Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Photography
    • Steve Williams, Photographer
    • Personal Projects
      • Dogs
      • Kim Project Series
      • Landscapes
      • Military Museum
    • Portraits
    • Vespa Riding
    • Commercial
  • About

Cold Weather Riding Challenge

December 22, 2008 by Scooter in the Sticks 6 Comments

Colin Doyle of Collegeville, Minnesota so far is the leader in 2strokebuzz’s Cold Weather Challenge. Doyle took a ride on his Honda Ruckus 50 at -10 degrees Fahrenheit. The video he submitted of the ride accurately depicts what it is like to be out on the snow. I think at those sub-zero temperatures there is more traction than at 30 degrees. At least that’s my experience of boots on snow in the cold.

When the challenge was first issued I thought I would give it a whirl but seeing -10F as the current mark to beat I sighed and knew that would be hard for me to beat. I can’t remember the last time the temperature around here was so low.

I’ve always admired the styling on the Ruckus and after seeing Doyle’s video a little light flickered in my head that said, “No there’s a fine second scooter…”. It would be especially good in the snow when you really want to get your feet down flat at times, a lighter machine, aggressive tires, and a never-say-die design that just keeps on going. And with snow on the road you don’t need a lot of power. Kim has talked about getting a scooter and has ridden the ET4 and LX150 but she doesn’t like how tall the seat is. The Ruckus would be great for her and as a backup commuter.

Take a look at 2strokebuzz’s Cold Weather Challenge. Even if you have no plans to head out in the cold it is interesting to read the rules and guidelines and see what other scooter riders are doing.

For now I’ll just watch for the thermometer to drop below -10F.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Related

Filed Under: weather, winter

Comments

  1. Kim says

    December 22, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    Dang, and I thought this morning’s 7F temp was a possible contender. Yikes!

    Reply
  2. Heinz N Frenchie says

    December 23, 2008 at 3:10 am

    See, you are already thinking about a 2nd scooter. We knew you would be tempted. The Ruckus sounds like so much fun. The video was great to watch, but we will leave the freezing rides to others. Stay warm.

    Reply
  3. Orin says

    December 23, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    In Seattle, it’s 31℉as I write this; more snow is expected, but the high temperature is going to be somewhere above freezing during the day. The plan for removing the snow already on the ground is to wait for it to melt.

    I love Seattle… or at least I keep telling myself I do…

    Reply
  4. Giest says

    December 23, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    Damn! He’s got me beat. I need the roads to clear off before I can hit up that challenge. The roads are currently covered in snow…

    Reply
  5. Giest says

    December 23, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Meh…looks like I’m out. Only motor scooters allowed on the challenge. Oh well.

    Reply
  6. Steve Williams says

    December 24, 2008 at 1:13 am

    Kim: 7 degrees is cold. I can’t imagine what -10 is like.

    Heinz & Frenchie: The Ruckus seems like the jeep I always wanted (until I drove one). Pure utility in a scooter. And a 49cc engine fascinates me…

    Orin: Seattle has some bad stuff weatherwise going on. Be careful out there. Seattle is also a place Kim and I always have wanted to visit. Someday…

    Giest: Yeah, you’ll have to look to Adventure Rider for competition among motorcycles. 2strokebuzz’s competition is scooters only!

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me

  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Subscribe

* indicates required
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Intuit Mailchimp

YouTube subscribe banner

SEARCH ALL THE POSTS

Recent Posts

  • Remembering Summer Rides
  • Summer Doldrums
  • Riding and Getting Older
  • Notes from the Sticks
  • Seduced by Warm Weather
  • The Perfect Ride

Archives

Fun in the Mountains

Honda Trail 125 motorcycle

Fun with the Honda Trail 125. (CLICK IMAGE)

A Sample of Vespa Camping

Vespa GTS scooter along Pine Creek

A trip north along Pine Creek. (CLICK IMAGE)

Riding in the Rain

Vespa GTS scooter in the rain

Thoughts on rain. (CLICK IMAGE)

Snow: An Error in Judgment

Vespa GTS scooter covered in snow

A snowy ride home. (CLICK IMAGE)

Demystifying the Piaggio MP3 scooter

Piaggio MP3 250 scooter

Understanding the MP3. (CLICK IMAGE)

Follow Me

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Copyright © 2025 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in