There is no bad riding weather. Well, I suppose I wouldn’t be quick to ride in a hurricane, tornado, ice, or snowstorm. Not sure about the snowstorm. I didn’t always believe this though but now when I get up in the morning to look at the weather it isn’t to decide if I will ride or not but simply how I will dress. Like the other day going to work after a night of hard rain. Still a bit of mist in the air and scattered rain called for the First Gear jacket. Winding along a farm lane towards campus was just another small gift of beauty that I would miss if I weren’t riding. Beaver Stadium appears like Brigadoon as I came over a rise.
When I started riding there was one weather to ride in—warm and dry. There was no thought or contemplation; it was just an obvious truth. Almost every motorcycle riding technique book that I read supported this notion and suggested that any riding in “bad” weather was to be undertaken in emergencies only and then at extreme risk. So it was pretty easy to keep riding when I did. On nice days like it was last Sunday when I chanced upon a field of sunflowers. A nice warm happy riding day.
Over time my desire to ride forced me to question the days I was leaving the Vespa at home. I started to explore the road surfaces, gear to protect me from the elements, my riding skills, and ultimately test for myself the premise I had been operating under that two-wheels were for warm and dry days. From that mental opening I have found great joy riding almost all the time. My own mental barriers gave way to experience. Fortunately I had no fashion or stylistic requirements that would have made riding in wet or cold weather impossible. I’ve heard more than one rider tell me they hate cold wet riding. Usually under cross-examination I find that those conclusions were derived from intuition or from having been caught in a sudden change of weather without the proper gear.
Almost every time I ride I think about the weather and how I might improve the way I deal with it. For me the biggest challenge is hot weather and I have yet to find what I consider the ideal protective pants. But I’m still thinking. I tell new photographers who are seeking ways to improve their photography to not limit the times they pick up their cameras to bright sunny days. There is magic in all those other kinds of weather. Same goes for riding.
POSTSCRIPT: This is my 200th blog post. Time sure flies when you’re having fun! Here is a link to the post number 1. Didn’t even warrant a comment. The experience with the Ford Ranger has changed a bit though, I can go a lot longer on a tank of gas
Rain and dark are still the two riding conditions that I stay away from. I am still a noob though. Riding in the heat is tough (I live in TX) and I have not found a pair of pants or a ff that will handle the 95+ degrees and 90% humidity!! I’ve stooped to wearing jeans and a 3/4 on those days.
Jenni
GT 200L 2006
Steve, congratulations on both the award, and the 200th post. I have enuoyed your journeys for the past year or so. Keep it up!
I’m curious why you don’t use a windscreen?. I would feel naked w/o one. I just carry a cheap rainsuit in the side case and wear it over the jacket/Levis if needed.
Found no cure for slick roads but slow corners and more distance.
The photographs just keep getting richer and richer, perhaps helped along by the abundant greenery. Now you want me to think about liking riding in fog? Argh! It was 95 and pouring rain on my way to work tonight, which is entirely okay. Fog? You really are a terrible influence.
Steve,
Your synopsis on your scootering and accompanying photographic log are just fantastic. Scootering and photography does go hand in hand. In South Africa where journalist and photographers travel in open top vehicles, just to get closer to the action, the open air feel, unrestricted atmosphere, and closeness with the environment adds nothing but a genuine article. Its “Genuinicity” if there such a word.
Continue with the great blogs…
phil
I have a ’79 p125x (with a 175cc engine)…and you have done what I’ve been saying to myself to do – made it an actual utility. People ride them around here for the aesthetic, but I’m definitely about the utility, and the aesthetic.
Bravo! 🙂
jenni: Rain and dark certainly require a much different approach and the risk of mishap is higher. I feel they are manageable though. Of the two I feel darkness is more problematic.
I can’t imagine riding in the Texas heat!
chewy: Thanks! Hope to have 200 more!!
alnvilma: Good question about the windscreen and I have had it suggested more than once. I don’t mind the wind blast against me and have never warmed to the appearance of them on the Vespa. Call me vain…
conch: I bet the fog in your part of the world is heavier than it is here. I wouldn’t ride if I could see a bit of road ahead. I may be crazy but I’m not….
phil: Being in the open makes a huge difference in awareness. I was driving today in my truck and just felt completely cutoff in the tinted, air conditioned comfort.
jared: I’m convinced that the Vespa is completely feasible as a daily transport vehicle for me. Good luck with your own adventures!
While I certainly think no less of riders who don’t venture out in rain or extremes of temp, I do feel a bit sorry for them ‘cuz I know what they’re missing. While I’ll take sunny, dry and 65F any day for pure cycling fun, great satisfaction can also come from meeting the more extreme conditions head on…and winning. Proper technique, riding gear and (as you well point out Steve)frame of mind will counter most of what Ma Nature throws at you.
Speaking of the differences between the first post and here, check you out now!
Some of us have been a “bad” influence on you, haven’t we? We’ve led you further down the path and you just couldn’t resist following, could you?
Worse yet, you like it don’t you?
Keep it up and you’ll not only be the philosopher, but a genuine “Bad” rider as well!
Thank you for the nice post.
What a Nice bike. You’ve reached my dream. congratulations and enjoy it.
http://pexi.mediterrum.com/guzzi_breva_weblog
I agree with comments about heat being the most adversial climate condition. I ride in Italy with my motorbike, and I can tell you that then there are 35-40 degree celsius (over 100 F) riding ceases to be a pleasure…almost 😉
I almost managed to solve the problem buying both a jacquet and trousers with all necessary protections, but made of a textile (mesh in English?) that lets air completely pass through. The jaquet is a speedi NL5 and the trousers are Clover Airtrek, if you are interested. Worth every cent they cost.
Thats why Bikers are HOT !
Steve, I met you at the Top Secret rally a couplea years ago–a friend just sent me a link to your blog, which I am sad to say I haven’t kept up with. I’m glad to see it again and to see how your adventures have evolved–I’ll be sure and check in now and then.
Anne Cox