Comments on: Frigid Riding and the Battery Tender

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:43:49 +0000

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.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:05:23 +0000

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

By: Anthony | Heated Jacket

Anthony | Heated Jacket — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:13:14 +0000

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..

By: Jeremy Z

Jeremy Z — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:13:00 +0000

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?

By: Hilton Hamann

Hilton Hamann — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:50:00 +0000

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

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:49:00 +0000

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

By: Cheap Scooters

Cheap Scooters — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:42:00 +0000

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?

By: Orin

Orin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:12:00 +0000

Love the new masthead!

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:16:00 +0000

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...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:13:00 +0000

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.