“I’m going to return the movies.” I told Kim, a strong desire to rid the house of two particularly awful movies and a chance for a short ride on a sunny day. If you ride you probably are already familiar with the tendency to volunteer to do things if it means you might have the chance to ride.
The heavy snowfall of two days ago had disappeared from the road surface and with the temperature hovering at 34° F and the sky blue it was ideal for a quick ride. It was also the first chance I had to try out my new polarized clip on sunglasses in the dazzling light reflected from a snow-covered landscape.
Riding down the road from the house the sky expanded in a sweep of blue filled with soft white clouds. I veered south at the first opportunity so I could extend the movie errand into a short ride. Cruising over the first crest I was greeted by snow blowing across the road.
The wind buffeted the GTS badly in the open areas but I was more concerned with the blowing snow. I discovered when I got home that the wind was blowing at a steady 30 MPH with gusts reaching 45 MPH. The Vespa’s temperature display switched between 32° and 34° during the ride creating a slight chance that the snow would freeze to the road.
Road conditions aside it was a beautiful day. Anticipating blowing snow and drifts was pretty simple as I picked my way along. Only once crossing a snowy patch did I feel the front tire want to break loose. I had both feet down in outrigger fashion ready to provide any emergency support.
The ride home involved a direct route free of snow but with considerably more four-wheeled traffic. Not sure which route posed the greater risk.
Sitting here in the living room with Kim and Essa pushing the pen across the page (yes, I write my posts with a fountain pen in a little notebook a lot of times) I am amazed at how much I still feel compelled to ride, and how much I completely enjoy it. Even in the cold. Especially in the cold.
Riding is important as it continues to work as a powerful tonic for the noise and weight of things collected on a daily basis. Turn the key, thumb the starter, and twist the throttle…
Wow, that first photo hooked me. This must have been a great ride.
How did the clip-ons work out? I need something like that since my helmet visor is clear, and I end up being blinded a lot of times. I have to wear glasses full time now and need an option.
Have fun,
Bill
Bill: It was a fine time on the road but I have to say I won’t be sad to see warmer weather.
The clip-ons are great. Quite dark and the polarizing feature makes things look great. It is sort of misleading as a photographer though because things don’t look that intense unless you put a polarizer on the lens of the camera.
I just got new glasses and I am having trouble getting them on once I put the helmet on. The ends are shaped differently than my old ones and seem to hang up on the inside of the helmet when pushing them on.
I’ll figure it out, hopefully before I break them.
Steve, I can see it now:
“Kim, did you remember to get those macadamia nuts that we’ll need for next Thanksgiving for that desert you make that everyone looks forward to all year long?”
“No, honey.”
“Well I’ll just pop over (3 towns over) to pick up some.”
“That’s crazy. We’ll get them later.”
“But honey, there was a terrible frost predicted for Maui tomorrow and the price of macadamia’s will just skyrocket and then you’ll feel that they cost too much and then no one will want to come for Thanksgiving because they will be so down in the dumps with disappointment.”
“Oh, Steve, my hero, so thoughtful and considerate. Of course I’d appreciate it and while you’re there why don’t you just get one of those new lenses you’ve been wanting for your camera.”
Yes, life’s little pleasures.
Tim
Hi Steve,
Congrats on your blog award, I enjoy reading of your rides on cold winter days when all I can do is think warm thoughts of spring. Even though I reside south of the Mason-Dixon, My wife is from Lebanon Pa. (the land of balogna) and I can say I have often thought how beautiful the country roads are, and I often entertain the though of bringing my PX up to get away from the inlaws. Glad to see that there is someone else out there riding on 10″ wheels. Take care.
Alex Norman
Stevensville, MD
Steve, looks like you had a great ride. On the glasses, the best thing you can do is take your helmet along to get the new glasses. I find its imperative. I wore glasses that fit under my Shoei. When I went to get new ones, the next day, no fit under helmet. Back to the eye doctor who set me up with new frames which fit better. While you still can I would take those back because there is nothing like fighting ill fitting frames which seem like they want to break in half over your nose when you try to force them inside your helmet.
I wear a seperate pari of sunglasses as I had the magnetized type and inadvertantly stuck them to the tank of the Harley. That evening I went for a nice loooooong ride. Can you say feels like an idiot? I learned to say it well.
The Roadbum
I’d still like to know how your friend Paul felt about his new electric riding gloves. I’ve had it on the brain to buy some all winter, but haven’t quite convinced myself to spend the money and do the wiring. I’d love to hear a ringing endorsement so I can justify the expense and effort.
Heated gloves. Hi Timothy. My girlfriend Amy bought me those expensive Gerbing(Harley Dav.) gloves. I think there are $140ish. They work well. It comes with an instalation kit. At speed on full power they don’t get your hands “hot”. But 30 seconds after you turn the switch on you can feel them heating up. There are heating elements all over so your finger times will never get numb again. I should have bought them 15 years ago. Regards, Paul
I like to use a fountain pen, too. Used-to use them alot taking notes in Bible College. Now, I have a complete set for occasional calligraphy work.
John
Those are awesome photos. I don’t have any detours that would put me on roads like those. My husband and I both fight over the errands to use our bikes, lol. It’s bad since we both have bikes.