My dog enjoys the snow. She’ll happily lie outside until she’s covered in snow. I’m coming up empty though. Neither motivation nor content for any new posts. Other than this picture I made last Sunday during a snow squall I have not been riding.
My Ford Ranger faithfully transports me to work. The Vespa sits in the garage because snow on the ground, snow in the air, the threat of snow, and temperatures in the teens and single digits conspire in my head. A quick check of the weather report this morning shows 16° F and snow for the next five days doesn’t have me pulling on riding gear. While I might have ridden the old scooter on one of these days I don’t trust myself yet with the GTS. And come to think about it I don’t want to ride in snow or when there is the threat of snow. So where does that leave me?
I’ve never been good or overly interested in scouring the Web for interesting material to post here. If I stumble across something I will share it but I would rather ride and write about riding. My riding. It’s unique to me and to you if you’re interested.
The ride on Sunday followed a short nearly snowless ride on Saturday. Sunday found snow in the air and for a while snow everywhere on the road. It didn’t take long for things to melt leaving just a beautiful landscape to ride through.
I tested the GTS as best I could in the snowy areas and it seemed to perform OK. I am comfortable that if I were caught in the snow I could slowly and carefully negotiate my way to safety. But I would not want to routinely venture out knowing there would be snow.
So that’s where I am, waiting like many of you for the weather to improve. Right now if the roads are dry and the temperature is above 15° F I will ride to work. If the temperature rises above 20° F I will consider a trip. For the past few weeks I’ve been looking for clear pavement. No end in sight for snow free forecasts and even though on many days we don’t get the snow I don’t want to chance it. I’m beginning to think the bigger scooter has robbed me of something…
The bigger scooter has robbed us of things to read….
When the conditions are right, the scooter will pay you back with interest. It’ll be worth it.
Have fun,
Bill
Steve,
Anyone who writes runs out of ideas and inspiration sometimes. I’ve gotten into the habit of “stockpiling” a few ideas and stories for those cold winter days (here in Arizona…) when I feel like I need to make a blog entry but don’t have anything current and “amazing” on my mind that week. It’s not always wonderful stuff but it buys you some time until the inspiration fairy taps you with the magic wand again.
Congrats on the new scooter, by the way. I still think you should have gone for the Triumph Scramble but then I don’t have to live with the payments.
Doug
I’m not sure I understand. Do you not feel safe driving the scooter in this weather because it has more power and handles differently? Or do you worry about messing the scooter up, getting it dirty, etc.? If you are worried about the last item – I will happily volunteer to come over and key the scooter for you so that you can just get it over with!
You know what, Steve, it’s O.K. if you don’t scoot in the snow! Your personal safety is SO much more important than riding your scooter in risky weather. There are many scootering days ahead!
Monica
“I’m beginning to think the bigger scooter has robbed me of something…”
I know EXACTLY what you mean.
Ride well,
=gc=
anonymous: I haven’t stopped riding completely! Just a bad stretch of weather.
bill: I’m sure you’re right. Commuting isn’t commuting on two wheels. It’s fun. And I get to do it everyday when the weather is good.
doug: I gather ideas and scribble them down on scraps of paper but when I need them I can’t find the papers… You’re right though, it makes sense to stockpile.
hrw115: I think I’ll pass on the keying. I’m getting over the preciousness of the new scooter as it gets dirtier. And I am getting more comfortable handling it too.
Monica: I try to remain honest about the risks posed in riding. In snow I only will ride if I don’t have to compete with cars and trucks. That means routes confined to seldom traveled back roads where I can manuver along at my own pace.
Gary: I still sense the difference but the more I ride the bigger GTS the more I realize that it has opened some new doors. The smaller scooter was really nice though. It seemed as if you had absolute control over it.