OHV Riding In Cold Weather

Why would anyone want to ride an OHV in cold weather?  Well, usually we don't if we have a choice -- unless you have an ATV or side-by-side with a snow plow!   But sometimes we may get the urge to go riding when the weather isn't cooperating or sometimes we might just get caught out on the trails by bad weather sneaking up on us, which can happen all too often even when we try to keep an eye on the weather!  And old margarine commercial used to say ''It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!" but Mother Nature doesn't have any qualms about fooling us!

Most OHV riding is done in the summertime or in late spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate.   However, you may want to take advantage of riding opportunities in colder weather or you may find the weather turns unexpectedly cold on an otherwise warm outing.  Either way, it is good to be prepared for riding in cold weather.

Enclosed OHVs, like some UTVs or side-by-sides, can be fully enclosed and sometimes even have heaters.   If your UTV has removable windows, be sure you install them before embarking on any rides in cold weather.  Even if it doesn't have a heater the enclosed space will keep you out of the wind preserve body and engine heat to help keep you warmer.  Do not hang anything in window areas that will block your view.

Open OHVs, such as dirt bikes, ATVs, and snowmobiles will require dressing warm.   Some UTVs and side-by-sides have more enclosed spaces and sometimes even have heaters to keep you warm.  If not, you will need to dress warm to enjoy riding in them too.  Dressing warm usually means dressing in layers so you can adjust to changing temperatures while out on a ride.  You might be surprised how quickly you will warm up once you start riding.  You should always feel a little cooler just standing around before you start out.  If you start getting warm enough to sweat you will need to open some zippers or stop and shed some layers.  The last thing you want when riding in cold weather is to get sweaty.  As soon as you activity level decreases you will get very cold very fast.

Riding in REALLY cold weather means you many have to deal with frost on your ATV and UTV windshields and sometimes even on your face shield or goggles and icy spots on roads.  Because OHV windshields are usually made of plastic instead of glass you don't want to scrape the ice off like you do your car.  It will scratch the plastic.  Better to cover the windshields at night so there is no frost on them in the morning.  If you need to clear frost off an OHV windshield, a little warm water or water mixed with rubbing alcohol may help.  Same thing with face shields and goggles.  Once you start out be aware that it is likely there will be frozen spots in shady areas of roads and trails.  On pavement that may mean black ice.  On dirt roads and trails it may be unmelted snow.  In any case, exercise extra caution crossing these areas, especially if they are on a curve.  Another hidden hazard is soft spots in frozen ground that can trap you or throw you off course.  You might also find frost on exposed seats on dirt bikes and ATVs left unprotected.  This is easily solved by wiped the seats with a soft towel -- or prevented by protecting the seat when left unattended.   

Cold weather is going to be more of an issue for riders of dirt bikes and ATVs than for drivers of UTVs and other off-road vehicles.  Even fairly open UTVs provide significantly more protection against cold wind and weather than you get on a dirt bike or ATV.  Some, but certainly not all UTVs are even equipped with a heater like those found in cars and trucks to help ward off the chill.   Snowmobilers sometimes add electric hand warmers and these might even be adapted to dirt bikes and ATVs if they produce enough electrical power.  Note, the magneto on machines not designed for electrical lighting may not be sufficient to operate electrical accessories without being upgraded.

Often riding in cold weather means riding in snow.  You may be able to negotiate short runs in snow on regular off-road knobby tires but if you plan to do a lot of riding in deep snow you will want more aggressive paddle tires like those used in sand.  Some riders add spikes to their tires to increase traction on ice and packed snow.  Take care if you choose to implement this technique.  Improper installing of the spikes can result it flat tires, tire damage, or spikes being ejected and injuring riders or bystanders.  Riding in snow  may also necessitate dark goggles or sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

Goggles and face shields are more likely to fog up on the inside on cold days.  To prevent fogging apply an antifog solution to the inside of the lens.  A favorite among off roaders is brand named "Cat Crap", which may be kind of  turn off for some people but it really does work better than just about anything else I've tried.  Sometimes, in a pinch you might use an old diver's trick:  use your own saliva.  It won't work as good as "Cat Crap" but it is better than nothing and, unless you are dehydrated, you should always have some available.  Note:  in below freezing temperatures it may freeze on your goggles so you might want to test it on another surface before ruining your vision for the rest of the ride.

A very common problem for cold weather riding in all OHVs is cold hands.  The usual solution is to wear warmer gloves.  I like Windchill gloves for dirt bike riding or adding glove liners.  I have found that cheap knit gloves (sometimes even found at dollar stores) work pretty well inside my off-road gloves. Jersey gloves are usually too bulky but inexpensive knit gloves have worked well for us. Chemical hand warming pads are also helpful for keeping hands warm inside gloves or mittens.  BTW, mittens are usually warmer than gloves, but you sacrifice some dexterity.  Mittens can be a very good choice for passengers in a UTV.  Chemical hand warmers can be tucked into your gloves and chemical foot warmers into your boots if you have trouble keeping your extremities warm.  They even have larger sizes you can put on your back and tummy if you need more warmth.

