Still going strong

It's December the 6th and I'm still riding.  As a matter of fact, I rode into work today in my coldest temperature yet: -11C (12F).  Any colder then that and I won't be able to handle it without some added protection for my hands.  My body stays at a fine temperature for the ride in and could easily take a ride of an hour or so, but in the 15 minutes that it takes to get to work my hands are practically numb.  I'm not complaining or anything, I know I'm bringing this on myself...willingly...hehe.

The coming week looks a bit iffy.  There is a rather large cold front just south of the Great Lakes which is carrying a lot of snow with it.



Every other day next week is slated to have either rain or snow or a mix of both.  Here's hoping that it stays mild here.

I haven't had too many days where I can just get out for a ride.  It's either windy or just plain cold.  I did manage to get out for some holiday shopping, but that kind of turned sour.  Once I got out I realized that my list was still at the apartment.  No problem, just another excuse to be out longer on bike.  Well, once I turned the key in the outer security door things changed a bit.  The key snapped off in the lock.  Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but my cell phone was also in the apartment so I couldn't call maintenance to let me in either.  Add to that the fact that the apartment offices had just closed.

I ended up having to go all the way across town to get Joey's keys so I could get back in the apartment and call maintenance.  When all was said and done, it was dark out and I had no desire to do any shopping.  With a hot coffee, I retired to my computer to let the rest of the day dwindle away.

Stay safe and warm out there, bothers and sisters.

7 comments:

Allen Madding said...

Riding below 30F without electric gloves is insane!!! Your hands are worth $150, really.

Giest said...

Tell that to my bank account! LOL.

Lucky said...

Giest - try some decent snowmobile gloves. Even a $30 pair does a decent job of keeping the digits warm, although they're not as plyable as motorcycle gloves. If you're hellbent on becoming a "rounder", then you might also want to check out Hippo Hands (www.hippohands.com). I've never tried them, but they look like they could do the trick.

Cheers,
Lucky

Giest said...

I'm going to go poking around for better gloves or ATV muffs today. I love the looks of those Hippo Hands and it's fantastic that they are Canadian made, but they are a little on the pricey side for right now. I've bookmarked them for now.

Lucky said...

Don't know what the weather's like back home, as I'm in Ottawa on contract for a few months. One thing I can tell you is that there are no motorcycles to be seen on the roads around here! +30cm of the white stuff over the past few days, not to mention that the public transit drivers are on strike. Bumper to bumper frustration everywhere. Makes me glad to be on foot!

I remember meeting a guy while on vacation in the Maggies two years ago (Magdalen Islands). He rode a V-Strom, which I thought was cool as it confirmed that I wasn't the ONLY one. Got to talking with him and he said that he rode year round. Of course, I didn't believe him... until he invited me and wifey over to his place for a few beers and showed me his winter riding equipment. Get this: studded tires! He bought a set of knobbies, a stud gun, and a few bags of metal studs, then did the tires himself. Talk about big balls!

Cheers,
Lucky

Giest said...

As usual, the weather here can't make up it's mind in the slightest. Rain, snow, ice, rain again...I'm sure it will settle soon.

I admire a guy like that! No doubt he has a blast when winter hits. If I had the spare cash I'd pick up a Ural and do the same thing. I'd finally have a reason to enjoy winter again.

Shelby @ 1st5ive.com said...

OMG! You're the man... no way I could brave riding in 12. I've ridden in snow and just about lost my nuts it was so cold!