This morning under a dazzling sky and frigid 12F atmosphere the Vespa scooter returned to the road — mostly, just a few side jaunts to re-familiarize myself with the newly mounted winter tires. The winter Vespa has slightly different handling characteristics that take a few moments to program into muscle memory.
There’s still a bit of snow and ice to contend with but the main roads are mostly clear and dry though the stray patch of ice or packed snow still lurk in the shadows demanding winter grade attention to detail. I can sense the autonomic responses at work and seem to have a level of hyperawareness that’s not present in warm weather. All the usual suspects remain — other drivers and such, but now the road surface has far more pitfalls. Crossing through a residential neighborhood I found myself riding at 15mph on packed snow where I would normally be navigating at 35mph.
Winter riding means slow riding.
Paul Ruby provided transportation from my home to Kissell Motorsports where the scooter with it’s new fuel pump and winter tires waited. In exchange I took him to breakfast at the State College Diner. The temperature rose sharply from 0F when I was walking Junior to almost 10F at breakfast. Add a little sunshine and your brain can convince you it isn’t all that cold.
No matter how cold it is there’s always ice water being served in restaurants. Seems to make sense that the ice would be dropped in the winter. Lukewarm tap water being served…
The scooter had been sitting in unheated storage for a few days and nights of really cold weather and took a bit longer to start than normal. Once it fired up it ran like a champ. I let it run a bit while I paid the repair bill and took a look at the motorcycles and scooters.
The technician let me know that come spring when I remove the snow tires I should change the rear wheel bearing. Not surprising that some water and salt grime have gotten into the bearing. He cleaned it out and regreased the bearing but it’s time for a shiny new version.
Kissell Motorsports has a lot of motorcycles and scooters to look at. The new Vespa Sprint 150s are really cool looking.
Update on the FirstGear Kilimanjaro jacket in the cold — fantastic. Riding at 13F I was able to do so with a long-sleeved undershirt, a sweater, and the jacket. It appears impervious to cold. No leaks, not cold penetration. The zippers are big and easy to operate and the velcro closures seem perfectly placed and easy to use. Really happy with this jacket.
(Photo by Paul Ruby)
Off on a few errands and then onward towards home. First order of business was to not dump the scooter in the parking lot. Slow is the order of the day. Heated grips worked really well and warmed my hands nicely through a thick pair of Tourmaster winter gloves that I’ve had for years. The Tucano Urbano muffs also do a great job keeping the wind and cold at bay. The combination of heated grips and muffs is the best winter Vespa hand protection that I’ve found. A far cry better than heated gloves alone. At some point I’ll test the heated gloves with the muffs in place of the heated grips.
The only weak link left in terms of me getting cold are my feet. After about 45 minutes my feet started to get cold. No spare power on the scooter for electric socks or insoles. Thinking it might be time to just get some heavy boots — perhaps a Sorel winter boot though the rubber bottoms worry me a bit in terms of wear.
The tried and true method of managing freezing body parts is to stop riding and seek shelter. The Pump Station in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania provided shelter today along with some steaming hot Earl Grey tea. Sitting inside with the sun pouring in the windows kept the place warm and I was ready for a nap.
While not perfect winter riding weather because of the lingering snow and ice it is possible to still ride if you’ve winterized yourself and your scooter or motorcycle. Riding on neighborhood roads and streets is a mixed bag of snow, ice, and dry pavement. Don’t get over confident on the dry stuff only to suddenly find yourself having to navigate the slippery stuff while going much too fast. It’s a perfect way to try out your protective riding gear.
I still find a puzzling level of satisfaction riding the winter Vespa. There’s a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing I endured the cold. And of course the fun of riding which has not diminished much regardless of the weather.
Wonder what’s next this winter?
Postings :Notification of the publishing of return to OZ and collecting the Vespa dropped into my mail slot early this Saturday morning. However it is just now on Saturday evening the postings appear on the website. At least it was something to look forward to after a hectic run around and accomplish little day for me.
Your machine has been returned, vastly improved and you are more than likely more than a few dollars down in your bank account as a result of the repairs.
Still you now have transportation other than your four wheel skateboard (The Fit) and the Oydessy van.
Keep warm, keep safe. Now minus 18 C locally going up to a high of minus 4 C on the Sunday.
I had some troubles with my caching plugin on WordPress. Have it fixed now so new posts should appear immediately.
The repairs were less than I anticipated so that was a nice surprise. Now I can do some riding. It’s not as cold here as it is your way but still requires some careful preparation.
I’ll be careful and make sure I don’t freeze to a curb…
Nice update. With the heated grips + grip covers, you could bring but not wear the thick gloves. Just a thinner summer pair.
