Cold "pockets" on ride to work

[Wicked96SS]

Because of vacation and some other issues, the bike has been parked for a couple of weeks, today being the first time I got a chance to ride to work. It was 42 degrees when I left my house, so I was bundled up (this is about as cold as I will ride), and as usual, was having issues with fogging goggles when stopped, causing water condensation inside the goggles.

So, on the ride to work, on Rt. 7100 to those that know N. Va at 4AM, I rode through the strangest "cold" section I have ever felt in my history of riding (or driving... of course, might have happened, and I didn't notice). The temperature dropped so quickly, I felt it immediately AND it froze the condensation on the inside and out of my goggles, and hurt my eyes pretty good... After slowing down and blinking a lot, I was able to see the crystal formations from the frozen condensation... then, as soon as it "started" it was "over" (made my way through it). Went back to the 40's and melted the frost or whatever that formed on my goggles.

Anyhow, I am still a relative noob, this being my 3rd riding season, I have never noticed that before, but wanted to ask if this was common to other cold weather riders? Anybody notice something like that?

I have ridden through "hot spots" in the summer, but never a "cold spot".

[tricker]

i've hit cold spots before.. but not that severe. But right now its just cold so i really don't notice any temperature changes. 41 degrees.. woo hoo!!!!

[Scrambler81]

I've never had my glasses freeze, but I go through cold areas every day. I pass through the Pine Barrens on the way to work, and when I reach a certain spot, I always feel the temps dropping. Due to the thermometer in my Jeep, I have seen it drop as much as 11 degrees, and it's only about 10 miles from my house. It's bad enough on the bike, when I'm wearing a jacket, but a few times in the Jeep wearing just a t-shirt that drop will send shudders right through me.
As for the fogging - I had prescription goggles that fogged up every time I stopped in the morning, they drove me nuts. I switched to a pair of RecSpecs "Biker" frames. They wrap around to keep crap out of my eyes, but they don't seal to my face so air can get in and keep them clear. It's in the 40s now, but as it gets colder I'll switch back to a face shield and just wear my regular glasses under it. I can't stand foggy glasses, they're a royal pain in the butt.

[rustygunner]

Yea, happens to me all the time. I live out in the country and it can be extremely cold between two soybean fields. Elevation changes can have a drastic effect on temperatures too.

[wild_deuce03]

You just drove through a bunch of ghosts!

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by Wicked96SS

Because of vacation and some other issues, the bike has been parked for a couple of weeks, today being the first time I got a chance to ride to work. It was 42 degrees when I left my house, so I was bundled up (this is about as cold as I will ride), and as usual, was having issues with fogging goggles when stopped, causing water condensation inside the goggles.

So, on the ride to work, on Rt. 7100 to those that know N. Va at 4AM, I rode through the strangest "cold" section I have ever felt in my history of riding (or driving... of course, might have happened, and I didn't notice). The temperature dropped so quickly, I felt it immediately AND it froze the condensation on the inside and out of my goggles, and hurt my eyes pretty good... After slowing down and blinking a lot, I was able to see the crystal formations from the frozen condensation... then, as soon as it "started" it was "over" (made my way through it). Went back to the 40's and melted the frost or whatever that formed on my goggles.

Anyhow, I am still a relative noob, this being my 3rd riding season, I have never noticed that before, but wanted to ask if this was common to other cold weather riders? Anybody notice something like that?

I have ridden through "hot spots" in the summer, but never a "cold spot".

When stationed at Andrews and riding across "the River" in the fall I encountered a similar condition. I have a pair of antique pilot goggles from England that have dual lenses for that condition, but acquired some "waxy stuff" recently at Street Vibrations in Reno that promises to help that condition. I've had to use old fashioned soap and polished the lenses with it in the past to conteract the condensation (works on the bathroom mirror also!) Paid WAY to much for the goop in Reno, on reflection. Most any good wax will work, not only on glasses, but also on the "shield". Seems to work on the inside of the windshield on the cage as well unless it's really humid. Won't do a thing for those gushers at 1700 hours out there, though!
Glad the foggies didn't cause a wreck! Were the RecSpecs prescription?
(Can't tolerate the contact lenses, wish I could...)
Enjoy the Autumn out there!

[CruisinPiper]

I get it all the time too... at least in the spring and fall. As soon as I get down near the Merrimack river the temp does a quick and drastic drop.

