The mind is stronger at the end of winter…
Winter is Coming. Again…
A storm approaches. Perhaps the biggest of the season and with it days without riding. Despite the cold, bleak day I wanted to ride. The 16F temperature when I awoke didn’t damper the desire to be on the road. The winter riding consciousness is in control and almost any weather now seems rideable.
Rideable. Is that even a word?
Into the Cold
The road is a narrow gray thread moving through a white landscape. With the electric glove controller set to maximum the ride is warm and comfortable. Scanning the road for ice is constant yet strangely relaxing considering the obstacle it can suddenly create.
The heavy sky brings a dark, gray sheen to everything. The cold and snow combine into a perfect challenge to ride through.
Vespa in Winter
Tomorrow this road will be covered in snow making it unlikely I’ll be riding. For now, I’m grateful for the cold days that I can ride. They’re beautiful and terrible but they don’t stand in the way of riding the Vespa scooter in winter. All I need do is gear up and go. The only hurdle is between my ears. A season of pushing to ride has honed my winter riding consciousness.
The ride today was perfect. Just a jaunt through familiar countryside. Not a care in the world.
Ice on the Road
It wasn’t until I was almost home that I ran into ice. And a lot of it. Snow had blown across the road the previous day and was converted to ice by the crushing force of so many cars and trucks. Walking across the ice to make the picture nearly put me on the ground. Creeping the scooter along the edge of the road took time because neither the scooter’s tires or my boots had any traction.
Ice on the road on the freezing days of winter is the biggest obstacle of winter riding. While I’ve never engaged a patch of ice like this at speed I can assume the result would be disastrous. And the only real way to prepare is to be going slow enough to stop before the meeting. And for the twisty roads that riders love to handle with speed and aggression would make short work of the day.
If you ride in winter you need to learn how to go slow. Just as many riders never really practice slow speed maneuvers on their bikes and scooters (that sub-5mph stuff) I’ve found many haven’t ever practiced going slow either. They have one tool in the toolbox — go fast. Stay home if you only have one tool — physically or temperamentally.
I wish I could say this is the last cold weather ride you’ll see on Scooter in the Sticks until October or November. But something tells me that winter is just getting started.
Crap…
Ice is the one element that having a sidecar rig won’t fix. Luckily we don’t get much in terms of ice buildup on our roads here. Usually its only a factor in the summit areas of our mountain passes.
La Veta pass comes to mind, conditions at the top were icy, saw one car on its roof with a state trooper nearby providing aid. Soon after, I saw a large patch of ice on the road…I was perhaps going 10 mph….I pulled in the clutch lever, let off the gas and tried to not make any inputs to steering….
I think these were the reasons I didn’t have trouble on that ice patch that evening….I could feel all three tires squirming on the ice as we traversed it. Not something I’d care to repeat, this experience. On two wheels? Forget it!
I should have written: On two wheels (without studs), forget it!
Ice is the worst. And as you say in another comment — studs are the best way to handle. Or chains.
I can’t imagine riding along icy roads on high passes, especially ones where you could plummet off the edge of the road…
https://www.meetup.com/toronto-moto-scooter-club/photos/19941212/#458278932
Sometimes I’ll head out in carp just for fun. Sometimes I get caught out. It helps to have a very light bike, and boots with LESS traction than your tires.
Having a light bike is critical to dealing with snow. Took a look at your photos. What kind of machine is that? Looks like a Passport or Sym?
I don’t think it would necessarily be a disaster, you might just fall easily to the ground, well maybe more like a thud, and slide along the round scratching the helmet and the scooter up pretty good. But you already have prepared for that in your mind I suppose. Disaster to me means a car runs you over or D. Trump get elected.
On smooth ice it’s more like a tip-over. Everything is slippery so you just slid along. Rough ice is another story.
My experience is the wheels slip out. Happens fast. Only once have I gone down. Having something light like the Vespa helps manage things.
Depends on the speed I guess. Getting run over would be a disaster. Elections are a different animal entirely.
My two wheeled group was not happy hearing the news of the impending storm. Family matters kept them grounded during this last heat wave and we were itching to ride.
Only skiers are happy right now I think.
Snow. I’m tired…
The icy road looks to be worse than the rest. I like your analogy of one tool in the toolbox. And it does seem to be way too common.
That stretch of road was pretty bad. The rest of the ride was clear.
I wonder why so many riders never stretch their skills?
It is 6:30 PM EDT here in Burlington Ontario. There is a raging snowstorm outside, and my drive has six inches of fluffy white snow on it fallen since noon, another 10 to 15 inches or more are predicted tomorrow March 14. Am staying inside. My truck and yours truly has an errand to do tonight, however the four wheel drive will be in situ. Suspect Boalsburg will get some of this mess, work for you may be closed Tuesday…if nothing else the dogs will like romping in the snow…
If so take photos…
Your predictions were correct — about work, dogs and photos.
I find March and April the cruelest Moto months of the year. I don’t expect to ride much or ride at all here in South Central Ontario most if not all winter months. Ride hunger however begins to peak this time of year, the enthusiasm is high, the bikes and I are both poised but alas Mother March has promises to shut the door again. Haven’t I seen this movie before? If it is still difficult here into April I might have to load something into the truck and head south for a few days?
Double Crap
Double crap is right. The winter is just mean and cruel. I still try to ride but I’m really craving some fine warm days right now.
Winter dones help develop our patience, if nothing else! That was a mean looking ice patch.
Hoping the storm passes without incident for you.
Patience… I getting impatient with patience.
The storm turned out to be much ado about nothing.