Checking the Weather Channel almost hourly, I saw the forecast open up with clear but very cold temperatures -12C for my route down I75. That´s what I needed, dry roads (no snow/slush). So making a quick decision, I wheeled out across my snow-covered driveway and hit the 401 to Windsor/Detroit.
I should have worn a snowmobile suit but didn´t want to have to throw it away or carry it to Patagonia (where it might be useful again). So wore my BMW Savannah riding gear including boots. This was supplemented with high tech ski socks, ski long johns and heated vest and gloves. Then over everything I squeezed into my $75 rain suit that normally would be a sauna but it did a great job stopping the wind. I found I could ride about 1 1/2 hours at 100kph before getting chilled.
After a very cold 4 hour ride, it was a blessing to have some difficulty crossing the US border at Detroit. It was warm in their offices.
I spent the night at a friends home in Detroit then was back on the road at 8:00AM. It was even colder than the day before!
The interste highway was boring but had he great benefit of speed. The faster I could get south to warmer weather the better. I stopped just outside Memphis for the night. the motorcycle did not seem to mind the cold temps but I worry it might be running too cool.