Comments on: Riding When the Rest of the World Doesn’t

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:33:54 +0000

Lucky: I agree, there is something special about the air sweeping in over the ocean. More than once I have wondered about moving closer to the sea.

I've seen studded tires for the Vespa but am content now to live snow covered road travel vicariously. I have fallen down in the snow.

No wind induced falls yet though.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:30:23 +0000

irondad: You are always so thoughtful and reasonable. If I asked your wife if that's the real you what would she say?

Good thoughts though regardless.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:27:26 +0000

Mr. Riepe: It took awhile this year for the realignment process to be complete.

Maybe is goes slower with age.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:26:43 +0000

David: Thanks for your kind words. And I haven't forgotten your photograph. I'm just slow....

Orin: I really believe a lot of riders are missing the boat on riding in colder weather. I know more than a few riders I have talked to describe how bad conditions are when the temperature drops below 60. When I push them on clothing they are riding with the same gear they do at 90.

No wonder they're cold!

By: Lucky

Lucky — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:48:42 +0000

There's something about a brisk wind and cold sea spray that always makes me feel a little more alive. Having grown up in a house just 300 feet away from a cliff overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence, I can truly say that I sometimes miss the salty air and the weather that came with it (good and bad).

Met a guy in the Magdalen Islands a few years ago that rode his 650 V-Strom year-round. He'd bought some knobbies and a stud-gun, then with little more than a small drill proceeded to make his own studded winter tires. Told me he'd never had a spill due to road conditions... but the wind had knocked him off the bike a few times! ;-)

Cheers,
Lucky

By: irondad

irondad — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:54:56 +0000

Reminds me of the movie "Splash". Tom Hanks' character goes to Cape Cod to realign. ( nice word, Jack R!)

It's probably an ego thing that will earn me extra penance at some point, but I take great satisfaction in riding when few people do. So I can't complain that they don't ride. Otherwise there would be no comparison.

Interestingly, I will be in Connecticut next month. Not riding there, though. Next year I'm going to chuck it all and spend some weeks riding across the U.S. Need some realignment of my own.

P.S. Thank you for the mention in an earlier post. I'm honored. Except for being in the same paragraph as Jack, that is!

By: Jack Riepe

Jack Riepe — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:27:02 +0000

Dear Steve:

The coast of Maine is where people goe to realign their souls. The place has a way of putting things in perspectve.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

By: Orin

Orin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:54:53 +0000

I've gotten e-mails from many people who say they put their bikes away when the daytime high temperature is consistently 50F. Ironically, most of them live in the PNW (where one is always admonished to dress in layers), home to a company called REI, which offers an excellent selection of inclement-weather clothing in its numerous retail outlets.

Go figure...

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: David Masse

David Masse — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:52:55 +0000

Really nice post. Great pictures of one of my most favourite places. Really appreciated.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:26:16 +0000

David: Ogunquit is a great place to recharge your batteries. I see a lot of license plates from Canada in the parking lot following your lead.

I'm off to Perkins Cove in a few minutes for breakfast. The sun is shining this morning so I hope someone is open to feed me.