Say Hello to Cold Riding
I knew soon it would become dramatically colder, if only for a few hours. And last Sunday morning was this year’s introduction to the cold riding season. The forecast when I went to bed suggested temperatures in the upper 30s. When I looked out in the driveway in the morning the frost on the cars indicated something different. 32F and sunny.
Wasn’t sure I was ready to ride at that temperature yet. For me, the cold riding season requires a slow approach, a few degrees at a time to let my mind become comfortable with the unavoidable cold you notice after months of warm weather. It’s something that requires a few Jedi mind tricks to overcome.
The self portrait in the window on the way to Saint’s Cafe shows evidence of two new features — a wool cap that keeps my head warm after removing the full face helmet, and my faithful insulated leather gloves from LL Bean. They bridge the gap between warm weather and the time it becomes necessary to install the Tucano Urbano muffs.
Sunlight Helps Mitigate the Cold Riding Season
Here’s the deal. The actual temperature isn’t the final arbiter of the decision to ride. At least not for me, and especially this early in the cold riding season. There are literally a dozen or so things that can affect my decision to head out on the Vespa scooter. They range from how well I slept to how much time I have to prepare to how well the dogs behaved on a morning walk. If you’re going to ride in cold weather, you’ll have to determine what works for you. If you reduce it merely to comfort, or dreams of black ice, you may miss the reality of a situation with limiting rules or ideas.
That’s if you actually have an interest in riding in cold weather. Most don’t. And that’s likely a good plan.
On this morning 32F was not cold at all. I was excited to ride the scooter into town, the sunshine was bright in that special way in can be after too many cloudy days, and probably most important, I wasn’t cold when I woke. I was so warm in fact, that gearing up was minimal. No long underwear, just jeans, winter jacket, full face helmet and my LL Bean insulated leather gloves.
Saint’s Cafe in State College, Pennsylvania
Walking to the cafe was colder than riding into town but both activities were mostly unaffected by the temperature. What I did realize though as I stopped to make a photograph, for the first time in this cold riding season, I would enjoy the heat of a ceramic tea cup in my hands.
It’s the little things that make life feel rich.
Tea, Bagel, Journal
As much as I’m going on now about the cold riding season, it did not appear at all in my journal as I sat in Saint’s Cafe. Mostly I whined about failures to accomplish things at home, creatively and the other familiar themes in my life.
Sitting in the back of the cafe, watching the people, and holding that cup of tea was luxurious. I’ve dreamed of winning the Mega Millions.
I’d still be doing this.
On the Road in Autumn
By the time I headed home the temperature was near 40F. Balmy in my mind, fueled by bright sun and a strong desire to be out on the Vespa scooter. The leaves glowed with the familiar color palette of autumn — late changing this year — another simple pleasure of existence, taking in the spectacular natural wonder of color, fragrance and light that doesn’t cost a penny to enjoy.
I just need to slow down enough to see it.
Can’t Let Go of the Ride Just Because It’s Cold
Was looking through old posts when I did my first winter riding on my first scooter — a Vespa LX150. I told myself I was riding in cold weather because I loved to ride. But I didn’t fully understand what “loved to ride” really meant to me.
I was young, naive and not paying close attention to what was really happening.
What I really loved was being hyper-focused on the world in a way that riding can force you to do. And because I’m temperamentally inclined to be fearful of speed of all kinds, that slow travel allowed me to pay a lot of attention to the places and landscapes in which I rode. That is what I loved — experiencing the world around me.
Riding was just a means to an end. While I love the feeling of motion, wind in my face, and all those descriptive terms related to riding a scooter or motorcycle, it would not be enough to keep me going. I would never have ventured on into cold weather and most likely I would have long ago lost interest in riding.
Riding is a contemplative experience for me. And that experience isn’t bounded by temperature or driven by the prodding of moto-marketing that would have me racing along, carving curves and dreaming of more power and all the while miss everything important to me.
Thank God I stumbled into riding and followed the experience its provided.
Here ends the lesson for today…
[optin-cat id=”8800″]
Slowly accepting the chill… the fuel stabilizer is in the tank, but my electric connections are still on the bike, ready to power up my jacket, gloves and spirits. Today the rain has wet my mood. Walking may be my fuel for slow thought today…and time to read these musings..
