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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: lucian on October 25, 2020, 05:34:32 PM
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Another riding season coming to a fast close here in the northeast U.S. , It was a fantastic season though so no complaints, but still a little bummed. Really envy those of you who get to ride year round.
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Another riding season coming to a fast close here in the northeast U.S. , It was a fantastic season though so no complaints, but still a little bummed. Really envy those of you who get to ride year round.
I know a couple of fellow riders in New Hampshire and Maine, and as soon as the snow gets deep, they break out the massively overpowered snowmobiles and start riding (120 MPH according to them but I don't know) on the thousands of miles of trails through the Great North Woods, having a great time.
I don't say that I would do it, because I don't know how they avoid freezing to death, but they seem to have a great time doing it, or so they say.
Is that an option?
Lannis
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Lannis, the longer you live in a cold place the less the cold affects you. Adaptation. I'd melt in Arizona. Or central Washington state for that mater. Plus 5F. is heavy shirt and down vest weather. 75F. is stupid hot.
Snow machines are fun but they aren't bikes. Sort of like a Spyder... close but not the real deal.
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In another lifetime, I went to Michigan a lot. Every dirt bike rider I knew had a snow machine. If you do it right.. you'll stay plenty warm. :smiley: It's even more work than riding in the woods.
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I know a couple of fellow riders in New Hampshire and Maine, and as soon as the snow gets deep, they break out the massively overpowered snowmobiles and start riding (120 MPH according to them but I don't know) on the thousands of miles of trails through the Great North Woods, having a great time.
I don't say that I would do it, because I don't know how they avoid freezing to death, but they seem to have a great time doing it, or so they say.
Is that an option?
Lannis
heated seats and grips plus heated apparel.
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Your right Lannis, a lot of buddies here go snowmobiling in the winter. Last one I rode was 45 years ago. A moto ski 399 grand prix. great fun till you buried it . A younger mans sport I'm afraid. Maybe I'll try bowling.
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Lannis, the longer you live in a cold place the less the cold affects you. Adaptation.
I can see how you can overcome "uncomfortable" or "I feel cold" just by toughing it out, but hypothermia and frostbite don't CARE how cold-immune you feel like you might be .... ?
You can drop two guys into 28 degF seawater, and one will say "Hey, the annual Polar Bear Swim!" and laugh and swim to shore, and the other will scream "GET ME OUT OF HERE!", but they're both going to be dead within a minute or so of each other if they stay in there for 30 minutes ....
I've ridden a bike in sub-zero degF temps just to be doing it (back when that was important to me) and there's some real problems with exposed skin!
Lannis
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early winter here. Still, it'll be back in the 60s by next weekend the following week. But 30 on Tuesday morning and rain. I've taken the garden down this morning. Only in the 40s here now. Fireplace burning.
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I can see how you can overcome "uncomfortable" or "I feel cold" just by toughing it out, but hypothermia and frostbite don't CARE how cold-immune you feel like you might be .... ?
You can drop two guys into 28 degF seawater, and one will say "Hey, the annual Polar Bear Swim!" and laugh and swim to shore, and the other will scream "GET ME OUT OF HERE!", but they're both going to be dead within a minute or so of each other if they stay in there for 30 minutes ....
I've ridden a bike in sub-zero degF temps just to be doing it (back when that was important to me) and there's some real problems with exposed skin!
Lannis
Dammit- as soon as we sell the family farm in VT, that big $$$ anti-flatlander ad campaign finally starts to gain traction...
Seriously, people up north manage the cold and live in it just like people down south manage the heat. I've accidentally been through the ice, fishing in spring. I sure didn't stay there. People aren't stupid. They adapt. You either carry a cooler to keep your beer cold or to keep it from freezing.
the big downer about bikes and winter in New England & further north are salt/sand and ice, not the cold weather. . Whatever the temps, Imagine riding the Dragon after it's been spread with rock salt & sand... After living down south, moving back to VT and having to park your bike during what it typically the best time of year to ride is a major drag.
Hope your winter goes well, Lucian, Stay warm.
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I feel you, Lucian. I'm two states over in Bernie-land. It was especially tough as this was my first season riding in about a decade, and cut short with a leaky bike.
As for snowmobiling, or "Ski-doing" as we used to call it, that is a lot of fun, but also can be a LOT of work..."Unsticking" a buried snowmobile is not for the weak-hearted.
