Comments on: Cold Weather Insanity

By: Touring Motocycle Tires

Touring Motocycle Tires — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:29:50 +0000

Its risky to ride in ice but if i had the guts, i would dare. But totally covered from head to toe. But without gloves, now i think that’s crazy!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:19:21 +0000

Kathygnome: I still have not run across the rider in question but I bet your are correct about him. Still—gloves aren’t an extravagance…

By: Kathygnome

Kathygnome — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:23:30 +0000

I have a feeling that maybe the metro rider didn't have a choice? Ride in the cold is one thing, without warm gear is another.

I feel like I'm sort of lucky, just when it got too cold for me to want to ride, we got a blizzard on Cape and I had to put Lemon Squeezy, my LX150, away in my in-laws garage.

By: Sojourner rides

Sojourner rides — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:43:09 +0000

I’m not sure I’d agree that you were/are a wuss–but I know, I think, how you feel. When I see someone riding in below freezing temps I’ll beat up on myself a bit. I have to remind myself that riding shouldn’t be a relative thing…it’s for me/us to do as and when we please without the comparison–but I’m saying this because I need to hear it ’cause I typically say “dang” when I see someone out there if I’m not…I always enjoy visiting here…

By: American Scooterist Blog

American Scooterist Blog — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:42:06 +0000

Wow. My post reads a Lot harsher than I meant it. Please take it in the spirit I meant it and not like some arrogant you-know-what.

Harv

By: American Scooterist Blog

American Scooterist Blog — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:54:24 +0000

You're ridden in the snow. You know it can be done. Back in those days it was more of a personal test to see if you could do it. But now you know it isn't necessary. You've seen both the good and difficult aspects of riding in this kind of weather.

When a rider has been doing it long enough to become truly experienced that rider doesn't need anyone elses reasoning to determine whether to ride in inclement weather. You're not a "wuss", you just evolved to the next level of "experienced rider". The one where not only does no one else influence your choice of ride, but also under what conditions you determine are safe for You.

If the point is to ride for the love of riding (there is no other real reason as far as I'm concerned), then ride safely in winter by way of a snowmobile.

Harv

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:12:01 +0000

Orin: Thanks for the reminder about REI. I used to buy a lot of stuff from them back in the 1980s when they were still focused on being an outfitter. Over time my buying has wandered to LL Bean and Cabelas. But I need to take a look at REI again.

I'm going to have to take a look at a Buff. My thin polypropylene ski mask is a bit thin for my liking. Time for something more serious.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:09:08 +0000

Bob: Minus 23F is just hard to imagine. And having said that if the temperature ever gets that low here I will be out on the Vespa seeing if I can do it.

I think you are on the money about reading between the lines and thinking about decisions. One of the powerful benefits of riding, in my opinion, is how it demands attention to stay safe. It focuses the mind and body in a way that just doesn't happen easily. I know that it is possible to zone out on two wheels and pay attention to nothing but not if you want to stay safe.

One thing I didn't mention about the scooter rider in the picture was that he also had ear buds in his ears. So he was probably listening to his iPod or something while freezing...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:03:59 +0000

dom: It's hard to know how people rationalize or justify the choices they make as riders. I will just have to wait until I cross paths with this young man and ask him how he manages the cold with no protection. I see a lot of college students on bicycles attired in a similar manner. Perhaps the scooterist in question doesn't consider himself a rider and the scooter is just a variation on a bicycle.

Jack: I have to agree with everything you outlined in your comments about the scooter rider.

My hands were always cold in the winter and no glove or mitten could keep them warm when the temperature dropped below 30. The Gerbing electric gloves were the answer and now I am fine down to about 5 degrees.

I have had little time of late to catch up online. I am in the middle of a lot of projects and only slowly finding balance.

Thanks for commenting. I always look forward to your writing!

By: Orin

Orin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:07:40 +0000

Steve, in either case, I would look like Charlie Brown. Long thick socks, thermal underwear, a long-sleeve tee, a fleece shirt, freshly-washed jeans (slightly thicker than would be the case if I'd been wearing them), topped off by a brown fake-down stuffed jacket that looks like an M65 parka except it has no hood and pockets you can put your hands in.

Okay, I wouldn't be like the Stig (see BBC TopGear) and wear a helmet on the bus. In that case, I wear a big (but not big enough to hold dreadlocks) knit cap and a Buff polar fleece collar thing, which I can pull up to nose level if necessary. Yes, I'd be in real trouble if the bus driver had the heat cranked, but he didn't.

But if I had ridden, I'd have worn a Buff (best 15 bucks I ever spent) in balaclava mode under the full-face helmet.

As I keep reminding people, there's this company called REI that sells all kinds of clothing that keeps you warm and dry...

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool