Windy and cold ride....
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 244
From: Tucson Arizona
Windy and cold ride....
Left the Class C at the RV park in Laughlin and rode the bike up to Vegas for a couple of days of too much fun (2 days = damage control).
Left Vegas yesterday at 8 trying to get back to Laughlin ahead of the forecast strong northerlies....
didn't make it. Blowing 35-45 with the temp hovering between 32/35. Wind chill at about 12 degrees, solid ice on all of the ponds and puddles. We were seriously layered up and the cold was not half the problem the wind posed.
Not too bad going south on 93 cruising at 75 but when we turned east for the last 20 miles up and over the pass back down to Laughlin that north wind was gusting up to 50. I slowed down to 45-55 and managed to keep the SG in my lane.
It's been blowing 35-45 with gusts exceeding 50 for the last 36 hours and should last until tonight. We are hunkered down in our RV waiting it out. The coach is rocking like we were driving a rough road. I'll reload the the bike on my Kendon trailer this afternoon and head to Mesa early in the morning.
Left Vegas yesterday at 8 trying to get back to Laughlin ahead of the forecast strong northerlies....
didn't make it. Blowing 35-45 with the temp hovering between 32/35. Wind chill at about 12 degrees, solid ice on all of the ponds and puddles. We were seriously layered up and the cold was not half the problem the wind posed.
Not too bad going south on 93 cruising at 75 but when we turned east for the last 20 miles up and over the pass back down to Laughlin that north wind was gusting up to 50. I slowed down to 45-55 and managed to keep the SG in my lane.
It's been blowing 35-45 with gusts exceeding 50 for the last 36 hours and should last until tonight. We are hunkered down in our RV waiting it out. The coach is rocking like we were driving a rough road. I'll reload the the bike on my Kendon trailer this afternoon and head to Mesa early in the morning.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
if you do not like riding in wind, don't come or move to Montana.
25 to 60 mph winds fairly normal.
i rode today 46 degrees, 29 mph winds and it wasn't too bad. usually at this time of year its snow shoveling and bitter cold. thankfully we had a chinook come through and warm things up for a few days.
60 mph wind is a bitch to ride in, keeping bike straight and in your lane is a challenge.
25 to 60 mph winds fairly normal.
i rode today 46 degrees, 29 mph winds and it wasn't too bad. usually at this time of year its snow shoveling and bitter cold. thankfully we had a chinook come through and warm things up for a few days.
60 mph wind is a bitch to ride in, keeping bike straight and in your lane is a challenge.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Vegas, baby!
With age comes different priorities?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 244
From: Tucson Arizona
Oh well....
I wish I could control the weather, just not one of my gifts. The high winds were not predicted to be so strong and arrive as soon as they did. Waiting another day or two would not have helped and we were prepared for the cold. Slowing down when it got hairy was the right call.
Like someone once pointed out it's not about the ride but the journey. If it is possible I am even more pleased and confident in my bike. It is not every day one gets to have another great adventure... especially at 65.
Like someone once pointed out it's not about the ride but the journey. If it is possible I am even more pleased and confident in my bike. It is not every day one gets to have another great adventure... especially at 65.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 57
From: Rijssen, the Netherlands
When we, here in Holland, decide to ride only on days with low winds we are 362 days out of 365 parked in the garage. Riding a full western storm, gale 9 ahead (50 -55 mph), is a feast. Especially when you are heading the coast, where the breakers are roaring on the sandbanks for the coast, port and beaches. Temps are around 12-15 C and you will never get more oxygen in your lungs than during these rides. Tugboats are wrestling through waves of 6-7 meters high and are heading full speed ahead for a rescue or salvage of a ship. Riding back with backwinds and heading home is heading for an excellent drink or meal and flushing your bike with plenty of water to get rid of the salt and sand. That's real 'riding on a storm'. We love it !
Last edited by Bart van der Meulen; Jan 29, 2017 at 06:37 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
GF tried to do a trackday on Friday at Auto Club Speedway. Too windy so we retired early. It was blowing 30-35 with gusts to 70. Those kinds of winds you don't want to be 18" from the wall at 160...especially with yer knee down.