Light and Fog
The earth here is surrendering the moisture gathered during winter. This is the time of year for heavy fog and murky light. Morning walks with the dogs provide ample opportunity to look toward the fog shrouded mountains and ponder routes for the Vespa. I’m drawn to the mystery yet hold some rides at arms length while considering the risk. Usually I’ll find myself on the road in fog but sometimes I’ll be muttering that I should have stayed home.
Crossing the summit of Tussey Mountain vision was a problem; the fog itself shrouded the road, and the moisture gathered quickly on the helmet visor, both working to make me squirm a bit in the seat.
Slower Paths
Diverting from the pavement provided relief from the automobiles and trucks that would suddenly take shape in the rear view mirror. On the thawing mountain roads I could relax and enjoy the scenery. Despite the temperature hovering just shy of 40F, I was warm and comfortable. After all these years of winter riding I’ve finally hit on the right mix of gear and features to wrestle the cold into submission.
Riding on the forest roads of central Pennsylvania is supremely relaxing to me. At the docile speeds I travel many riders would hardly consider it a ride. There’s no challenge of skill or machine. But I’ve never looked for that. I just want to look around. Exploring the details of the landscape is my game.
Dazzling Details
The foliose lichens glow in the murky light. No matter how often I see them I still find myself stopping to look and take another picture. Riding along the wet dirt roads made me wish (again) that I had mounted the more aggressive winter tires this year. They do a much better job keeping the Vespa on course as we roll over the coating of slimy mud atop the packed rock and gravel.
Wandering Home
Dropping into the valley afforded much clearer riding as the sweep of mist and fog hung along the ridges. I could ride all day in these environments given the chance but for reasons to complicated to explain I find my rides short and abbreviated. It’s what I have right now and I try and make the best of it. And considering how many riders have to sit on their hands during the cold season I am grateful for whatever opportunities I find to ride.
Like a foggy day.
I am one of those riders who has spent almost all of this past Winter sitting on my mitten encased hands whilst pondering the upcoming riding season. I have managed the very odd and glorious Moto outing but all the while knowing that each of these wanderings were a gift and very weather limited. I have a sense that this is all about to change though I must still be both vigilant and patient. I am glad that you have been able to get out Steve and I look forward to your posts as they help nurture my Motomaginstion. Cheers!
I was thinking things had changed as well but woke to six inches of snow. Thinking it’s the last snow of the season I had to, of course, go for a ride. More on that in an upcoming post.
While still riding during the winter I’m doing a lot more “sitting on my mittens” than I have in the past. And I have to admit that it’s pretty seductive — especially on cold days. But as long as I don’t fully winterize my Vespa (drain the fuel and oil, remove battery, etc) I can always jump on the machine on the odd warm day. Sounds like you’ve done that on occasion.
Glad to help your Motomagination any way I can!
Good to see you enjoying what limited outings we get. I took my sport bike around the 1. 5 mile crescent on the weekend and that was enough for me and the cold weather and new tight- fitting helmet. I also love to take my scooter out on slow all- seeing rides. The magic is always there. Brent.
Regarding the slow all-seeing rides — more and more I see myself as a tourist seeing the sights. I just happen to be riding a Vespa. Whenever I picture motorcycle or scooter rider, I don’t see myself. Maybe that will change when the weather warms.
Be safe and stay warm!
Hi Steve;
Like Steve Brooke, I’m a southern Ontario rider and as such I tend to stay off the bikes and ‘sitting on my mittens’ until the warmer weather arrives. But I do enjoy riding in the fog, especially on cool, spring mornings while the mist is still on the lake. It leaves you with an ethereal feeling… like you’re the only person in that space. I took my (new to me) 1985 Honda 250 Elite scooter out this morning and went for an admittedly illegal tour (no plates or insurance yet) around the neighborhood. It felt great! I can’t wait until warmer temps allow a longer ride.
I have a friend with a Suzuki Burgman 400 and some slowly worsening physical challenges. He is contemplating a small sidecar for his Burgman. Do you have any thoughts or opinions on sidecars with scooters?
Cheers,
Jim.
Jim, I’m in London Ont…where are you?
Brent
K-W area.
