The Vespa parked outside Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lion football team. While they get ready for the Outback Bowl in Tampa I’m standing in the parking lot chilled to the bone. Unusual for me with the temperature hovering at 20F. Bone chills arrive near 0F. Something’s wrong.
Walking Junior an hour earlier he seemed oblivious while I suffered as wind cut through everything I had on. This winter has been a bigger adjustment. I almost left the scooter in the garage.
The chill picked up where it left off as I approached the Vespa at the end of the day. It wasn’t a gear problem either. I think my winter attitude hasn’t arrived.
At the video store I watched the last beams of sunlight warm the side of a building across the parking lot. None for me though as I took one last picture before heading home.
It’s just one of those rides where my head isn’t in the game. Every vehicle seems ready to cut me off or turn in front of me. The road surface is more confusing with patches of ice and myriad stripes of moisture. The ride required exceptional attention. Maybe it wasn’t any different than other rides, maybe it was the cold.
Writing now, hours after returning home, I believe I could walk out to the garage and go for a ride. The chill has departed. Maybe my winter attitude is here…
Wow, riding in 20F weather without a wind screen! I would say you have reason to wince about riding. At that point for me the thrill is gone… as BB King says so well!
Mike: that’s just the thing–normally I’m unfazed at those temperatures but lately just can’t get (or stay) warm.
A windscreen wasn’t necessary in the past but who knows what the years have brought.
Summer has finally arrived here in New Zealand and the Vespa has shed the windscreen and rear box that makes winter riding practical. It’s always a treat to remove these additions, a southern hemisphere Xmas tradition
Honestly Steve, I’ve been experiencing the same thing with the cold when riding. I don’t notice it if I’m wearing my coveralls, but in previous years, I’ve been OK in jeans and a heavy coat.
I’ll note though that riding the scoot in the cold makes walking around the woods, in this weather, with a rifle or bow that much more manageable.
Anonymous: Sometimes I wish I had those additions about now. Just this evening someone offered me a windscreen. But then I would miss the blast of air on my chest when I ride.
Christmas greets to you in New Zealand!
Paul: Riding in winter does build Character!
Paul: Or is that characters??
The thing i like about you is that you love trying out new things and taking risks! That’s a thing many riders fear! But at 20F! Oh goodness! Don think i would have made it through!