Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Invigorated by Cold

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Belgian Sheepdog covered in frost

Frosty Dog, Cold Weather State of Mind

The dogs seem invigorated by the cold; running, prancing, tearing through the garden more excitedly than they do in warmer weather. Lily plays so hard that her breath freezes on her thick coat. Maybe they’re just trying to stay warm. But I see the phenomenon in myself.

Eventually.

Acclimating to the cold always took time. As a youth, just the time it took to pull on hat, boots and gloves. Now it takes months of slow mental bargaining and physical adaptation. But it does happen.

This morning it was -1F as I briskly moved through the garden with the dogs. A good thing. Especially for someone suffering from anklyosing spondylitis — psoriatic arthritis in my case — where movement helps. Unlike those with rheumatoid arthritis who generally wake feeling better after a good night’s sleep, spondylitis gets worse.

Morning is a chorus of screaming joints and muscle aches. Choosing to get up and move, exercise, is a tough conversation. When it’s cold — even worse.

But, it does happen. And this morning I felt I’ve fully acclimated to the cold. I was like the dogs. Walking, running in places, unfazed by the cold, excited to be outside.

It’s in this frame of mind that taking the Vespa out for a ride in cold weather is a joy.Continue Reading

Vespa Scooter Rider

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Vespa GTS windshield on a cold dayAcclimating to the Cold

It was a bracing morning. Perhaps too cold for a Vespa scooter rider. Could see the steam rising from the furnace vent, a sure sign that it was cold. As I pulled on my heavy winter boots the heavy frost on the car windshield was another reminder of the cold. At 1F I trudged along with the dogs wondering if I should take the Vespa for a ride.

There were reasons to venture out — blood tests for my next visit with the doctor, food, fuel for the Vespa. But the morning temperature was too low for my brain to negotiate a ride with my body.

By early afternoon it was a balmy 20 degrees — perfect for a little riding and errands. First stop was to pick up some MRI reports. The normally indifferent staff at the medical facility seemed to perk up a bit when I walked in with my flourescent green riding jacket with helmet in hand. When you ride in winter — people notice. Non-riders notice.Continue Reading

Riding a Vespa Scooter in Winter

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Vespa GTS scooter on a snowy roadVespa Scooter in the Snow

This photograph is from a snow storm ride last March.  Strangely, I enjoyed the challenge of it.  And importantly, I wasn’t cold.  But things change.

And it’s affecting my winter riding.

The scooter is willing but the rider is weak. Riding a Vespa scooter in winter isn’t rocket science. It’s just a matter of configuring the machine in a way to help accommodate the cold. Could mean a windscreen, Termoscud apron, winter tires, heated grips or any of a wide range to tricks and solutions to address the special circumstances encountered when you ride a Vespa scooter in winter.

Or a motorcycle or any other device or machine that exposes you to the elements.

That’s the easy part. I know how to do those things. And I have a pretty good handle on the mental stuff as well. All the subtle and not so subtle adjustments you have to make to your riding style. Or techniques you develop to deal with unexpected or sudden encounters with snow or ice.

Check. I’m good with that stuff.

But there’s one last thing that’s just killing me. I can’t get warm.Continue Reading

Tucano Urbano Termoscud: Beating Back the Cold

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Vespa GTS scooter with Tucano Urbano Termoscud apronReady for Winter

Almost.  Still need to mount the Heidenau K66 SnowTex tires.  But I have to say the Tucano Urbano Leg Lap Apron Cover Termoscud for the Vespa GTS really makes a difference in terms of keeping the frigid winter air at bay. And in typical style, I finally acquired a tool others have been suggesting for years.  If nothing else, I’m slow to heed good advice.

I’m still not able to make any long rides but I have been using the Vespa to run errands.  The temperature has been cooperating in a manner that provides a clear picture of the Termscud’s cold busting power.  Instead of the layers of polypropylene long underwear, jeans and my heavy insulated over pants, the Termscud allowed me to comfortably ride with jeans alone at 25F.  I’m not often impressed with moto accessories but this had me smiling.Continue Reading

Vespa in Winter

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Vespa GTS scooter on frosty roadCold Start

I’ll try to resolve two truths that seem in opposition with each other. One, I don’t like being cold. And two, I choose to ride through the winter. They only seem opposed because most riders think you can’t ride in cold weather without getting cold.

That’s the challenge. Or part of it anyway. The Vespa in winter.

A few mornings ago I headed out with the thermometer indicating 29F. Cold enough to remind me it’s not as simple as I thought. Riding in cold weather demands work. For me, in these three areas:

Gear — the stuff that keeps you safe and warm.
Skill — the ability to manage the cold and the risk of snow and ice safely.
Mental — the drive to ride regardless of the weather.

Gear and skill are essential but the easiest to acquire. Money, time and practice will get you where you need to be.

The mental stuff — that’s a different story. After twelve years of winter riding — it’s only gotten harder.

When I started riding in the cold I could physically endure a lot more than I can now.
Thinking back to sub-zero rides, warming my hands with headlights and exhaust gas makes me shiver. I could do things then by force of will. Now my body can’t, or won’t go where my brain wants to lead it.

Despite the blue skies and bright sunshine it was cold enough, especially in shadowed areas, to have a little frost and ice on parts of the road. I had to tell myself to slow down and not assume the bright sky meant dry pavement.Continue Reading