Snow Again: Dying of the Light
After a few clear days I can hardly stomach more snow. Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.” While I can’t say the snow feels like death, I do feel the rage at the dying of the light. Again.
The East has been hit by one more winter storm. While we only got six inches of snow it was enough to dash the spirit and ground the Vespa scooter. Riding a scooter in snow is tricky business.
Snow on the Road: Decision Time
The road in front of the house at daybreak. Not too long ago I wouldn’t have blinked at riding the Vespa in this mess. The snow tires would be in place and more importantly I would still be interested in the challenge of overcoming the slippery stuff. But I now have a case of the old mellows. Both body and mind are more keenly aware of the pitfalls of proceeding.
And I don’t have the snow tires mounted.
Canine Counterbalancing
Any negative energy I bring to the universe in regard to snow, my dogs Junior and Lily provide offsetting energy. They simply love the snow. Even Junior, always ready to curl up and nap, loves the white stuff. So while I was dismissing any hopes of riding the Vespa the dogs were giddy as they churned the powder in the garden.
I love those dogs.
Questionable Decisions
By late afternoon I couldn’t stand it. I had to ride, if only for a short time. For those who don’t ride all the time it may be hard to understand the attraction to venture forth in the cold as the day is dying and the roads a mix of various surfaces typical in the winter.
So shortly before sunset (technically speaking though the sun was not visible) I headed out on the scooter for a ride. The roads were mostly clear thanks to the heavy, Pennsylvania salt treatments, but from time to time on secondary roads the glare of ice was apparent in spots.
Riding is a bit more intense in these moments. Eyesight sharpens and the mind enters full winter riding readiness.
Currier and Ives Experience
One aspect of riding the Vespa that I love is how smooth and quiet the ride can be. With no need to shift or tinker with the machine the ride is seductively simple. The mind can wander the road and take in the landscape. At times I feel as if I’m riding through a Currier and Ives print. The monochrome landscape with a touch of red from the tail light of the Vespa and the barn in the distance. The cold air bites at my neck while my hands rejoice at the heated grips.
I couldn’t resist going for a winter ride through a snowy landscape. It may be the last of the season. And who knows if I’ll remain willing to venture forth again next year.
I am certain now that I won’t be mounting the winter tires anytime soon. The snowy season is drawing to a close.
Ohmygosh, that last picture is so beautiful. “Currier and Ives” – what a perfect reference! Thank you for braving the cold to take that ride and share it with us!
Glad to share the landscapes I see when riding. Perhaps one of the finest aspects of riding for me is the stopping and looking around. It would be easy to just ride and ride and let the world fly by, but in the stopping I find a renewed appreciation for the world. In the details and in the big picture. I think it fuels hope and faith that it is a good place.
Thank you for that last picture! Very nice! Being in VT, I am anxiously waiting for better weather to get out again and ride. Not as experienced or prepared as you are for cold weather riding, yet!
Keep up the writing!
Are you going to Amerivespa 2018?
Spring has arrived here and with it much brighter sunlight. Crocuses are blooming in the garden and the sub-freezing temperatures vanish by noon. All good signs that the worst is behind us. Looks like we’re in for a week of rain though. Glad it’s not snow.
I would love to go to Amerivespa 2018. It’s a five hour ride on the Interstate. A full day wandering the back roads but still a nice trip. Much will depend on how my wife progresses in recovering from back surgery. Right now three or four days away from home isn’t possible.
Now see, you’ve jinxed it…you have announced the end of the snow season…
Like saying: “this is my last run down the mountain while skiing”….usually the one where (back in the day when my knees could do it) I would crash and burn on the slopes.
As to riding through a “Currier and Ives” moment….yes, I’ve been fortunate to have done that too, several times….I find the solitude, very enjoyable.
I hope I haven’t jinxed things. So far so good.
The solitude is a real gift. I’m fortunate that it’s not far from home.
Those two dawgs look like they could bring serious giddy to a yard full of snow….that’s a terrific pic of them. Almost makes the late snow fall worth it, doesn’t it?
Of course I’m not serious about that last sentence, just trying to maintain a positive attitude about things. Which is somewhat easier to do being 1100 miles away from the multiple snow pummels you all have had to endure lately.
Great post, great pics, thanks much.
Well, there’s a story behind those giddy faces. They, particularly Lily, have torn and plowed the garden completely. There’s no turf anywhere and all of the carefully installed gravel paths have been obliterated. The smiles are no doubt in reference to their demolition job. And as a week of rain looms all I can think of is mud, mud, mud. A dump truck of river gravel arrives today so I can begin rebuilding the place. If I quit throwing tennis balls this wouldn’t get them amped up!
We’ve had enough sunshine now that I’m comfortable with any remaining snow. Spring is here and warm weather not far behind!
If it’s any consolation, last week in Daytona Beach wasn’t that warm – 36 and 37 degrees and frost overnight. Sleeping in a tent was uncomfortable. The weather forecast before I left was not for it to be that cold. I muttered to myself, “If I’m going to be cold, I could have stayed home!”
Florida has turned out to not be the warm place this season. Unless you have the right sleeping bag 36F is a cold night in a tent.
You’ve not had a lot of luck with your riding adventures lately because of the weather!
We’ve been abusing Mother Nature, and she’s pissed off!
Sure seems like it. Or alternatively — we’re getting old and complain about little things that didn’t used to affect us.
You da man.
I rode my bike for the entire winter but only when the roads are clear. My 750 Honda shadow Weighs a little more than 500 pounds and if I drop it I would have to call you and most of your friends to help me get it upright. Enjoying your blog. Thanks
I see your bike all the time Billy. You have become the hardcore rider. And as you’ve found out, there are plenty of winter riding possibilities that don’t involve snow and ice if you are ready to address the cold.