We'll get 'em next Spring!
🎳
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For a minute there, I thought you were talking about these four guys...
(https://i.ibb.co/xf1bLwz/Screen-Shot-2020-10-25-at-5-32-37-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/xf1bLwz)
Here in "Vortex-Land", and after a hellish summer, we are just coming into our wonderful riding season!! :cool: :thumb: :wink: :smiley:
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Amen brother Cliffrod. I can take all the cold and snow you can throw at me . I have worked outside on the stern of lobster boats and framing houses since my teens, all winter long. But I learned 45 years ago when i dumped my hodaka in mid winter try to get to a party at a buddies house, winter road riding just ain't for me. { Shouldn't have been on the road anyway with my dirt un licenced bike but that's another story} But you are right, it's not the cold . it's the ice and salt and the fact its dark on the am and pm commute.
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Here in Nebraska we usually have good riding for Oct. in to early Nov. This year early very cold temps set in mid Oct. and now we are getting an early snow tonight. Looks like two or three inches followed by four days of twenties in the day and teens in the night. Next weekend we will rebound into the fifties and I am holding out some hope that a ride or two may be possible. The end is near indeed.
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Man,all of a sudden i don't feel so alone. Nebraska getting first snow before maine? go figure. Hope your indian summer pans out ! I'm still hoping for the same. Sometimes the southern tropical storms push some mild air our way and we get a couple of bonus days.
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SC KS. At the moment 30 degrees with mist trying to turn to light rain. Depending upon the weather models, during the next 36 hours we may be having rain, sleet (up to an inch), freezing rain (up to a quarter inch), up to three inches of snow or some of all of it. NOT planning to ride for a few days anyway, maybe the ATV.
GliderJohn
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Man this doesn't sound good. like the jet stream is already taking that big dip into the mid west. Saw a huge flock of canada geese arriving overhead today.Never a good sign. How are our brothers to the north doing?
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Lannis, Brad already said. Heated seats, grips, and clothing. Just like on a motorcycle.
ZZ
Yes, he did already say, but look at the time stamps! I'm a fast typer, but I couldn't get my response in place before his post answered my question (or sort of did ... when it's below zero, you'd have to have an extra engine on your sled just to pull the alternator for all that!)
I'm OK into the 20's for short rides and full gear, but a snowy day on the trails? Have fun!!
Lannis
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Y’all northerners quit you’re whining and give me a call ANYTIME this winter as there is an open invitation to all you guys to trailer up and head south to my place. We’ll ride the Smokey’s or head further south to the coast for a weekend of fun in the sun. Won’t cost you a red cent after you get here👍
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Careful what you wish for my friend. We might just all show up at the same time. :thumb:
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Y’all northerners quit you’re whining and give me a call ANYTIME this winter as there is an open invitation to all you guys to trailer up and head south to my place. We’ll ride the Smokey’s or head further south to the coast for a weekend of fun in the sun. Won’t cost you a red cent after you get here👍
Very nice!
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(https://photos.smugmug.com/All/i-NJQvLd6/0/89429d1d/M/Screenshot2014-01-16at113038AM_zpscda19ff7-M.png) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/All/i-NJQvLd6/A)
Pretty sure this one has a big enough alternator..
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get that one stuck , you're on your own!
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C'mon now....I thought this was appropriate... :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :cool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeMlQEWEg2Q
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and the fact its dark on the am and pm commute.
Th is right here is what slows me down around this time of year. I don’t mind commuting when I at least get one way in the daylight. But now it’s almost that time when it’s dark going and coming. Nope. I’ll slow down to just riding on my weekends when the weathers nice. Which here in GA is usually every month. I will sometimes miss January or February entirely, but that’s usually more bc of winter maintenance/upgrades than anything.
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I ride until the first time the roads get sanded or salted in the Fall. The bike gets put up for the winter when that happens and doesn’t come out until after the first rain of the Spring washes the salt off the road.
I’ve ridden both for over 30 years and all I can say is that snowmobiling is an extremely poor substitute for riding a motorcycle. You have to trailer them to go anywhere. The season is short and unpredictable. Snowmobiles are just as expensive (or more so) than bikes.
Snowmobiles are just like pools and boats; it’s always better to have a friend with them than to own one yourself.
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Yup, snow looming soon...
I have started the m/c storage process, oil changes and stabilizing fuel etc. The Hawk GTs are put to bed, there are three others all out away for long term storage; one Triumph, the CB450 and the XS650.
I will put the HD and EVT away as soon as we have a real threat of weather moving in. Probably leave the Convert ready to ride in the event that the roads are clear... yeah, right.
We tried the snow machine thing and it would cut into our skiing and snow shoe time so that is gone. As JohninVt states, they are spendy, gotta move it to a trail although we could ride right from our home, I just got over it.
I do have plenty of projects to do in the garage this Winter so there is that...
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Braved the cold for a coffee run to Fort Langley yesterday 0.5 C (about 33F) on the way, heated gear cranked to the max.
Only one other bike there a new Goldwing with heated seats.
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Y’all northerners quit you’re whining and give me a call ANYTIME this winter as there is an open invitation to all you guys to trailer up and head south to my place. We’ll ride the Smokey’s or head further south to the coast for a weekend of fun in the sun. Won’t cost you a red cent after you get here👍
Careful what you wish for my friend. We might just all show up at the same time. :thumb:
Or at least two of us. This is ready to go at the drop of a hat... Room for two Guzzis. :wink: Or one Hack.
rad__
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3577/F85mbt.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7971/XiSLIS.jpg)
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Took yesterday off and did litte tour on Yellowhead and Transcanada Highway plus a couple sideroads ,... all in all 622 KM /~389 miles ,first time in Nov for me in this part of the country.
With - in effect cant even load up and take it south for a couple of Weeks ,thats all so on the to do list .
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You only have to stop riding if you want too.
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C'mon now....I thought this was appropriate... :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :cool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeMlQEWEg2Q
The Doors is one of my all time favourite bands, and I have always thought that the guitar intro by Kreiger and the drum intro by Densmore is probably one of the best of all time. Brooding and crystal clear. :thumb:
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Sadly not a good riding year for me. With - closing most things, and me spending most of the summer out of state away from the bike, I think I only put about a 1000 miles on her. Then the cold, rain, and wind came and its just been sitting. Looks like nice and in the 60's the next few days, so I will be stealing a few hours to get out, and get some miles in. If nothing else just to burn the old fuel out. Then its nappy time for her. With the snow, cold and mostly the salt.. it will be sleeping in the garage till spring.
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You only have to stop riding if you want too.
Yep. Just got to do a little planning ahead. I got quite a bit of riding in this year. Riding to friends' houses in other states, riding through the Southeast and the Appalachians using campgrounds, riding to the SW VA Guzzi lunches every month (and that can be a LONG day if you do it right), riding to the Virginia NAR.
Still nice and warm, got out yesterday ... at some point it will be cold and miserable, and I won't ride as much, but it's not a "can't" or "there was this big problem, see ..." thing. If you want to ride, you'll find a way!
Lannis
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Yep. Just got to do a little planning ahead. I got quite a bit of riding in this year. Riding to friends' houses in other states, riding through the Southeast and the Appalachians using campgrounds, riding to the SW VA Guzzi lunches every month (and that can be a LONG day if you do it right), riding to the Virginia NAR.
Still nice and warm, got out yesterday ... at some point it will be cold and miserable, and I won't ride as much, but it's not a "can't" or "there was this big problem, see ..." thing. If you want to ride, you'll find a way!
Lannis
I always get a kick of the adventure crowd that lives to hardcore off-road ride (you know gravel fire roads) but as soon as the 1st cinders are spread the roads are deemed unsafe and the bike is mothballed.
I ride year round because I choose too. Sure its not as fun then the mercury dips into the teens or single digits but it more fun than not riding for months on end. Even in the dead of winter there are days when its in the mid 30's which starts feeling fairly warm after a stretch of sub gfreezing temps passes.
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Snow machines are a total blast to ride. They have taken me to places I'd never see on any other vehicle.
I'm in Buffalo. Soon there will be 4 zillion tons of salt on the roads. No, thank you.
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You only have to stop riding if you want too.
I do agree, and in years past I rode year round in upstate NY winters.. Not every day granted... But if it was around 40deg.. no foot of snow, ice, rain etc I would ride when I could. My big reason now is the bike. My Guzzi is just too nice to take out on sand/salt covered roads. Id love to get a slightly smaller bike, that has seen some things.. to set up as a beat around, any day kinda bike. Something im not going to worry about salt and sand on it. Kinda wish I still have my first road bike still.. a 77 GS400.. it would be perfect.