Change is Inevitable
Age wreaks havoc on the plans and actions of youth. Gone are the days when choices of clothing and activities had little to do with the weather. Walking out the door into snow was a time to make snowballs and see how well my old Ford would do on roads clogged with ice and snow. Time has changed me. And with it my reaction to a cold morning. To continue to ride through the winter will require annual adjustments in mind, body, and spirit. Despite having ridden through many winters, it hasn’t become any easier to begin.
This is the beginning of my story on preparing for winter riding.
Head First into Cold Weather
Aiden and Lily remind me of the way I was at age 20. Always ready and willing to head out the door for adventure regardless of the weather. The weather has become colder as the world slowly inches toward winter. More than a few mornings now has found the thermometer dip below 40F. And with those temperatures I recognize how my age influences my willingness to enter the outdoors. If I resist walking the dogs, an activity that I enjoy, how will I ever leave the nest to ride a scooter or motorcycle? Winter riding will become a faint and fond memory.
On the Road
Riding in cold weather now requires a deliberate adjustment in my attitude toward the cold. A conversation takes place in my mind between the rider and the sluggard who fades into the cradling warmth of an easy chair consuming adventure and life vicariously through YouTube. Maybe it’s not quite that extreme. But I do have to cajole myself into motion. Even in temperatures that are mild.
I decided to ride my Himalayan to visit a friend. It would provide an opportunity to drive moisture from the crankcase and pour some electricity into the battery. Some of the mechanical requirements for winter riding. It wasn’t cold — 62F — but I could sense the edge of discomfort as the cool air cut into my unprotected neck. My new Merlin Hixon II leather jacket did an excellent job keeping me warm with just a T-shirt underneath. I’ve always wanted a leather jacket.
Over the Gravel and Into the Woods
I’m grateful for shortcuts. Especially the ones that take me off the pavement and into the woods. Even a modest, easy stretch of dirt or gravel does wonders for recharging my adventure batteries.
Stopping the Himalayan to look around the contrast between the coolness of the air while riding and the “warmth” while stopped is sharp. This is the time to begin training my mind to accept that growing difference. To bridge the gap from indoor comfort to outdoor challenge. I don’t like being cold but preparing my mind to accept a change, and the right gear will allow me to continue winter riding.
My mind can convince me otherwise if I allow it to run off with my emotions.
Who Wants to Ride Forever?
At 70 the forest is as intriguing as it was when I held my dad’s hand on walks in the woods. I’m not ready to live solely on memories. In those small hours of the morning before the dogs stir, I can lie awake and think about past adventures. Riding through the woods on a motorcycle reminds me how much I miss being out in the world.
I want to ride as long as I can. I want to ride forever.
Is 36F too Cold to Ride?
The forecast for the morning is cold with wind gusts. Nothing for the dogs. Enough to give me pause as I write. But slowly I will acclimate to the increasing cold and find myself more easily embracing winter riding.
I’ve been asked why I do it if it’s so difficult and uncomfortable? It’s so easy for life to become safe, easy, and comfortable. All the secrets out in the world hidden from me. At 70 I know I may never pass this way again. So while I’m here, I want to relish the view from the road. Abandon the scooters and motorcycles for months because of cold weather?
Fuel for the Fire
The tank was nearly empty. Fresh fuel to keep the engine running without issue. Another 29 miles on the clock from a little trip to visit a friend. A little winter riding exercise for the motorcycle and for me. Each ride opens my arms in a literal embrace of colder weather. I’m no longer young and alive. Now I’m older. And I’m still alive. And I plan to drink in as many moments of life astride a scooter or motorcycle as I can.
Good morning Steve. You are 70 and I just turned 80. I still hear my mother telling me many years ago: “Son, you need to take it one day at a time.” I try to do that and find it is helpful to the way I see my life in the present and going forward. I hope you will do so also.
Your mother provided excellent advice Karl. I try and follow the same advice myself.
Colder cooler weather indeed! I was out and about on my CT125 yesterday afternoon somewhere in the 40’s and it was fresh! As the sun began to sink below the horizon I stopped on my way home at one point to press my throttle hand against the crankcase for a wee bit of relief. The ride rewards, brilliant Autumn colours, roads less travelled, Cowboy Cookies and Espresso, were priceless. Savour and embrace these moments, seems it’s a pretty short ride after all and there doesn’t appear to be a rehearsal.👌
The cooler weather has arrived here for sure. 32F this morning. The dogs aren’t affected but I hesitated a moment before walking out the door.
You’re right about how great the hot drink and sugar vehicles are after a cold ride.
The ride is indeed short. And I want to make sure whatever regrets I have at the end don’t include wishing I had ridden more.
Your opening comments reminded me of an 18 year old self taking my already old 55 Chevy out to blast through plowed up snow banks, some higher than the car. I still have black and white photos somewhere.
Winters here aren’t that severe. We will have ride-able temperatures on and off. Yes, you may never pass this way again, so get out there.
Yesterday – wow! – was a brilliant, bright day to ride, look at the leaves and take pictures.
Those times blasting through snow drifts and plowed banks are fresh in my mind still. And with two or three friends in the car with me we always seemed to be able to push the car out of any troubling situations.
Winters are definitely not what they once were. And the roads are quickly cleared. I remember sled riding down the road in front of my house for a week or more because the snow never left. It just became a little more gritty from cinders. They were good for creating sparks off the sled runners.
It’s another beautiful morning today. At 32F I am not ready yet to ride!
In the process of trying to un-brick a Garmin Zumo XT, one of the remedies is supposedly to plug it in and ride for 30 minutes to as to re-activate the battery (I believe I let the thing run down to 0%). The sun was shining, so I thought “good excuse to go for a ride.” Took off on the CT125, and realized about 10 minutes in that I was unprepared for how cold it really was. Despite looking like it was 70° out, in truth it was probably in the low 50s, late in the afternoon. The helmet I chose had no face shield, I had no neck protection, just a sweatshirt on with no base layer, and my unheated Kemimoto riding gloves. My hands and face were freezing, and I had begun to shiver on the bike. Lesson learned.
This winter I’m trying something new. I am decamping to southeastern AZ (elevation 4200′), and bringing the CT125 with me. It’s a chance to stay warmer, see more sunny days, and ride much different terrain. This may be the way I handle winter riding until…whenever. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Being better able to judge how cold it is and gear up appropriately is one of those rusty skills that sharpens for me with practice. 50F and a bare face is cold. And it knifes into an unguarded neck. Definitely a lesson that is worth remembering.
Southeastern Arizona. That’s a dry and warm place. I looked at homes in Tombstone. Lots of dirt roads there to run the CT125. Not enough green for my spirit though. I hope you find it suits you though. Look forward to reports from the West!
I remember riding to work at ten degrees. Cold was absolutely excruciating. It crept through the layers like water seeping in the rain. Warmup was even worse. My body felt crushed as it warmed. I don’t do it anymore unless the ride is under five miles. I didn’t get this old by being stupid.
10F is brutal if not well prepared. It took me two winters before I was fully able to enjoy a ride at that temperature. And even then, took me longer to learn how to breathe in a manner that would not fog my face shield. Practice and more practice.
Not sure I’ll ride anymore in those conditions but then who knows…
The title of your post reminded me of an Army saying when field conditions are “sub-optimal”: Embrace the Suck.
Sub-optimal. Leave it to the military to come up with such a term. Embrace the Suck is more descriptive!