Keep safe!
I’ve been watching the news and have been surprised at how hammered you guys have been with storms so far this year. It has to end at some point though.
Love the pictures of the dogs. While they are always photogenic, the snow just accents their fur perfectly.
We’ve been mostly lucky to be on the edge of things. But it has been relentless. At least it melts fast. Warm weather is on the horizon. But so is rain…
The dogs remind us how good life can be. Simple things…
Bright, sunny and clear up this way as we have had a descending northern high pressure presence keep your weather south of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Good news precipitation wise but unseasonably cold and “old mellows” inducing. I did see a few bikes out and about today but I could not muster the courage. The last photo is indeed a lovely and inviting image. Thanks once again for the thoughtful diversion.
Glad to provide a respite from the seasonal drudgery. Soon, soon we’ll be happier with the conditions around us. I’m ready for rides where I need not worry about hands, feet, and other potential victims of cold.
Sigh!
I know of what you speak, Steve.
Here, in Nova Scotia, we have shown old man winter to the door on numerous occasions , and no sooner have we hung up the parkas than the door bell rings and the old bastard is back again.
I did manage an hour long scoot on a new KTM 390 Duke a couple of weeks ago and it was a fine tonic. As good as it was , I find myself eager for saddle time on the GTS. Of all the bikes that have passed through and continue to occupy the barn, nothing pastes a smile on my face like the Vespa.
If we get any warmth out here on the coast, I’ll send some your way , Steve.
We’ll take any warmth you can send this way. I wonder whether my preoccupation with the cold is related to riding, or more likely a response due to my increasing years? Either way, I’m tired of winter.
Like you, I’ve ridden a lot of different motorcycles. The Vespa remains my favorite for exactly the same reason as you — it does paste a smile.
Bright, clear and sunny around here. At least today. Note, I didn’t say warm as it was -6°F yesterday morning (North Pole reported -16°F so things could be worse). But still, clear and sunny are good reasons to ride and puts a smile on my face. I’ll be happy to get rid of the handlebar muffs as they are a pain but with them I don’t need heated gloves which seem to fail all the time.
Somehow I imagine the North Pole being colder than -16F. That’s central Pennsylvania weather. No wonder the ice is diminishing.
The handlebar muffs on my Vespa, along with the heated grips, allow me to use the same gloves I use in the summer in all but the coldest weather (below 15F). I’ve only used the Gerbing electric gloves a few times this season. They’re a pain to fiddle with all the wires but the warmth is luxurious…
Thanks for another interesting post.love the dog pic.any chance of you taking a selfie encased in your lap robe?Would like to see how that really looks in use. hope your wife is making a good recovery.Peace @ safety from NH.
Hello John,
I’ll put some pictures together of the lap robe. I know when I used to look at them it seemed difficult to imagine them not being tedious to use. The truth is they are supremely simple to install and use.
I wonder how my dog would cope with snow. He enjoys cold temperatures but doesn’t mind the heat either. I hope we never meet snow together.
Hard to say how a dog will react to snow. If he doesn’t mind the cold I bet he’ll frolic in the snow. Ours love it. Lily especially. She would lay out in a snow storm all day if we let her.
Two Belgian sheepdogs who love the winter cold (ever felt their thick undercoat?),
one Vespa rider who tries to dress for the winter cold however fails time and again to do so. A very apt comparison.
Steve, better weather will arrive. My snowdrops are peeking their heads above the banks of snow and too where the sun has melted the snow yellow crocus are appearing. The earth is warming. The snow will disappear. The dogs will need to be brushed time and again to remove their thick undercoat. And you can then clean and fold away for the next eight months give or take the robe covering your lower anatomy.
Your future personal activities need direction. Employment has ended, you may well
be at loose ends. Although with a dear wife recovering from major surgery that shall be your primary concern no doubt. Maybe work on the draft for that promised book??
Perhaps get Paul Ruby and go somewhere overnight once Kim is well?
Incidentally, generally how well received was Paul’s exhibition?
It looked to me to be very interesting! Maybe he could do a book, eh?
Our Belgians have better gear for winter. I’ve never seen either of them cold. Wind is probably the most bothersome to them.
Brushing out the dogs has already begun. That undercoat seems to never end. Long after the robe is gone I’ll still be brushing…
Since I’ve retired I have lost all discipline. Completely. I’m just floating on the wind doing whatever I want to do within the current responsibilities. Lazy, lazy, lazy.
I am slowly moving toward a more productive path, especially as it relates to home maintenance, finances, etc. Creative projects — they remain a scary landscape. But I have only 128 days left until I open an exhibition of my work. I’ve not posted about it yet. Guess I’ll do that soon.
And here, days later, it actually was snowing for all of fifteen minutes. It even freaked the cat out.
I’ve had a few C & I painterly days with the Vespa myself, but since my mini-wipeout a few months back, I’ve decided to cool it on the dashing-through-the-snow stuff while me and Melody are still largely intact. The roads have been clear for the last bunch of days, and I was back on the road just two days after the last hammering, which felt awfully surreal: heaps of snow visibly everywhere else except where the rubber needed to meet the road…for the most part, anyway.
But yes, Steve, I tell you, I am done, done, DONE with Winter, especially since technically it’s already Spring. ‘Course, Ma Nature gives not a fig about calendars.
I’m pretty much done with riding in snow. It was a challenge for me and I needed to know if it was possible. And I had some fun. But I don’t need to experiment anymore with that particular challenge.
Warm weather is the goal now. For a lot of reasons.
Wishing you no more snow and spring sunshine ASAP!
Thanks! Sunshine is here. No snow but we’re looking at a week of rain ahead.