About Colorado Weather & Helmet Law!

[Louie Louie]

I see that CO. is a helmet optional state. Do a lot of COlorado riders ride w/ out one??

Also, I was told to expect Monsoon type rains in the afternoons..What can we expect weatherwise?

Thanks

;)

[Rifraf]

A lot of cruiser riders ride w/o helmets...most others wear them. I wear a full face ALL the time.

As far as weather goes, we typically get some afternoon thunder showers but they are widely scattered. I would suggest carrying rain gear all the time. Also, when going from Denver/Golden (around 6k elevation) up to the Divide (10k to 12k feet elevation) take gear that will keep you warm. You can typically go from the low/mid 90s to upper 50s in less than an hour. Basically prepare for all conditions. I hope this helps!

[st_rider]

Also, I was told to expect Monsoon type rains in the afternoons..What can we expect weatherwise?

Thanks

;)


One thing for sure - we will have weather each afternoon. The queSTion is, what KIND and how severe!!

I have been riding a lot of years in Colorado and the firST thing I learned was to ALWAYS carry rain gear. It's amazing how many riders you see though that have never learned the lesson.
:eek:

[Louie Louie]

I have been riding a lot of years in Colorado and the firST thing I learned was to ALWAYS carry rain gear. It's amazing how many riders you see though that have never learned the lesson.
:eek:

Ok...Thanks...Would a kilimanjaro jacket w/ a liner and jeans and a helmet work appropriately. Is Rain Gear a necessity?

[st_rider]

Ok...Thanks...Would a kilimanjaro jacket w/ a liner and jeans and a helmet work appropriately. Is Rain Gear a necessity?

Do you also travel with Darien pants or similar? With the chance of rain (or hail) and cooler temps, it can be REAL uncomfy if you get wet. There is simply no way to predict what we can expect for that week.

:confused:

[AZST]

Good advice Rod and RifRaf. I have all my stuff laid out at home and am trying real hard to be a "minimalist" with what I pack. Rain gear got taken off the list last night. After this post, it goes back on the list.

Thanks for the heads up

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Louie Louie]

Do you also travel with Darien pants or similar? With the chance of rain (or hail) and cooler temps, it can be REAL uncomfy if you get wet. There is simply no way to predict what we can expect for that week.
:confused:
Ok...Great news, Found a Nelson Riggs "Stormrider" rain suit in the garage!
Thanks again!:bow1: :bow1:

[ParkerBill]

Yeah, the earlier posts are correct. Colorado does not mandate wearing a helmet and most cruiser riders do not wear them, but just about everyone else does. I always wear a full face helmet. I also suggest you always carry effective rain gear because Colorado weather can change rapidly. At higher altitudes it can also get fairly chilly, and also in the mornings it can be somewhat chilly even down at 5-6,000 feet. I've seen it snow on Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak (both of which you can ride up) in July and August, and it's even more likely to from September on. Have fun!! Ride safe.

[clmixon]

Plus your rain gear can give you a real good windproof layer for no extra bulk in the bags when it gets cooler as you climb.

Biggest thing for me was a second set of gloves as it got cooler and wetter as I climbed. Switched back and forth a lot during the day.

Chris :06biker:

[Putt]

Got to agree... riding in the rain at 40-50 degrees without rain gear is not
a lot of fun...... As it's been said, in September it may be 80 in Denver, 30 miles to the West it may be 40 (or less) with rain/snow......

Putt...

[Clair]

Tho I'm in Utah, we share similar weather this time of year. Afternoon heat can create nasty localized storms. On a ride a couple weeks ago my friend and I left Evanston WY in comfy 80's and within 20 miles had our rain gear on. Initially to keep us warm as the temps had dropped a lot (we were on Mirror Lake Hwy heading back to kamas UT). Within anohter 10 miels we had rain and sleet. By the time we crossed Bald Mountain Pass (10,700 feet) it was damn cold and I wished A) I had installed my grip warmers, and B) had put on a sweatshirt. Damn cold, crap loads of rain, wind ... By the time I got to SLC, it was 95 in the valley. So, as said, you should pack for all conditions.

I'd recommend decent rain gear, NOT wal-mart cheap stuff. rain gear can act as a windbreaker for added warmth without having to put on / take off the jacket to deal with a liner. I would recommend bring a linter and warm weather stuff in case you hit a ride like mine was.

