KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- The return of the cold air and blistering winds did not stop local motorcycle enthusiasts from starting the new year with their annual Freeze Your Buns Run.
Several dozen members of the Freedom of Road Riders Local # 19 braved the strong winds Sunday to ride their motorcycles about 34 miles to Brashear and back. The goal of the annual event is to ride a mile for every degree the temperature is at noon on New Year's Day. They said the event has been around since the 80s. KTVO asked them how to dress for a ride in such cold temperatures.
"I wear long underwear as you can probably see," said Steve King, of the Freedom of Road Riders, Local #19. "We'll wear our leather. Leather is not only good for keeping you warm. It is also good in case you fall down. Leather doesn't tear so you can slide and it'll scuffle the leather, not your skin. Some people have heated gear that you plug into the bike and have heated gloves, a heated vest, or heated pants."
King said most of the riders wear insulated head scarves as well. To avoid the strong winds, King said they'll ride mostly east and west and also travel on Business 63 so they can ride at a lower speed.
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