The first heavy snow of the season just passed through here. Almost 10 inches accumulated but thankfully the temperature and wind was mild. Still, I recognize, like you, a need to acclimate and accept the struggle and discomfort of the cold. Could have ridden today and for sure tomorrow but mentally I just want to curl up under a blanket. Not a good place for a winter rider. But that will change over time.
I wish I was as progressive as you and was out walking at least. I’m just sitting here gnawing on toast and listening to the wall mounted gas heater. Sound and heat!
Your posts always bring a smile, and I thank you for that
Happy to know that something I share generates a smile.
Very well put. I’m glad that I stumbled into riding as well. And riding in the cold was at first a novelty, then a challenge. Then, it turned into part of my routine.
My experiences follows yours. At least until the last part. My routine varies wildly. What seems a routine today vanishes tomorrow…
Hi, Steve,
It wasn’t too long ago that I thought nothing of donning many layers of clothing… riding over pants, boots, jacket, and helmet, the electric vest and gloves, plus the muffs you mentioned. All to meet up with some “friends” to head out for breakfast in the southern New Mexico land, shivering under the 30-32 degree temperature.
Today I rode out in the frightful temperature of 56 degrees to go to my local coffee shop, and wonder how in the devil I ever did the rides some six-eight years ago. Now, a temperature of 50 degrees is my low limit. Of course, my age has something big to do with it, as I’m now in my ninth decade of living.
My riding scooters have now moved from the 600-650cc range in the past to much more manageable 150-200cc today, but on the road the speeds and wind chills are the same as ever. There are many things that influence my riding today: wind, cloudiness, temperature, rain of course, and other unlinked thoughts that help make the decision to go out in- car much simpler, and frequent.
Reading of your adaptations to the much colder weather than mine makes my situation seem silly to me now, but remembering, not too long ago, your attention to such details as clothing and scooter warmth accessories certainly conjure up like memories.
Stay warm and safe, Steve.
Karl,
I hope I find myself struggling with thoughts of temperatures I used to ride in when I’m in my ninth decade of life. That sir, is a major achievement to still be riding. You’re in an elite group.
I’m already finding the car much easier to deal with on less than ideal days. And even some ideal days.
Cold weather riding, I’m now convinced, is a completely mental challenge. The physical stuff is simple. But the mind, man oh man, is a formidable foe.
Hope things are going well for you, and as always, thanks so much for sharing your experience. I really do appreciate it.
Steve, sure enjoy your posts…even out here in northern Idaho.
Northern Idaho. That’s a world away. And another place I would someday like to visit.
Preach it – brother Steve!
Hah!
I didn’t stumble into riding, my Dad was an active rider before I was born. My brother and I served our apprenticeship on bicycles before being put on a motorcycle we shared for tears. After doing dirt racing as teenagers we both bought street bikes and racked up many miles on Long Island. I have ridden in cold when necessary but have limits. My only fall was on black ice so I make sure the roads are clear or I won’t go.
My riding experience is slight in comparison to your own. No history of motorcycles in the family at all. Just the “you’ll kill yourself” mantra from parents.
My only fall was on snow. I’ve seen some patches of black ice but it’s pretty rare around here. We have a lot of dry winter days here without the kind of freezing moisture that gives birth to black ice. Still, much to be careful of.
First comment / question on your site: I plan to purchase a new Vespa (actually a floor model from a year ago) for Poughkeepsie, outside N.Y.C. I will be a first-time rider. I looked at your photos and noticed your motor scooter was snowed over – why didn’t you use a cover?
Thanks for interest.
Laurence Alter
At home my Vespa GTS lives in the garage. It may have snow as I return from a trip but quickly dries out indoors. When I park at work it was exposed to the elements so it would sometimes be covered with snow and ice in the winter when I came out at the end of the day.
I never worried much about the elements. If you ride in the winter you need to take a deep breath and accept you’re going to much up the machine with salt and grit. For those who love to keep their scooters shiny and in pristine condition there’s no way you can embrace winter in the northeast. A year ago I finally had to have the bottom of the scooter repainted because of a decade of salt and worse.
To me, the cold is so much better when it is sunny! Enjoying the late changing leaves is a bonus!