Cold weather riding usually means dressing in layers, more than you normally use, from head to toe.  Where you may normally wear a helmet and goggles you might need to add a balaclava or face mask to help keep your head warm.  You will probably want to wear a Windchill jersey instead of a regular one and, if it is cold enough, perhaps thermal underwear beneath the jersey.  When it gets colder, you will want a warmer coat like an Enduro jacket to keep your body warm. In really cold weather you may need something heavier and warmer than an Enduro jacket, maybe even a parka.  You will definitely want warmer gloves or glove liners and may even want to add chemical hand warmers.  I have found that inexpensive knit gloves work pretty well under my riding gloves and are a lot less expensive than glove liners.  Chemical hand warmers are small and light weight so you can usually slip them into your gloves.  They even make large body warmers if you need extra warmth on your torso.  Riding pants are already fairly heavy but on colder days you will probably want to add thermal underwear.  Motocross socks are usually thick enough to provide sufficient insulation on colder days, but you might want to add sock layers or chemical foot warmers if your feet still get cold.   BTW, those chemical hand and foot warmers do begin to cool down after a while.  You can usually warm them up again by taking them out and shaking them so more air can react with the chemicals to give you a boost of warmth.

Don't overdress!  Riders sometimes have a tendency to dress too warmly.  You should feel a little bit cool (not cold or chilled) when standing around before you start your ride.  If you are already comfortably warm before you start riding you will most likely get too hot fairly quickly once you start riding.   Over dressing can cause you to sweat, which in turn will make you colder and even possibly risk hypothermia!  You will probably need to dress warmer riding a dirt bike or an ATV and less warmer riding in n enclosed and heated UTV.  You might not even to dress as warmly in an unheated UTV as the enclosed or at least partially enclosed body shelters you from most of the wind and can help capture both body and engine heat to keep you warmer than on an open OHV,  Snowmobile suits or similar insulated coveralls provide a lot of warmth but can it can be difficult to safely cool down as your level of activity generates excess body heat on aggressive rides.

Rain can catch up to you even on warm summer days.  If rain is in the forecast it is wise to have rain gear.  A complete rain suit (jacket and pants) that covers your whole body provides the best protection but even carrying a lightweight water resistant nylon jacket or a cheap plastic poncho and give you some respite from the rain if you get caught out on the trail.  I try to always have a poncho in my tool bag or a handy pocket.  It might not do the best job keeping me dry while riding, but at least it helps some and can keep most of the rain off me when stopped.  Sometimes it makes good sense to pull off the trail for a while when it starts to rain.  Even the partial protection provided by getting under a tree can help keep you a little bit dryer.  If  you start out in the rain or know you will be riding in the rain, start out wearing a rain suit.  Otherwise tuck a lightweight jacket or poncho in your tool kit or pack in case you get caught in the rain out on the trails.  Your need for rain bear might be reduced if you have a UTV with a windshield and roof to protect you from the rain.  Even a cheap plastic poncho can help keep your torso drier and warmer and that is essential to maintaining core temperature to prevent hypothermia.

 If you do get wet out on the trail, try to find someplace to dry off as soon as possible.   You will lose body heat about 25 times faster when you are wet than when you are dry and you can even get hypothermia on fairly warm days as your body loses heat.

A warm place to recover from a cold ride can be more than just comfortable, it may be necessary to prevent hypothermia or other cold related illnesses.  If your base camp includes an RV, leave the furnace set to about 70F when you go out riding so it is warm when you return.  If you are staying in a tent, make sure it is closed up while your are away.  If you have a tent heater, start it up as soon as you can when you get back from your ride.  Leave heavy, cold, wet clothing outside.  Remove all wet clothing.  Put on warm, dry clothes or wrap yourself in a blanket or sleeping bag until you warm up.  Having something warm to drink or maybe even to eat when you get back to camp can also be helpful.  Hot coffee, tea, and hot cocoa are always a hit.  So is hot soup or chili.  That is really easy to do if you have a microwave in your RV but it will take a little more time if you have to heat things up on a camp stove or campfire.  A campfire, however, may be pleasant and helpful anytime.  I like to prepare my campfire before I go out on a cold day to ride so it is ready to light when I get back.  A warm campfire is something that can be enjoyed by everyone in your riding party.  For a nice, warm, cold weather snack around the campfire we like to make a dip of about half chili and half cream cheese, warm it up, and serve it with the big Frito's Scoops corn chips.  And nothing warms you quite a quickly and comfortably than a nice hot beverage.  Many folks like coffee or tea but I prefer the thicker texture and nutrition of hot cocoa.

Stay warm!