[PainlessWolf]

Pshhh!, You just rode over some cursed Native American burial ground.
You'll be Ok. Remember, it's October, the days are getting shorter, the nights longer and All Hallows Eve is drawing ever closer. *Creepy Laughter* Oh, wait, thats just my 'normal' laughter.
Painless Black Wolf
...Here for the Dawn...

2005 Drifter 800

[Wicked96SS]

HA! Thanks... Okay, so I'll have to re-route so I don't go through the haunted Indian burial ground...

As for my goggles, I have some of that overpriced "no fog" stuff you buy at bike stores, and it works on my FF helmet, but I tried it on cheaper goggles I have, and it made it look "smeary"... might try it again, but be more diligent of wiping it clean.

Thanks all!

[Scrambler81]

Originally Posted by Wicked96SS

As for my goggles, I have some of that overpriced "no fog" stuff you buy at bike stores, and it works on my FF helmet, but I tried it on cheaper goggles I have, and it made it look "smeary"... might try it again, but be more diligent of wiping it clean.

Thanks all!

Mine had prescription lenses. I tried that spray on foam junk, and the anti-fog cloth, and nothing seemed to work. I was really surprised, but after 2 months of fighting with them (the glasses, not the store), I took them back where I bought them, and they gave me a full refund which I used to get the new glasses.

[coppertales]

goggles will cut the fogging down alot. It probably won't when the dew point is right below the fog level though. Cold air settles into low areas. That is what you feel when you ride into a dip in the road. I don't ride when the temp is below freezing. The morons around here leave their sprinkler systems on in cold weather and ice the road......chris3

[RichLockyer]

Underground stream, major change in density of the soil composition, small canyon shielding an area from air movement...

All kinds of things that create hot and cold spots.

I encounter them under water as well.

[Torques]

Near fields that have been irrigated or have a lot of water resting on the ground there, when the water evaporates it takes energy which cools the air next to it. One can usually expect when they are near some form of water and it's evaporative state is stealing heat from the adjacent air, then you feel the cold air when riding through that air mass.

[MFolks]

Cold air will collect where there is no movement similar to foggy conditions.

[Capt. Redbeard]

Have an area here in Northern California that I ride through everyday, that does that starting about this time of year. It's the transition from I680 to 84e in Sunol. Never thought I was running through ghost! Eww! Creepy.

Rich: Aren't those called aqua thermoclines? Been 20 years since I was in dive school.

BTW. The only item I've ever used that even came close to preventing fogging of my helmet, stopped or not, is the Foggy insert by Respro. It forms a seal around the nose bridge and cheeks thus directing the breath down past the mouth to the bottom of the helmet.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Capt. Redbeard

Rich: Aren't those called aqua thermoclines? Been 20 years since I was in dive school.

Totally different.

A thermocline is when there is a separation layer at a particular depth. I've been out at Catalina where it's felt like about a 10 degree difference between 35ft and 40ft... but the thermometer on my computer doesn't pick it up very well because it's warmed by my wrist. We always joke about temps on a particular dive being "60 Suunto degrees" meaning it was actually anywhere from 50 to 55 at max depth.
Coldest I've been in was low 40s in Lake Folsom (and pea-soup visibility) for an advanced skills class.
Glad I have a drysuit... but my fingers and face were still numb after 8 hours in that lake!

I'm talking about cruising along straight and level and the temperature suddenly drops (or increases) and then returns to normal.
On the back side of Catalina at Farnsworth Bank, there are actually some fresh water hot springs that are a real treat to swim past... The fresh water mixing with the salt water forms a "halocline", similar to the distortion in the air above a hot road or hood... the distortion makes it impossible to focus on anything through it.

[ozyran440]

Originally Posted by wild_deuce03

You just drove through a bunch of ghosts!

LOL I was thinking more along the lines of a Dementer nearby

[nvbirdman]

There is a place about three miles from my house where the temperature always seems to drop about ten degrees.

[Wicked96SS]

Well, this morning wasn't nearly as cold (it was about 50 degrees) and I paid careful attention to that area on my ride in this morning. Didn't seem any colder today... I am still wondering what was going on.

Put that "fog off" on my goggles, stuff didn't help. sigh.

[dassa]

Originally Posted by ozyran440

LOL I was thinking more along the lines of a Dementer nearby

Yeah, just eat some chocolate. You'll be fine.