Old Fair Weather Rider

[Texas Turnip]

Ralph,
Some of us as we got older finally got some sense and realized we don't have to prove how macho we are by riding in extreme weather. Yes, I've been in a tent with the sweat running off you before passing outat 2 and waking up in a oven at 4.

Call me a sissy. Say I got to squat to pee. I don't care, but now I'm going to a motel when it is still in the mid 80's with high humidity at 9 PM. Beaver, fortunately has sense and knows when it is time to stop.

Enjoy the ride when you want to ride.
Tex

[rocker59]

49 years old, here.

Heat and Humidity aren't any fun, anymore.  I just don't ride much  if the dew point is over 70 and if the temps are over 90. 

[LowRyter]

ooohhhhh......the weather turned nice this weekend!  Keeping it though the week. 

[Shorty]

I still commute on 2 wheels. I take a 4 wheeler if it's gonna rain, or be above 95 or below about 40. But then , it's only about 18 miles.  Riding for fun? I much prefer spring/fall temperatures. Yesterday was nice. 80s.  Nice day for a little Bonneville adventure.

[Gary Scott]

  Bikes
 That is a nice looking 1100. I had two of those before I bought the Guzzi. a STANDARD AN A BAGGER.
 I once rode down to Chet's shop in 23 degree weather an I had so much clothing on he had to help me off the bike.
 I still have parts for them as well. The 1100 is for sure a cold weather bike.
Gary

[stevet]

Boy, at a toddler's age of just 47, I can't take the heat during just about any reason to be outside.  As someone else described, I just wilt, even when fluids and electrolytes are kept in check.  Hot and humid weather just saps all my energy, physically and mentally.

I used to love winter, until I bought my first motorcycle in 2005.  "Come on, Nature, this howling snow storm with -30 windchills is all you have?"  Now, MN's winter cold is tolerable, just add another fleece, but I curse every inch of snow that falls because that means one day deeper into spring before I ride.

Yes, I seem to be a fair weather rider.  But that is when it's most enjoyable.  In "bad" riding weather, I do something else.

Steve.

[charlie b]

Well, at 63 I can finally say I don't commute anymore.  When I did it was 30mi each way and only ice or below 20F temps would keep me from riding the bike.  Over 100F in stop and go traffic was not pleasant.  Feeling the heat rising from the hot asphalt and the other cars and trucks was brutal.

When on trips I also manage to ride in below freezing or over 100F temps.

I don't like higher temps as much, but, the line is at 90 or 95.  Probably because I grew up in Phx and live in the desert.

Cold I still don't mind near freezing.  I don't like below freezing just because of the chance of ice on the roads.  If I am going for a longer ride I don't mind bundling up and plugging in my heated gloves :)

If it is just a ride to the local store I really don't want to bundle up so temp limits are a bit different.

[Dean Rose]

You are not alone. I don't feel the need to be Joe tough guy, I'm approaching the three quarter mark myself. If it's going to hurt or make me wish I hadn't done it I'm not going to do it.


Dean

[Lannis]

If it is just a ride to the local store I really don't want to bundle up so temp limits are a bit different.

Sometimes it's not the comfort level, it's the hassle.

My imagination and experience has improved over the years, so I no longer ride in light shoes and a Tshirt and no gloves.

Went out to run some errands yesterday and get the Stelvio inspected.  It was 95 degrees and HUMID!   Put on my jacket, earplugs, helmet, and gloves and rode off.

Pulled up to the bike shop, took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.   After the inspection, I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves.

Stopped at a store to look for some "Iron-Out" stain remover.   Took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.   After not finding any Iron-Out, I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves, and went looking in the next store.

Took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.   After not finding any in that store either, I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves.

Decided to stop at a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant.  Took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.  Got two shrimp rolls and an order of steamed dumplings, ate them, went back to the bike. I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves.

Rode to another store for the Iron-Out.  Took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.   I DID find them in this store, and I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves.

Had a little package to mail at the PO.   Took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all.   Mailed my package, then I put on the jacket, put in the earplugs, put on the helmet, and put on the gloves and rode home, where I took off the gloves, took off the helmet, took out the earplugs, took off the jacket, and stashed them all in the garage.

As you can see (if you've made it this far), it just doesn't make any sense at all to ride a motorcycle for this kind of trip.   By the time you're done, it takes 2 minutes to struggle into the sweat-soaked leather-and-Kevlar gloves.   

I also don't ride if:  We're going somewhere nice and Fay doesn't want her hair messed up.   Or if we're taking the dog.   Or if we're taking the grandkids.   Or if there's something to haul out or back.  Or if there's a lightning storm going on when we leave.

Some people actually ride THROUGH all that stuff, though ... !   I ride through most of it but there's a line ...

Lannis

[Testarossa]

Once again, Lannis hits it spot on.  ATGATT is a pain in the butt running errands in hot weather.

For a couple of decades, when I supported dogs, I felt guilt-stricken leaving them behind. A lot of short motorcycle rides were sacrificed for the sake of leading the pack around town.

[charlie b]

When I do errands on the bike I only take off helmet and gloves.  If I am wearing earplugs I leave them in, especially since no one cares to talk to me anyway :)   If I am wearing a jacket I leave it on, even if the temps are above 90.

I have also been known to go for a short distance to the market without helmet, jacket or gloves.

[rboe]

Bingo! Gear on, gear off - I hate repeating myself so I'll take the pickup. :D

[rodekyll]

That's why the goddess made nosepickers.