We are in the middle of a week or more of rain. The sky is full of water and most of the motorcycles have found shelter. I seem to be the only one on the road and brings me to this post—-riding in the rain, or more to the point, the decision process that results in wet weather riding.
This past weekend my friend Paul and I planned to ride north to visit some motorcycle dealers so that he could investigate his next bike. We both know the forecast called for the possibility of rain but decided to wait until daybreak to make a decision about the ride. At 7AM I get the call as I am putting on my riding gear and getting ready to ride to the Waffle Shop to have breakfast before heading out of town. Paul is on the phone as is concerned that its already sprinkling and the day will be wet. He decides he doesn’t want to ride his Harley in the rain but still wants breakfast. Twenty minutes later he has his short stack and side of bacon and I am working through scrambled eggs.
My first rain riding observation came with the phone call. Paul and I had two polar opposite reactions. For him rain was a negative. For me it was a positive. I was excited at the prospect of rain. I have always enjoyed hiking, walking, driving, photographing, just watching the rain provided I am outfitted properly. It has continued with the Vespa but in a slightly different way. Riding in the rain is peaceful and quiet in the same way it is while hiking. But riding in the rain presents special challenges. They are a lot like those presented in the snow without the weight of the cold. Recognition of the road surface becomes more important as everything on the road becomes a film or paste waiting to have a little scooter tire slide through. Route decisions change as I consider speed and visibility. The mental effort increases to manage the riding risks. And I find myself hurrying to take up the challenge. Fair weather riding seems a bore at these moments.
Conventional riding wisdom is to not ride in the rain, snow, night, etc. It also says to wear a helmet. Each person makes there own decision. Personally, I would rather manage riding in the rain than riding without a helmet. Not sure how you manage that one….
After breakfast I rode a bit under 100 miles moving through the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania into the Allegheny Plateau. The rain was variable from a steady drizzle to nothing more than threatening clouds. A fine morning. On the way home I passed the local Triumph Dealer, Kissell Motorsports, and saw the Triumph Factory Truck at the place with about a dozen or so new motorcycles waiting for riders. I have to confess that I have had my eye on the 900 Scrambler for no other reason that it looks cool. I don’t need it and certainly can’t afford it right now but gee, free ride, go ahead and torture myself. So I’m standing at the registration table ready to put my name on the list for the open Scrambler when it hits me—I like the Vespa and I don’t need any thing else. So like Galadriel turning down Frodo’s offer of the Ring, I pass up the Scrambler ride—I pass the test and remain content with the Vespa.
It was raining hard this morning when I got up. Felt the stir of anticipation at being able to ride to work in the rain. Took a slightly longer route, partially to avoid traffic but mostly to enjoy the fog and rain. I stayed dry save for two small leaks in the inner thigh area of the TourMaster Overpants. I think I might have left the flats open because that has not happened before. The photo was taken outside of town on one of the little rural roads that I can use to wander around town. Saw one other motorcycle on my ride, a Honda ST1300 I think. I have seen this guy before. Today he was riding with a full helmet, jeans and a sweatshirt. He had to be dripping wet. The other time I saw him was on a 40-degree morning wearing a T-shirt and jeans. He must be an animal…..
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steve
Don’t you feel that somehow riding to work everyday will just turn the scooter into a monotonous activity over time that you potentially cease to enjoy? I couldn’t help but notice in your last blog entry that there seemed to be a subconscious pressure to get something done – i.e. – ride to a certain place, see a certain thing. That strikes me as a very work related mind set. I find myself doing that from time to time in the things I enjoy – and I realize at the heart of me that I am still not relaxed enough to enjoy the activity I am about to engage in. It is good that you were able to turn that around though.
Steve, you are sick, sick, sick! I ride in the rain but rarely enjoy it for its own sake. It’s just that I’d rather be on the bike in the rain than in the car most of the time. What I really love is the little bit before a big storm blows in. There’s an invigorating feel to the balmy air and wind.
Funny that you’re having rain. We had a record hot day yesterday. It was 86 in the town my office is in. It was 95 an hour North where I live. I’ve heard there’s been heavy rain on the East coast, lately. Yours must be spillover, huh?
Dan
Dan,
We’ve been wet for the past week. Not as bad as it is 200 miles east on the coast but certainly wet enough to keep most riders at home.
I don’t look forward to the heat of summer. Right now everything is just beautiful and green….
hrw115:
So far there is no monotony to the ride to work or otherwise. Any parallel to riding and work would certainly be if there is any planning involved. If I take any longer rides I may do a bit more planning of a route but that’s about it.
steve
Hey Steve — I’ve been riding my new Vino 125 in the rain a good bit in the last few days. I had assumed my decision was just part of this little honeymoon, but I think you’re right — rain riding is a particular challenge one can enjoy taking up, or not. So far, I do.
Devan: Glad you are enjoying the Vino. Be careful riding in the rain. It demands a heightened awareness of the road surface and visibilty to manage the risk.
IT is fun though. I look forward to the rain.
steve
Glad I’m not the only one who likes riding in the rain (only if I have the right gear with me though), one of my most memorable rides was through a thunderstorm and a traffic jam on the way home from my last job!
Steve, I passed a similar test this past Sunday evening. I had ridden my scooter to the waterfront near my home, and while sitting on a beach log taking in the view, a brand new Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES pulled up and parked next to me. This is a bike that I have a picture of on my wall. I like it. Well long story short…I was offered a ride, and turned it down. And as I rode home thinking about it, I was actually happier to be on my scooter. And I know that I really don’t want the 500ES as much as I thought I did.
Bill: Isn’t it amazing how many things we think we want and how few we really care about after we get them. My mind plays tricks on me. I create realities in my head that require the acquisition of new things to be realized and when I get them that bubble bursts and I am left with one more thing that waits in the house or garage until I finally get rid of it.
I’m working on a post now related to riding and simplicity. It raises some of these sorts of issues.
Glad you found out what you actually wanted!
steve
Hi, I was just wandering the blogosphere and here I am at your blog. I enjoy the style of how this all works.
This is one to watch.
Cheers,
Marriott time shares