Snow began falling this morning and quickly began covering the road. No snowflakes in the beginning, just small round pellets. Dry snow on dry pavement. This is the stuff that looks bad but does little to impede traction. There’s a small window of time before flakes fall and things get more slippery. I don’t understand the physics but I’ve had enough experience to know the effect.
With the road in this condition the traction is surprisingly good. You won’t slip and fall walking on this road and it’s unlikely that the Vespa will go down either. At least not without a lot of help from bad choices.
I had nowhere to be or go, just wanted to be out in the world for a bit and take in the first real snowstorm of the season. Wandering down a gravel road offered a few lessons. As gritty as the surface looked the fresh snow covered a lot of smooth, hard ice. No way of knowing lest a rider gets off the scooter and pushes their boot around. Not a problem when engaged in frequent stops for photos.
Roads into Boalsburg were completely snow covered and had become slippery. Braking, motion and movement had to be carefully considered. The Heidenau snow tires make a difference.
No one was at Ken’s Moto Hang Lounge — home of the Piston and Pints events. In fact, I didn’t see another scooter or motorcycle the entire time I was out.
I have a good idea of my limits — skills and experience. With the snow continuing to fall I decided to head towards home with a short stop at the Pump Station for breakfast. The trip home from there is short though uphill.
The First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket has little protection from moisture and performs more like a dish cloth than raingear. I need to apply a coat of Nik Wax or something soon. Walk inside someplace warm forgetting to brush off the snow first and things get wet fast.
Riding up the hill went fine though a few times the rear wheel broke free. Seems as if the car that made these tracks had a similar issue.
The winter tires definitely help. Aggressive tread, soft rubber, embedded micro-crystalline silica all work together to increase traction. Not magic but a little edge.
Snow isn’t a rider’s friend. In almost every case a reason to not ride. Same with me. But some are happy with the snow.
Junior loves the snow and after the Vespa was put away he needed an adventure of his own. An hour of running around at the park and we were both ready for a bowl of food and a warm house.
Still snowing outside and I doubt I’ll be riding anymore today. Junior, Kim and I will cozy up and let the world disappear under a blanket of white.
It has just begun to really snow here as well … a great evening to come inside, cover up and enjoy the comfort of a fire … after watching the diamonds glisten on the snow.
Yes, it is all about traction.
Today we had a wet snow with temps just above freezing. It too is a condition which looks impressive, but the traction is fine. Thought about going out and getting some snow in the spokes since you’ve been posting all these great snow photos. Sadly, time didn’t work out.
Tomorrow it will be “bad” snow. The window will be gone. Knowing ones limits. So, true.
The northwest end of Lake Ontario got hammered with the first heavy snow of the season, roughly 12 inches ofthe stuff. All the summer driving skills remain with motor vehicles, and summer tyres as well. Those Winter tyres of the Vespa look very interesting; and they worked. My Honda Ridgeline truck is on its first winter of pure winter tyres from Michelin and today it was wonderful driving.
For some reason the photo of Junior is perhaps the most exemplery view of your famuly pet to date. Trust your evening was warm and cozy.
I enjoyed this outdoor venture with you, your dog, and your scoot!
Might I mention, “from the warmth of my little breakfast nook with my hot cup of joe”?
Stay warm…
Good pics, easy snow conditions when equipped with a sidecar….just saying. 🙂
I will agree its an unsettling feeling when you feel the rear end slide out from under you. I tend to let the engine bog a little, not sure if that’s possible with a CVT transmission?
VStar Lady: Winter definitely brings on an appreciation of a warm home and a view of the cold outside.
Keith: I fear this winter is going to be one of those we’ve not seen for a long time — lots of snow that never melts and many days impassable by Vespa. I have no data or evidence to back this up but the feeling remains that this will be a harsh winter.
Just finished shoveling the driveway and thoughts of snowblowers were dancing in my head…
Bryce Lee: Winter tires make a big difference — on a car or a scooter. The car salesman have everyone believing all season tires are just fine. Add 4WD or AWD and a good driver is fine. But snow tires, studded ones especially, wow…
The evening was warm and cozy and Junior is getting fat and happy as he often does in winter…
Deb: I think a lot of winter activities are best experienced indoors with a hot drink!
Charlie6: Are you on the payroll of URAL? You’ve developed a fine, slick presentation of the relative merits and benefits of the rig.
But where’s the challenge of riding on three wheels?
No way to bog down a Vespa save perhaps going up a really steep hill where gravity and traction work to slow the engine down.
The most unnerving part for me is the knowledge that the time interval between a wheel starting to slide and ending up on the ground is very small. Want to avoid that…
Steve,
I have a similar feeling. I figure it’s my Midwestern tendency to expect the other boot is about to fall. We’ll see.
Yep, no challenge at all with the third wheel. The sidecar turns the hum drum commute into recreation especially in the snow…
Steve:
about a week ago we had minor snow over an ice layer. Bad snow for any vehicle, esp cars.
Our good snow lands in PA, actually around your neighbourhood. We like it that way
be careful out there
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Steve, which Nikwax do you use on your jacket? My husband doesn’t ride in the snow (too many bad drivers around) but he does often ride in the rain, and increasing the rainproofing on his jacket would be a good thing. Mine too, actually!
RichardM: The Vespa does the same thing to the hum drum commute!
bob skoot: snow over ice — the worst. So far that has been held to a minimum…
Concetta: I’m going to have to look around for my Nikwax and see what kind I have used. It’s time for me to get busy and waterproof my jacket.