Took my FIRST ride of the season today.


It as a bit cool (49 degrees) when I started out but I was bundled up pretty good and the hand warmers did their job.


On the way home (as is usual on a Friday afternoon) the traffic as stop and go coming cross-town westbound on I-696/I-96, and though I had removed my sweatshirt, switched to a lighter leather jacket and gloves, it was getting a little "steamy" !


Even so, I (we) did about 125 miles and it was a nice ride.

My bike is "running like a Singer sewing machine"!!!


A little dusty now.

 

I just don't know how anyone up north stands paying for a bike to sit for 6 months of the year. Either, good for you.

 

Nothing like a nice ride to clear your head.

 

I ride 12 months a year in northwestern Illinois. Not a challenge at all. From last Nov. 1 to March 31 I had over 12K miles. At 12K for the end of April from Jan. 1 as I rode to Laughlin River Run and a side trip to Vegas in April. Both directions through NM had rain and snow with temps in the 30's.

Temps just do not have much to with riding. It is one's passion for it that is the main factor. There are riders and there are fair weather riders. Each to his own. But never claim that winter prevents one from riding. It does not. I ride between 30 to 40K and my bikes do not sit around for 6 months.

 

The possibility of ice on the road prevents me from riding. Freezing temps all night, riding on roads that had thawed the day before with snow still on the landscape.

 

I'd ride more during the winter months, but I get pretty, "squirrelly" when it's cold enough for tail pipe exhaust to make ice at intersections. You just never know where there's moisture and ice when the temp is below 30 and there's no sun out.

 

It's where we're raising our kids. When they're on their own we're leaving winter behind. For now, ill just have to be envious of folks like you.

 

Used to live in northern Wisconsin, a very short riding season for sure! JR

 

Glad to hear you finally got that first ride in. Good times ahead.

 

I've lived in Montana, Alaska, and the mountains of S. Korea. The winters in those places were a large reason I settled back in the South after retiring from the Army. I hate winter!


My first ride this year was 2 January if I remember correctly.