R5k members share their tips for riding in winter

Temperatures have plummeted, but that’s not stopping #ride5000miles members from having fun. As Billy Connolly once said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing,” and that’s definitely the case here.

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With a regular year-round daily commute and time spent as an IAM Observer, Kawasaki ZZR600 rider Richard Bentham clocks up over 10,000 miles a year. He said: “My top tip is to use thermal base layers and wear a motorcycle-specific balaclava with flat seams and a windproof throat.

“My thermals are a mixture of brands with bits from Go Outdoors and I have an Aldi own-brand merino wool jumper that’s warm and doesn’t bulk up under my jacket.

“Helmets need a Pinlock insert so you can keep the visor closed to keep the cold wind out. Contacts can be a better option than glasses because you don’t have the problem of them misting up in cold weather.

“I wear a Weise jacket which has a thermal liner and snug adjustable Velcro collar, I wear it over my ARMR Kiso trousers and they’re thermal lined salopette style with braces. I like the snug fit and good overlap on the waist.

“My Frank Thomas gloves are 15 years old but they’re so good that I’ve found a secondhand pair on eBay as spares!”

Ducati Monster rider George Nokes-Chapple found layers were the key on a recent 400- mile blast from Leicester to the Lake District. “I don’t wear heated kit, instead I prefer to wear lots of thinner layers, which include my Arco Essentials thermals,” he said. “I use Renapur on my leathers to protect them from the rain and it works a treat.”

Up in Scotland, Daniel Maxwell enjoys the pleasures of riding around picturesque lochs on his Yamaha Tracer. He recommends making a rough route plan so you can plan in quick pit stops. “It can be a tea stop or just pull over at the side of the road and dance like a wally to get the blood flowing.”

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