An April Snow Squall
It’s hard to figure that one day the temperature is 70F and a couple days later it’s snowing again. That’s the kind of April we’ve had.
I went for a ride during the last squall to run a few errands and I was left with the feeling that I’ve had enough winter riding. Perhaps it is age, or a particularly bad day mentally, but whatever was in play had me bemoaning the difficulties of riding in winter.
On this ride it was particularly cold — right around the freezing mark. And the snow wasn’t piling up on the road. But the temperature, moisture, and slush had an effect. The visor was difficult to keep clear and the slush was bad enough that I could feel a wheel slip now and then. I just was tired of the fight.
I made a video of my reactions and thoughts about winter riding. It may be my last. Or at least the last ride in snow I make. I say that now. Who knows what next winter will bring.
Many years ago I made the uneducated decision to ride my motorcycle year round. On Long Island the weather wasn’t too bad between March and November, but oh those winter months. Traveling on the Parkway to work on a cold morning of ten degrees at sixty miles per hour introduced me to cold on a scale I had never experienced before. Getting my hands numb from cold was bad enough but the thawing out was even worse. It was like having a car parked on them until all the circulation returned even with good leather mittens and a scarf to seal out the cold. I drew the line at riding in snow so I didn’t have to contend with that.
Using it as much as I did had the wear and tear at levels I couldn’t believe. Tires wore through at a fierce pace and components suffered corrosion in places you would never have imagined. After three years I finally bought a second car to save myself and the motorcycle. Now I read about others doing the hard runs and smile. My bikes stay indoors until the cold and salt wash away and I’m much happier for it.
“…the uneducated decision…” I can relate to that. And not just in terms of riding. I’ve often forged ahead with little to no information or understanding. I’m not sure what to make of that.
Winter riding was one of those uneducated decisions and like you, I found cold on a new scale and the Vespa found corrosion in unexpected ways. Looking back, I’m glad I have the memories but it certainly was risky business.
I’m close to parking the scooter and motorcycle in the winter months. I won’t drain them because we still have a lot of clear, relatively warm days in winter that are fine for riding. But no more battling the elements for me I think.
Not really ride related but weather related. Two days ago I mowed the grass in 3 layers of clothing – 36 degrees!, 15 mph wind and spitting snow!
First mowing about a week ago, I actually raked a bit of snow out of the way to finish mowing. Never, ever did that before.
The weather certainly has been strange. Not sure if it means anything other than I need to be flexible in my expectations.
I’m finding the time to stop doing something is when it becomes a chore….
That’s why I don’t shave very often!
Dear Steve,
There is a time for everything and you have to do things without making them a chore; do them only if you don’t want to.
We have enough obligation as it is without adding to it. It’s stressful to force yourself to do things…
As far as the motorcycle and the Vespa are concerned, it must remain a pleasure, a way of life and nothing else!
So, if you don’t feel the pleasure anymore or if you’re afraid to ride in the winter, just don’t.
I learned about your dog, I’m sorry and understand your pain to have lost a faithful friend…
Laurent.
Cher Steve,
Il y a un temps pour tout et il faut faire les choses sans qu’elles soient une corvée; ne les faire que si l’on n’en a envie.
Nous avons assez d’obligation comme cela sans en rajouter. C’est stressant de s’obliger à faire des choses…
En ce qui concerne la moto et la Vespa, cela doit rester un plaisir, un mode de vie et rien d’autre !
Donc, si tu ne ressens plus de plaisir ou si tu as peur de rouler l’hiver, ne le fait pas tout simplement.
J’ai appris pour ton chien, j’en suis désolé et comprends ta douleur d’avoir perdu un ami fidèle…
Laurent.
Being a chronic procrastinator, I can’t use the yardstick of not doing something because it seems like a chore. On some days everything feels that way. It’s difficult to differentiate what I don’t want to do from procrastination. The same goes for pleasure. It often comes after I do something. Hard to predict.
I miss my dog Junior. His parting has had a strong effect on our remaining dog. She’s grieving his absence I think. We’ll be getting another dog soon. Life is too short to go without them.
Étant un procrastinateur chronique, je ne peux pas utiliser l’étalon de ne pas faire quelque chose parce que cela semble être une corvée. Certains jours, tout se sent ainsi. Il est difficile de différencier ce que je ne veux pas faire de la procrastination. Il en va de même pour le plaisir. Cela vient souvent après que j’ai fait quelque chose. Difficile à prévoir. Mon chien Junior me manque. Sa séparation a eu un fort effet sur notre chien restant. Elle pleure son absence je pense. Nous aurons bientôt un autre chien. La vie est trop courte pour s’en passer.
Coming in here rather late (for a change), but: hadn’t I read you stating a while back that you you were at least ostensibly giving up most Winter riding?
My first deliberate action regarding Winter riding came right after my first – and so far, only – in-snow riding incident, which occurred just a few blocks from home. (Just like my crash last December…man, am I a still-breathing average statistic, or what?) My simple change in plan was that I would continue to ride in Winter, but only under dry conditions, which in fact constitutes a good chunk of most Northeast winters. Since instituting this “policy”, I believe the longest period that Melody, my dear, departed Vespa GTS Super, sat idle over the last several Winters, was somewhere around two weeks – barely long enough to break out the battery tender (because cold and parked outdoors, albeit under a sturdy cover), but still leaving the rest of the season to get around as I wished. Now, with the new GTS (Thelonica), I’m just a bit better prepared…this ride has heated grips.
I think it’s largely about understanding your comfort zone, and just how far you care to go past it at a given time. I don’t have anything to prove to anybody, and I have a strong inkling you don’t, either, so it’s down to how things look, and feel, on a given Winter’s day. Come to think of it, there are some otherwise-perfect days the rest of the year where I could be out riding, but I’m just as happy lazing in the backyard hammock, or spinning some Miles in the living room with the cat in my lap.
No worries — I’m quite late in responding to your comments!
I’ve made the same riding pact as you regarding winter riding — dry pavement only — but seemed to continually find myself pushing that line. Youth and adventure got in the way perhaps. Now it’s much easier not to go out in winter if there is even a slight chance of precipitation. And my growing aversion to cold makes all winter riding decisions seem more one-sided now.
You’re right about learning what your comfort zone is. Physically regarding the cold. Risk involved. And if I now had a brand new, shiny, expensive GTS, I would not submit it to the destructive chemical forces on the wet roads of winter. I think I’m getting closer to babying my machines. My Himalayan has started to show some grimy assaults of mud and grit which I try and clean away but for an off-road machine, I may have to accept it. With a new Vespa, I’ll likely be more careful if I eventually buy another one.
Have fun lounging around on a hammock with the cat. There is a lot to be said in support of those choices!
As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.