First Ride of 2010

allworld · Super Poster

Well it has been a long time coming (9 days) but I managed to take a short ride today (16 miles), my first for 2010. The air temp is a bit cool (23 F) but not to windy (12 mph) so the roads are dry and just a little salt/sand, for January that is about as good as it gets. I did look at the forecast, there maybe a window of opportunity next week, I'll have to wait and see.
_________________
2009 Tmax 18,400 miles
**Attention!**
Until further Notice
Celebrate Everything.

ax1464 · Turbo Poster

Must be nice. Our roads have been snow- and ice-covered for weeks with sub-freezing temps the whole time. But it looks like we might make it back up into the mid-30's next week. Hopefully long enough to melt this yuck off the road long enough for me to get out for a ride.

I can handle the temps but I'm trying to stay off the slick stuff. I learned my lesson last winter. I hope. Wink

_________________
"Does this bike make my butt look fast?"
o%o
Last Bike: 1986 BMW K100RS
Current Bike: 2008 Yamaha Majesty
o%o
"The Road to Enlightenment is More Fun on a Bike"

My Photo Gallery: http://majestyusa.com/gallery/v/ax1464/

porky · Turbo Poster

Let me introduce you to BLACK ICE. Almost invisible until it's too late. 400 cars and trucks slid into ditches last year in this area. It almost happened to me once, in my 4x4 truck, on a beautiful, sunny 20 degree day but I was stopped by a roadblock before I slid off the road like others had done. Bye the way, the road surface looked "normal."

It is worse this year because of the very low temps here the last few weeks: 4 degrees to 8 degrees on my commute to work going up to a high of 14, with windchill of as low as 25 below 0 F. This of course is global warming. These temps are the coldest prolonged readings in recorded Missouri history.

I've been to Boston many times and drove up to Nothern Maine and it was a lot colder than Missouri, at least when I was there!

Why in the world would a rational person want to ride in freezing, dangerous weather unless it was absolutely necessary??????

A few threads on this forum and others, have people actually bragging about their heroic rides in such and such temperatures??? Whad up wit dat???

They have a word for people who ride their bikes in frostbite weather but I won't say it. Shocked

Sam

_________________
Read John 3:16
KF6GUW Amateur Extra

2010 Honda NT 700, Red.
2010 Honda NT 700, Silver.
2009 Yamaha Zuma, Black.
2009 Yamaha Zuma, Yellow.

allworld · Super Poster

ax1464 · Turbo Poster

BA_LoKo · MajestyUSA Supporter

allworld · Super Poster

Gentlemen: I did not mean to start a firestorm of controversy.
I can appreciate everyone’s input and respect your opinions.
The fact is I like to ride and will do so when ever I can, I'm not an idiot and won't ride if I know it is not safe to do so. I do ride in colder weather, but won't ride if it the roads are icy including black ice.
I hope everyone who enjoys riding will have their own opportunities to do so as often as conditions will allow them to.
_________________
2009 Tmax 18,400 miles
**Attention!**
Until further Notice
Celebrate Everything.

ax1464 · Turbo Poster

jgalar · Turbo Poster

People comment about how can I stand putting on all that "stuff" to ride in the cold. I reply I always put on all the "stuff" when I ride, its just different "stuff" depending on the weather.

allworld · Super Poster

I would love some heated stuff. " All the Gear, All the Time"
That is what I was taught and that is what I do and I'm alive to teach others.
_________________
2009 Tmax 18,400 miles
**Attention!**
Until further Notice
Celebrate Everything.

allworld · Super Poster

Ride number 2, today the temps were in the 40's in most locations so a few of use took to the streets and ate up some pavement. We only went a little over 100 miles, but if was GREAT. My ordinarily pleasant demeanor was lifted to livable up from caution. Very Happy

_________________
2009 Tmax 18,400 miles
**Attention!**
Until further Notice
Celebrate Everything.

ax1464 · Turbo Poster

allworld · Super Poster

Hello ax1464: For the most part the roads are clear, after a day like today the roads get wet and refreeze overnight so that is when there is black ice. Then the temp rises and it is safe to ride, there is only a small window of opportunity. The weather can change in a heart beat so you have to be ready to ride when you can and know when to wait it out. I don't know how it is in your area but if you have snow/ice/slush then it would make sense to wait if out. I hope you get to ride soon and take the edge off a little bit. Cool

_________________
2009 Tmax 18,400 miles
**Attention!**
Until further Notice
Celebrate Everything.

ax1464 · Turbo Poster

Ginasong · Active Member

It was in the 40's today when I took off. I rode about seventy miles and really enjoyed it. However, I took it a little slower. We've had snow here and rain in the last month. The oil on the roads made a line down the middle that I stayed very aware of.
I came to a section of town where sand and gravel came right out into the street making a tricky little hump for me to go over. From what I've seen, it is riskier to drive in the wintertime even when the temperatures move up a little. So, I'll drive if I really want but I will be extra careful and watch the road conditions like a hawk. I stayed off of some of the backroads too.
But I understand why some might consider it foolhardy to drive during the winter but I believe we can use wisdom and minimize our risks if we really want to ride.