Fog definitely creates an ethereal feel to the world. And it does seem to erase all but the most significant details. I enjoy the environment save for those times when I find myself in heavy traffic. That’s where the illusion falls away.
Regarding sidecars — on scooters or otherwise. If setup and balanced correctly they are stable and fun to ride. But the experience is not the same as two wheels. The feeling of flying and soaring are gone. For me at least. But you still have the feeling of being close to the road and world. That’s a plus. If I were concerned with my ability to balance or manage on two wheels I would definitely consider a sidecar rig of some sort.
That said, I’ve ridden two rigs on scooters. Both were not set up right and miserable to ride. Felt like I was fighting the whole time to keep it on a line and over 50mph it was just dangerous. I’ve ridden URALs and they were excellent on the road. I think setup is critical and takes an expert to do it right.
Well as we slowly move towards winter Steve , I bet you can’t wait for your summer. Our winter is not as brutal as you have. In fact it is our best riding season. I love and look forward to your pictures. Can’t wait for your pictures when all the trees come to life . Regard from Danny in sunny South Africa.
I’ve been enjoying the slow increase in temperature. Yesterday was in the mid 60s and today will approach 80F. Love this weather!
Slowly, slowly getting my head in gear for warmer rides and photography.
I think that murk is another word for fog. If it’s foggy that suggests that it’s kind of above freezing. Today was a brilliantly sunny day here in the frozen north. Not even a hint of murk. I ended up riding around all over the area just enjoying the wonderful sunshine. It was single digits when I left but had warmed up into the mid-20s by the time I got back home. We only got an inch of snow yesterday so most of it was gone from the main roads.
I suppose we each have our own gauge of what indicates the onset of spring. Alaska is certainly different than Pennsylvania. Today is warm and it’s not even noon and I feel like taking a nap!
No fog of late. That’s sad.
I love how you’ve capture the changes of the landscape Steve. That is the grey that is spring.
Thanks. The murk has quickly given way to sunshine and warm weather. Won’t last though. The forecast shows a return to near freezing temperatures at night for awhile. That’s ok though. I’ve warmed up!
Ah, just when it looked like Winter’s grip was reluctantly loosening up just a bit, we get hit with more snow. Thankfully – at least in these parts – it didn’t stick for long. In a sense, this sort of worked out for me: last week, my local shop called to tell me the cold-weather riding gloves I special-ordered through them (Joe Rocket Windchill) finally arrived. Of course, it was just a bit over 50°F when I rode off to pick them up, but that figure dropped appreciably by the time I slipped them on and rode back, and yes, the difference between these and my old JR Sub-Zero gloves was palpable. (It hit 72° the next day, albeit briefly.)
And – love the photo with the lichen. Over here, I’m marveling at our own crocuses growing, no matter what the weather.
Today, it was 40° when I left to catch a later-than-usual train from Long Branch. It’s a testimony to the new gloves that I scarcely gave them a thought as I made my way through assorted road-work detours, then hustling a bit through traffic to make up time. I’m really, really liking these a lot. (By the time I get back on the bike for the ride home, it’ll be in the low-mid 30s, which should give me an even better gauge to measure the difference between these gloves and the old ones.)
Nothing better than warm hands while riding. If you can manage that trick with gloves only that’s a win. For me, when it drops below 40F, I find my gloves alone won’t do the job and I need to utilize additional aids — heated grips, electric gloves, mitts, something.
Hope by now you have some fine warm weather and any thoughts of snow and ice are in the rear view mirror!
I’m glad to hear you’ve perfectly sorted your cold weather gear as that makes each ride so much more enjoyable. As I was reading the early paragraphs of riding on forest roads, my mind immediately thought ‘but what about that slimy mud left by snow and frost!?!’ And then you said it…funny.
The lichen photo is amazing, what a treat in the murk. ?
That slimy mud is amazing stuff. Really is slippery. And it makes a mess of things. Not for the fair weather rider.
Kim turned me on to lichens. I never really paid much attention. But her expertise in the science of moss, lichens, algae and such has illuminated a world previously hidden. Nice to have a partner who’s ever so much smarter than me!
It’s really nice when partners see things differently and share them with each other.
Absolutely. I’m being schooled endlessly by Kim and many others.