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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bonaventure on December 21, 2017, 08:16:13 AM

Title: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Bonaventure on December 21, 2017, 08:16:13 AM
I try to make it a point to get a ride in on the summer equinox, winter solstice, and New Year's day.  Summer equinox easy, other two can be more challenging or a no-go.  Northern hemisphere.  Guessing New Year's ride is the easy one in Southern hemisphere? 

So today it's the winter solstice and the wx is looking great-- clear & sunny w/ forecast high of 54 F (12 C).  Having not had the first snow yet, roads are free of salt ...
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on December 21, 2017, 08:29:13 AM
Sorry- wage slave here. I do have a Christmas Eve Eve ride planned.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Ncdan on December 21, 2017, 08:35:20 AM
Yep, I’m in the middle of Nc and planning to ride to a Christmas luncheon. Suppose to be 51 deg. I just made a map adjustment last night so I can check it out.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Triple Jim on December 21, 2017, 08:35:26 AM
I used to water ski  on New Year's Day every year, but it was mainly because an adamant friend did all the work and I'd just go along.  Maybe this year I'll get out the dry suit and give it a whirl.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Dilliw on December 21, 2017, 09:05:46 AM
I'll be riding an A319 tonight but should be out on the EV tomorrow.

The real fun comes if my gym pal succeeds in getting this Southern Boy to take the polar plunge on the 1st.  He does it every year but he's a crazy Yankee!  They do it at Lake George (the U.S. Lake George) and I'm at least considering it.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: LowRyter on December 21, 2017, 09:11:32 AM
Yes.  going to be 63 today until the bottom falls out after 3 pm. 

A warm day or two next week until the single digits are likely cancelling the New Year's Day "cold butt" ride.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Gootsz on December 21, 2017, 09:24:28 AM
Florida here. just another day in paradise. 74 degrees. going this afternoon.

micky
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: twowheeladdict on December 21, 2017, 09:56:34 AM
I am starting to forget what the sky looks like.  It has been raining and gloomy for days.  I will hopefully get out to top off the fuel on the road glide.  Local station was closed the last Sunday I rode it.  With this humidity I hate parking a bike without a full tank.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Roebling3 on December 21, 2017, 09:59:11 AM
Among other essential tasks (grooming related), I'm rather certain the ever popular Dave Roper will be riding.  Me? Last time I looked there were a few shiny patches, plus a serious chill in the air, for these ol' bones. One of the 2 strokes is always ready; though unlikely to reach operating temperature.
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone!  Good fortune in the new year.   R3~
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Yukonica on December 21, 2017, 10:07:07 AM
Not I!.
No riding for me today. Porch temperature is -24C. And it is dark.
On the bright side (pun intended) today is the beginning of the return to light.
Daylight hours today : 5 hours, 37 minutes and 53 seconds.
Tomorrow is brighter: 5 hours, 38 minutes and 1 second.
Best get the wheels polished... summer is on its way.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: cookiemech on December 21, 2017, 10:32:21 AM
Sure! 38F right now and headed up to the low 40s and sunny in SW PA. At this temp, I don't even bother to plug in my heated gloves and jacket liner on my K75RT. Just long underwear, an Aerostitch one-piece, and heated grips.

Probably run my ~62 mile loop this afternoon.  :grin:
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Matteo on December 21, 2017, 10:52:22 AM
I’m going for a hike.

Happy solstice!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wDST-tHEV5w
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Idontwantapickle on December 21, 2017, 11:46:01 AM
I have a tradition of riding during the Christmas to New Year holiday. Sometimes it can be quite cold but usually it’s not to bad. I ride on New Year’s Day so that no matter what happens I can say I’ve ridden this year! :laugh:

Hunter
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Shorty on December 21, 2017, 11:57:05 AM
Not this year.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/hJMNzm/catarract_2017.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hJMNzm)

anonymous image hosting (http://imgbb.com/)


Cataract   Maybe by N.Y.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Lannis on December 21, 2017, 12:00:50 PM
Went out on the Norton yesterday, high 40's, fine for just a jacket, gauntlets, and full helmet without getting too chilly.    You definitely have the two-wheeled part of the road to yourself in December!

