Scooter in the Sticks

Preparing for Winter Scooter Riding

November 28, 2018 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

Planning for the Coming Winter Riding Season

Weird, I always seem to find myself writing blog posts in the middle of the night. It’s just past 2am, the wind is blowing outside and its been cold enough that I just bought two pairs of merino wool base layers, two pairs of heavyweight Merino wool socks, and a new pair of winter gloves from LL Bean. All part of the process of acclimating to the cold and preparing for winter scooter riding.

I have to play a few mental games to gird myself against the cold weather at this time of year. Early in the season 30F feels awful. By March it’s T-shirt weather. It’s been like this as long as I’ve been riding. And since my heart attack a few years ago and daily regimen of blood thinners my cold tolerance has shifted 20 degrees. Long underwear didn’t enter the picture until 20F before. Now it’s required at 35F.

But that’s all unique to me and my odd mental wiring and physical configuration. Something that may be more universally useful for any scooter or motorcycle riders considering extending their range of riding — how to approach the appearance of ice when the temperature drops below the freezing mark.

Cold Weather Riding: The Tucano Urbano Apron on a Vespa GTS

November 26, 2018 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

Tucano Urbano Apron

I got the jump on winter this year by installing the Tucano Urbano apron on the scooter early. The fog and mist this morning was enough to spark the desire to ride. My disinterest in putting on my armored overpants led me out to the garage to install the apron. It took less than 10 minutes to put it on and I was ready to ride in 36F air in just my jeans. The apron is near magic in its ability to keep the cold out.

Most of the recent snow is gone now but the roads are wet and full of gravel. Plenty to give a rider pause when negotiating curves and turns. As is the case with all cold weather riding, speed management is critical to staying upright — snow or no snow.

Reflections on Thanksgiving

November 23, 2018 by Scooter in the Sticks 12 Comments

Recognizing the Gift

Awoke on Thanksgiving Day to the gentle prodding of dogs, their noses intent on bringing me in to a new day. At 16 degrees my footsteps on frozen ground and over patches of snow and ice felt almost warm due to the dazzling sunlight cresting the horizon at sunrise. As the dogs raced through the garden I said to myself, “Thank you for giving me another day.”

Snow, Fog and Riding a Vespa Scooter

November 20, 2018 by Scooter in the Sticks 7 Comments

Melting Snow Means Fog (And Maybe No Riding)

The first heavy snow of the season has come and gone. And so has my interest in riding. The snow is melting and with it wet, dreary fog has developed. It’s the sort of weather that lends itself for mysterious photographs and mystical scenes across the landscape. But I’ve left the Vespa scooter in the garage. Pulled this photo from a ride a couple years ago. Things look much the same now save we’re having a little more fog.

Fog and riding a Vespa scooter. Usually a perfect mix for me. But not today. Or even this week.

I have been thinking about it though. Read through an old post that reflects on the winter riding experience triggered by a ride to work at -8F. If you’re interested in riding after everyone else puts their scooter or motorcycle away, you may want to read SUB ZERO RIDING EDUCATION.

Greeting the Cold Riding Season

November 6, 2018 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

Say Hello to Cold Riding

I knew soon it would become dramatically colder, if only for a few hours. And last Sunday morning was this year’s introduction to the cold riding season. The forecast when I went to bed suggested temperatures in the upper 30s. When I looked out in the driveway in the morning the frost on the cars indicated something different. 32F and sunny.

Wasn’t sure I was ready to ride at that temperature yet. For me, the cold riding season requires a slow approach, a few degrees at a time to let my mind become comfortable with the unavoidable cold you notice after months of warm weather. It’s something that requires a few Jedi mind tricks to overcome.

The self portrait in the window on the way to Saint’s Cafe shows evidence of two new features — a wool cap that keeps my head warm after removing the full face helmet, and my faithful insulated leather gloves from LL Bean. They bridge the gap between warm weather and the time it becomes necessary to install the Tucano Urbano muffs.

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Planning for the Coming Winter Riding Season

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Tucano Urbano Apron

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Recognizing the Gift

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Melting Snow Means Fog (And Maybe No Riding)

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Say Hello to Cold Riding

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