Acclimating to the Cold
It was a bracing morning. Perhaps too cold for a Vespa scooter rider. Could see the steam rising from the furnace vent, a sure sign that it was cold. As I pulled on my heavy winter boots the heavy frost on the car windshield was another reminder of the cold. At 1F I trudged along with the dogs wondering if I should take the Vespa for a ride.
There were reasons to venture out — blood tests for my next visit with the doctor, food, fuel for the Vespa. But the morning temperature was too low for my brain to negotiate a ride with my body.
By early afternoon it was a balmy 20 degrees — perfect for a little riding and errands. First stop was to pick up some MRI reports. The normally indifferent staff at the medical facility seemed to perk up a bit when I walked in with my flourescent green riding jacket with helmet in hand. When you ride in winter — people notice. Non-riders notice.
Fuel Stop
Before heading farther down the road I had to get some gas. The bright, late day sunlight illuminated the salt and grime so typical of Pennsylvania winters. A mess on the road. Worse on the body and frame of the scooter.
Pressing the starter button produced a weak, slow crank of the engine. No start. Once, twice and then finally on the third try the engine came to life. I always suspect the battery but this one is new. To be safe I’ll check the charge on my Anti-Gravity battery to make sure it’s ready for service should it be needed.
Cold Weather Testing
I really had no where to be. No place I wanted to go. So I turned away from town to assess yet again my riding limits with the gear at hand. Muffs, apron, heated grips, light gloves, winter jacket, jeans, long underwear, leather riding boots and lithium battery powered insoles.
If it were colder I could add electric gloves, insulated overpants and a few more layers of clothes.
Two things I noticed during the ride that are of concern in winter. The first was the glare of sunlight on some routes. With it shining in my face it’s nearly impossible to visually examine the road for obstacles of any sort let alone snow or ice patches. Don’t notice it as much at other times of the year.
Termoscud Apron
That other thing was how the apron interferes with the easy use of the under-seat storage. Stopping often for photos you can’t prop the seat open because of the weight of the apron. A small annoyance but I did notice it.
That aside, I’m growing to love the Termoscud apron. It’s functionality. And the way it looks. Helps fuel the feeling I’m operating a two-wheeled Land Rover.
Through the Woods
I always seem to be drawn to the forest routes. A little feel for wilderness. Or just a recognition of the slower, traffic free environments available. Whatever it is I return to it over and over again.
As the sun approached the horizon I headed toward my last stop before the deer began to emerge and the temperature started to drop. I’m convinced now that I can’t easily ride and stay warm at 20F. Even riding at 55mph. And I’m getting used to that temperature which will open the door to even colder riding soon.
Mind over matter and such. The stuff of a Vespa scooter rider.
Duffy’s Tavern
I’ve moved from the porch to the bar. It’s a lot warmer in the bar. I’ve become the odd one sitting alone at a table eating rather than drinking, writing rather than talking, and generally hidden in the shadows. The way I like it. I’m glad Duffy’s is just down the street from home. A nice place to regroup and relax. And listen to the regulars discuss the sad state of support America provides its veterans, the new high school, the closing of the Rathskeller in State College, and a host of other topics.
I can learn things there. And get chocolate cake, chicken corn chowder and prime rib sandwiches.
Just another day in the life of a Vespa scooter rider.
When you stated you had no place to, nowhere to go, I thought of this song by Dwight Yoakam — Thousand Miles From No Where” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu3ypuKq8WE
Other than the distance, I can appreciate the feeling in the song. Man, those skin tight pants aren’t working for me in the video!
Probably not working that well for Dwight anymore either. 😉
Hah! Hell to get old. I only picture him in Sling Blade.
Perhaps the battery just needs some topping off, short rides don’t give the alternator time to do the job…or perhaps a loose or corroded ground.
1F is a bit cold, glad you waited till 20F so the experience is more enjoyable. Had a close call with frostbite during a recent sunset shoot….my fault , I didn’t wear gloves while stopped and waiting for the light to be right. Handling my new to me tripod didn’t help, the metal legs sapped the remaining heat from my fingers.
Lithium batteries do not do well in the cold. They loose power. That’s why I never put one in my adventure bikes. They weigh much less, but . . .
A technique I have used on bikes and cars in super cold weather is leave a light, regular incandescent bulb maybe 100 watt, burning underneath the motor. Makes the motor oil just a little warmer, probably warm the battery a bit too.
Chocolate cake again!!! Warms the soul.
The battery in the Vespa is a lead-acid one I think. Definitely not lithium. Only the portable Anti-Gravity battery is lithium which I charge on a 120AC outlet from time to time. It’s slick. Jump started my Honda Fit with it.
The start issue is inconsistent. And there are two types. One is crank hesitation. Even with a new battery. Other Vespa owners have told me their scoot has always done than. Press the starter and a slight hesitation before it begins to crank. Five minutes later and it cranks immediately. Mine has been that way since 2006.
The other is hesitation to start — combust. Only in really cold weather. And only after I have been running for a short time, stop, and then try to restart. Icing fits that situation and I think that’s what’s happening. After I’ve been riding for a bit and everything is hot — no issues at all.
Mostly this is an annoyance. But it does trigger the thoughts, “Is the battery dying?” That’s why I bought the Anti-Gravity battery. For those times when the battery does die.