Lannis
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Rainrider on December 21, 2017, 12:03:45 PM
I rode yesterday and I’ll probably ride tomorrow, but today was 25F and foggy, and I was late for a meeting. A shame, really. I’d just installed a new horn on the V7ii, and with the fog I’d probably have gotten use out of it.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 03:48:06 PM
After a couple days of rain, nice to be back out on the 1000S.  We had a blizzard on Mauna Kea about 8" of snow below freezing temps. but not down here at sea level.  Sun is out and the tourists are on the beaches.  Water is 78F.  Air should be low 80's.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on December 21, 2017, 05:19:12 PM
Yep.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4637/39204460591_6f681db09a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22Jn7gH)2017-12-21_02-07-46 (https://flic.kr/p/22Jn7gH) by Charles Stottlemyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/107188298@N06/), on Flickr
Cut it short, though..I was dressed for 60f, and it was maybe 50 and blowing 30 knots up in the mountains.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 05:22:19 PM
Tough job.....someone has to do it.   :thumb: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Rich A on December 21, 2017, 05:39:37 PM
Short ride on the Convert. Cold but not miserable.

Rich A
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: wavedog on December 21, 2017, 06:11:05 PM
78 degrees F here today. Rode the Goose to the gym, then a few extra miles on the way home. Took a nap, then got back on the Goose and ran around town then blasted up and down the local US hiway just because. I got home before the commuter traffic got heavy. A fine day to ride.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: mjptexas on December 21, 2017, 06:43:06 PM
Yep, somewhere in Central Texas:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/hDNAkR/Winter_Solstice_Ride.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hDNAkR)


And, I spent yesterday on the Ducati:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/h33ms6/ducati_dec_20.jpg) (http://ibb.co/h33ms6)
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: blackbuell on December 21, 2017, 06:52:13 PM
Had a great ride on the Norge in northern KY. Beautiful day for it: 55 degrees F, sunny, little wind. Rode 120 miles including a 25 mile stretch of wonderful sweepers on rt. 36. Looks like it will be the last ride for a few weeks.

Jon
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: rodekyll on December 21, 2017, 06:54:00 PM
34º 99% humidity and sometimes sunny patches at noon.  Clear but icy roads in the shadows, and the road is cut through mature Doug fir stands, so it's all shadow.  They have deer posted at all the shadowyist icy curves -- you know -- the ones with the freezing fog in the bottoms.  They're lurking in the twisties in their cami chamois tactical vests with binoculars, headsets, 8x10s of my bikes and instructions to run me through a gauntlet more harrowing than a James Bond chase sequence. 

But again I digress.  I'll do too hazardous and I can do too miserable, but by choice I won't do both.  So from my chilly trailer: Happy solstice to you all, ride safe if you're riding, and may your next 6 months' days or nights be either longer or shorter.   :cool: :boozing:

Gratuitous solstice pics:

Favorite winter solstice bike shot (approx. noon in Alaska)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/hvQMQR/Silverbay_bike_in_snow1_bw_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hvQMQR)


Favorite summer solstice bike shot (midnight in Alaska)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/i1YQkR/solstice6c_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/i1YQkR)




 
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: lucian on December 21, 2017, 07:02:03 PM
I wish, I'm glad for all of you who still can.  Up here when the day's get longer the cold gets stronger.
 
25 f  and an ice storm on tap for tomorrow.  May have to get a Harley with some ice picks. :laugh:
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: radguzzi on December 21, 2017, 07:27:20 PM


Yeah, not so much.  I am with Lucian, we are "riding" snowblowers, four wheelers and tractors with plows for the next few months... :(   Winter Kills me but I cannot leave... yet.

rad___


Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: BMWDavid on December 21, 2017, 07:36:55 PM
Got out today after work. Rode about 30 miles before it started getting dark. Low 50's...not bad!
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: jacksonracingcomau on December 21, 2017, 07:50:17 PM
yep just back from weekly farm gate shopping, bike loaded to hilt, strawberries, cherries, peaches , apricots, blackberries, eggs, fig & apricot bread.
100 mile odd round trip, from the growers.
25 c here and sun won’t set till 9.30pm, midsummers day is the best, scrubbed in a new boot too.
Might have to do it again this arvo
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Bonaventure on December 21, 2017, 07:50:24 PM
Put about 80 miles on today, got up to 57 F (14 C), was sunny all day. Nothing much scenic, but quick snap of the bike from when I stopped to pee outside at an undisclosed location nearby.  No one drove by whole time I was stopped.  Saw two coyotes while out, one road killed and the other crossing road about 100' in front of me in a full sprint either in pursuit or fleeing some threat. 


