Comments on: Why I Don’t Ride In Winter

By: Timothy

Timothy — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:23:00 +0000

In one of the books about the history of Watertown, Wisconsin, there is a chapter about the (in)famous man whom reporters from Milwaukee came out to write about (40 miles west), known for hibernating the entire winter. I’m convinced our circadian cycles make us more inclined to sleep longer in the winter.
This winter in particular, with it’s record snow and cold, is a lot different from last year when I rode most of the year. I’ve had a hard time even getting out to thegarage to run and warm up my engine, although I’ve done it. My tires are somewhat bald, and I am mostly waiting for roads that are free of ice here in Michigan. Alas, it is March and the time is coming.
But I sure relate to what you write. Most of us do, because winter is a time for huddled, curled up coziness and sleep!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:18:00 +0000

irondad: My experience has been similar. The desire to ride has ebbs and flows. I expect to be riding more soon. The snow is melting...

ale: I have definitely not been riding as much. Not sure exactly why but I'm sure that will change.

pvino: I have so far dodged the flu. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

sarch: Exactly. Once on the road things get better!

By: Sarch

Sarch — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:21:00 +0000

I know exactly of what you speak Steve!

Many times I had to "make myself" saddle up for a ride because I knew that once I broke the seal and made myself get "out there" I would be glad. And it has never failed to be an accurate prediction of how I ended up feeling about the ride.

By: Lucky

Lucky — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:28:00 +0000

When I lived in Minnesota, I always found short jaunts outside in the winter to be worse that longer periods. The shock of the temperature change is horrible at first, but eventually one gets used to it and resumes having a good time. Too bad that usually takes me a solid ten minutes...

I love the photos in this post.

By: Pvino

Pvino — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Steve,

Enjoy your warmth and in-door comfort and avoiding a dreaded cold or worse off a severe seasonal Flu. That will surely stop your scootering/BLOGGING.
Spring coming around the corner. Someday I may buy one of those super small capsule car "Smart" or "Fit" and drive around taking pictures when weather affects my scootering enjoyment. Besides the the capsule cars are small enough that will make me feel like I am riding a scooter. :)

Stay warm and comfortable spring is around the corner.

By: Ale-

Ale- — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:32:00 +0000

oh, I just didn’t notice much the transition from fall to winter riding, but I must be luckier as in the coast of Tuscany the temperatures did never fall below 2 deg C, so the cold has never been a concern.
C’mon, Steve, you are the Vespa rider stitched in my mind as “the all-year-long rider”, how can you post such a retreat? har har har! just jokin’.
enjoy life as you like, it’s the only way to live I know…!

By: irondad

irondad — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:15:00 +0000

I would be the last to pressure you to ride in snow and ice. Especially in traffic. Weirdly enough, I've been just the opposite, lately. I wake up at around 4 AM ready to go. It's a little after 5 right now. Used to be like that and then it faded. Now it's back. Don't know why.

I gotta go ride. It's just above freezing, clear, and the half moon is shining brightly!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:12:00 +0000

doug c: It just takes a force of will for me to get up and ride when it is really cold. I think some part of me is glad to see the weather forecast call for snow...

It's windy and 10 degrees right now and the roads are dry. I figured I would ride to work but the weather forecast is calling for snow showers on and off all day. I don't know what it means but it is enough to have me reaching for the keys to the truck.

conchscooter: The last picture is one of the less scenic and more heavily trafficked paths home. I seldom ride that way unless I want to shoot a picture of hell. And by most urban standards it is pretty tame. That's rush hour and there isn't much rush.

Since you don't want to be cold anymore I guess you are never going to stay at Sweden's ICE HOTEL.

road captain: There is something to be said for spring riding after a long absence. And I certainly am becoming more enamored of staying warm and cozy at home.

I checked out your site and watched the video illustrating the heightened sexiness of Harley riders. No wonder there are so many around and so few Vespa's!

By: Road Captain

Road Captain — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:23:00 +0000

Count me out of action from the beginning of January into March. I don’t enjoy being cold, I don’t enjoy riding in the cold, so why should I do it? My HOG chapter can poke fun at me all they want, but my bike is winterized and I am home warm typing blog posts and reading other blog posts like yours… and life is good. But it will be ten times better in the spring!

By: Conchscooter

Conchscooter — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:18:00 +0000

That last picture doesn’t look like the sticks to me with all that busyness…Personally I never want to be cold again, and its supposed to get to 57 degrees, outside, tonight. Frost free for me thanks.