the end is near

[lucian]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[Yukonica]

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.

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

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.  It's even more work than riding in the woods.

[fotoguzzi]

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.

[lucian]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[LowRyter]

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. 

[cliffrod]

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.

[Wildroamer]

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!
🎳

[JJ]

For a minute there, I thought you were talking about these four guys...





Here in "Vortex-Land", and after a hellish summer, we are just coming into our wonderful riding season!!

[lucian]

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.

[MotoG5]

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.

[lucian]

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. 

[Gliderjohn]

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

[lucian]

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? 

[Lannis]

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

[Ncdan]

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👍

[lucian]

Careful what you wish for my friend. We might just all show up at the same time. 

[Wildroamer]

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!

[fotoguzzi]

Pretty sure this one has a big enough alternator..

[lucian]

get that one stuck , you're on your own!

[JJ]

C'mon now....I thought this was appropriate...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeMlQEWEg2Q

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

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.

[JohninVT]

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. 

[radguzzi]

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...

[Kiwi_Roy]

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.

[radguzzi]

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. 

Or at least two of us.  This is ready to go at the drop of a hat...  Room for two Guzzis.     Or one Hack. 
 
rad__

[Jorg66]

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 .

[Perazzimx14]

You only have to stop riding if you want too.