[Polovision]

Got to agree... riding in the rain at 40-50 degrees without rain gear is not
a lot of fun...... As it's been said, in September it may be 80 in Denver, 30 miles to the West it may be 40 (or less) with rain/snow......

Putt...

Just got back from Yellowstone and experienced this. Be riding in 80 degree weather and 10 minutes later I would be in a hail storm, then 15 minutes later I would be back in 80 degree weather.

[Putt]

As for me, Mesh Killi with the liner (Stearns rain gear to use as a windbreaker if necessary).. F/G overpants (with liner) Liner will probably stay in the pants
24/7.. I dont get real cold or real warm so leaving the liner in the pants is
not a problem for me.. DRESS WARM.. you can always take layers off, but if you don't bring them, you sure as heck can't put them on if you need them..

Putt...

Got to agree... riding in the rain at 40-50 degrees without rain gear is not
a lot of fun...... As it's been said, in September it may be 80 in Denver, 30 miles to the West it may be 40 (or less) with rain/snow......

Putt...

[Medicine Bear]

I just want to mention one word to Chris (clmixon): "Ernesto".:wind1:

You read it here first! :o4:

Fred :03biker:

[Rifraf]

FYI...we have a cold front moving through this weekend. I just heard the first mention of snow on the weather forecast (at the highest elevations). The change is coming...be prepared!

[Medicine Bear]

FYI...we have a cold front moving through this weekend. I just heard the first mention of snow on the weather forecast (at the highest elevations). The change is coming...be prepared!
I think with 200= st's coming there might be a heat problem. :D
Watch out for runoff from the snowmelt on the routes!

Fred :03biker:

[hondast1300]

I'm bringing my heated jacket liner and gloves. I may woose out and bring my electric socks also. I have my rain suit fitted so it can be worn over my mesh jacket and pants.
robert

[George]

I never leave home overnight without the electric vest, even in August in Arizona. The altitude changes alone (try camping at 10,000 feet!) can necessitate its use.

Multiple sets of gloves are also a good idea.

I carry a long sleeve turtle-neck T in addition to all the above. Makes a great throat coat and extra layer.

My favorite carry along (besides the Gerbing) is a jacket liner I picked up at Tractor Supply MANY years ago. Packs small, zips up separately from the jacket, can be used alone as a wind breaker, makes up the diff between 30 and 50 degrees.

Can't praise the 'lectric grips enuff. As to the 'lectric vest, I've had one for about 15 years. I STILL kick myself for not buying it sooner. ;^)

Kind'a hijacking a different thread, but with all the stuff I carry, I aint' too concerned about the ST "losing" weight. ;^)

George
in Kingman, Arizona

[clmixon]

I just want to mention one word to Chris (clmixon): "Ernesto".:wind1:

You read it here first! :o4:

Fred :03biker:

Yeah,

I know :mad:

I won't be able to do any more planning until Monday. Only one track looks bad for me but I just don't need this right now.

2 years in a row is more than I can stand. If it works out that way Fred, make sure Rob picks up my tee shirts.

Chris :06biker:

[Medicine Bear]

Yeah,

I know :mad:

I won't be able to do any more planning until Monday. Only one track looks bad for me but I just don't need this right now.

2 years in a row is more than I can stand. If it works out that way Fred, make sure Rob picks up my tee shirts.

Chris :06biker:
You know you can always bail early and stay here until you get ready to leave for WeSTOC. :)

Fred :03biker:

[Doobage]

I've been keeping a close eye on it too since it will impact me as well if it (Ernesto) were to come my way. But it's doing what I had hoped and pulling back to go over Jamaica and Cuba and then head into Florida's panhandle. And going over Cuba will hopefully shred the storm enough that it will keep it weak.

I'm still feeling like it's 90% clear of Texas/Lousiana. And hopefully wherever it does land it will be a weak hurricane.

[Mark]

I was going to start another thread when I found this one again...

Weather forecasts are only good for about 5 days; so, the important days are only now starting to so up at the National Weather Service.

Looks like okay weather news:
Golden area:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/forecasts/COZ039.php?warncounty=COC059&city=Golden

Ouray area:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/forecasts/COZ018.php?warncounty=COC091&city=Ouray

Mark

[sherob]

I looked on here a while ago... looks great!

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USCO0163?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

[Mark]

I looked on here a while ago... looks great!

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USCO0163?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

That site make Eureka Springs look okay too...

Cool,
Mark