Underestimating the Cold
A clear, sunny morning after fresh snow clouds my judgment. The cold and snow seem light and a mere trifle to deal with. It’s that thinking that leads me to underestimate the cold and wander out of the house unprepared for what nature has in store. Every year I step into the same trap after the first snow. And because I usually decide to take a ride on the Vespa scooter, I have to get reacquainted with winter riding.
Underprepared in Regard to Gear
So off I go without much thought to what to expect or preparing the scooter or myself for any kind of winter riding. I’m riding under the influence of the first snow.
The snow tires aren’t on yet. Neither are the bar muffs or the Termoscud apron. And while I did put on my insulated riding pants and jacket, I left the house with the same gloves I wear at 70F. It was 44 degrees colder on this ride. When the temperature is 26F a little leather isn’t enough to keep your hands warm when you’re riding.
Heated grips aren’t enough.
Lesson Learned (again)
It didn’t take many miles for me to snap out of my first snow trance. The ache in my arthritic fingers called out first, followed by feet and then the tender flesh that air seems to find in the space between my helmet and jacket collar.
Memo to self — don’t forget the balaclava.
Despite the cold, it was a joy to be on the road riding. There’s a reason I keep doing this.
Underestimating Traction
I should know by now that snow is slippery. In all its forms and at all temperatures. I pulled off into a plowed area and found the scooter completely unable to move under its own power. Just an inch or so of soft snow had the rear wheel spinning regardless of throttle position. And even a low ridge of snow made it difficult for me to muscle the scooter forward or backward.
What happened? Well, in part, when I first started riding in the snow I was younger. And stronger. I’m not as likely to pull the Vespa through the snow now. I flailed around for a few minutes to return to the welcome traction of salt and grit.
Snow Tires
There are two snow tires for the scooter already on rims in the garage. True to form, I procrastinated and didn’t swap out the tires. When I left I didn’t think I would need them and in reality, I guess I didn’t. But they would have made the riding a lot easier and safer.
Managing Risk
I give myself a “C” on this ride. I managed the riding part ok. I failed in the preparation of the machine and gear. Maybe it should be a “C-.”
For those of you who don’t venture out in cold weather, it will be difficult to describe the pleasure. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the cold and never get to the point where you can find a different kind of satisfaction of being on the road in a central Pennsylvania winter. And apart from the challenges physically, there’s the mental conditioning that scooters and motorcycles should be retired to the garage somewhere around Labor Day. That’s the beginning of September for those of you not riding in the U.S.
Winter riding provides none of the feeling of flying that I get in warm weather. I can’t achieve the speed or freedom required for that as I more intensely monitor the road surface for ice, moisture, snow, gravel, salt, grit, and whatever else might suddenly appear.
It’s a different sort of thrill. Like two-wheeled chess on a long ribboned game board.
Exercising the Vespa
In winter, there’s always an aspect of riding whose goal is to keep the fuel fresh and the oil churned. So when I ride I take every meandering path and alley I can as I move away from home or return. I seldom take the fastest route. In part because I want the ride to last longer, and in winter to make sure the ride lasts longer.
Except when I get cold.
Mechanically Irresponsible, Childishly Happy
The Vespa has a hiccup. A periodic big engine “miss.” It happened for the first time during this ride. I hate thinking about this sort of stuff. It may be an easy fix like a loose spark plug wire or something more complicated like a fuel injector. The scooter is old enough now that it could be anything.
The only thing I hate more than working on machines is working on machines in a cold garage. Whatever dreams I have of becoming more mechanically interested in the Vespa or the BMW will likely remain dreams. I bought a big, heavy, cumbersome motorcycle lift table to more easily work on the scooter but after three years I’ve not used it once.
Still, despite the potential aggravation of sensing something wrong or getting cold, I had a a fine time riding. There was a stupid smile on my face and runny nose like a kid who spent too much time outside in the cold.
I had more fun than I deserve.
Now that we’re getting really cold temperatures in Florida, it was 49° the other morning, I started a ritual of building a fire in the fire pit in the early hours of the morning staring at it and drinking my coffee. It’s a much better meditative start to the morning then staring at the computer. Of course when a scooter and the sticks post comes up it makes the morning even better. So as I sit here in front of the fire I try to imagine the cold freezing hands the cold freezing toes and Jack Frost on your nose. Sorry I can’t do it, it’s just too damn nice and warm here in Florida. But it was a wonderful tail to read. Thank you.
