It was cold yesterday morning. The kind of cold that makes my dog hesitate at the door. Accuweather said it was -4 Fahrenheit. Too cold to ride. The road was dry and white from salt and the sun was coming up in a clear blue sky. Its been almost two weeks since the last time the Vespa was on the road and more snow was forecast for later in the day. Even if I had wanted to ride the Vespa wouldn’t start after sitting in an unheated garage for so long. As I made my way through shredded wheat mixed with almonds, blueberries, and raisins I wondered if my riding clothes could deal with subzero temperatures. They’re all hanging in the garage. Probably frozen solid. Besides, it was four degrees below zero, no fun riding in that. And the scooter probably wouldn’t start.
Probably.
The headlight came on when I turned the key. Looks bright. That’s a good sign. A touch of the starter button and a few extra cranks of the engine and it came to life. I could ride if I wanted. Shortly I was geared up and pushing the scooter through the snow to a relatively clear spot in the driveway. The Vespa’s ambient temperature indicator is flashing 11 degrees. A quarter mile later it was flashing 2 degrees. After some slow travel on secondary roads to make sure everything was working properly in the cold I pulled onto PA Route 45 with the indicator blinking 0 degrees. This was the coldest I had ever ridden.
My gear was doing a good job keeping the cold out. The only real problem was the ice building up inside the visor. Cracking it open does not clear ice as it does fog. Riding at 50 mph was out of the question so I had to breathe carefully to keep it at a minimum. The indicator blinked -2 degrees, the lowest it would go during this ride. Ten miles from home the tips of my fingers were beginning to get cold despite my Gerbing electric gloves on full power. Fourteen miles from home I decided it was time to turn around and find some warmth.
Sitting at a booth in a local convenience store I was content to hold a cup of hot chocolate, fingers wrapped around the paper cup absorbing heat from the hot liquid. Even the hot BBQ sign warmed my spirits.
After a quick stop at the veterinarian’s office to get some special dog food I pulled into the parking lot of Kissell Motorsports to look at a Battery Tender. In the past I relied on frequent riding to keep the battery charged but the harsher winter will eventually kill the battery. Keeping the GTS on a trickle charger makes sense today. The addition of a Gerbing adaptor will allow me to plug into the outlet for my gloves.
It’s hard to explain riding in cold weather. I don’t think you can. You have to experience it. And with the proper gear. Otherwise it will be miserable. I was reading an article this morning in the January 16 edition of the New York Times about climbing Mount Washington in the winter. One of the climbers describes the experience, “There’s a simple purity in all that quiet”. I find that riding in general but especially in winter.
The snow has been coming down all night and the roads are bad. Until they clear the Vespa can sip on milliamps.
I dont know you, and my english is very poor, but congratulations to your words
Rui (Portugal)
You are very very brave to brave it in the snow….!!!!
Even though our average high temp in Kansas is about 40 at this time of year, we just had a couple of 50+ degree days. Was really cold earlier in the week and I rode to work in 12 degree weather one day. Never thought 50 would feel that good. I hope that some of these warmer days head up your direction.
There is something about riding when it seems the rest of the world is “holed up”.
Rode Friday when it was 2 F here. Wish you had a trick to stop visor fogging and iceing. Maybe an electric visor??
Just wish it was a little dryer. It’s been a really precipitious (is that a word) fall and winter after a drought this summer. Ice stops me.
I’ve got a tire for you to try when you wear those out. Heidenau K58s. Good in rain and snow, not worth a durn on ice.
Anyway, keep her moving. Love to read your stuff.
Rui: Thank you.
Baron’s Life: Not much snow, just cold. I have been avoiding the snow.
cpa3485: After riding in all the cold weather 50 degrees will feel great. Towards the end of this week we may so 40.
Michael: I am going to look into a breath box to see if I can keep my hot air off the inside of the visor.
I’ve looked at the Heidenaus and they seem pretty good. The Kenda K761s still look like a good and less expensive option.
our weather is not as cold as yours, but for us . . . it’s COLD. we went on our first group ride for 2009 in the fog. It was very hard to see with all that condensation “inside” your visor. you have to learn to breathe sideways out of your mouth. I was thinking of getting those heated gloves. Our motorcycle show is on next week, so we’ll see what goodies they have
Today you win. I rode for hours but it was only down to 29 when I started. It was in the upper 40’s when I got back. Congratulations on your new “low”. From one Warrior to another I know about riding in cold. I salute you for “manning up”! Never underestimate a mild mannered poet, eh?
I don’t have the gear and I don’t think I have the skill to ride this time of year. So poor Lemon Squeezy my LX150 lives in a garage. But last night I dreamed of riding and I’m very envious and respectful of you!
So when I say it’s not as cold here but feels cold to me, I get a raspberry. Well, 60 (15C) does feel cold. Oh and you might want to rinse the brand new brake caliper and get the salt off before it rusts out again. I know it’s against your principles but we need you to keep on riding!
Hello Steve.
just to ask? it´s possible drive in black ice? the tyres dont go away?
Thank´s Rui
Last Week, I tried riding in sub-zero temps at night. I had to stop four times between Lebanon and Canaan, NH (one time, the inside of my face shield iced up, and I couldn’t see-so I had to ride the last four miles with it up, but it wasn’t highway any longer, so I was going slower. I had a friend follow me in a car-in case I started to get frost-bit, and had to park it. I made it back home through two miles of dirt (snow & sand covered – town highway dept has been very nice) road.
Nice! -4F is -20C, you’ve beat me by quite a bit! The roads in my area are covered in ice and snow, so it’s impossible to ride. Kudos to you Steve.
Were the roads at all slippery for you?
Giest-
The “dirt” roads are treacherously slippery, and riding with extreme care on them is essential. Keeping speed to a bare minimum, so you have ample time to brake and pass oncoming vehicles where it’s only 1 1/2 lanes wide, in a “reasonable and prudent” fashion, is Standard operating Procedure. —Bob
My limit has been in the low twenties. Here in MN its been cold and forget about the plow trucks ever coming through. We made it into the twenties the last few days. A small respite betwixt negative daytime highs and another bout of it this weekend. The 150 remains dormant and I salute you for enjoying the winter without reservation. I’ve always wondered what heated clothing must be like…
bobskoot: Cold is relative I think for riders depending on climate and gear. After being warm all summer some of my coldest riding seems to be just below 70 degrees. The transition to fall and winter seem far worst than anything I feel once I have become acclimated…
I resisted electric gloves for years stubbornly gutting it out with thick gloves and mittens that just could not keep my hands warm. My friend Paul gave me the Gerbings for Christmas and once I tried them I was hooked.
In your climate though you should go for the ones that are water resistant rather than the straight leather ones that I have.
irondad: Our “competition” is friendly and mostly in jest. In all seriousness my riding is incidental compared to the far more serious and extended riding you do. I just try and get to work and make the occasional experimental ride….
My hat (and helmet) is still tipped to you.
Kathygnome: Nothing wrong with keeping scooters and motorcycles in the garage this time of year. Cold weather and dicey roads aren’t really the stuff of dream rides. I can’t wait for warmer weather. And absolutely clear roads.
conchscooter: 60 degrees is cold on a bike or scooter. If I don’t gear up well at that temperature I am miserable.
As far as salt spray on my Vespa it is surprisingly clean. I have not really ridden in any slop yet.
Rui: Is it possible to ride on black ice? In my opinion, no. Especially if your definition of ride is being able to stop, swerve, turn, and ride at speed.
Can it be negotiated? Sort of. I have been looking for it and recognized it before getting to it. I was riding slowly to begin with and was able to slow to less than walking speed and in a straight line with feet down cross it. But that’s not riding.
So no, I don’t believe it can be ridden. And it is really hard to predict so you have to ride slowly to begin with.
Bob: Yikes! Riding sub zero with the face shield up—that’s not good unless you have a great ski mask under the helmet and moving at 5 mph.
Icing face masks are a paint and you really can’t clear them. I have though of taking off my helmet and letting exhaust clear it but them my helmet would stink.
Glad you are ok. Hope you had no frostbite damage. That sucks.
Giest: I stayed on completely dry roads save for the very occasional and completely visible patch of snow. Only once did I turn onto a covered road, the result of blowing snow, but I turned back to the dry road.
Bob Olcott: Excellent operating procedure for treacherous roads. And even then they are dicey in terms of traction. That’s where some seriously studded tires would be nice.
I’ll just stick to dry roads if I can.
harv: I would hardly say I am enjoying winter without reservation. This has been the toughest winter for me mentally and weatherwise as well. I can accept the cold with some effort but I have seemed to have lost an easy rapport with winter.
Must be age. I think of warmer climates a lot. I never think of Minnesota…
Love the new masthead!
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
MAN. I admire your courage! Sounds freezing cold. How about the ice, can’t be fun with a 2 wheel vehicle, staying on the road without sliding off?
sfw:
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone riding a 2 wheeler of any kind near 0F. might be nice going over the limit though. seeing what’s on the other side.pdr
I can’t believe how tough you guys are on that side of the pond. Here in South Africa I chicken out when it gets down to about 45F. Great images Steve.
Hilton
http://www.thelightstuff.blogspot.com
Another thought, those new Vespas (Vespa?) have the most handsome rear ends in scooter-dom.
Ever notice that in brochures and manufacturer’s online photos, they rarely show a bike’s rear end?
This post is likeable, Interesting blog, love to read it, All i can say is your so brave driving alone in the deep snow, hope to read more of your next blog..
Hi,
If your visor fogs up or ice’s over trying breathing like a bicyclist does who wears glasses.
Suck in your lower lip a little, so that your upper lip overhangs your lower lip just a little. Then just breathe. Your breath will go out down past your chin instead of up and out.
Hope it works for you.
Darlita
Dawn: I’ve tried variations of what you describe with little sustainable success. I end up forgetting on a long ride.
Holding my breath works best, at least for short periods.
I may look for a breath box for the helmet this year.