(https://image.ibb.co/gfDNzm/IMG_20171221_135223560.jpg)


Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: MMRanch on December 21, 2017, 08:32:48 PM
Did just short of 100 miles loop today .   Went to Murfreesboro Tn. today and was waiting on a light to change , well I heard tires/anti lock brakes doing the "Erk,Erk,Erk" thing --- checked my mirror and sure enough right behind me and closing fast ... I'd left enough room to pull past the car in front of me and  I didn't stop till the "Erking" did.   I went between the cars in front of me and the Erking car stopped where the middle of me and my guzzi had been.  :evil: evil thoughts came to mind --- but the light changed and my proctor cars took off , so , I did too.  Mr. Must have been texting turn left at the next block. 

After thinking it through , I could have got to a safe place sooner if I'd been watching my mirror instead of watching for the light to turn green .    Or at least been watching light and mirror.

Probably , missed out on a half million dollar suit and new bike. ? 

Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: twowings on December 21, 2017, 10:32:53 PM
To Applachia Bay on a real nice day...


(http://thumb.ibb.co/j1Xw9m/20171221_114155.jpg) (http://ibb.co/j1Xw9m)
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: webmost on December 21, 2017, 10:48:03 PM
27 with busted clouds this morning when I rode the Jackal to work. Mid thirties by the time I made my bank run. Half a sky full of awesome crimson mares' tails on the way home. 28 now.

Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: guzzi4me on December 21, 2017, 11:14:50 PM
Rode to work, after work rode and finished Christmas shopping, picked up a take and bake pizza for dinner then put Olivia to bed for the night and opened a cold craft brew.

Yes I rode today..the only thing that would have made it better if I didn't have to go to work first!!!!

Merry Christmas all..and to all a good night!!!

Ride safe and often,

Jeff
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Tom H on December 21, 2017, 11:28:13 PM
I did ride today. Rode the Eldo to Guzzi Classics to get a good rear M/C for the EV. Nice weather!  I installed the M/C and all seems good. Will take it for a spin tomorrow and see if the work went well.

Chuck: If that was the "Bu", them is just hills, not mountains  :tongue:

Tom
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: oldbike54 on December 21, 2017, 11:52:51 PM
 Walked 20 blocks , made vroom vroom sounds . The locals gave me odd looks , didn't care .

 Tazz go vroom vroom .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Bonaventure on December 22, 2017, 06:24:07 AM
Not this year.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/hJMNzm/catarract_2017.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hJMNzm)

anonymous image hosting (http://imgbb.com/)


Cataract   Maybe by N.Y.

Had that done last year, left eye.  You'll see better in only a day or two after the fix.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: LowRyter on December 22, 2017, 09:05:09 AM
40 miles on the Sport.  Another 20 on the EV and the weather got cold, got a haircut, rode home.
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on December 22, 2017, 09:43:03 AM
I did ride today. Rode the Eldo to Guzzi Classics to get a good rear M/C for the EV. Nice weather!  I installed the M/C and all seems good. Will take it for a spin tomorrow and see if the work went well.

Chuck: If that was the "Bu", them is just hills, not mountains  :tongue:

Tom

Pressure bleed? They're mountains if you come from Indiana.. :smiley:  Even their name says mountains in it. SMM..
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Tom H on December 22, 2017, 11:56:34 AM
Pressure bleed? They're mountains if you come from Indiana.. :smiley:  Even their name says mountains in it. SMM..

Used Speed Bleeders. Read the thread on my brake issue.

SMM.... You do have a point there. The mountains to me are more like Big Bear.

I plan to ride again today. Make sure the brakes work on the EV and then get some more done on my parents house.

Tom
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: sidmonsters on December 24, 2017, 10:47:48 AM
24 degrees when I left the house on the Stelvio, a tropical 38 on the way home.  I claimed that kids home from college needed my car to get around, so taking the MG to work was fun for me and got me some points with the Admiral.  Always playing the angles!  Snow has since hit NE Ohio and coming midweek highs are supposed to be in the low teens...waaah
Merry Christmas to all and hope we cross paths in 2018
Steve
Title: Re: Who's Riding on the Winter Solstice Today?
Post by: Tom on December 24, 2017, 01:21:41 PM
Will take the 1000S out for a ride on Christmas day.   :grin: