In that case, I can certainly recommend Breezy Point here in NJ. Still learning about the place myself, and the Vespa is certainly close to the best (if not the best) way to explore. Tomorrow’s temps are supposed to hit around 65°, but I might need to fight for the riding time to get there again.

Exploring new places is one of the best and most looked for experiences of riding for me. I’ve ridden so much here that I have to keep pushing further and further from home to find those new roads. I’ll be on the Atlantic coast at some point looking…

Thanks for the tip about the heated pads. I’ll do some sleuthing on eBAy.

Everything in moderation I guess. Not sure I can move far enough to keep things where I might consider it perfect. Or at least, it would be impractical.

I think you’re right about contrasts in life — the comparisons do sharpen my appreciation of things as well.

The back is slow in recovering. All my doctors tell me it will take time. Patience is the word of the day for the patient…

Yesterday, I took an hour meandering along the Jersey coast some 20 miles or so from home, just wandering along a road or two I’d been curious about since shortly after moving here from Gotham, and now that Melody’s a part of my traveling regimen, the getting-out-and-exploring bit is a lot easier. And, the warm-ish breezes…not nearly worm enough to be oppressive, but not at all chilly, even tooling along at some 40-50mph. (No windscreen yet…working on that now, plus a set of low-profile crash bars.) Found some delightful – and delightfully steep! – side roads and streets, and a bridge which on the return trip gives you the near-sensation of leaping headlong into the Atlantic. Wish I could’ve indulged myself a bit longer, but there was other stuff to get done via the scoot. But what an enchanting part of the day this was

(Tomorrow’s supposed to be even warmer, but not quite as sunny.)

a 6cm x 20 cm pair of pads is only $5 and pulls 1A @ 5v, it could run with a usb power adapter, or even tweaked to work on 12v. They’re made of carbon fiber and are really tough and give a nice even heat over wire.

There are a ton of other 12v/5v heated products you can buy on ebay that works really well with a warm jacket and much cheaper than any other electric vest you could buy.

Funny, I think it’s the contrasts in life that sharpen our senses and help us feel alive. I know how much I’d hate to live somewhere “wonderful” with consistent (and boring) weather that lulls one into complacency.

As for warm beverages, I don’t use them for respite from the cold, yet, but do appreciate them for the consistent and reliable pleasure they bring…..

Hang in there with the back. Glad it’s at least doing better. Sometimes these things take a lot longer than you want them to.

Backs. Definitely a weak link. My doctor told me to strengthen — insurance against the stupid things I do…

I haven’t put the liners in yet but it’s not far off. Getting ready to ride now. 42F. Have convinced myself it’s warm outside.