I rode a bit late today with much lighter gloves and I was surprised at how it worked. Once the grips heat fully they are really hot.
Hello Steve,
Belles photos et jolies randonnées avec ton Vespa.
Bonne route et continue comme ça.
Salutations.
Laurent (France).
Merci pour les mots aimables sur mes photos . Il continue d’ être amusant de les faire.
steve
Yay it’s back in your capable hands! I personally am loathe to turn over my motorcycles over to others, probably why I do what I am capable of in terms of repairs and services.
you ask why riding on snow or in inclement weather feels better….I say its because you haven’t let the weather gods or mass consensus dictate your actions in an activity that brings you the sometimes very rare joy or more commonly, sense of peace.
me, I’ve come to accept that three wheels are the ticket when on iffy surfaces/terrain….I’ve gone the two-wheeled route on snow and it’s just not that much picking up one’s steed in the snow, not to mention the ever present fear of dumping it. You are quite right that attention to road conditions must be razor sharp on two wheels, there’s little to no forgiveness for lack of attention to icy conditions.
cheers!
Before I started to ride I used to read a lot of hiking books — notably Edward Abbey and Colin Fletcher. Both of them embraced a marge measure of solitude and push against the elements. I always admired that approach and it’s rubbed off on me I guess to some degree. And as you say, it does bring a sense of peace. Tough thing to get when you’re in the middle of chaos.
Three wheels will be part of my future at some point. Just makes sense.
Your random rides on your winter Vespa are ever so impressing. I can’t bring myself to riding when there is a chance of icy patches or black ice. I have desire to test out my gear, however I very much understand the feeling of accomplishment that must come with such an endeavour. Well, maybe one day I’ll be as brave…
I keep telling myself I’ll see the ice. Hmmm, that’s kind of crazy. But I do make sure I manage speed carefully and don’t take chances leaning the scooter in turns if I can’t see the road surface clearly. It really interrupts the flow of a ride but no way around it.
Don’t rush out to ride in the winter. It’s an acquired taste and the jury is still out for me on the wisdom of it.
My favorite phrase in this post: “Winter grade attention to detail”. Well said.
Thanks! Winter riding absolutely, positively requires special attention!
For winter riding I wear these SOKZ. Check them out.
http://www.real-rider.com/ceramic-sock/
I have a pair of socks that are much like that and very warm. My daughter got them for me to help battle the cold!
Steve,
Great posting, I’m amazed at the heated hand grips… what an idea… I guess I was part of the group that said winterize it and keep it in the garage til spring. I’m sure you are so very happy to have the Vespa back and being back out on the road, I love your photography.
Regarding the boots, I bought a pair of Merrill Thermo 6″ for one of my sons for Christmas, he 4x4s into the Sierras year around and is singing high praises of these boots, they also come in 8″ are a bit pricey but keep his feet toasty hiking around in 2-3 feet of snow, night or day.
Have a great week and be safe out there.
I think most riders look at the riding season as parallel to the swimming pool season — Memorial Day to Labor Day. And that works for them too. I was just to selfish and wanting more of the riding experience to give up so early or wait so long. And that has led, for good or ill, to year round riding and struggles to cope with the cold.
I currently wear boots similar to the Merrills — same amount of insulation and similar construction. They’re fine when you are walking or hiking but still aren’t the best when the air blasts your feet at 60mph. I’m going to have to go to Sorels or something like that. Big and bulky but more cold protection when your feet are just sitting around doing nothing (but getting cold).
Thanks for your kind words about the pictures. I have plans for some different approaches this year.
Mr. Williams,
I do so love to ready each and every entry. I too, am bitten by the bike bug. We have a shop full of KMZ and IMZ machines here. You Sir spin up wonderful stories that I can’t wait to come home and read.
Stay Safe Sir.
SB
First, thank you for the kind words about the stuff I post. I’m glad something resonates beyond my own head. The bike bug, in my opinion, is a reasonably healthy one taken in moderation and their use done with the same. The Russian motorcycles and sidecar rigs always strike me as absolutely functional, utilitarian machines that work at the service of a rider. There are days when my mind wanders towards images of a life with one in the garage…
I’m serious. If you get a scooter or motorcycle with a sidecar for winter transport so will I.
BAM
Don’t forget your summer tires. Greta jumped on them getting into the truck on the way to Saint’s today.
BAM! Someday, when my balance is precarious or my courage falters, then I will probably lean towards a sidecar rig. Well, maybe I’ll look towards an MP3 before that.
I’ll get those tires soon!
Steve, great post as always…you is DA MAN!!! Ha ha.
Just so you know ….the link for the Pump Station is for the Turbano Muffs. I wanted to see more on the Pump Station.
Great post.
Brent