The thermometer read 6 degrees Fahrenheit when I got up. I wanted to see how I hold up under the lower temperatures—my previous low being 15 degrees. I dressed in my usual gear and pushed the scooter out of the garage for a few minutes warm-up. It turned over easily and in several minutes I was headed down the road. I immediately felt the icy air cutting through my jeans and long underwear at the tops of my thighs. Not bad, but definitely a new feel. I would through the back roads and streets towards town and after 20 minutes my hands were growing numb.
Parked the scooter in town and walked to Saint’s Café for hot chocolate and a bagel. My hands welcomed the warm steamy air. I relaxed for a while, read the paper, wrote in my journal and decided to ride over to my friend Gordon’s house. I took another windy route and this 20-minute leg found my hands and body fine. The temperature had climbed into the teens under a blue sky and bright sun. So it seems that I can ride OK as long as the temperature is at least in the teens and things are dry. Anything lower will require electric gloves I fear.
Finally got my rear rack yesterday. Stopped at Kissell Motorsports and they had it on in 15 minutes. Now I am ready for some scooter camping when spring arrives. Also finished watching “Long Way Round” – the documentary of Charlie Boorman’s and Ewan McGregor’s ride around the world. Twenty minutes of cold doesn’t seem so harsh now.
I loved the Long Way Round, great stuff.
Oh I love the shot of the Vespa with the snow falling. We need a pic showing the rear rack now 😀
See? It’s not all that bad, is it? I don’t know, but I suspect that many northern Europeans and Asians do this as daily routine.
All it takes is the right riding gear, and the proper tuning for the carburetor.
Almost makes me seem sane, doesn’t it?
Ride well,
=gc=
Gary,
Yeah, we probably make more of this cold weather riding because it is unusual here in our “comfort at any cost” driving culture. Like those remote starting cars, you don’t even have to go out in the cold to start them, even if they are in a heated garage.
I used to do a lot of winter backpacking and routinely slept in near zero temperatures and it was fine. Like you said, the right equipment and the right state of mind.
I’m the first to admit it, I’m spoiled and soft. But I’m getting closer to my natural roots, and part of that is to accept that I am probably a lot more durable and capable than I give myself credit for.
And as far as your sanity goes, I have never once considered you anything but focused, passionate and sane.
Keep riding.
seve
Mad,
Perhaps tomorrow I’ll make a few images of the scooter in its new “racked” configuration. I have the digital camera battery on the charger and plan to ride into work in the morning.
steve
If you ride in 6 degree weather in long johns and jeans you are one tough cookie in my book!
Dan
irondad,
But I am on “scooter time”. Long johns and jeans are OK when your rides never last much beyond 30 minutes between food stops in cold weather and speeds seldom exceed 50 MPH.
I looked at one of those Aerostich suits. My god, I could buy another scooter.
Come one warm weather!
steve