, heavy moto pants, a snowskiing jacket and gloves and a motocross helmet with goggles. No problems getting cold and we have ridden when it's 20 below outside.

[Protein Filled]

Hey Gygax,

No wonder you ride next to a bar! Shame there is no setup like that here! Maybe I should bring my own bottle of liquid courage with me... ;)

[Jeff]

To answer the subject question, no, the suit doesn't make your ass look fat.  Your fat ass makes your ass look fat  :o

Now...  Ice racing attire will vary depending on temp and who is riding.  Me?  I have a couple of 'musts'.

1 - MotoX boots.  They are warm, water proof and big enough for extra socks.  Not to mention the protection.

2 - Handlebar gauntlets.  Absolute must IMHO

3 - Balaclava and a scarf.

For the main gear, I've gone as far (and usually do this) as to wear an old set of leathers (complete with back protector) and a set of carharts on top of them.  I can ride down into the 0 degree range with that getup.  But if I fall through, I'm going straight to the bottom, no question about it.

I've also run in MX pants with a set of thermals and a set of sweatpants.  Then run a winter jacket.

The problems though are that you NEED knee and elbow protection, so whatever you choose, make sure you have that covered.

Exposed skin will get REAL cold REAL quick since you can get up to a pretty good clip on some of the tracks.

If you can get a bike with heated hand grips, your troubles all go away... When your hands are toasty, the rest of your body seems to be warm as well...