A fire can be a nice way to dispel the cold and to stare at and reflect. A tree fell in our garden and it’s been cut up and piled thinking a fire might be nice. All that wood is still under a foot of snow and I prepared no pit or fire ring so I don’t see it happening for me here. But I can appreciate sitting like that. A nice image.
At 49F you could ride with the right gear. No worries about heat stroke and sweat!
Thanks for stopping by Ken.
Sounds like a fine ride! Thanks for sharing your story and pictures. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
It was a fine ride. Next time I’ll be better prepared and warmer.
Merry Christmas!
Try putting a cap full of Seafoam fuel treatment in the tank once in a while. It holds the gunk from ethanol at bay and has kept many a Chinese scooter happy.
I have Stabil here. Is that the same thing or is Seafoam different?
I’m not sure if they’re the same. Seafoam has a distinct odor and has a reputation for cleaning out gunk in carburetors. It has been the darling of Chinese scooter forums for years while Stabil is never mentioned. Have you changed the fuel filter lately?
I’ll look into it Jim to make sure Seafoam is ok with fuel injection systems too.
Fuel filter. I think it’s been changed twice in 44K miles. Last time a couple years ago maybe??
I admire your fortitude. The winter roads around here seem too fast or poorly plowed. Sounds like a blast though, maybe if we get a warm sunny day I’ll give it a try.
I won’t be going out anymore on snow-covered roads. At least not intentionally. But once the roads are plowed and more or less clear I will. But there are many, many roads here with little traffic. That helps a lot, with the riding and the relaxing.
Winter riding has never had any appeal for me, mostly I think due to the safety factors. Then again, I don’t have the luxury of a garage, so when I put my scooter away it’s pretty much for the duration, especially if there is snow on the ground. Winter landscapes, however, I find lovely. So I will be content to let you do the riding and taking the pictures, which I always enjoy. When I take winter landscape pictures it’s always from the safety of a car. BTW when is your Vespa photography book coming out? 🙂
There are definitely safety concerns and increased risk when riding in winter. While my difficulties with the cold may have a more dramatic effect on me riding less in the winter, I have been thinking more and more of the risk I have to manage, and the impact a fall could have on my aging body.
I can see myself eventually arriving at the same place you have. Thankfully, there are other things I can do in the winter. I’ll just need to figure out what they are. Perhaps working on that photo book you asked about!
Ah yes, the re-learning of lessons….recently went out on a ride with three others so they could enjoy their new dual sport motorcycles and scooter. I had initially been kicking myself for choosing to ride the Ural but when we occasionally hit wet spots on the pavement, I got over that….feeling much better about maintaining traction with three wheels! It also reminded, as you alluded to, the great benefit of grip covers to keep the wind off one’s gloved hands.
It takes time I guess to transition to a new riding season.
The grip covers are miraculous. I was a fool to wait so long to get some. And each winter it takes me a few cold hand events before I put them on.
“ I flailed around for a few minutes to return to the welcome traction of salt and grit.” The Mad Bomber Hat makes perfect sense now. 👍
My mad bomber helmet is enough for winter. I always keep a wool hat under the seat though for those times I make an extended stop to take pictures.
The bomber hat is great. Haven’t needed to wear it yet though.
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it; Gandhi.
La Pennsylvanie est encore plus belle sous la neige.
Pennsylvania is even more beautiful under the snow.
Merry Christmas ! Joyeux Noël !
Laurent.
Merci pour vos commentaires. Je les apprécie.
J’ai la chance de vivre dans un bel endroit.
Meilleurs voeux à vous et à votre famille pour un joyeux Noël!
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them.
I’m fortunate to live in a beautiful place.
Best wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas!
Hmmm… in certain respects we are opposites, for sure.
I have had the Termoscud and tall windscreen installed for a month now. I think I have taken the Vespa out… twice?
I took the final winter prep step a few days ago. I put the Vespa cover on the Vespa, and said, to myself, in my mind, “See ya in the spring!”
Merry Christmas Steve to you and your loved ones.
I understand the “See ya in the spring!” comment David. I suspect some winter I’ll be doing the same. Not this year, but it can’t be far off now.