Anyways, chocolate cake. Yes. Again. My guilty pleasure…
I did manage to get some miles (4) in on Melody yesterday, hitting the Post Office and supermarket, where everybody was buying stuff like we were in for the Hundred-Year Flood…which, in a way, we sorta got. (Note: when I was out riding, it was just a little under 30° F…and the scary thing was, it felt absolutely balmy to me. Heaven help me.)
Glad I did make it out yesterday: as of this hour, the snowdrifts outside are up to the door handles of Ann’s car, and the snow on the rear deck is approaching two feet. That meets my definition of “getting hammered.” Melody, in spite of being outside, seems to have dodged a bullet by way of being tucked between our house and the house next door: no snow on it, and not much around it, either.
Digging out of this, either, later today or tomorrow, won’t be fun. The smallest snowblower in captivity would be a godsend right now.
Sounds like your battery likely needs a check and topping-off, even though it’s not that old.
As mentioned before, I think I’ll manage without a ‘scud, but those battery-powered heated gloves are a-comin’, if not this week (well, skip this week…I’ll be lucky to clear the back deck to use the grill tonight) at least next week. But you’re well-fortified now, and that’s a happy thing!
After riding in really cold weather 30F and up does feel balmy. Balmy for me is sitting at 20F. If I venture out in some of this near 0F stuff it will lower more. Not sure I’ll do that though this year. My sub-zero days may be behind me.
I can attest to the beauty and wonder of a snow blower. After my heart attack the doctor insisted. So I bought a little single stage unit. Man, what fun. I enjoy removing snow again. But I only use it when there’s more than two or three inches on the ground. Still like the sound of the shovel along the driveway.
Still have to check the battery. Wish I had a heated garage. It’s warmer than outside and no wind but that’s about it.
Stay warm. Have fun with the snow.
Like you I live in Happy Valley.
Like you I ride every chance I get
This winter not so much.
And it has been definitely way below my temperature cutoff for a month or more.
No ride for more than a month…have exhausted all mindless garage projects.
And have arrived at the conclusion riding is what I am….and have been since I was 15…
Doubt I’ll risk another winter here in our paradise of two wheeled opportunity and temptation.
Maybe its because its my first winter after my 70th birthday…pooh..
stay warm. Keep up the good work…and admirable insanity.
Admirable insanity. I like the ring of that. And I’m sure drivers on the road who see me riding when it’s cold might be using the insanity word.
It’s funny how much I want to ride. And look for excuses. An obsession? Addiction? Compulsion? Whatever the psychology I am committed to it until I can’t ride.
Hope you make it through the winter withdrawals without too much pain. Some warmer weather has to be on the way soon.
I have a theory. Riding is akin to meditation.
So much of what you do while riding is unconscious…you are using a portion of your brain that is filled memories of every mile you have ever ridden on every bike you ever rode. That portion of the brain needs excercise to supply energy to the other parts of your brain that
get exhausted, overworked and confused….it needs to be sustained by the stored energy in the rider portion of your brain…kinda like that jumper battery you speak of….recharge regularly
I agree with everything you’ve written Tball. Especially the part about getting exhausted, overworked and confused. Reading a book right now called, “Rest.” It touches on all these things. I need to learn how to better rest…
I’ve had to use my little Antigravity Lithium battery a few too many times this winter. Each time the engine would spin faster than with the stock battery in the summer. I now have the stock AGM battery disconnected and installed the Group 24 automotive battery in the sidecar. No more battery issues. Though I still carry around the Antigravity battery. I’ve used it a couple of times to jumpstart cars even at sub-0°F temps.
It’s an amazing little beast. Everyone I’ve spoken to who owns them swear by them. One use I always forget is charging my iPhone on the road. I have one of those damn bad batteries that is always acting wonky (hoping to get a new battery soon) but I could just plug the phone into the Anti-Gravity. If I remember the new connector. It’s designed they say to charge the phone ten times or more.
And it’s amazing that it will jumpstart a car. My battery is the small one — about the size of a pack of cigarettes. And it starts my car. I disconnected the car battery completely and the Anti-Gravity cranked it right up.
Hi Steve;
Just a note of comparison… last night, including the wind chill, the overnight temp here in Southern Ontario dropped to 40 below zero Celsius, or 40 below zero Fahrenheit, the temperature at which the number is the same in both scales. Late yesterday afternoon, while still at a balmy -32C, I picked up a little ’63 Honda C105 Cub at a friends place and hauled it to my shop. Even dressed as warmly as possible, that was enough for me. Fifteen minutes working outside in that cold did me in. Stay warm everyone… riding in better weather is worth the wait.
Cheers,
Jim.
That kind of cold is otherworldly to me. I’ve only been in -40F air once and for a very short time. The big, drive in ice cream freezer on campus is that cold. Wow. Scary cold. I walked in with no coat. Arriving from the outside at 90F. Felt nice for a moment and then not so nice. My shoes would stick to the floor. My first comment was, “What happens with these electric doors if the power goes out?”
I love the way the Cubs look. They seem completely build around function. What color did you get — yellow or red?
Hope the arctic air slips back north soon and you see some more moderate weather. Until then — stay warm!
Hi Steve;
The color choice with the early-60’s Cubs was greater than just red or yellow. The ’63, 55cc ‘Super Cub’ (only sold in Canada, I believe) that I have would be best described as a dove gray over Wedgewood blue (artsy, eh?). I’ll send you a couple of photos under separate cover, only because I can’t figure out how to attach them to this reply.
Jim
Didn’t know that there were more choices. I got the photos. Sorry I haven’t replied yet. Some disasters at home have kind of kept me distracted. Will get to that soon.