When I first started riding I would feel cold at 70 degrees. But my desire, indeed craving to get back on the scooter to ride, kept me going in colder and colder temperatures. Over time I found that, probably attired, I could ride in very cold weather. All the way down to -18F. And then I tried some snow and ice. And on and on. Now, anything down to 35F is pretty warm weather in my mind.

I have a lot of riding clothes to keep me warm though!

Your suggestion of keeping different parts warm has merit. I’m always amazed at how one cold spot can spread misery throughout my body. But one warm spot can also spread a warm feeling. I notice it with my electric gloves — when I feel the heat my mind focuses there. Same with the heated grips. I’ve been considering an electric vest for that reason.

I’ll try the scarf idea. Makes sense. I wear them when I walk but never on the scooter. But it just might make a difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

Wow. 106F. Sounds delightful from a perch at 1F. I’ve only ridden in temperatures over 100F a couple times and it was miserable. So I feel for your hopes that the night brings some relief.

We dodged the heavy snow that fell about 180 miles from here — four feet in 24 hours or some such nonsense. We only got an inch or so. But it has been cold and getting colder.

Thanks for commenting. Stay in touch. Always nice to hear about warm weather when I’m freezing!

Sorry to hear about the undiscovered marks on your scooter. I remember the feeling though it was long, long ago. I have a rat scooter now. Looks good from a distance but doesn’t hold up well on close inspection.

Riding in the cold is certainly a challenge. Long underwear is a savior but I’ve seen myself migrate from the Hanes waffle variety through synthetics to now expecting a shipment of considerably more expensive Merino wool versions. The things we do to stay warm.

Hope the new year is going well. Keep warm in the cold and the approaching storm.

Let’s see: since my 3 AM Winter Wonderland Wipeout a few weeks back, leaving me just a tad spooked (and, in a correction of my previous “zero-damage” report, a small scrape on Melody’s underside beneath the floorboard), I’ve been out on several subfreezing runs, the coldest I’ve managed has been 19° F with my barely-adequate-at-that-point Joe Rocket SubZero gloves (yes, a name that screams BS every time I slip them on). But at least it was dry and (mostly) ice-free.

Now? No dice…single-digit temps and snow/ice in way too many places to play Ice Capades with Melody again – at least the hit she took was someplace I didn’t even notice till coming out of the supermarket last ride out, and a bit of work will make the damage totally disappear; the next slip, I might not be so lucky. And yes, riding or walking,good thermal undies are your friend – I bought my first new thermals in years less than two months after buying the Vespa in September ’15. I bought some old-school waffle-type tops ‘n bottoms by Hanes back then; a few weeks back, I got a few sets by 32° Heat from Costco (about $14 for top & bottom), which make the Hanes feel like suiting up in sandpaper. Went to get more, and, wouldn’t you know it, they ran out of tops – got another pair of bottoms while I could. Now, even in in the silly-low double-digits, and fully suited up, I’m just warm enough, save for my damn digits. Need an extra hundred bucks for some good heated gloves, and by cracky, I’ll find ’em. (Legally, of course…)

Anyway, home is where the heart (and heat) is. Me, the wife and Tapper the Wonder Cat wish you, Kim and your Wonder Pups a happy, (seriously) healthy New Year. (And ride-friendly weather soon.)

The cold, dry air reeks havoc on skin. So many painful cracks regardless of how much skin cream I rub into my hands. This only started happening in the last couple years. Another aspect of aging no doubt.

When you move — just don’t move too far north. It’s 3F outside right now. I’m not going for a ride. Heading to dreamland…