Coldest ride of my life, cuz I was young and stupid, was from OK City, OK to Sherman, TX at Thanksgiving time (1980) to visit my only closeby relatives, an uncle and aunt who were building their retirement home at the time. The temperature as I left the north side of OK City was 29F and falling with flakes starting to come down.
I had my leather jacket, some workboots, a sweater, jeans, cotton socks, a 3/4 face helmet and an unfaired XS850. Since I was leaving from my blue collar job, my t-shirt and socks were wet from sweat.
I was already cold by the time I got to the south side of OK City.
But I was NOT gonna miss being with relatives at Thankgiving. Period.
The LONGEST FRICKIN' RIDE OF MY LIFE...I stopped at a greasy spoon somewhere in southern Oklahoma for some chili, hot chocolate, hot anything and defrost myself. I have no idea where the cafe was on the southbound Interstate, but it had broken floor tiles and a drop ceiling that was partially "dropped". Once my core temperature felt like it was back up to 98F, I headed out to the bike, took a few gulps of Blackberry Brandy and started up again.
I followed semi after semi in a cold staring gaze trying to shield myself from the cold in the "still" air behind the trailer going 80mph. Cold and stupid.
Finally, after an interminable amount of time, I made it to Sherman. Stopped at a phone booth and called my Uncle to come lead me to his house in the outskirts. Followed him through the snow back to his place. Never felt so good to be stopped and in a warm house with family. It was a great time to be with them...
I am glad I didn't know how much grit it would take to get there, but get there I did...and would do it again.
This time..better prepared.