Melting Snow Means Fog (And Maybe No Riding)
The first heavy snow of the season has come and gone. And so has my interest in riding. The snow is melting and with it wet, dreary fog has developed. It’s the sort of weather that lends itself for mysterious photographs and mystical scenes across the landscape. But I’ve left the Vespa scooter in the garage. Pulled this photo from a ride a couple years ago. Things look much the same now save we’re having a little more fog.
Fog and riding a Vespa scooter. Usually a perfect mix for me. But not today. Or even this week.
I have been thinking about it though. Read through an old post that reflects on the winter riding experience triggered by a ride to work at -8F. If you’re interested in riding after everyone else puts their scooter or motorcycle away, you may want to read SUB ZERO RIDING EDUCATION.
Saint’s Cafe With a Little Snow
My friend Paul hurt his back so I had to leave the Vespa scooter at home and drive him to Saint’s in the car. The roads were clear but there was still snow on the ground. I thought about riding. Twice. Maybe three times. But the scooter never moved from the garage.
Quiet Time
With Penn State closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday the cafe was quiet. A good time to sit back and reflect on perfect moments of idleness.
Night Time Dog Walking
While the Vespa sits idle in the garage I’ve been doing a lot more walking with the dogs. Partly to enhance my cardio activity that has diminished over the past few months, but mostly because I enjoy the time along with Junior and my thoughts. Seems odd that I’m choosing walking over riding but that’s how it is at the moment.
Christmas in State College, Pennsylvania
The Borough of State College has already put up Christmas lights and the local businesses have begun decking the halls and all that stuff. The dazzle of the seasonal lighting makes the night time walks a little more festive.
The weather forecast shows some much colder weather ahead. It’s time for me to put the Tucano Urbano muffs and apron on the scooter and get ready for the time that’s not far off that I’ll be riding again in the cold.
For now, I’m content to do whatever it is I feel like doing. Right now, mostly nothing.
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Oh, never underestimate the power of doing absolutely nothing, at least for an hour or two. Works wonders, IMO.
Funny thing: I was thinking about you earlier in the week, when it rained like it was the End of the World, with high winds to boot. Well, it was raining over here in Asbury proper; according to everyone else we know, it was teeming snow ‘n ice every damn other place but here. Ann, still recovering from knee surgery, but hobbling around with greater speed less than two weeks after surgery, was grousing about not having snow here like everyplace else; I reminded her that, as her Vespa-riding point person until she’s cleared for driving in about a week, she should be thankful for small favors. I think she got the message.
Your walk through town looked like fun, especially with pupitos in tow (or maybe it was t’other way around). Much as the always-sooner-than-last-year hanging of Christmas lights can irk me, it does make an an evening stroll this time of year a tad more…festive. Yeah, I said that.
Holiday cheer to you ‘n yours.
I just need to be careful that I don’t over do nothing!
It’s nice to be in the no-snow zone sometimes, especially when you’re a scooter rider who doesn’t drain the fuel on Labor Day. Give Ann my best wishes for her surgical recovery. And having to forego dreams of snow with you around.
As far as walking with the dogs goes — Junior walks with me. Lily tows me but she is improving as she learns to temper her excitement.
With today being Black Friday I suppose the Christmas holiday season with ratchet up a few notches. But that chaos in minimal when you walk through town after everything is closed!
We have snow, occasionally a little sleet if it gets too warm. This mornings ride was a little slippery. You can feel the rear tire slide a bit sideways if you give it a bit too much throttle. With the heated grips and handlebar muffs, my hands were toasty warm. The one piece Roadcrafter does a good enough job of holding in body heat that the fleece liner was more than sufficient. The Ural really is a great run-around vehicle at these moderate temps. (+15°F)
I’ve felt the sideways slip of the rear tire many times. It’s not a good feeling when there’s only two wheels. Mostly I try to avoid those situations.
I need to put the muffs on the scooter and attach the apron. Then I’ll be able to invoke the “toasty warm” assessment. Without them, at 15F, I’ll only be able to say, “I’m not frozen.”
“For now, I’m content to do whatever it is I feel like doing.”
Welcome to the world of the retired.
It’s a fine world Ken!
Thanks Steve for the posts and pictures. We live in New Bern, NC now and we do not see much snow down here. Last winter we experienced 3 inches but it did not last long. I did not need my snow shovel at all. Wishing you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving!