You used to be impervious to the cold Mike. It’s hell to get old!

There really wasn’t any snow on the road. Mostly it was packed snow that turned to ice now with a touch of slush on top. Really slippery stuff. Best to avoid it. Having ridden in snow exclusively on the scooter, there was no peg standing. I found it much more useful to easily flat foot the machine and duck walk through some of the more challenging stretches. Not on this ride but on rides in the past.

I don’t think I’ll take the Himalayan out in the snow and ice. Being a hundred pounds heavier than the Vespa and slightly taller it would be more difficult to safely manage things.

When it does happen, it happens suddenly. I don’t worry much about loss of traction anymore. I do sort of obsess about deer though. They seem particularly difficult subjects for which to manage risk. Slowing down helps but man they seem to just appear out of nowhere.

The video is still cumbersome and uncomfortable. You know what it’s like. But I suppose with practice it will get better and I can focus more energy on the story rather than the technology.

I took the Himalayan out today. Different route. More salty mess but not as much ice. So that was good.

The Himalayan does have a center stand but it is not nearly as stable as the Vespa. The scooter has one wide foot that gives some added stability. The Himalayan has two smaller footprint points. Stable I suppose but I’ve not tested it except for in the garage and driveway. I did put a kickstand foot extension. It’s nice and wide. No sinking into mud or soft dirt.

I recorded the audio by using a Rode lavalier microphone. It is taped inside my helmet just to the right of my mouth. The microphone has a little dead cat on it and the wire runs out to the GoPro camera. The cameras have no microphone input. So I had to buy a Media Mod box. The camera is inserted into that and there is a mike jack in the back of the Media mod box. I wish the jack was on the side. So far, the setup remains cumbersome and I’ll have to work on it. The sound is sorted and can’t be much quieter unless I buy a helmet that’s quieter.

The whole thing is confusing at this point. Especially with two cameras running that you can’t see the composition. Just sort of point and hope for the best. And the GoPro cameras are anything but simple. So many settings. So many options. So many opportunities to screw up.

You’re right about interrupting the flow of a ride. It wouldn’t be so bad for an all-day ride but for the short rides of a couple of hours, it is pretty intrusive. I suppose it will become more seamless once I have practiced a bit more.

It feels unnatural at this point talking while I’m riding. With practice, I probably will be more comfortable. And if I have something to talk about!

I’m used to riding the scooter through icy spots. Like anything else, you get accustomed to it over time. And you know I’m a slow rider…