The Vespa starts right up in freezing weather, my brain not so much…
At the beginning of the cold-weather riding season an adjustment is in order — for me at least. I don’t worry much about the Vespa and instead focus on the subtle ways my mind works to avoid the cold. Perhaps it’s merely a form of homeostasis that struggles to preserve comfort. As the years progress and a new season of cold arrives I have to work a little harder to ride the Vespa in freezing weather.
Accept the Obvious
Some might say I’m in denial and that my mind and body is trying to tell me not to ride. Or that I really don’t enjoy being out on the scooter of a crisp, bright morning in bracing air. The resistance I’ve encountered from others to cold-weather riding ranges from philosophical beliefs on the subject bordering on fanaticism to garden variety disbelief or head-shaking at the thought of riding when it’s not warm.
I got up this morning with only a sense that I could ride. As I moved through the morning rituals to prepare to depart for work the clear skies and lack of wind allowed me to slowly move toward a two-wheeled departure. By the time I came back in the house after 30 minutes of dog action I was moving my riding gear toward the cast-iron radiator to begin warming up.
After making the photograph of the scooter with the frosty window I paused to walk out to the road and think about ice. At 27F, despite the dry weather of late, riding would demand an extra measure of observation and care in riding.
Alone with Your Thoughts
A stop on the way to work to visit the chiropractor for some final touch-up work on my back. In the office, thinking about how long it has taken me to recover after this latest lumbar event, I could hear my father saying, “It’s hell to get old boy.”.
Boy. My name forever with my dad. I don’t remember him ever calling me anything different. Even when introducing me. “That’s my boy.”.
Funny what comes into your head when you’re alone.
Rising Above Freezing
On the way to work the temperature quickly climbed above the freezing mark and combined with the bright sun to bamboozle my brain into thinking it was warm. I’ve had a few concerns since my heart attack about how well I would be able to handle cold-weather riding but so far it’s not been an issue. The only thing I’ve had to wrestle with is the usually mental resistance that I generally categorize as laziness. The more I ride in the cold though the hardier I become.
Bring on the winter — I’m ready to ride the Vespa in freezing weather. Big talk for someone sitting in an easy chair in a toasty living room.
The next few days promise some warmer weather so I may see some fellow riders but I won’t hold my breath. The few I’ve spoken with already have Stabil in their gas tanks and are storing their machines in anticipation of spring.
A sad state of affairs. I think…
