Riding Hopes Dashed
Before I opened my eyes I could hear the snowplow clawing along the pavement, telling me there would be no time on the scooter or motorcycle today. I’m weary of the cold air biting at my flesh, the gray skies drowning the color from my sight, the realization I’ve become a prisoner of the harsh whims of nature.
The dreaded wintry mix had arrived and there was nothing I could do. Winter and riding regress into memory and on into myth. I’m so tired of it all.
Yet I realize I am powerless over the weather. Winter and riding are merely a pipe dream of an adventurer growing smaller in my rearview mirror. I’m sliding toward fair-weather riding and I don’t like it.
I need to ride.
Choices and No Choice
I’ve been going into the garage a lot lately. I make sure the Battery Tenders are displaying a green light. I run my hands over the scooter and motorcycle. I turn the key to listen to the fuel pumps and watch the dashes illuminate. I’m acting like my dog when it’s dinner time.
The road will be dry tomorrow. The wind will be blowing making 20-degree weather seem colder. But the sun will shine. That’s a plus.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan can’t hold a candle to the Vespa with its Tucano Urbano bar muffs and heated grips. And even without the apron the scooter still has far more protection from the wind. As I write these words I’m struggling to convince myself to ride tomorrow, telling myself a ride will cure what ails me.
But I’m so tired of the cold. I just don’t know…
I know that feeling…..
Hang in there, spring’s return is inevitable!
Richard in Blue Ridge
The return of spring is inevitable and with it more comfortable opportunities to ride. More snow falling right now. Winter is flaunting its power to demoralize!
Steve, I awoke to 3/8” of ice pebbles yesterday morning, discouraging even though I’m not a winter rider. I’ve been waiting out the winter very much enjoying your more frequent posts and great videos. The Enfield seems to have reinvigorated you, that’s a good thing. Friday here, was brightened however by the arrival of a pair of Michelin City from Scooterwest.
The Himalayan has provided a much-needed shot in the arm. Not just for riding but to improve my outlook on the world in general. Vladimir Putin is doing his best to darken things though. It’s amazing the damage to the world a few men can do. I wonder when those who do the dirty work will ever wise up…
I feel for you. Here in the UK we have just endured three “storms ” in a 10 day row, but today the sun is shining and the wind is blowing respectably at last and the temperature is a grand 9 Celsius. Sorry, Fahrenheit is disappearing into the mist here nowadays although it’s what I grew up with . Here in GB we are not sure whether we are Europeans or not!
I have already given the dog her afternoon walk, before lunch , and have a pass from the Board to go out on Bertie, GTS300. I am almost drooling, or is that the dampness of tears of sympathy for you…? I just can’t tell…
Regards Chris?
Current events may press the issue of whether you’re a European or not.
More snow today though much less aggressive. Much colder though. Generally just a miserable mental picture.
I may venture out on my GTS but any tears would quickly freeze…
Tis still February here in Ontario and a genuine old school February in that a solid hour was spent clearing snow yesterday. Difficult Moto time of the year as a rule but perhaps more so these days surrounded by truly dreadful news. Nonetheless, we continue to read, plan and dream about upcoming two wheel adventures. Hope and dreams Spring eternal for the Moto mad among us. If you do manage to get out on two wheels be safe and stay warm eh!
After two years of pandemic an approach toward spring I thought the world was growing brighter. And then the world seems ready to burst into flames.
Dreaming of future rides, like you, keeps me occupied.
I like to go out to the garage and start them up. Yesterday I rode ‘Ol bessy up the street 300 yards before my face froze.
It’s rough riding when you’re face isn’t covered and it’s 20F outside!
We had a nasty thick snow yesterday but I have a weapon for that. My snow blower helps me wage war with winter and is helpless to me tossing it aside. The roar of the barely subdued mechanical noise is reminiscent of the dirt bikes of my youth and the blade and drive levers my clutch and throttle. The cold and snow might keep me off the streets but I am the Master of the Driveway. Riding lives, it just takes on a new form.
I ran the snowblower as well. It was prescribed by my cardiologist and has been a pleasure to use.
The driveway and roads are clear but I’ve been sidetracked by other things. But soon I’ll go for a ride.
Every Spring I’m anxious to get back on one of them and though I do have a favorite or two, the one that actually is chosen for that first loop normally doesn’t matter. However, this year there’s a specific machine that has my imagination rolling. Whether it’s the one in front or not won’t matter on that special day
I have one machine that has captured my imagination. I can’t wait for the backroads to defrost!
https://youtu.be/Ud0PGaTmWmU
https://youtu.be/dLqLML_UCdY
A Himalayan to the South Pole. Pretty amazing.
Hello Steve,
Moi aussi, j’ai besoin de rouler et après avoir acheté des pneus Heidenau snowtex, j’ai acheté des pneus Anlas grip winter plus. J’habite au Mont-Saxonnex dans les Alpes Françaises à plus de 1000 mètres d’altitude. Il n’y pas que le froid qui bride nos envies de rouler en hiver; nous vieillissons et nous aimon de plus en plus notre confort et de moins en moins les prise de risques. C’est la vie…
Hello Steve,
I too need to ride and after buying Heidenau snowtex tires I bought Anlas grip winter plus tires. I live in Mont-Saxonnex in the French Alps at over 1000 meters above sea level. It’s not just the cold that curbs our desire to ride in winter; we get older and we like our comfort more and more and less and less risk taking. That’s life…
Living in the Alps must give many opportunities for beautiful rides. I’ve visited the Alps in Germany, Austria, and Italy, but have never had the pleasure of the French Alps. I can understand why you need snow tires.
And I also understand the growing desire for comfort. It is life…
Vivre dans les Alpes doit offrir de nombreuses possibilités de belles balades. J’ai visité les Alpes en Allemagne, en Autriche et en Italie, mais je n’ai jamais eu le plaisir des Alpes françaises. Je peux comprendre pourquoi vous avez besoin de pneus neige.
Et je comprends aussi le désir croissant de confort. C’est la vie…