I was in my truck on I-5 yesterday, heading north out of Portland, Oregon in the pouring rain. All lanes were full and moving along at full speed. Trucks were throwing up blinding storms of car-wash violence in every direction. My wipers were a useless joke. Every now and then I hit a puddle near the shoulder that would move my front end a good foot laterally.
I was likely pining, as I often do, for the smell of Eucalyptus trees on a gentle warm Southern California breeze, and feeling very sorry for myself at the moment for living in the Pacific Northwest, when I turned to see a pair of gloved hands attached to ape hangers moving slowly past me in the next lane. A bearded, half-helmeted friendly face turned and nodded to me. I nodded back in amazement as a waterfall cascaded from his beard. He looked content and unruffled. It was 48 degrees.
There was a guy riding here in Davenport in a snow storm a few weeks ago. Just rolling along all bundled up. A bit easier, I would assume, since he was using a sidecar rig, but still. I love riding, but I have my limits.
I'll ride in the rain if i have to. Apart from that, riding in real heavy rain, in equally heavy traffic is a bit daft and something only the desperate or totally 'committed' might want to do. Plus with Ape's, geeez! What possessed him I wonder to put those things on ? - The blood has got to be fighting to circulate up that hill - and in the cold yikes! The wet plays havoc with the leathers, or can. I suspect oil skin chaps are kinda pointless when you have 2 layers of Levis, Hot pants and a suspension of dirt in oil holding it all together - that does the job of keeping the shins dry at least - apart from that the water seeping down his butt crack was probably making him real mean - wait 'til his air filter goes aqueous one day! 100mph bath and laundry session, that's wot that wos! Most of us have control over our water requirements. living the dream!
The best is when, as a year round bike only person, you're riding on days like that and you meet another bike commuter. You always share a smile that says: "another crazy sob just like me". yesterday it was 14 degrees without windchill and I passed another on I66 heading into work, truely awesome!
I like to buy that guy mistermellow saw a virtual drink.
Hey Wombat, that pic is daft - looks like something the Queens Constabulary might come up with - The portable, all weather Cone of Silence! - probably scrapped, once they got smart, hey!
It's been bitter cold here the last few days, miserable stuff. So the other afternoon, we're in the car and it's about 25 degrees in the sun and here comes a guy on a bike. Holy cow, I hadn't seen another rider in a couple of weeks!
As I was leaving home this morning for work there was a gritter lorry waiting in a side street. I gave the bloke driving it a huge thumbs up and a friendly wave. I hope he got the message. These guys have kept the roads around here open all winter so far. No open face helmet for me, and the 'cold killer' balaclava has been getting used under the old Shoei for the past week. Brrrrr...
Been riding the bike to work all winter. This morning it was 18 degrees (actual temp) when I left for work. Wife said I was nuts, so did everyone at work. It was quite refreshing.
As with some others here I am still riding to work and took the tona for a blast today, man it feels like a rocket ship after using the old honda for a month, The hands are toasty warm now though as I am using super gortex gloves, heated grips and handlebar muffs, dont fancy the apehanger thing with just gloves, but any fool can be cold!!
Reading threads like this make me glad I live in the land down under!
............although over the past week the temp has been hovering around 38 - 40 degrees celsius (over 100 on your scale I think) - that creates other issues!
Welcome to hard core-ville. I commute nearly everyday. I have ridden in a driving rain, teen *F, and 100+*F, etc. can't seem to stay off the bike. Many moons ago when I was a much younger man, I rode at -40*F in North Dakota.....don't plan to do that again.....very slight frostbite on both eyelids. It is amazing around here how often the "tough guys" riding their cruisers disappear when the weather gets a little rough. Although I don't see it as a matter of toughness, I do wonder how the guy I see riding the BMW (looks like a dual sport or adventure bike) and I are seen by them as they shiver by in their plush SUVs?
Only ride if you are comfortable with the conditions. If not, do not endanger yourself simply to make a point. My job as a teacher can be quite stressful at times and the short ride from here to there tends to wind me down nicely.
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