I decided last night that I would ride the Vespa to work this morning. The forecast called for a dusting of snow and temperatures in the teens. When I got up there was fresh dry snow on the driveway. The road was mostly clear with a few streaks of white here and there. The temperture was 19 degrees.
I don’t have any formal winter riding gear. I put on long underwear, shirt, pile shirt, windstopper jacket and on top of it all my Triumph armored jacket (vented). I have a Mountain Hardware skimask and full face helmet. That is plenty as long as I stay dry and the temperture doesn’t drop below 15. Someday maybe I’ll get a one-piece riding suit.
The main roads into town were mostly clear and I could ride along with the traffic. Once in town on secondary streets I found some to be covered with a frosting of worn snow. I stopped and put my feet down to check the slickness and decided to slow down a bit more. Down the hill to the first stop sign I used the rear brake and was fine. Got to my free parking and walked on to work. I took this photograph from the library across the street.
I have to say it was just fun riding in cold and all. When I ride the bus or drive my car I am just putting up with the commute. This is a much better use of my life.
[…] Over the years I have warmed my cold gloves and hands on the scooter muffler or headlight. Just a bit of warmth that can ward off misery. I placed both my gloved hands on the muffler and could feel a little heat. I looked at the exposed header pipe and said to myself if the muffler felt warm the header pipe would feel even warmer. Well, that’s sort of true. […]