Ice racing help

[Eric Kelcher]

Okay going to the MW banquet and would like to try my hand at ice racing, two big problems it has been 20 years since Ilved up north and my elementry winter cloths don't fit anymore. Need to figure out where when how who to get out and try my hand. Are there places to rent bikes? Are there better lakes/trails/courses to go to, ones to avoid? I am flexible on day Jan 11, 12(early), 13, 14; plan to avoid crowds or don't go out alone? Have RR gear and MX gear but it is very SUMMER duty, high ventilation, in the cold (relative) I have put a rain suit over my leathers and that blocks wind keeps ya warm but is it more RR gear or MX gear? Then add jacket over it or thermals under it (I have Apline sking gear and water ski gear, no Xcountry tho). Any other advice? Goldschlager or Rumble Minze for after ride warm-up

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

Contact Jason Braun. He'll be out this winter as has froze his ass off enough to know what to wear.

[Super Dave]

We usually ride about a mile from where Lake Lawn is at.  Showing up is the biggest thing, Eric.  You'll ride.  Others will probably say the same thing. 

If it's, let's say, 25 degrees and above, road race leathers with some stuff on underneath is more than enough.  Probably be sweating.

If it's colder, I go for coveralls, etc. with MX elbow and knee pads. 

[Eric Kelcher]

Okay which boots do I bring MX, RR or snowmobile do I need a steel sole (never flat tracked before, so don't own one), Helmet MX or RR, gloves/mittens. I assume leathers for crash protection or is it they are warm? Wear MX hip pads

Sorry I am so out of dealing with cold weather what you think is normal I wouldn't think of and probably don't own well I might surprise myself from alpine sking but I think of most of that as specialzed gear.

I figure I need to get on the net and start ordering so the stuff is here in time as a winter coat in Dallas is not much heavier than a wind breaker  8)

When you said coveralls do you mean like a prisoner jumpsuit or a snowmobile suit?

I guess the other part is how common is finding this stuff in Jan in WI? I know it sounds stupid but in Dallas it is hard to find current season clothes (a bathing suit in August is almost impossible to find but you want a Santa suit no problem J/K but it feels like that; sizes, colors, styles are limited when in season)  Could I show up and find the cold weather gear when I get there or should I pre-order?

[Super Dave]

Don't need a steel shoe.  I usually wear my RR boots then put on some over boots.  Some guys like MX boots. 

Gloves allow you a bit more feel and less bulk.  But bring them both.  Gloves that aren't so good against the wind, well, you'll feel it in your fingers first if it's really cold.

I don't wear MX hip pads, but if you've got em bring them.

Leathers kind of cover everything, for crash and some wind protection when it's "warm".  Look cool usually too. 

Coveralls, well, like a Carhart suit.  Yeah, kind of a snowmobile suit.  If it's cold, layer up.  I usually wear a long sleeve work out shirt to get in and out of leathers quickly, and I start there to help wick away sweat.  Then I've got some old army long underwear that is lycra and wool, I think, then a sweat shirt, hoodie, then my coat.  Legs, I start with the cycling pants, then the army stuff, old windproof bicycling pants, my jeans, then my bib Carhart bottoms.  I have some Yamaha snowmobile gloves that I treated myself to a couple years ago, and those are great for the dexterity and warmth.  Oh, and I like to put on a turtle neck somewhere in that along with slipping on the elbow and knee pads. 

Basically, you're setting yourself up to be Bib. 

Helmet, I just use an old RR helmet.  Usually the shields fog up and freeze a bit.  I have to adjust my head and the visor a bit to find something happy between keeping ice and cold air out of my eyes and being able to see.  I don't know if an MX helmet with goggles is better, but that's not in my budget anyway. 

Oh, socks!  I like two pair, with one being wool. 

Yeah, you should be able to get stuff in town someplace.  I will be cold in Wisconsin to about June.  LOL!

[Scotty Ryan]

Dave ride Sunday up by Elkhart????

[Super Dave]

Where?  Do they have actual rideable ice?  Gotta check what's happening.  I've got the Rockton parade Saturday. 

[Scotty Ryan]

I gotta find out what lake it's at - can know tomorrow..... Or is that today???? They guys that do the ice are all AMA Supermoto riders - Benny Carleson - and a handfull of others....It's right in Kiel - sp - From what I understand it's an overflow and it freezez really early - only about 3 foot deep......

[Super Dave]

Get Benny's number from someone or have him call me.  I tried to get a hold of him on his myspace page, but I haven't heard from him.  I think Bill wants to do a motard track (as though you didn't see that coming), and he wants me to get a real motard guy.

Seriously, find out if you can get his number from someone or have him call me.

Trick for me will be two things:  I have no bike transport and they'll probably have a bigger track for top gear WFO corners that the TTR125 won't keep up in.

Bus is getting a rear end seal checked out.

[spyderchick]

I've posted it before, but it's worth posting again: Link for most things moto, including Ice Riding.

[JBraun]

I never realized how much thought goes into getting dressed for riding. 
From the bottom up, this is what works best for me.
Motocross boots (no that warm, but dry and good ankle protection)
Moisture wicking socks
long underwear
insulated snocross pants. (carharts or ski pants are fine)
I layer a under armour t-shirt, long sleeve thermal shirt, hoody, and light windbreaker. You want to be able to peel off layers to avoid sweating, but the wind is the biggest thing. Whatever you wear, the windbreaker is a must. The hoody helps keep your neck warm. I usually bring a heavy winter jacket too in case it gets bitter cold.
Several pairs of gloves (you're gonna be riding borrowed bikes so some guys will have hippo hands, some wind deflectors, and some nothing at all. So you'll want options.)
Head sock
MX helmet and goggles

Like Dave said, if you show up, you'll ride. Have fun.

[Eric Kelcher]

Okay just tried my leathers on (Alexis I think after this I need to drop them off to be cleaned, wow 4 years in a storgae bin they are really funky),
I can put my thermals on under them for my legs, chest I could get a sweatshirt on, Back protector??? but no way on a jacket, So I am assuming most stuff is layered over the leathers? In which case my jacket doesn't fit in the shoulder area well over my leathers (limited arm movement), I assume that a Carhardt suit you get 1-2 sizes too big? Never ridden with mittens but my hands get cold fast so sking I normally wear mittens, not sure I can run brake clutch that way though, feels real strange trying it in the garage.

Check on MX boots, thermal socks, MX helmet, googles, face mask, Thermal undies, glove liners, wet suit, mittens, RR gloves, MX pants, rain suit to block air, Ugg boots for when off bike.  So I think the missing elements are a Carhardt or bigger jacket, and leather insulated gloves.