Facing the Cold
The first snow has arrived. Light, decorative, a dusting that beckons of winter to come. The past month has offered unseasonably warm weather. Riding weather for even the cold-adverse riders. Yet the roads are largely empty of scooters and motorcycles save for those souls committed to continued riding. Some I suspect have something to prove (except Dan). Others may be victims of economics that offer no alternative choice of vehicles.
I tell myself I’m done with cold weather riding. The lure of a warm home and soft chair become a subtle yet powerful addiction. I surely would find myself powerless if not for two dogs who demand adventure regardless of how I feel or the weather outside. So slowly I’m becoming more acclimated to the cold. Day by day, walk by walk I notice a growing strength of resistance to the lowering temperatures. And from that comes a willingness to leave the warmth of home and venture out on a scooter or motorcycle.
Even in the snow.
What’s to Worry About?
It was the Vespa ET4’s turn for a ride. A good choice when there’s snow flying. And at 34F the road was wet while handsome snowflakes graced my existence. Fifteen years ago almost no weather in Central Pennsylvania would keep me from pushing my scooter outside to commute to work. Freezing rain or accumulations of snow greater than 6 inches marked my boundaries. Now in my seventh decade I’ve begun to reevaluate those boundaries. A tentative draft floats in my head that now includes an above freezing temperature requirement. But a vocal resistance asserts there are many sub-freezing days where the roads are bone dry.
The negotiations continue.
Food and Friends
Getting older has changed my perspective on friends, family, and the temporal nature of both. It’s more important now to spend time with people. For someone like me with a strong loner streak it will take work to turn the ship. I’ve gathered the addresses of cousins I’ve not seen in 60 years and plan to write to them. What I’ll say remains a mystery but memories of closer ties as a kid have me wondering if it might be possible to connect again. Why? That’s an open question. I used to love winter as a kid. Can I love winter again?
Time will tell.
As a kid my favorite season was Winter. Not so much anymore, but I will get out there and ride on some days. After all I have electric gear, extra heavy layered riding clothes, coat, pants and boots. You’re fortunate to have the dogs to give you a tug outside every day.
So far I’ve not had to put much gear on to ride. But soon that will change I’m sure. The dogs definitely are insistent on getting out. And I keep track of my iPhone to make sure I’m getting in at least 10K steps every day. So far so good.
Winter will inevitably turn our thoughts inward as we have more time to ponder things. Getting older will do that as well. For some, the world gets smaller as we age. Friends lose touch, move away or pass away. It takes more of any effort to reconnect but almost aways worth while.
You’re right about it taking an effort to reconnect. And then to stay connected. It’s a skill I have to practice.
I promised myself that I would walk every day no matter the weather. It hasn’t gone so well as the slushy rain is keeping me in now. The Vespa is down for battery connection problems, hopefully if we get a weather break it will be fixed in time
Walking every day is a challenge for me. Even with the dogs prodding me along. But I definitely feel better when I do it.
I hope you get your Vespa sorted and on the road before the weather makes it untenable.
Hey Steve,
Hope u all have a Blessed Thanksgiving regardless of the weather. I’m reminded as I read your post some no longer have the option of to ride or not, so guess on that note I already geel better about riding also I’m in Texas and usually could ride 365 days a year✌
Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes Don. I hope the same for you.
Texas is a different world from where I am. My dad was stationed at Fort Hood during the Korean War when he was recalled by the Army. I remember him saying something about the weather: “It’s the only place in the world where you can stand in mud up to your knees with sand blowing in your face.” That sentence has echoed in my head since I was a kid and has probably wrongly colored my understanding of Texas!
My fleet sits in the garage and our sole activity these days is the weekly warmup. I used to ride when financial difficulties offered no other alternative. These days I’m much better off and it takes a real compelling reason for me to ride in the cold. My car is much more comfortable.
The car is definitely a quickly comfortable ride in cold weather and I feel the allure. But I still like to ride enough and can easily stay warm enough that I can ride through much of our ever becoming milder winters. Rotating through five machines is a pain though. I’m not ready to make any decisions about that though. If I can ride each of them 15 to 30 miles once every two weeks I’m comfortable that they will come through winter fine.
Good morning Steve, My Bride and I are in Santa Fae NM now. Doing cross country trip. From SC. to Gorgia and catching up with Grandchildren, from there to Phoenix Arizona to see, Elaine’s 96 year Aunt. We are in Santa Fae for 2 days We are celebrating turkey day in Denver with Family. Should be back Dec. 4. We are testing how long can you travel with your partner and not get left behind at mile marker 83 in Nebraska.
Let’s get together soon.
Wow Mike. It sounds as if you two are doing a lot of traveling. Drop me a line when you get home and are ready for breakfast somewhere. And if Elaine leaves you alongside the road, well, sounds like the start of another adventure!
Acclimating… yes. I find it’s tempting to dodge that. Especially where we live now because a) it’s been ridiculously unseasonably warm this year, b) we have cosy indoor parking, c) the places we go to for almost all our errands have cosy indoor parking… all of which leads to climate obliviousness and winter denial. Heck, when and if we ever get snow again, I’ll just switch to riding my bike in the garage on P2. Deep in denial.
Denial is a wonderful trick David. I’m constantly trying to figure out how it’s done.
I’m not sure how my winter riding will fare this year but right now my intentions are positive. I just have to see how I’ll feel when the temperature is in the 20s.
I like the snow photo of the ET4. Pulling into the Pump Station I saw it parked there and I thought “Ooo Steve rode that in the cold snow he has no boundaries”. I remember the week I bought that Vespa my first Vespa, 2004, I was so overjoyed.
I remember when you first bought it and showed it off by doing wheelies. Now it’s leading a more sedate life.