I do remember reading about two people being shot while riding a snowmobile in Michigan. It’s hard to fathom how something like that could happen.

sarch: Isn’t it great to come home when you’re cold! Stepping inside, shedding the gear, and falling into the easy chair is just another benefit of cold weather riding. Thanks for pointing that out!

lea: Thanks for your kind words and congratulations on your blog. I took a look and the red and yellow Vespas that you and your husband have look great. Once you develop some traffic to your site I think people will really appreciate how great scooters are and riding is in your area.

carson: I hope you find the First Gear jacket meets your needs. Mine has served me well and it appears as if it will continue. I bought it big enough to put extra layers underneath when it gets really cold.

Ride safely this winter in Tennessee!

dru: I understand the cowboy image better now as well. The ability to sit on the Vespa, look back, and then look ahead and go creates a feeling that is hard to describe to someone who’s not ridden. In a car it just doesn’t happen for me. And it didn’t happen on a bicycle either.

I’m no cowboy but I do ride into a lot of sunsets…

maggie: thanks! Danger from gunfire is probably right below danger from snakebites. It’s really a non-issue here but because there is so much gunfire heard out in the sticks during deer hunting season it can at times sound like a war zone. I guess that’s what happens when a million hunters take to the woods.

I’m more concerned with other drivers, deer, and paying attention to what I’m doing.

irondad: You could have been an expedition mountain climber. The few I’ve talked with sound a bit like you and really come alive coping with physical challenges like the ones you describe.

What makes your riding situations so much more impressive than mine is the distances coupled with the weather. I have to admit that I would probably stay home under the covers….

squire: I’ll add it to my blog to do list—it’s getting pretty long right now and time is scarce. I’m having trouble even getting out to ride beyond my commute to work. And this past week I needed the truck half the time.

Stay tuned though and I will go through the gear I use.

Perhaps it’s my big ego!

I’m with Steve though, it’s life affirming to ride in the crisp cool air, and enjoy the crystal clear winter air.

Frost on the surfaces and the play of light, all interact with the cool touch and quiet that you find in the winter all create a kind of one with nature feeling as you feel the air rushing past you that really explains so much..

Before I started riding, I never really got the motorcycle and cowboy analogies, but riding on some of these cool mornings, or cresting a hill into a wondrous sunset and all comes home, and it becomes really easy to understand the allure of riding off into the sunset and leaving all the worries behind.

The other great thing about riding in cool weather is it gets you out of your comfort zone and helps you to feel that you are realy experiencing life. Plus it makes you appreciate the comforts of home when you return!

I’m going to check out that sctrcst. sounds interesting.