Last night the long shadows paralleling US322 told me that fall is on it’s way. That and thermometer readings dropping through the sixties, into the fifties, and this morning a bracing 42F when I rolled the Vespa out of the garage.
Cold weather excites the rider in me, fueling a desire to ride that mostly lies dormant during the heat of summer. Cold, rain, snow, fog and other physically challenging forms of weather are my mountain — the manner in which I find satisfaction.
The coming of fall has a peculiar look and sound — a long, heavy light as if the sun isn’t quite ready to move across the equator for the autumnal equinox. Cicadas drone more loudly until they suddenly stop. Every living thing seems to respond to a biological imperative to brace for winter. Mount Nittany, the icon familiar to Penn State students and alumni around the world, is ready for the world to change.
Even my dog Junior seems aware of the change. Tinkering with a new iPhone photo app – Alt Photo — I stumbled upon a blue tint that combined with his serious gaze to have me thinking that, like me, he senses the coming of cold weather.
As motorcycle and scooter riders I think we all bring our own, unique reactions to the road. For some, the passing of Labor Day is the first step in winterization of the machine. For others a reminder of the few weeks left until the ride becomes unbearably cold. And for the coldblooded, foolhardy lot who swears they ride through the winter it means the start of an adventure.
To each their own. I’ve already started organizing my winter riding gear. The Heidenau snow tires are ready to mount. I hate to say it but I’ve been running snow scenarios through my head.
And all because of a few long shadows along the road…
Steve…meant to ask. Did Kissell repair your crumbling centre stand and related maladies on the Vespa
quickly or was it a retracted lengthy job?
Can’t recall if you ever said anything on the blog regarding same.
BTW 6 degrees Celsius and even less in places here at the west end of Lake Ontario in southern Ontario
Friday morning September 6.
Steve:
I am not a fan of hot weather and it went down to 13°C the other day and it was been raining all week just like it was October.
The best thing is that wearing all your gear doesn’t make you sweat. Much easier to put on than to take off
We must be looking at the same sun, we have long shadows here too
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I know what you mean about the snow tires – I have been looking at fender clearances for the studded snows I want to run on my mountain bike commuter this winter. New fenders you see. Better mudflaps. But will the studded tires fit?
It is still summer and I am thinking of this.
I am always amazed at the shadows at this time of year and you captured what I noticed the other day; 40 pr 50 foot shadows! Time to prepare the winter gear soon.
Hi, Steve
Your entry today makes me long to be back in Michigan…although the mention of 42 degrees makes me glad I’m here in New Mexico. Too soon it will reach here too, though, and the rides will be to lunches rather than breakfasts.
Karl U
Las Cruces, NM
Nice photo and post. I don’t think I’m looking forward to colder weather but that doesn’t mean I don’t get ready. I have the GripStuds on the shelf ready to install into the pusher and front tire. Fixed the wiring for the heated grips and more lights on order for the sidecar.
How high is Mount Nittany and have you ridden/hiked to the top?
After today’s riding with temperatures in the mid-90s and blazing sunny skies, I am more than ready for the cooler weather!
Hasn’t hit anything below 50 here in Wisconsin, but that’s enough to inspire thoughts of cold weather riding. Had my windscreen off all summer, and starting to think I’ll be glad for the coziness of it soon. I’ve gotten lax on wearing my overpants to work in hot weather, but they’ll be back soon enough full time.
Enjoy your essays!
Dave
Sigh! I’ll never ride in the winter unless there’s not a flake of snow on the ground and not a trace of refrozen meltwater anywhere, but you make it sound so “romantic.”
Bryce Lee: Yes, the center stand has been replaced and all the service completed. Just haven’t had time to write up that story.
Soon at the temperatures will be dropping in the north and riding will change dramatically depending on the rider.
bob skoot: Those long shadows are pretty cool. I think it may have more to do with the alignment of the sun and the roads I frequent but the clear air is definitely a result of the temperature change.
Ride safe!
Chris Underwood: I like to believe such thoughts indicate we are engaged and always deconstructing the road ahead!
Chris: Preparing winter gear is right — looking at how I am going to re-waterproof my First Gear jacket to shed snow with me getting damp.
And time to retreat my leather boots.
Work, work, work…
Karl U: Don’t know why but I have never been interested in riding to any meal other than breakfast. Very weird. Hadn’t really thought about it. I bet it’s connected to the light and temperature…
RichardM: Sounds like you have a bit more preparation for the cold than I do.
I’ve hiked to the top of Mt. Nittany four or five times. A conservancy owns the front portion and the Pennsylvania prison systems owns miles of it after that. So it is likely it will remain forever undeveloped. There used to be a town at the top but when the state took over in the 1930s they relocated everyone.
It stands just under 2100 feet.
Charlie6: You’re a man of extremes when it comes to riding both incidental to your locale and those a product of self determination. When I’m deciding it’s too cold to ride when the thermometer is showing single digits you’ll be saying the you should probably get the winter riding gear out…
fledermaus: Doesn’t take much to trigger our biologic survival modes — cold weather meant life and death at one point for the unprepared and I suppose that while it still rings a bell our choices and understanding are wide ranging.
I’m just glad I can concern myself with riding gear and not whether I grew enough food this summer!